Patent · US Expired

Battery pack chemistry detection and identification system and method

US6181102A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
43References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 13, 1998
Grant dateJan 30, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 13, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/10
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A battery chemistry identification system and method that identifies the chemistry of an installed battery pack which may be one of a number of battery packs having different battery chemistries. The battery packs have electrical and physical interfaces that are functionally interchangeable. The battery packs include one or more distinguishing features in either or both aspects of the interface. The identification system includes a sensor appropriate for detecting the feature(s) and, based on the presence or absence of those distinguishing feature(s), determines which battery pack and, hence, which battery chemistry, is installed in the battery-powered device. In one particular embodiment, the system determines whether a battery installed in a battery-powered device having multiple use models is a commonly available industry standard battery pack or a customized battery pack. The industry standard battery pack has a first battery chemistry and a standard mechanical and electrical battery interface. The standard mechanical interface enables the battery pack to mechanically interoperate with an appropriately configured battery pocket while the standard electrical interface enables th…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.