Abstract: A battery charger and method for a rechargeable battery pack which includes various elements in series with the cells to be charged, including but not limited to current control FETs, a fuse, current sense resistor, and internal series impedance of the series connected cells to be charged. The charging current Ichg flowing through these series elements reduces the voltage applied to the cells, thus lengthening charging time. A compensation voltage Vcomp, which when added to the nominal charging voltage for the series connected cells overcomes these voltage drops, facilitates more efficient charging while avoiding over-voltage damage to the cells. Three voltages representing substantially all of the voltage drops reducing the charging voltage on the cells, are summed, and the result is a compensation voltage which is utilized to change the nominal charge voltage for the battery to overcome these voltage drops.

Abstract: A battery charger and method for a rechargeable battery pack which includes various elements in series with the cells to be charged, including but not limited to current control FETs, a fuse, current sense resistor, and internal series impedance of the series connected cells to be charged. The charging current Ichg flowing through these series elements reduces the voltage applied to the cells, thus lengthening charging time. A compensation voltage Vcomp, which when added to the nominal charging voltage for the series connected cells overcomes these voltage drops, facilitates more efficient charging while avoiding over-voltage damage to the cells. Three voltages representing substantially all of the voltage drops reducing the charging voltage on the cells, are summed, and the result is a compensation voltage which is utilized to change the nominal charge voltage for the battery to overcome these voltage drops.

Abstract: A method and corresponding structure having conductors fastened in an offset fashion to appropriately patterned traces on the PCB to surround a single magnetic core positioned on the surface of the printed circuit board so as to create an inductor coil. The inventive method and structure reduces component and manufacturing cost by providing substantially pie-slice shaped conductors shaped for efficient automated production since the inventive shaped conductors can be soldered in place during the reflow process for the entire printed circuit board. As a result, a low profile surface mounted inductor is provided. Flux leakage is also reduced compared to known magnetic core winding structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing inductive coupling in an electrical circuit arranged on a plurality of dielectric substrates, the substrates being in a substantially abutting relationship and presenting a plurality of substantially parallel planar expanses, includes: (a) at least one first core segment situated in at least one first depression provided in a first planar expanse; (b) at least one second core segment situated in at least one second depression provided in a second planar expanse; (c) a selected second core segment is arranged for establishing magnetic flux coupling with a selected first core segment to establish a magnetic core structure; (d) a plurality of electrically conductive through-hole structures traverse at least one substrate; (e) a plurality of electrically conductive circuit traces are arrayed upon at least two of the planar expanses. The conductive traces and the through-hole structures cooperate to establish inductive coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing inductive coupling in an electrical circuit arranged on a plurality of dielectric substrates, the substrates being in a substantially abutting relationship and presenting a plurality of substantially parallel planar expanses, includes: (a) at least one first core segment situated in at least one first depression provided in a first planar expanse; (b) at least one second core segment situated in at least one second depression provided in a second planar expanse; (c) a selected second core segment is arranged for establishing magnetic flux coupling with a selected first core segment to establish a magnetic core structure; (d) a plurality of electrically conductive through-hole structures traverse at least one substrate; (e) a plurality of electrically conductive circuit traces are arrayed upon at least two of the planar expanses. The conductive traces and the through-hole structures cooperate to establish inductive coupling.