Circuit for supplying energy from a battery to an energy-using device

Patent · Tue Oct 06 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6044764

Mullersman, F H; Mc Clelland, M E

A circuit is described for supplying energy to the load of an energy-using device having a minimum operating voltage below which the device is not fully operable. The circuit comprises: a battery comprised of electrochemical cells connected in series with respect to each other and with respect to the load. The cells comprise a first portion of cells and a second portion of cells. Each cell in the first portion has a deliverable energy capacity in excess of the deliverable energy capacity of each cell in the second portion. The circuit is operable in a first mode to deliver energy to the load simultaneously from each cell and operable in a second mode to deliver energy to the load from only the first portion of cells. The number of cells in the first portion is less than the number of cells in the second portion and the voltage delivered by the first portion of cells is less than the voltage delivered by the second portion of cells; means disposed in the circuit for sensing a characteristic of the battery during the first mode of operation. The characteristic indicative of the energy remaining in the second portion of cells during the first mode of operation; and means for switching the circuit from the first mode to the second mode in response to the sensed characteristic indicating near depletion of deliverable energy from the second portion of cells.

• Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Denver, CO
• Patent Number(s): US 4698578
• OSTI ID: 6044764
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250901* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Design & Development
250903 -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
CAPACITY
DESIGN
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FUNCTIONS
OPERATION
POWER CONDITIONING CIRCUITS
RESPONSE FUNCTIONS
SWITCHING CIRCUITS