Battery with built-in voltage regulation device
AssigneeVolt Technology Limited
InventorAndrew James Wigney
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a battery which includes an internal voltage regulation device for regulating the output voltage of the battery, and an input voltage applied to the battery. The voltage regulation device may be configured to provide an output voltage which is less than an internal power source voltage. A switch is provided to switch the voltage regulation device between operating modes in order to control the output voltage regulation, and protect the internal power source from damage.
Claims20
A battery, comprising:
- an external surface of the battery which is substantially defined by:
- a housing;
- a positive terminal;
- and
- a negative terminal;
- wherein the housing, positive terminal and negative terminal are configured to be compatible with a battery size of AA, AAA, C, D or 9V;
- wherein the housing contains:
- a power source;
- and
- a voltage regulation device that is operatively connected to the positive terminal, the negative terminal and the power source,
- wherein the voltage regulation device comprises at least one power source regulator configured to selectively regulate the power source to provide an output voltage between the positive and negative terminals which is less than the power source voltage, and at least one charging regulator configured to selectively increase a voltage applied to the positive and negative terminals to charge the power source, and
- wherein the voltage regulation device further comprises a switch configured to select between:
- an active operating mode in which the at least one power source regulator is actively regulating the power-source to provide the output voltage,
- a low-power operating mode in which the power source regulator is not actively regulating the power source to provide output voltage, and
- a disconnection mode, in which the power source is operatively disconnected from the positive terminal and/or negative terminal.
A voltage regulation device configured to be housed within a battery, the battery comprising an external surface which is substantially defined by:
- a housing;
- a positive terminal;
- and
- a negative terminal;
- wherein the housing, positive terminal and negative terminal are configured to be compatible with a battery size of AA, AAA, C, D or 9V;
- wherein the housing contains:
- a power source;
- and
- a voltage regulation device that is operatively connected to the positive terminal, the negative terminal and the power source,
- wherein the voltage regulation device comprises at least one power source regulator configured to selectively regulate the power source to provide an output voltage between the positive and negative terminals which is less than the power source voltage, and at least one charging regulator configured to selectively increase a voltage applied to the positive and negative terminals to charge the power source, and
- wherein the voltage regulation device further comprises a switch configured to select between:
- an active operating mode in which the least one power source regulator is actively regulating the power-source to provide the output voltage,
- a low-power operating mode in which the power source regulator is not actively regulating the power source to provide output voltage, and
- a disconnection mode, in which the power source is operatively disconnected from the positive terminal and/or negative terminal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.