Abstract: A system and method include detecting whether a fast charger module is coupled to a system having a processor and a memory device. If the fast charger module is coupled to the system, a fast charging current is provided from the fast charger module at multiple selectable voltage levels via an internal charger. If the fast charger module is not detected as coupled to the system, a charging current is provided from an AC adapter via the internal charger.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an AC adapter input, a battery charger coupled to the input to charge a battery, a temperature sensor, and system logic to execute code stored on storage devices. The battery charger provides a charging current that is a function of temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The charging current may also be a function of sensed barometric pressure, battery age, external temperature, a full charge capacity, and system power demand.

Abstract: The invention described herein includes a method and apparatus comprising a plurality of battery cells electrically coupled to produce at least one voltage at a terminal, wherein the plurality of battery cells includes a plurality of junction areas. Each junction area comprises two battery cells longitudinally arranged such that an end of one battery cell faces an end of another battery cell. In a majority of the junction areas, the venting end of one battery cell does not face the non-venting end of the other battery cell.

Abstract: A system and method include detecting whether a fast charger module is coupled to a system having a processor and a memory device. If the fast charger module is coupled to the system, a fast charging current is provided from the fast charger module at multiple selectable voltage levels via an internal charger. If the fast charger module is not detected as coupled to the system, a charging current is provided from an AC adapter via the internal charger.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an AC adapter input, a battery charger coupled to the input to charge a battery, a temperature sensor, and system logic to execute code stored on storage devices. The battery charger provides a charging current that is a function of temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. The charging current may also be a function of sensed barometric pressure, battery age, external temperature, a full charge capacity, and system power demand.

Abstract: The gap between the bottom of a center gas vent pipe in a battery cell and the bottom of the cell can is established to be at least a minimum distance to reduce the risk of battery damage from inadequate gas venting.

Abstract: The invention described herein includes a method and apparatus comprising a plurality of battery cells electrically coupled to produce at least one voltage at a terminal, wherein the plurality of battery cells includes a plurality of junction areas. Each junction area comprises two battery cells longitudinally arranged such that an end of one battery cell faces an end of another battery cell. In a majority of the junction areas, the venting end of one battery cell does not face the non-venting end of the other battery cell.

Abstract: The gap between the bottom of a center gas vent pipe in a battery cell and the bottom of the cell can is established to be at least a minimum distance to reduce the risk of battery damage from inadequate gas venting.

Abstract: A circuit board is mounted within a housing in a resilient manner to minimize the introduction of stresses warping the circuit board as the housing is warped or as a circuit board warped during its manufacture is mounted within the housing. The housing includes spaced apart mounting pads between which screw inserts extend as rigid columns through mounting holes within the circuit board. The surfaces of the mounting holes slide on the surfaces of the screw inserts, with the circuit board being resiliently held by resilient pads between its surfaces and the mounting pads.