Apparatus and method for counteracting self discharge in a storage battery
AssigneeMidtronics, Inc.
InventorKevin I. Bertness
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for counteracting self-discharge in a storage battery is provided. The system includes a charge supply battery that provides a supply voltage. The system also includes a DC-DC converter circuit that has an input that electrically couples to the charge supply battery and an output that electrically couples to terminals of the storage battery. The DC-DC converter circuit provides a charging voltage at the output that has a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the supply voltage. The storage battery is a carbon battery.
Claims95
An apparatus for counteracting self discharge in a storage battery, comprising:
- a charge supply battery configured to provide a supply voltage;
- and
- a DC-DC converter circuit having an input electrically coupled to the charge supply battery and an output configured to electrically couple to terminals of the storage battery;
- wherein the charge supply battery is of a different type and construction than the storage battery,
- wherein the charge supply battery has a nominal voltage lower than that of the storage battery,
- wherein the DC-DC converter circuit is configured to provide a charging voltage at the output having a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the supply voltage, and
- wherein the charge supply battery provides a charge to the storage battery via the DC-DC converter circuit to increase a life of the storage battery by preventing self discharge of the storage battery.
A jump-start booster pack, comprising:
- a booster battery configured to provide starting energy to a vehicle;
- a charge supply battery configured to provide a supply voltage;
- and
- a DC-DC converter circuit having an input electrically coupled to the charge supply battery and an output electrically coupled to the booster battery;
- wherein the charge supply battery is of a different type and construction than the booster battery,
- wherein the charge supply battery has a nominal voltage lower than that of the booster battery, and
- wherein the charge supply battery provides a charge to the booster battery via the DC-DC converter circuit to increase a life of the booster battery by preventing self discharge of the booster battery.
A method for counteracting self discharge in a storage battery, comprising:
- providing a supply voltage from a charge supply battery that is of a different type and construction than the storage battery, the charge supply battery having a nominal voltage lower than that of the storage battery;
- and
- providing a charging voltage to the storage battery as a function of the supply voltage, with the charging voltage having a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the supply voltage,
- wherein the charging voltage provided to the storage battery increases a life of the storage battery by preventing self discharge of the storage battery.
A method of making a jump-start booster pack, comprising:
- providing a booster battery configured to provide starting energy to a vehicle;
- providing a charge supply battery configured to provide a supply voltage;
- and
- providing a DC-DC converter circuit having an input electrically coupled to the charge supply battery and an output electrically coupled to the booster battery;
- wherein the charge supply battery is of a different type and construction than the booster battery,
- wherein the charge supply battery has a nominal voltage lower than that of the booster battery, and
- wherein the charge supply battery provides a charge to the booster battery via the DC-DC converter circuit to increase a life of the booster battery by preventing self discharge of the booster battery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.