Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating pre-charge current in a battery system, such as a battery system of an information handling system, by controlling duty cycle of the charging current provided to battery cell/s of the battery system.

Abstract: A bus monitoring device includes a detector to detect a signal on the bus. The signal is initiated by one of a plurality of devices coupled to the bus. A clamp circuit is included to clamp the signal to a first predefined level in response to the signal being initiated by a first device of the plurality of devices. A comparator circuit compares the signal and a voltage reference to determine whether the first device initiated the signal.

Abstract: For charging rechargeable battery packs, an alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) adapter receives an AC input and provides an AC available signal indicative of the presence of the AC input. A controller selectively provides the AC available signal to a selected one of the battery packs. The selected one of the battery packs, which has a charge level below a threshold, asserts a charge switch to enable the charging. The controller directs a charger coupled to the AC-DC adapter to initiate the charging of the selected one to a predefined level.

Abstract: For charging a rechargeable hybrid battery pack, a first cell stack coupled in parallel with a second cell stack of the hybrid battery pack are pre-charged in parallel. The cell stack to first complete the pre-charge phase, is selected to receive a normal charge with a constant current while the non-selected one of the cell stack continues to receive the pre-charge. The first cell stack and the second cell stack receive the normal charge in the selected sequence. Upon completion of the normal charge for each cell of the hybrid battery pack, the first cell stack and the second cell stack are trickle-charged in parallel to complete the charging.

Abstract: A battery system may be provided with a battery charge current path that is different from the battery discharge current path of the battery system, for example, by providing no controlled charge circuitry (e.g., providing no C-FETs) in the discharge current path of the battery system to avoid the power loss experienced across the C-FETs of a conventional battery system during battery system discharging operations.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for charge current adjustment to enhance battery cycle life thereby allowing batteries to be charged quickly without accelerating the aging process of the battery. As the charge capacity of the battery degrades over time, the charge current for the battery charging cycles is also reduced so that the effective charge rate for the battery is adjusted to account for the reduction in charge capacity. In this way, battery capacity life is enhanced by avoiding an accelerated charge rate as the battery capacity drops over the operational life of the battery. The methods and systems disclosed are useful for battery-powered information handling systems, as well as other devices where fast charging and long cycle life is desirable, such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), electric vehicles and/or any other battery powered devices.

Abstract: A bus monitoring device includes a detector to detect a signal on the bus. The signal is initiated by one of a plurality of devices coupled to the bus. A clamp circuit is included to clamp the signal to a first predefined level in response to the signal being initiated by a first device of the plurality of devices. A comparator circuit compares the signal and a voltage reference to determine whether the first device initiated the signal.

Abstract: One or more charger regulation tasks (e.g., one or more of those tasks typically performed by charger regulator circuitry of a separate battery charging apparatus) are integrated within a battery system (e.g., a battery pack of a portable information handling system) by utilizing component/s common to the battery system (e.g., microcontroller and FET components).

Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating pre-charge current in a battery system, such as a battery system of an information handling system, by controlling duty cycle of the charging current provided to battery cell/s of the battery system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detection of charge switching element failure (e.g., charge FET switching element) in a battery system, such as a battery system of an information handling system (e.g. notebook computer), in which an increase in cell voltage is employed as a criteria for detecting charge switching element failure.

Abstract: A method and associated system are disclosed for verifying charging failures for smart batteries by measuring input charging voltage and associated systems. In one embodiment, a determination is made whether or not a charging current is indicative of a battery failure by utilizing an analog-to-digital (A/D) port to measure the input charging voltage. As long as the measured input charging voltage is below the cell pack voltage or some set voltage value, whichever is higher, the BMU considers a charging current detection to be a false failure indication. If the measured charging voltage is above the cell pack voltage or a set voltage value, whichever is lower, the BMU considers the charging current detection to be a positive failure indication. The BMU can then disable the battery or implement other verification steps before disabling the battery, as desired.

Abstract: In a method and system for detecting charger failure, a battery is operable to receive a charge from the charger via a pair of terminals. The battery includes an analog front end (AFE) coupled to the pair of terminals. The AFE is configured to receive at least one input corresponding to voltage measured across the pair of terminals. A battery controller included in the battery is coupled to the AFE by a serial link. The battery controller receives the at least one input via the serial link. In response to the voltage being below a predefined value, the battery controller is placed in a charge_not_received state, which is indicative of the charger being defective.