Richard L Downs

US Patent:

20010009361, Jul 26, 2001

Filed:

Mar 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/800054

Inventors:

Richard Downs - Dallas TX, US
James Douglass - Carrollton TX, US
Richard Ezell - Carrollton TX, US

International Classification:

H02J007/00

US Classification:

320/132000

Abstract:

A method for monitoring various parameters and conditions of a rechargeable battery to accurately determine the remaining charge level of the rechargeable battery, and includes using a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature of the rechargeable battery. The potential level of the rechargeable battery is monitored with a voltage meter coupled to the rechargeable battery. The current flow into and out of the rechargeable battery is monitored with current meter coupled to the rechargeable battery. A current accumulator coupled to the current meter is used to accumulate the net total of current flow, and an oscillatory circuit is used to generate a timing signal to time selected functions.

US Patent:

59125489, Jun 15, 1999

Filed:

Apr 9, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/058046

Inventors:

Richard E. Downs - Dallas TX
Robert Mounger - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Dallas Semiconductor Corp. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H02J 700

US Classification:

320150

Abstract:

An electronic device for monitoring the operating conditions of a rechargeable battery, and includes a temperature monitor for monitoring the operating temperature of the rechargeable battery; a voltage determiner coupled to the rechargeable battery for measuring the potential level of the rechargeable battery; a one wire interface for outputting the information corresponding to the potential level of the rechargeable battery and the information corresponding to the temperature monitored by the temperature monitor; and a power regulator coupled to the rechargeable battery for supplying regulated power from the rechargeable battery to the temperature monitor and the voltage determiner. The voltage determiner includes an analog to digital converter and utilizes a successive approximation technique to determine and output a digital value corresponding to the potential level of the rechargeable battery.

US Patent:

62188097, Apr 17, 2001

Filed:

Mar 20, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/045328

Inventors:

Richard E. Downs - Dallas TX
Richard William Ezell - Carrollton TX
James M. Douglass - Carrollton TX

Assignee:

Dallas Semiconductor Corporation - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H02J 700

US Classification:

320132

Abstract:

A method for monitoring various parameters and conditions of a rechargeable battery to accurately determine the remaining charge level of the rechargeable battery, and includes using a temperature sensor to monitor the temperature of the rechargeable battery. The potential level of the rechargeable battery is monitored with a voltage meter coupled to the rechargeable battery. The current flow into and out of the rechargeable battery is monitored with current meter coupled to the rechargeable battery. A current accumulator coupled to the current meter is used to accumulate the net total of current flow, an oscillatory circuit is used to generate a timing signal to time selected functions, and a timestamp will be generated indicative of a time when the battery ceases to be charged such that a self discharge correction is capable of being calculated.

US Patent:

62592327, Jul 10, 2001

Filed:

May 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/578210

Inventors:

James M. Douglass - Carrollton TX
Richard E. Downs - Dallas TX
Richard William Ezell - Carrollton TX

Assignee:

Dallas Semiconductor Corporation - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01M 1046

US Classification:

320133

Abstract:

A rechargeable battery pack with low powered, gas gauge circuitry for monitoring and accumulating various operating parameters of the rechargeable battery pack, includes a current monitor for measuring the current flow into and out of a battery cell in the rechargeable battery pack. An integrated current accumulator connected to the current monitor is used to maintain a measure of the net charge having flowed into and out of the battery cell. A charging current accumulator, which is also coupled to the current monitor, is used to maintain a measure of the total charge having flowed into the battery cell, while a discharging current accumulator is used to maintain a measure of the total charge having flowed out of the battery cell. A highly accurate oscillator is used to drive the accumulators to greatly increase the accuracy of the gas gauge functions derived therefrom.

US Patent:

61372641, Oct 24, 2000

Filed:

Mar 20, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/045302

Inventors:

Richard E. Downs - Dallas TX
Richard William Ezell - Carrollton TX
James M. Douglass - Carrollton TX

Assignee:

Dallas Semiconductor Corporation - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01M 1046

US Classification:

320133

Abstract:

A rechargeable battery pack with low powered, gas gauge circuitry for monitoring and accumulating various operating parameters of the rechargeable battery pack, includes a current monitor for measuring the current flow into and out of a battery cell in the rechargeable battery pack. An integrated current accumulator connected to the current monitor is used to maintain a measure of the net charge having flowed into and out of the battery cell. A charging current accumulator, which is also coupled to the current monitor, is used to maintain a measure of the total charge having flowed into the battery cell, while a discharging current accumulator is used to maintain a measure of the total charge having flowed out of the battery cell. A highly accurate oscillator is used to drive the accumulators to greatly increase the accuracy of the gas gauge functions derived therefrom.