Nexergy Applies for Patents for Battery Designs Addressing Complex Charging, Gauging Challenges |
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Nexergy, Inc.
1909 Arlingate Lane
Columbus, OH, 43228
USA
Press release date: October 2, 2008
Columbus, Ohio - October 2, 2008 - Nexergy, Inc., a leading manufacturer of battery packs and chargers, has solved complex battery fuel gauge and charging issues with two innovative circuits now awaiting patent approval.
One patent application is for a robust discharge circuit that can be applied to the calibration of fuel gauges. The other is for a buttonless battery charger interface that can be used in designs in which a switch is not practical and in designs for harsh environments. The inventor behind both applications is Randolph (Randy) A. Ibrahim, Nexergy's vice president of technology.
"We have customers with very unique requirements, and we have the engineering talent to meets their needs," said Nexergy President and CEO Phil Glandon. "These current patent applications clearly illustrate how technologically strong Nexergy is as a battery designer and manufacturer in a highly competitive market."
In battery charging and conditioning systems, discharge circuits may be used to completely discharge a battery before beginning a charging cycle. In battery calibration systems, discharge circuits may be used to determine the characteristics of batteries. For battery types such as lithium ion (Li-Ion), determining the characteristics of the battery under load conditions may assist in determining battery condition as it ages. Additionally, calibration systems produce information that allows predicting performance of the battery over its service life.
The discharge circuit for which Nexergy seeks its patent is designed to address the challenges of battery calibration in environments where consistent power is often unavailable, such as in military vehicles and ambulances.
"Normally, when you lose power, you have to go through a whole new cycle in order to calibrate," Ibrahim said. "And if you get continuous interruptions of power, you'll never get a clean calibration especially on the older coulomb-counter fuel gauges. This unique circuit addresses this challenge by feeding power back on itself during moments of power interruptions. In fact, during a calibration cycle, the user could unplug the charger from the power source, and sequential discharging lights and charge status indicators will remain operating when power is automatically diverted from the battery being discharge to the charger/discharger circuitry to keep it alive and operating. The patent covers a multitude of methods of accomplishing this functionality."
The patent application for the buttonless battery charger interface applies a fresh approach to the issue of controls attached to the interfaces of battery chargers. Harsh environmental factors particularly cause the most simple control mechanism to fail under normal and heavy use. This battery-charging invention applies "a plurality of modes" for charging a battery. The method of control is mainly time-based with debouncing circuitry included to minimize false commands from being issued.
About Nexergy, Inc.: With more than 20 years of experience, Nexergy, Inc. is a leading designer, integrator and manufacturer of battery packs and chargers that enable electronic products to be more dependable, smaller, lighter and longer-running. Nexergy, Inc. is based in Columbus, Ohio, and operates additional design and assembly centers in Littleton, Colo., Canon City, Colo., and Escondido, Calif. Through its strong international partnerships, the company also manufactures product in the Asia/Pacific region. Nexergy, Inc. is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company. For more information, please visit www.nexergy.com.
This charger is designed with both the discharge circuit and the buttonless battery charger interface for which Nexergy, Inc. awaits patent approval For High Resolution Image: http://www.ggcomm.com/NXG/BatteryCharger.JPG
Contact: John Costa Executive Vice President Phone: 303-409-3723 Email: jcosta@nexergy.com Reader Inquiries: 1-800-537-9602 Or Randy Ibrahim Vice President Technology Phone: 303-409-3718 ribrahim@nexergy.com
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