US 11,316,358 B2 · Extending shelf life of rechargeable batteries

Abstract

A hybrid battery system is provided for extending the shelf-life of rechargeable batteries. The hybrid battery system may contain sets of non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries respectively. As the rechargeable batteries are discharged (e.g., from self-discharge), the hybrid battery system may utilize the non-rechargeable batteries to maintain the rechargeable batteries at a preferred state of charge. A preferred state of charge may be selected to extend the shelf-life of the rechargeable batteries. Alternatively, a signal may change the preferred state of charge to prepare the rechargeable batteries for use or for other reasons. The hybrid battery system may contain modular components, thereby allowing for easy replacement of defective or otherwise unsuitable non-rechargeable batteries, rechargeable batteries, or supporting electronics.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method of extending the shelf-life of rechargeable batteries using a hybrid battery system comprising:

monitoring via a charging system a first set of state of charge for a set of primary batteries, wherein the set of primary batteries are non-rechargeable;
monitoring via the charging system a second set of state of charge for a set of secondary batteries, wherein the set of secondary batteries are rechargeable;
charging the set of one or more secondary batteries to maintain a first state of charge level via the charging system using the set of one or more primary batteries;
determining if an adjustment in charge of the set of one or more secondary batteries is required via the charging system based on information or signals received by the charging system relating to a specified current draw to be supplied from the one or more secondary batteries, a message received from a network connection, or data from a humidity sensor;
and
if an adjustment instruction is generated by the charging system based on the determination, adjusting the charge of the set of one or more secondary batteries via the charging system to maintain a second state of charge level using the set of one or more primary batteries.

3 more elements

A method of extending the shelf-life of rechargeable batteries using a hybrid battery system comprising:

monitoring via a charging system a first set of state of charge for a set of primary batteries, wherein the set of primary batteries are non-rechargeable;
monitoring via the charging system a second set of state of charge for a set of secondary batteries, wherein the set of secondary batteries are rechargeable;
charging the set of one or more secondary batteries to maintain a first state of charge level via the charging system using the set of one or more primary batteries or if an external power supply is coupled to the charging system, charging the set of one or more secondary batteries using the external power supply rather than the set of one or more primary batteries;
determining if an adjustment in charge of the set of one or more secondary batteries is required via the charging system based on information or signals received by the charging system;
and
if an adjustment instruction is generated by the charging system based on the determination, adjusting the charge of the set of one or more secondary batteries via the charging system to maintain a second state of charge level using the set of one or more primary batteries.

3 more elements

A method of extending the shelf-life of rechargeable batteries using a hybrid battery system comprising:

monitoring via a charging system a first set of state of charge for a set of primary batteries, wherein the set of primary batteries are non-rechargeable;
monitoring via the charging system a second set of state of charge for a set of secondary batteries, wherein the set of secondary batteries are rechargeable;
charging the set of one or more secondary batteries to maintain a first state of charge level via the charging system using the set of one or more primary batteries;
determining if an adjustment in charge of the set of one or more secondary batteries is required via the charging, system based on information or signals received by the charging system;
if an adjustment instruction is generated by the charging system based on the determination, adjusting the charge of the set of one or more secondary batteries via the charging system to maintain a second state of charge level using the set of one or more primary batteries;
and
if the set of one or more primary batteries is depleted, using a first subset of the one or more secondary batteries to charge a second subset of the one or more secondary batteries.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Extending shelf life of rechargeable batteries

Life of this patent

Extending shelf life of rechargeable batteries

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15