Patent ID: 6268711
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
A battery manager comprising:A. a reference voltage source providing a reference voltage on a reference voltage lead;B. a plurality of battery voltage level detectors each connected to at least one connector for a storage battery and each connected to the reference voltage lead, each battery voltage level detector providing a detector output signal on a detector output lead, wherein the battery voltage level detectors are each operational amplifier that provide the detector output signal when a battery voltage on the connector for the storage battery falls below the reference voltage;C. a plurality of switching control circuits having inputs connected to the detector output leads of all the batter level detectors and providing switching output signals on switching output leads, wherein the switching control circuits include logic gates; andD. a plurality of switching circuits having control inputs connected to the switching output leads, having power inputs connected to individual ones of the connectors for the storage batteries and having output leads providing a supply power output of the battery manager circuit, the switching circuits being arranged selectively to connect the connectors for the storage batteries in series and in parallel.