초록 ▼

The present invention provides a battery system, a device, and a method to allow multiple batteries with varying capacities and power capabilities to drive a common load. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for adjusting the output current of one or more of the batteries driving a c

The present invention provides a battery system, a device, and a method to allow multiple batteries with varying capacities and power capabilities to drive a common load. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for adjusting the output current of one or more of the batteries driving a common load to maximize the operational time of the load. The level of the current being supplied by the battery unit is monitored and compared to a desired current level. Upon detecting a change in the level of the current, the output voltage of one or more of the battery systems is modified to return the level of the battery current to the desired current level. This is accomplished by detecting the battery current (31) with a detector (66) and transforming the change in the battery current into an error signal (76) by comparing a voltage, representative of the battery current (31) with a reference value (72). The error signal (76) is then converted into an output adjust signal (62) by an adjuster (78). The output adjust signal (62) indicates whether the level of the battery current (31) needs to be adjusted and whether the adjustment should result in increasing or decreasing the battery current (31).

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A battery system, functionally connectable to a main battery and for augmenting the battery current supplied by the main battery to a load, comprising:a supplemental battery, having a battery unit and an output control circuit, the battery unit having a different capacity or capabi

[ We claim:] [1.] A battery system, functionally connectable to a main battery and for augmenting the battery current supplied by the main battery to a load, comprising:a supplemental battery, having a battery unit and an output control circuit, the battery unit having a different capacity or capability than the main battery the output control circuit having an output control input and being operative to adjust the level of the voltage supplied to the load in response to signals received on the output control input; anda current adapter, functionally connected to the main battery and the output control input of the supplemental battery, and operative to detect the battery current supplied to the load, generate an output adjust signal as a function of the current, and provide the output adjust signal to the output control input of the supplemental battery.