Self heating of batteries at low temperatures
US6002240A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T90/16
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A rechargeable battery pack that includes a controller, a temperature monitoring circuit, a rechargeable battery, and a heating circuit, can sense when the battery pack is exposed to a harmful low temperature and cause the heating circuit to heat the battery pack, particularly the battery pack's controller, so that it remains in a temperature regime compatible with normal operation. The rechargeable battery has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The heater circuit is coupled to the rechargeable battery and the controller is coupled to the heater circuit. The temperature monitoring circuit is coupled to the controller. The temperature monitoring circuit is capable of measuring a temperature of the battery pack and providing a temperature indication. Based upon the indication, the controller causes the heater circuit to heat the controller.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.