Patent ID: 6653820
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
An apparatus for protecting a battery that is charged by a charger, comprising:a primary input that is arranged to selectively receive energy from the charger; a secondary input that is arranged to receive energy from the charger; a primary charge-path circuit that is arranged to selectively couple power from the primary input to the battery when the voltage associated with the battery is above a predetermined amount, such that the battery is selectively charged by a primary charging current; a secondary charge-path circuit that is arranged to selectively couple power from the secondary input to the battery when the voltage associated with the battery is below the predetermined amount, such that the battery is selectively charged by a secondary charging current; and at least one switching circuit that is arranged to selectively disable the secondary charging current when a fault condition is detected such that the battery is protected from overcharging.