Abstract: A method of charging a battery pack is provided. The method includes: electronically connecting a battery pack to a charger; detecting information regarding the battery pack; determining an appropriate charging regime based on the detected information; and applying the charging regime to the battery pack. A battery charger may also provided. The battery charger includes: a first terminal for connecting to a battery pack; a second terminal for connecting to a battery pack, a microprocessor operatively connected to the terminals and configured to receive a signal from at least one terminal regarding a battery pack connected to the terminal and control the charger to select and apply a charging regime to the battery pack according to the signal.

Abstract: An electrical combination including a power tool, charger and an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and the tool housing or battery charger to support the battery on the tool housing or the battery charger, the adapter having adapter leads for electrically coupling the battery to the power tool or the battery charger, the adapter having a mechanical lockout for allowing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the power tool while preventing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the battery charger.

Abstract: A battery monitoring device of a battery pack configured for powering a cordless power tool may include an integrated circuit connected to a microprocessor of the pack that is external to the integrated circuit, and which is connected to each of N battery cells of the pack. The integrated circuit may be configured to take, singly or sequentially, a sampled reading comprising one of an individual cell voltage or a total pack voltage for all cells in the pack. The sampled reading is filtered in the integrated circuit prior to being read by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A battery pack which includes a battery pack electronic control circuit adapted to control an attached power tool and/or an attached charger. The battery pack includes additional protection circuits, methodologies and devices to protect against fault conditions within the pack, as the pack is operatively attached to and providing power to the power tool, and/or as the pack is operatively attached to and being charged by the charger.

Abstract: A battery monitoring device of a battery pack configured for powering a cordless power tool may include an integrated circuit connected to a microprocessor of the pack that is external to the integrated circuit, and which is connected to each of N battery cells of the pack. The integrated circuit may be configured to take, singly or sequentially, a sampled reading comprising one of an individual cell voltage or a total pack voltage for all cells in the pack. The sampled reading is filtered in the integrated circuit prior to being read by the microprocessor.

Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a system to dissipate heat from the battery pack.

Abstract: The charger includes a controller, a battery power source having at least two power settings connected to the controller, a power supply connectable to an outside power source, the power supply receiving a current and voltage from the outside power source for providing power to at least one of the controller and the battery power source, and a foldback circuit for switching between two power settings depending upon at least one of the current and voltage received from the outside power source.

Abstract: The charger includes a controller, a battery power source having at least two power settings connected to the controller, a power supply connectable to an outside power source, the power supply receiving a current and voltage from the outside power source for providing power to at least one of the controller and the battery power source, and a foldback circuit for switching between two power settings depending upon at least one of the current and voltage received from the outside power source.

Abstract: A battery pack for a cordless power has a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells are interconnected with a laminated plate structure having non-conductive layers interspersed with conductive layers, at least one of the conductive layers connected to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, battery cells in a battery pack are interconnected with a flexible printed circuit board having conductive traces thereon that are attached to the battery cells to interconnect them. In an embodiment of the invention, a cordless power tool has one or the other of the foregoing battery packs. In an embodiment of the invention, the battery cells are Lithium Ion battery cells.

Abstract: The charging method includes the steps of charging a battery pack, sensing voltage of the battery pack, calculating voltage change rate, detecting a first inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a voltage step is not detected, detecting a second inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a voltage step is not detected, and reducing current sent to the battery pack when both first and second inflection points have been detected.

Abstract: The charger includes a controller, a battery power source having at least two power settings connected to the controller, a power supply connectable to an outside power source, the power supply receiving a current and voltage from the outside power source for providing power to at least one of the controller and the battery power source, and a foldback circuit for switching between two power settings depending upon at least one of the current and voltage received from the outside power source.

Abstract: The charging method includes the steps of charging a battery pack, sensing voltage of the battery pack, calculating voltage change rate, detecting a first inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a voltage step is not detected, detecting a second inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a voltage step is not detected, and reducing current sent to the battery pack when both first and second inflection points have been detected.

Abstract: The charging method includes the steps of charging a battery pack, sensing voltage of the battery pack, calculating voltage change rate, detecting a first inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a voltage step is not detected, detecting a second inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a voltage step is not detected, and reducing current sent to the battery pack when both first and second inflection points have been detected.

Abstract: The charger includes a controller, a battery power source having at least two power settings connected to the controller, a power supply connectable to an outside power source, the power supply receiving a current and voltage from the outside power source for providing power to at least one of the controller and the battery power source, and a foldback circuit for switching between two power settings depending upon at least one of the current and voltage received from the outside power source.

Abstract: The charging method includes the steps of charging a battery pack, sensing voltage of the battery pack, calculating voltage change rate, detecting a first inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a voltage step is not detected, detecting a second inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a voltage step is not detected, and reducing current sent to the battery pack when both first and second inflection points have been detected.

Abstract: The charging method includes providing a current to the battery pack, sensing first and second battery temperatures, determining a first temperature change rate between the first and second battery temperatures, sensing a third battery temperature, determining a second temperature change between the second and third battery temperatures, and disabling termination of the charging method based on a temperature-based scheme if the first temperature change rate is equal to or exceeds a first predetermined threshold and the second temperature change rate is equal to or exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The charging method includes providing a current to the battery pack, sensing first and second battery temperatures, determining a first temperature change rate between the first and second battery temperatures, sensing a third battery temperature, determining a second temperature change between the second and third battery temperatures, and disabling termination of the charging method based on a temperature-based scheme if the first temperature change rate is equal to or exceeds a first predetermined threshold and the second temperature change rate is equal to or exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A battery monitor system that determines battery pack temperature and battery pack identification. The battery pack includes a battery pack circuit having a thermistor and an AC circuit component. The battery monitoring system determines the battery pack temperature by measuring the resistance of the thermistor when the battery pack circuit is in a steady-state condition, and determines the value of the AC component based on a changing or dynamic electrical condition of the battery pack circuit. In one embodiment, to determine battery pack identification, an identification capacitor is connected in circuit with the thermistor. One terminal of a comparator is switched to a low reference voltage potential once the identification capacitor has been charged, and the output of the comparator gives an indication of the discharge rate of the capacitor, and thus its identification.