Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080304199 | Software-implemented overcurrent protection embedded in a battery pack - An overcurrent protection mechanism is provided for a battery pack that removably attaches to a power tool. The mechanism includes: one or more battery cells disposed in a battery pack; a current sensor configured to sense current supplied by the battery; a switch in a circuit path with the battery cells; and a battery control unit implemented as software instructions in a controller embedded in a battery pack. The battery control unit is configured to receive a signal indicative of current from the current sensor and control the switch to interrupt current flow from the battery cells as a function of current and time. | 12-11-2008 |
20080309289 | Temperature and polarization voltage compensation system - A control module for a battery that powers a load includes a compensation module that adjusts a shutoff voltage based on voltage and impedance of the battery and current drawn by the load from the battery as time the load is drawing current increases. A discharge control module restricts power to the load based on the adjusted shutoff voltage. | 12-18-2008 |
20080311795 | Adapter for cordless power tools - An electrical combination including a power tool, charger and an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and the tool housing or battery charger to support the battery on the tool housing or the battery charger, the adapter having adapter leads for electrically coupling the battery to the power tool or the battery charger, the adapter having a mechanical lockout for allowing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the power tool while preventing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the battery charger. | 12-18-2008 |
20090015206 | CELL MONITORING AND BALANCING - A method for monitoring the voltage of each of a plurality of cells of a battery pack is provided. The method may include monitoring a voltage potential for each of a plurality of cells in a battery pack utilizing a single channel of battery control unit within the battery pack. If, during discharge of the battery, e.g., the battery is being used to power a hand tool, the voltage potential of any cell is determined by the battery control unit to be below a predetermined minimum voltage, the battery control unit discontinues a current flow from battery pack to the tool. Additionally, during charging of the battery pack, if a voltage differential between any one of the cells and any other one of the cells is determined to be above a predetermined maximum differential, the battery control unit reduces the voltage potential stored in the cell having the higher voltage potential. | 01-15-2009 |
20090015208 | RESET MECHANISM FOR A BATTERY PACK - A battery pack may include a plurality of battery cells; a discharge switch in series with the battery cells, a temperature sensor configured to sense temperature in the battery pack, and a battery control unit adapted to receive a signal indicative of temperature from the temperature sensor and operable to control the switch to interrupt current flow from the battery cells when the temperature exceeds an over-temperature threshold. The battery control unit may be adapted to receive a reset signal and operable to control the switch to restore current flow upon receipt of the reset signal and when the temperature is below an operating temperature threshold. | 01-15-2009 |
20090058368 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RE-INITIATING CHARGE CYCLE FOR BATTERY PACK LEFT IN A CHARGER - A system and method is provided for initiating a charge cycle for a battery pack left in a battery charger. The battery pack includes a battery control unit which is operable to place the battery pack in a sleep mode after a predefined period of inactivity. The battery charger in turn is operable to deliver a charging signal to the battery pack in response to the battery pack entering a sleep mode. | 03-05-2009 |
20090096421 | METHOD FOR BALANCING CELLS IN A BATTERY PACK - A method is provided for charging a plurality of cells in a battery pack to a target charging value. The method includes: delivering a charging current to the plurality of cells; monitoring cell voltage of each cell in the plurality of cells to determine when at least one of the cells reaches the target charging value; and diverting the charging current around the cells having reached the target charging value and cooperatively adjusting the charging current so that a current received by the cells having reached the target charging value is substantially zero. | 04-16-2009 |
20090146614 | Protection Methods, Protection Circuits and Protection Devices for Secondary Batteries, a Power Tool, Charger and Battery Pack Adapted to Provide Protection Against Fault Conditions in the Battery Pack - In a cordless power tool system, protection methods, circuits and devices are provided to protect against fault conditions within a battery pack that is operatively attached to a power tool or charger, so as to prevent internal or external damage to the battery pack or attached tool or charger. The exemplary methods, circuits and devices address fault conditions such as over-charge, over-discharge, over-current, over-temperature, etc. | 06-11-2009 |
20090208819 | Rechargeable Battery Pack for Power Tools - A rechargeable battery pack comprises a battery having a high voltage side and a low voltage side, a positive terminal accessible external of the battery pack and connected to the high voltage side of the battery, a negative terminal accessible external of the battery pack and connected to the low voltage side of the battery, a control terminal accessible external of the battery pack, a switching element electrically connected between the control terminal and the high voltage side of the battery, and a control module operable to control the switching element so that the control terminal is selectively coupled to the high voltage side of the battery. | 08-20-2009 |
20100199453 | WIRELESS PARTICLE COLLECTION SYSTEM - A wireless particle collection system includes a dust collector and at least one power tool coupled to the dust collector. The power tool is associated with a unique identifier contained in a wireless signal transmitted from the power tool upon an activation event of the tool. The unique identifier is recognized by the dust collector, and the dust collector activates or de-activates upon receipt of the wireless signal. | 08-12-2010 |
20100213900 | BATTERY PACK FOR CORDLESS POWER TOOLS - A battery pack which includes a battery pack electronic control circuit adapted to control an attached power tool and/or an attached charger. The battery pack includes additional protection circuits, methodologies and devices to protect against fault conditions within the pack, as the pack is operatively attached to and providing power to the power tool, and/or as they pack is operatively attached to and being charged by the charger. | 08-26-2010 |
20110090726 | PORTABLE ALTERNATING CURRENT INVERTER HAVING REDUCED IMPEDANCE LOSSES - A portable power supply apparatus is provided having reduced impedance losses. The portable power supply apparatus is comprised of: a portable housing; a battery system residing in the housing; and an inverter circuit residing in the housing. The battery system generates a direct current (DC) voltage having a magnitude greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired alternating current (AC) voltage. The inverter circuit receives the DC voltage directly from the battery system, converts the DC voltage to an AC output voltage and outputs the AC output voltage to one or more outlets exposed on an exterior surface of the portable housing. | 04-21-2011 |
20110163701 | Battery Pack for Cordless Power Tools - A battery pack which includes a battery pack electronic control circuit adapted to control an attached power tool and/or an attached charger. The battery pack includes additional protection circuits, methodologies and devices to protect against fault conditions within the pack, as the pack is operatively attached to and providing power to the power tool, and/or as the pack is operatively attached to and being charged by the charger. | 07-07-2011 |
20120302101 | Adapter For Cordless Power Tools - An electrical combination including a power tool, charger and an adapter separate from and connectable between the battery and the tool housing or battery charger to support the battery on the tool housing or the battery charger, the adapter having adapter leads for electrically coupling the battery to the power tool or the battery charger, the adapter having a mechanical lockout for allowing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the power tool while preventing an electrical coupling between the adapter and the battery charger. | 11-29-2012 |