Abstract: This invention is a U-shaped connector having horizontal flanges, the connector being used for attaching a substrate having an aperture to a battery cell. The connector is first soldered to a substrate with the horizontal flanges mating with the top of the substrate, while the U-shaped portion of the connector protrudes through the aperture in the substrate. The connector and substrate assembly can then be welded to a battery cell. In an alternate embodiment, service loops are added to the connector to give the substrate greater range of motion relative to the cell.

Abstract: In a fault-tolerant integrated power circuit, a plurality of power transistors, each having a power source electrically coupled to a common source line, a power gate and a power drain electrically coupled to a common drain line, is capable of driving a power current from the source line to the drain line. A first plurality of control transistors, each having a first source, a first gate and a first drain, is disposed so that the first drain of each of the first plurality of control transistors is electrically coupled to a corresponding power gate of a different one of the power transistors. A first transistor control circuit generates a first control signal that is electrically coupled to each first gate of the first plurality of control transistors.

Abstract: An isolation circuit for isolating a load node from a power supply secondary inductor includes a Zener diode and a PTC thermistor. The Zener diode electrically couples the load node to a ground and is capable of being in a substantially conductive state when the voltage between the load node and the ground exceeds a predetermined threshold and is also capable of being in a substantially non-conductive state when the voltage between the load node and the ground does not exceed the predetermined threshold. The Zener diode has a non-conductive temperature corresponding to when the Zener diode is in the substantially non-conductive state and a conductive temperature corresponding to when the Zener diode is in the substantially conductive state. The PTC thermistor electrically couples the power supply secondary inductor to the load.

Abstract: This invention is a single wire interface communication system whereby a phone having internal charging circuitry communicates the charging status of the battery attached to the phone by varying the duty cycle of a pulse with a predetermined period across the single wire interface. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined pulse of time T, where T is 1 second, is divided into N divisions, where N equals 10. A duty cycle high for time T/N and low for time 9T/N represents a first charging state; a duty cycle high for time 2T/N and low for time 8T/N corresponds to a second charging state; and so on. The system allows for information to be transmitted across a single wire, thereby freeing data connections for other accessories.

Abstract: This invention provides a support stand for portable electronic devices that is incorporated into a battery. The support stand is optionally detachable. When the support stand is closed, the electronic device fits into the hand or a belt holster in its normal fashion. When the support stand is open, the support stand allows the portable electronic device to rest at an angle relative to a horizontal surface. When applied to a cellular phone or two-way radio, the invention offers improved access to the display screen and microphone/speaker assembly, as well as offering improved antenna performance.

Abstract: A multiple cell capacitor (200) includes at least first and second capacitor cells (260) and a cell balancing circuit (265) electrically coupled to the first and second capacitor cells (260). Packaging material (280) encloses the first and second capacitor cells (260) and the cell balancing circuit (265). The cell balancing circuit (265) can include, for each capacitor cell (260), a resistor (265) formed electrically in parallel with that capacitor cell (260).

Abstract: This invention is a battery charging system that charges rechargeable battery cells by tracking a voltage profile charging curve across time. As all lithium based, like voltage cells have the same voltage profile across time, regardless of capacity, the invention presents a preferred embodiment of a universal charger capable of charging lithium batteries of varying capacities. Current is treated as a variable dependent upon voltage. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, cells of varying capacities will be charged at an optimal rate, thereby optimizing battery performance. One embodiment uses frequency selection to vary the rate of change in the output voltage of the system, thereby tracking the voltage profile charging curve across time.

Abstract: A method for testing safety circuitry in rechargeable battery packs is provided herein by which the operation and integrity of circuits associated with rechargeable cells may be verified. A controller 103 senses current flow during cell 108 charge or discharge. The controller 103 then activates the safety circuitry and once again senses current to ensure high circuit impedance. If a fault is detected, the controller 103 notifies the user or host device. The controller 103 then decides if the fault warrants isolating the cell 108 from the terminals of the battery pack 111, 112. If such action is warranted, the controller 103 clears the current carrying path 104, 105, creating a fail condition that does not endanger the user or associated equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrical source sharing between a power grid, at least one local generator and a local load includes a power circuit, a data port and a controller. The power circuit is capable of effecting a plurality of source sharing configurations, including: a fist configuration in which the local load is fully powered by the power grid; a second configuration in which the local load is fully powered by the local generator; and a third configuration in which the local load is partially powered by the power grid and partially powered by the local generator. The data port is capable of receiving data from an external source. The controller is programmed to execute the following operations: receive data from the data port; determine a preferred source sharing configuration from the plurality of source sharing configurations, based on data received from the data port; and instruct the power circuit to effect the preferred source sharing configuration.

Abstract: A cell current limiting circuit includes a current-limiting device that electrically couples a cell to a battery terminal. A bypass current path is in parallel with the current limiting device and is selectively interruptible by a switch. A switch control circuit is capable of sensing if the battery terminal is electrically coupled to a selected host. The switch control circuit closes the switch if the battery terminal is electrically coupled to the selected host and opens the switch if the battery terminal is not electrically coupled to the host.

Abstract: A method of charging a battery, and particularly a nickel battery, in a mobile charger, such as a vehicular charger, which is subjected to elevated temperatures. The method includes the steps of a first charging of the battery until a temperature inflection occurs, and then ceasing the charging while the battery temperature stabilizes. Then the battery is charged a second time, and a parameter is monitored for an indication of a full charge, such as temperature inflection or voltage cut-off. Preferably, when the battery reaches an elevated temperature, the charging is ceased until the battery stabilizes, and the charger monitors either temperature inflection, voltage cut-off, or a Coulomb count to determine when the battery has a full charge.

Abstract: An adapter for interfacing a battery for a portable computer to an electronic device of a type that is not normally compatible with the battery for the portable computer includes a power adapter, a device-specific module and a delivery circuit. The power adapter is removably couplable to a portable computer battery and includes a power conversion circuit that converts a first electrical voltage received from the battery to a second electrical voltage. The device-specific module is removably couplable to the power adapter. The device-specific module receives the second electrical voltage from the power adapter and converts the second electrical voltage to a device-specific electrical voltage. The delivery circuit couples the device-specific module to the electronic device, thereby allowing delivery of the device-specific electrical voltage to the electronic device.

Abstract: A battery charging and protection circuit that features a single transistor to control current flow in two directions. The circuit comprises first and second input terminals to which a charging current is coupled, wherein a voltage between the first and second input terminals is limited to a maximum value. The circuit has first and second output terminals to which at least one rechargeable battery cell is coupled. A single transistor is coupled in series between the first input terminal and the first output terminal and is operated to control current flow both in a direction from the first input terminal to the first output terminal, and in a direction from the first output terminal to the first input terminal.