US 2009/0261784 A1 · Battery Recovery System

Abstract

A battery includes at least one rechargeable battery cell that is operable to store energy. An electronics unit is coupled to the at least one rechargeable battery cell, wherein the electronics unit is operable to control an operating condition of the battery, and wherein the electronics unit is inoperable when the energy stored in the at least one rechargeable battery cell is insufficient to operate the electronics unit. A detector component is coupled to the electronics unit and operable to determine that the electronics unit is inoperable. A charge discharge component is coupled to the at least one rechargeable battery cell, wherein in response to the electronics unit being operable, the charge discharge component is operable to provide a charge to the at least one rechargeable battery cell through a first charge path. A trickle charge component is coupled to the detector component and the at least one rechargeable battery cell, wherein in response to the detector component determining that the electronics unit is inoperable, the trickle charge component is operable to provide a charge to the at least one rechargeable battery cell, through a second charge path that bypasses the electronics unit, that is sufficient to charge the at least one rechargeable battery cell such that the electronics unit becomes operable.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A battery, comprising:

at least one rechargeable battery cell that is operable to store energy;
an electronics unit that is coupled to the at least one rechargeable battery cell, wherein the electronics unit is operable to control an operating condition of the battery, and wherein the electronics unit is inoperable when the energy stored in the at least one rechargeable battery cell is insufficient to operate the electronics unit;
a detector component coupled to the electronics unit and operable to determine that the electronics unit is inoperable;
a charge discharge component coupled to the at least one rechargeable battery cell, wherein in response to the electronics unit being operable, the charge discharge component is operable to provide a charge to the at least one rechargeable battery cell through a first charge path;
and
a trickle charge component coupled to the detector component and the at least one rechargeable battery cell, wherein in response to the detector component determining that the electronics unit is inoperable, the trickle charge component is operable to provide a charge to the at least one rechargeable battery cell, through a second charge path that bypasses the electronics unit, that is sufficient to charge the at least one rechargeable battery cell such that the electronics unit becomes operable.

3 more elements

A battery recovery system, comprising:

a device;
a battery that is operable to provide power to the device and that includes an electronics unit that is operable to control an operating condition of the battery;
a detector component that is coupled to the electronics unit and operable to determine that the electronics unit is inoperable;
a first charging component coupled to the detector component and the battery, wherein in response to the detector component determining that the electronics unit is inoperable, the first charge component is operable to provide a charge to the battery, through a first charge path that bypasses the electronics unit, that is sufficient to charge the battery such that the electronics unit becomes operable;
and
a second charging component coupled to the battery, wherein in response to the electronics unit being operable, the second charging component is operable to provide a charge to the battery through a second charge path.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Battery Recovery System

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Battery Recovery System

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Abstract

Claims20