James L Tidwell

US Patent:

49923404, Feb 12, 1991

Filed:

Apr 20, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/340828

Inventors:

James L. Tidwell - Davie FL
Henry A. Bogut - Coral Springs FL

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H07M 200

US Classification:

429 7

Abstract:

A battery having a self testing feature for its intrinsic safety circuitry is provided. The battery uses light emitting diodes to indicate the operation of safety circuit in the battery. The safety circuitry of the battery may be tested by providing a short across the battery terminals, if the associated circuitry is operational the light emitting diode will light. This feature will also indicate, when the load across the battery is shorted.

US Patent:

D4135482, Sep 7, 1999

Filed:

Oct 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

D/095873

Inventors:

James F. Tidwell - Orlando FL

International Classification:

0207

US Classification:

D11202

US Patent:

54711282, Nov 28, 1995

Filed:

Nov 26, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/157499

Inventors:

Joseph Patino - Plantation FL
Henry A. Bogut - Coral Springs FL
James L. Tidwell - Fort Lauderdale FL

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H01M 1044

US Classification:

320 13

Abstract:

A battery charging system (200) includes a field-effect transistor (212) as a current discharge protection device in order to prevent current from flowing from battery (222) to charger (202) when charger (202) is not charging or discharging battery (222). The field-effect transistor (212) also protects battery (222) in the case that the battery contacts are inadvertently shorted. When charger (202) is charging battery (222), field-effect transistor (212) is turned on, providing for reduced voltage drop across the device due to its low on resistance, and also allows for charger (202) to charge and discharge (condition) battery (222).