Dynamically-switched power converter

The battery of any of the preceding claims wherein the charge pump further includes:

• a switching matrix electrically switchably coupling the fly capacitor, the output capacitor, and the voltaic cell between the charge mode and the discharge mode;
• and
• a switching matrix controller operatively coupled to the switching matrix to command the switching between charge and discharge modes, preferably wherein the switching matrix controller includes a comparator responsive to the output voltage falling below a predetermined threshold to command the switching matrix to the discharge mode and responsive to the output voltage rising above the predetermined threshold to command the switching matrix to the charge mode, even more preferably wherein the comparator includes a hysteresis circuit to prevent rapid oscillation when the output voltage approaches the predetermined threshold and/or the comparator includes an output stage including an amplifier and hysteresis device.

The battery of any of the preceding claims further including one or more of the following:

• (a) an internal power supply electrically coupled to the voltaic cell as a voltage source, the internal power supply electrically biasing the switching matrix controller;
• and
• (b) a voltage reference circuit providing a voltage reference to the switching matrix controller, preferably including a temperature compensation circuit for the voltage reference circuit.

The battery of any of the preceding claims wherein the switching matrix comprises a first switch electrically switchably coupling the positive electrode to a first end of the fly capacitor, a second switch electrically switchably coupling the first end of the fly capacitor to the positive terminal of the battery, a third switch electrically switchably coupling the negative electrode to a second end of the fly capacitor, and a fourth switch electrically switchably coupling the second end of the fly capacitor to the positive electrode, preferably wherein the first switch, second switch, third switch, and fourth switch are comprised respectively of integrated circuit field effect, and wherein the first and third switches are closed with the second and fourth switches open to affect the charge mode and inversely for the discharge mode, even more preferably wherein the switching matrix further includes an initial condition wherein a portion of the power converter is deactivated.

The battery of any of the preceding claims wherein the voltaic cell comprises a selected one of a lithium electrochemical cell and an alkaline electrochemical cell.

A power management circuit configured to adjust an output voltage across positive and negative terminals of a battery, the battery further including a voltaic cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a fly capacitor, and a load capacitor electrically coupled across the terminals, the power management circuit comprising:

• a switching matrix being electrically switchable between a charge mode and a discharge mode, wherein the switching matrix in charge mode comprises being configured to electrically couple the fly capacitor across the electrodes of the voltaic cell, and wherein the switching matrix in discharge mode comprises being configured to electrically couple across the load capacitor the series combination of the voltaic cell and the fly capacitor;
• and
• a switching matrix controller operatively coupled to the switching matrix to select the charge and discharge modes.