Passively protected battery pack with on load charge and on load conditioning-discharge capability and charging system

摘要

A new type of passive battery pack short circuit protection is provided in a battery pack consisting of one or more battery cells, with on load charge and on load conditioning-discharge capability, having a minimum of only 2 terminals. At least one voltage clamping device is included in the charge path of the battery to provide both charge and conditioning-discharge capability. A charging system provides both charging and discharging controls so that current can be either charged to or discharged from the battery through the voltage clamping device. The breakdown voltage of the voltage clamping device is selected to be equal to or greater than the maximum battery voltage, thus providing short circuit protection of the battery pack while still allowing a discharge function with a minimum of 2 terminals. The charging system provides a positive charge current to charge the battery through the voltage clamping device and a negative voltage potential equal to or greater than the reverse breakdown voltage of the voltage clamping device, in conjunction with a current control, to discharge the battery.