Thermally limited battery protection and charging circuit
US6771051B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J7/00304
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
This invention includes a thermally stable, low-cost charging circuit for rechargeable batteries. The circuit includes a thermal control circuit that employs a temperature dependent component such as a thermistor or positive temperature coefficient device. The temperature dependent device is thermally coupled to a charging pass element, which is typically a power transistor. When the transistor enters a danger zone, which is a region of operation characterized by elevated power dissipation in the pass element, the thermal control circuit is actuated to regulate the pass element in a constant power mode until the circuit exits the danger zone.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.