Extending shelf life of rechargeable batteries

Abstract

A hybrid battery system is provided for extending the shelf-life of rechargeable batteries. The hybrid battery system may contain sets of non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries respectively. As the rechargeable batteries are discharged (e.g., from self-discharge), the hybrid battery system may utilize the non-rechargeable batteries to maintain the rechargeable batteries at a preferred state of charge. A preferred state of charge may be selected to extend the shelf-life of the rechargeable batteries. Alternatively, a signal may change the preferred state of charge to prepare the rechargeable batteries for use or for other reasons. The hybrid battery system may contain modular components, thereby allowing for easy replacement of defective or otherwise unsuitable non-rechargeable batteries, rechargeable batteries, or supporting electronics.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62 / 026,527, filed Jul. 18, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for extending the shelf life of rechargeable batteries.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Modern battery technology is primarily focused on the use of primary cells or secondary cells, such as typical rechargeable cells, to comprise a primary or secondary battery.[0006]Primary batteries may be useful in situations where a long shelf life is desirable. For example, many primary batteries may be able to remain unused for over ten years without losing significant capacity. However, since primary batteries typically cannot sustain high discharge rates, their use is generally limited to low discharge applications.[0007]Secondary batteri...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a way to keep a battery running for a longer time by using a primary battery to recharge it. This helps to maintain the battery's capacity and ensures that it's always ready to use. A charging system is used to monitor the secondary battery and decide when or how to recharge it with the primary battery. This way, the secondary battery can always be kept at the right level of charge. The primary and secondary batteries can be combined into one package or separate modules.

Problems solved by technology

However, since primary batteries typically cannot sustain high discharge rates, their use is generally limited to low discharge applications.

However, secondary batteries typically have a much more limited shelf life than primary batteries.

For example, a rechargeable battery may lose approximately 1-5% of battery capacity per month of storage.

This loss of battery capacity may limit the shelf life of a secondary battery such as a typical rechargeable battery for various applications.

After a sufficient period of time, the aggregate loss of battery capacity from secondary batteries in storage may lead to the secondary batteries having insufficient battery capacity to adequately support certain applications.

In such a situation, the secondary battery may lose approximately 27% of its initial battery capacity in the first year.