Abstract: A battery, method and battery operated portable communication device are provided with protection from excessive current and thermal conditions. A plurality of protection circuits are coupled in series within a common charge/discharge path of the battery. The first protection circuit is configured to block current by opening a switch in response to a voltage drop across the switch and a current sense resistor in the common charge/discharge path. The second protection circuit provides redundancy under conditions where the first switch might fail, where the second switch will block current through the current sense resistor.

Abstract: An example system comprises a battery and a battery-powered device. Battery contacts and a data interface are therebetween. The battery includes low-power and high-power circuits to output power, from a cell, to the battery-powered device via the contacts. The high-power circuit outputs power higher than the low-power circuit. A switch(es) connects and disconnects the high-power circuit to/from the contacts, the low-power circuit connected to the contacts when the switch disconnects the high-power circuit. A voltage detector: detects a battery-voltage on the contacts and an output voltage on the data interface; when the output voltage is greater than the battery-voltage, controls the switch to connect the high-power circuit to the contacts; and when the output voltage is below the battery-voltage, controls the switch to disconnect the high-power circuit from the contacts. The battery-powered device provides the output voltage on the data interface as powered from the contacts by the battery.

Abstract: A battery, method and battery operated portable communication device are provided with protection from excessive current and thermal conditions. A plurality of protection circuits are coupled in series within a common charge/discharge path of the battery. The first protection circuit is configured to block current by opening a switch in response to a voltage drop across the switch and a current sense resistor in the common charge/discharge path. The second protection circuit provides redundancy under conditions where the first switch might fail, where the second switch will block current through the current sense resistor.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first load terminal, a second load terminal, a first charger terminal, a charger enable terminal, and a battery having a first battery terminal coupled to the first load terminal and a second terminal coupled to the second load terminal. A first isolation device is coupled between the first load terminal and the first charger terminal and has an enable terminal coupled to the charger enable terminal. A first protection circuit includes a second isolation device coupled between the second battery terminal and the second load terminal and a first sensing circuit configured to enable the second isolation device responsive to detecting a failure of the first isolation device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a selectively reduced voltage to a portable electronic device are disclosed. When a determination is made that an output voltage from a voltage source exceeds a predefined maximum permitted voltage, a plurality of circuitries, including an adaptive active current limiting circuitry, are enabled in order to derive the reduced voltage from the output voltage. The reduced voltage is at least at or below the predefined maximum permitted voltage and is supplied to the portable electronic device by battery circuitry that includes the active current limiting circuitry.

Abstract: Battery circuitry forms part of apparatus for connecting a battery power source to a portable electronic device. The battery circuitry is configured to detect a transitioning of an enable signal, caused by actuation of a power switch, from a de-asserted state to an asserted state. In response to detecting the transitioning of the enable signal, the battery circuitry is further configured to open an electrical path within the battery circuitry. The path, when opened, connects the battery power source in a manner that permits powering on of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method for dynamic limiting of battery voltage includes determining that a voltage delivered by a battery exceeds a predefined maximum safe voltage for operation of a portable electronic device in a hazardous environment and, in response, enabling a voltage restriction circuit in a supply line between the battery and the portable electronic device to reduce the voltage delivered by the battery below the maximum safe voltage, and supplying electrical power to the portable electronic device at the reduced voltage. Enabling the voltage restriction circuit may include deactivating a MOSFET switch that includes a forward biased body diode to allow the body diode to provide a fixed voltage drop. The method also includes determining that the voltage delivered by the battery no longer exceeds the maximum safe voltage and, in response, disabling the first voltage restriction circuit by activating the MOSFET, thus allowing the body diode to be bypassed.

Abstract: Battery circuitry forms part of apparatus for connecting a battery power source to a portable electronic device. The battery circuitry is configured to detect a transitioning of an enable signal, caused by actuation of a power switch, from a de-asserted state to an asserted state. In response to detecting the transitioning of the enable signal, the battery circuitry is further configured to open an electrical path within the battery circuitry. The path, when opened, connects the battery power source in a manner that permits powering on of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a selectively reduced voltage to a portable electronic device are disclosed. When a determination is made that an output voltage from a voltage source exceeds a predefined maximum permitted voltage, a plurality of circuitries, including an adaptive active current limiting circuitry, are enabled in order to derive the reduced voltage from the output voltage. The reduced voltage is at least at or below the predefined maximum permitted voltage and is supplied to the portable electronic device by battery circuitry that includes the active current limiting circuitry.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first load terminal, a second load terminal, a load enable terminal, and a battery having a first battery terminal coupled to the first load terminal. A first protection circuit includes a first isolation device coupled between a second battery terminal of the battery and the second load terminal of the battery module. The first protection circuit further includes a first sensing circuit configured to measure a battery parameter and control the first isolation device based on the battery parameter. A driver circuit is coupled between the first battery terminal and the first protection circuit. The driver circuit is configured to control power to the first protection circuit based on a load enable signal asserted at the load enable terminal. A bypass circuit is coupled between the second battery terminal and the second load terminal.

Abstract: A battery module includes a first load terminal, a second load terminal, a first charger terminal, a charger enable terminal, and a battery having a first battery terminal coupled to the first load terminal and a second terminal coupled to the second load terminal. A first isolation device is coupled between the first load terminal and the first charger terminal and has an enable terminal coupled to the charger enable terminal. A first protection circuit includes a second isolation device coupled between the second battery terminal and the second load terminal and a first sensing circuit configured to enable the second isolation device responsive to detecting a failure of the first isolation device.

Abstract: A device, battery and method for spark detection based on transient currents is provided. The battery includes: a cell; an interface; a first protection circuit and a second protection circuit. The first protection circuit comprises a first switch between the cell and the interface. The second protection circuit comprises a second switch between the cell and the interface. The first protection circuit is configured to: measure a load current on the cell; and open the first switch according to a first delay time based on the measurement of the load current. The second protection circuit is configured to: measure a transient current on the cell above the load current; and open the second switch according to a second delay time, lower than the first delay time, based on the measurement of the transient current.

Abstract: A method for dynamic limiting of battery voltage includes determining that a voltage delivered by a battery exceeds a predefined maximum safe voltage for operation of a portable electronic device in a hazardous environment and, in response, enabling a voltage restriction circuit in a supply line between the battery and the portable electronic device to reduce the voltage delivered by the battery below the maximum safe voltage, and supplying electrical power to the portable electronic device at the reduced voltage. Enabling the voltage restriction circuit may include deactivating a MOSFET switch that includes a forward biased body diode to allow the body diode to provide a fixed voltage drop. The method also includes determining that the voltage delivered by the battery no longer exceeds the maximum safe voltage and, in response, disabling the first voltage restriction circuit by activating the MOSFET, thus allowing the body diode to be bypassed.

Abstract: A device, battery and method for spark detection based on transient currents is provided. The battery includes: a cell; an interface; a first protection circuit and a second protection circuit. The first protection circuit comprises a first switch between the cell and the interface. The second protection circuit comprises a second switch between the cell and the interface. The first protection circuit is configured to: measure a load current on the cell; and open the first switch according to a first delay time based on the measurement of the load current. The second protection circuit is configured to: measure a transient current on the cell above the load current; and open the second switch according to a second delay time, lower than the first delay time, based on the measurement of the transient current.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes detecting, with an electronic processor, a presence of the battery coupled to a charging interface. The method includes receiving, with the electronic processor, a command, the command including a charge mode. The method includes, in response to receiving the command, controlling a charging circuit coupled to the charging interface to charge the battery to a predetermined level based on the charge mode. The method includes, when the battery reaches the predetermined charge level, sending a battery control command, based on the charge mode, to control an active limiting circuit of the battery via a single wire data line coupled to the charging interface.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes detecting, with an electronic processor, a presence of the battery coupled to a charging interface. The method includes receiving, with the electronic processor, a command, the command including a charge mode. The method includes, in response to receiving the command, controlling a charging circuit coupled to the charging interface to charge the battery to a predetermined level based on the charge mode. The method includes, when the battery reaches the predetermined charge level, sending a battery control command, based on the charge mode, to control an active limiting circuit of the battery via a single wire data line coupled to the charging interface.