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AssigneeNorand Corporation
InventorDavid C. Hacker
Estimating the term…
In an exemplary embodiment, a battery conditioning system monitors battery conditioning and includes a memory for storing data based thereon; for example, data may be stored representative of available battery capacity as measured during a deep discharge cycle. With a microprocessor monitoring battery operation of a portable unit, a measure of remaining battery capacity can be calculated and displayed. Where the microprocessor is permanently secured to the battery so as to receive operating power therefrom during storage and handling, the performance of a given battery in actual use can be accurately judged since the battery system can itself maintain a count of accumulated hours of use and other relevant parameters. Where an embodiment includes a main battery and a backup battery, the voltage of each may be individually measured, and each may be conditioned. Battery capacity of each may be measured. In a unique low voltage sensing circuit applicable to power sources generally, an automatic voltage regulator may itself sense a low power condition without requiring additional precision components. As an example only, such detected low power condition may be utilized to effect switch over to a backup battery or other auxiliary power supply.
In a system including power supply means for supplying a regulator input voltage,
In a system including a plurality of power supply means for supplying respective power supply voltages, a plurality of individual current supply paths connected with the respective power supply means and having respective current regulator means therein, and a common operational amplifier means having output means coupled to each of said current regulator means and supplying a common control signal which has a normal range so long as one of the power supply voltages is above a given minimum value and which reaches a saturation value when the respective power supply voltages are below their respective minimum values, for signalling a low power condition.
In a system including rechargeable battery means for supplying a normal range of battery voltge values during battery operation, automatic voltage regulator means energized by said rechargeable battery means during battery operation, having power output means for supplying external circuitry, and having power input means coupled with said rechargeable battery means for receiving battery voltage therefrom, and being automaticlly operable for supplying a regulated output voltage at said power output means, said automatic voltage regulator means producing a regulator signal which progressively increases as battery voltage decreases during battery operation and which reaches a distinctive limit range as battery voltage is reduced below a given minimum value, and signalling means coupled with said automatic voltage regulator means for supplying a low power signal to an external circuit when the regulator signal reaches said distinctive limit range.
In a system including a plurality of battery means for supplying respective individual battery voltages, a plurality of individual current supply paths coupled with the respective battery means and having respective current regulator means therein for maintaining a selected output voltage, and a common operational amplifier means having output means coupled to each of said current regulator means and supplying a common control signal which has a normal range so long as one of the battery voltages is in an operating range such that the associated current regulator means maintains the selected output voltage and which common control signal reaches a saturation value when the respective battery voltages are below respective minimum values, for signalling a low power condition.
In a system including battery means for supplying a normal range of battery voltages during battery operation, automatic voltage regulator means energized by said battery means during battery operation, having power output means for supplying regulated output power, and having power input means coupled with said battery means for receiving battery voltage therefrom, and being automatically operable for supplying a regulated output voltage at said power output means, said automatic voltage regulator means producing a regulator signal which progressively changes in amplitude in a given sense as battery voltage decreases during battery operation and which changes further in the given sense to reach a distinctive limit range as battery voltage is reduced below a given minimum value, and signalling means coupled with said automatic voltage regulator means for supplying a low power signal to an external circuit when the regulator signal reaches said distinctive limit range.
In a system including a plurality of power supply means for supplying respective power supply voltages and comprising a rechargeable battery means and a battery charger means, a plurality of individual current supply paths respectively energizable by the battery means and the charger means, and having respective current regulator means therein, and a common operational amplifier means having output means coupled to each of said current regulator means and supplying a common control signal which progressively changes over a normal range from a first value to a second value with progressively decreasing power supply voltage above a given minimum value and which reaches a distinctive value markedly beyond said second value when the respective power supply voltages are below respective minimum values, for signalling a low power condition.
In a system including power supply means for supplying a power supply voltage, automatic voltage regulator means having input means coupled with said power supply means and automatically operable for maintaining a regulated output voltage, said automatic voltage regulator means producing a regulator signal which progressively changes in a normal range from a first value to a second value as the power supply voltage progressively decreases in voltage value within an operating range and reaches a distinctive regulator signal limit range markedly beyond said second value as power supply voltage is reduced below a given minimum value, and signalling means coupled with said automatic voltage regulator means for supplying a low power signal to an external circuit when the regulator signal reaches said distinctive regulator signal limit range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.