Supply power control with soft start
US7576525B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2007 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S323/908
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Charge storage devices (e.g., batteries or supercapacitors) need to be charged from time to time. In an apparatus, to protect a charge storage device as well as the supply used to charge it, the apparatus typically includes power loop control circuitry. One approach to implementing the power loop control employs a temperature sensor in combination with soft start circuitry in order to protect the circuitry from a rapidly increasing temperature when charge current increases. The soft start circuitry allows for controlled step-wise increase and regulation of the current. The approach preferably allows for selecting the number and resolution of such incremental steps. Various embodiments of the invention include devices and methods for controlling power and may take into account temperature in step-wise regulation of the charge current.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.