Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging – Serially connected batteries or cells
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-10-23
Tso, Edward H. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging
Serially connected batteries or cells
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307350
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to direct current (DC) power sources and, in particular, to rechargeable batteries that are configured to be recharged by recharging voltages that are lower than the output voltages of the batteries.
2. Description of the Related Art
Rechargeable batteries for providing renewable sources of direct current (DC) electric power are well known in the prior art. Heretofore, these prior art rechargeable batteries typically have been configured to be recharged by relatively high voltage power sources, e.g. power sources which possess higher voltage outputs than the batteries. Typically, such power sources include standard 110V household power which, through the use of an AC to DC converter, can provide suitable voltage for recharging the batteries. However, these power sources may not be available for use when recharging power is needed, i.e. during a power outage.
When relatively high voltage power sources are not available for recharging a battery, other sources of electrical power, such as relatively low voltage power sources, e.g. power sources which possess lower voltage outputs than the batteries to be charged, may be available. Heretofore, however, these power sources typically have not been utilized for providing recharging power to batteries. This is due, at least in part, to the configuration of the prior art batteries which typically are adapted to be recharged by relatively high voltage power sources. Specifically, these batteries typically require an input or recharging voltage, which is to be applied at the output terminals of the battery, that is higher than the output voltage of the battery.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide renewable DC power sources that overcome these and other shortcomings of the prior art.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Certain objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The present invention generally is directed to rechargeable batteries which are configured to be recharged by relatively low voltage power sources. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a preferred embodiment includes input terminals which are adapted to receive recharge voltage from a relatively low voltage power source and output terminals which are adapted to provide a battery-output voltage, with the battery-output voltage being higher than the recharge voltage. Preferably, a plurality of rechargeable battery cells are electrically interconnected between the input terminals and the output terminals and are configured to electrically interconnect with each other in series during discharge of the rechargeable battery.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the rechargeable battery incorporates a sequencer, which is electrically interconnected between the input terminals and the battery cells so that the recharge voltage provided at the input terminals is delivered to the sequencer. The sequencer then sequentially delivers voltage to each of the battery cells for charging the battery cells.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the rechargeable battery incorporates a voltage multiplier circuit which includes a circuit input, a circuit output and a plurality of charging capacitors interconnected between the circuit input and the circuit output. The voltage multiplier circuit alternately electrically interconnects the plurality of charging capacitors in parallel and in series so that recharge voltage is provided across the plurality of charging capacitors, intermittently added and provided as circuit-boosted voltage at the circuit output. In some embodiments, at least one such circuit is provided between the input and each of the battery cells. In other embodiments, one voltage multiplier may be adapted for providing circuit-boosted voltage to more than one battery cell, while in still other embodiments, a voltage multiplier circuit is not utilized.
Preferably, each voltage multiplier circuit includes at least one circuit stage, with each of the circuit stages incorporating a transistor interposed between first and second capacitors, and a plurality of diodes interconnected among the transistor and the capacitors. The diodes are configured to respond to recharge voltage applied to the circuit input so that when a voltage is present at the circuit input, the first and second capacitors are effectively connected in parallel across the circuit input. Additionally, the diodes are configured to respond to the recharge voltage applied to the circuit input so that when the voltage applied to the circuit input approaches zero, the first and second capacitors are effectively connected in series through the transistor, so that a voltage across each of the first and second capacitors is added and applied as circuit-boosted voltage at the circuit output for delivery to the battery cells.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the rechargeable battery incorporates input terminals which are adapted to receive recharge power from a relatively low voltage power source during recharge, and output terminals which are adapted to apply battery-output voltage to an electronic device during discharge, with the battery-output voltage being higher than the recharge voltage. The rechargeable battery includes a plurality of rechargeable battery cell stages electrically interconnected between the input terminals and the output terminals, with each of the battery cell stages incorporating a battery cell interposed between first and second diodes.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a preferred method for providing direct current electrical power includes the steps of: (1) providing a rechargeable battery that is adapted to provide an output voltage across its output terminals during discharge, and; (2) recharging the rechargeable battery utilizing only a recharge voltage which is lower than the output voltage. Preferably, the step of recharging the rechargeable battery includes the steps of: (1) providing the recharge voltage to the plurality of battery cells to recharge each of the plurality of battery cells, and; (2) configuring the plurality of battery cells in series so that charge provided to each of the battery cells during recharge is added and is then provided to the output terminals as the output voltage.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.
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JA Effect, LLC
Thomas Kayden Horstemeyer & Risley
Tso Edward H.
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