Life extending battery adapter for multi-chemistry battery systems
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsHeather N Bean, Christopher A. Whitman, Matt Flach, Jerry Swinford
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Abstract
A life extending device, such as a capacitor, is optionally positioned to be electrically connected in parallel with a battery. In one embodiment, the life extending device is optionally inserted in a battery holder which is used in substitution for the original battery. The battery holder is designed for at least one AA battery and the battery being replaced is a lithium ion or lithium metal primary battery.
Claims23
A battery holder for substitution of a first power source with a second power source, said battery holder comprising:
- a first compartment for holding a battery;
- and
- a second compartment for holding an element for prolonging the useful life of a battery in said first compartment, said second compartment adapted for allowing said element to be user selectively installed therein and wherein said battery holder will supply power from said battery even when said element has not been installed.
A method of substituting a secondary power source for a primary power source where the two power sources have different operating characteristics, said method comprising the steps of:
- removing said primary power source from a battery location having a particular size;
- inserting into said battery location a holder having contained within said holder said secondary power source, said holder having substantially said particular size;
- and
- user selectively positioning within said holder a high capacitance capacitor electrically connected in parallel with said secondary power source.
An alternative power source for use in equipment, said source optionally connectable to said equipment, said power source comprising
- means for supporting said alternative power source when said source is removed from said equipment, said supporting means including means for accepting said alternative power source and accepting a separate device;
- means for electrically connecting an accepted separate device in parallel with said alternative power source;
- and
- means for connecting said alternative power source to said equipment when said supporting means is used with said equipment.
A method of adding life to battery powered equipment, said method comprising the steps of:
- inserting into a receptacle in said equipment, a high energy capacitor;
- and
- temporarily locking said inserted capacitor into said equipment so that said capacitor becomes temporarily electrically connected in parallel with a battery powering said equipment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.