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In a system and method for charging a rechargeable battery having a protection circuit, the rechargeable battery operates according to a model that includes an ideal battery and an internal resistance. In the model, an electrode voltage develops across the ideal battery. An internal voltage drop equ

In a system and method for charging a rechargeable battery having a protection circuit, the rechargeable battery operates according to a model that includes an ideal battery and an internal resistance. In the model, an electrode voltage develops across the ideal battery. An internal voltage drop equal to the difference between this electrode voltage and the battery voltage is developed across the internal resistance. The battery is charged with a charging voltage that may exceed the threshold voltage and the electrode voltage. The charging system and method ensures that (1) the voltage at the protection circuit is kept below the threshold voltage and (2) the electrode voltage is kept below the end-of-charge voltage.

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[ We claim:] [1.] A method of charging a rechargeable battery, the method comprising:(a) providing a battery pack comprising:(1) a plurality of terminals for accepting a charging current, a first voltage being developed across the terminals;(2) a rechargeable battery, coupled to the terminals, a sec

[ We claim:] [1.] A method of charging a rechargeable battery, the method comprising:(a) providing a battery pack comprising:(1) a plurality of terminals for accepting a charging current, a first voltage being developed across the terminals;(2) a rechargeable battery, coupled to the terminals, a second voltage being developed across the rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery operating according to a model comprising:(A) an ideal battery, a third voltage being developed across the ideal battery, the third voltage reaching an end-of-charge voltage when the rechargeable battery is fully charged, and(B) an internal resistance, a voltage differential between the second voltage and the third voltage being developed across the internal resistance in proportion to the charging current; and(3) a protection circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery, for causing charging current to be stopped whenever the second voltage reaches a threshold voltage; and(b) supplying charging current so as to maintain the second voltage to be above the end-of-charge voltage and to be below the threshold voltage during at least part of the charging process;whereby the rechargeable battery is charged without the protection circuit causing charging current to be stopped. [21.] A system for charging a rechargeable battery, the system comprising:(a) a battery pack including:(1) a plurality of terminals for accepting a charging current, a first voltage being developed across the terminals;(2) a rechargeable battery, coupled to the terminals, a second voltage being developed across the rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery operating according to a model comprising:(A) an ideal battery, a third voltage being developed across the ideal battery, the third voltage reaching an end-of-charge voltage when the rechargeable battery is fully charged, and(B) an internal resistance, a voltage differential between the second voltage and the third voltage being developed across the internal resistance in proportion to the charging current; and(3) a protection circuit, coupled to the rechargeable battery, for causing charging current to be stopped whenever the second voltage reaches a threshold voltage; and(b) a charger for supplying charging current in a charging process, the charging process comprising maintaining the second voltage to be above the end-of-charge voltage and to be below the threshold voltage during at least part of the charging process;whereby the charger charges the rechargeable battery without the protection circuit causing charging current to be stopped.