Temperature-controlled battery reserve system and method of operation thereof

For use in a battery reserve system having a reserve battery, a charging circuit coupled between a source of electrical power and said reserve battery for charging said reserve battery and a heating element in thermal communication with said reserve battery for increasing a temperature of said battery, a method of selecting modes of said battery reserve system, comprising the steps of:

• sensing said temperature of said reserve battery with a temperature transducer coupled to said reserve battery;
• and
• selecting an alternative one of:
• a heating mode wherein said source of electrical power is coupled to said heating element when said temperature of said reserve battery is less than a reference temperature thereby to heat said reserve battery, and
• a charging mode wherein said source of electrical power is coupled to said reserve battery when said temperature is greater than said reference temperature thereby to charge said reserve battery.

A battery back-up power supply, comprising:

• a primary power supply;
• and
• a battery reserve system, comprising:
• a reserve battery;
• a charging circuit coupled between a source of electrical power and said reserve battery for charging said reserve battery;
• a heating element in thermal communication with said reserve battery for increasing a temperature of said battery;
• and
• a mode selection circuit, comprising:
• a temperature transducer, coupled to said reserve battery, for sensing said temperature of said reserve battery;
• and
• a mode-changing circuit, coupled to said temperature transducer, for selecting an alternative one of:
• a heating mode wherein said source of electrical power is coupled to said heating element when said temperature of said reserve battery is less than a reference temperature thereby to heat said reserve battery, and
• a charging mode wherein said source of electrical power is coupled to said reserve battery when said temperature is greater than said reference temperature thereby to charge said reserve battery.