VOLTAGE CUTOFF CIRCUIT FOR AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL

摘要

An electrical circuit designed to dynamically connect or disconnect an electrochemical cell to or from an electrical load based on the measured value of the discharge voltage generated by the cell is discussed. When the measured discharge voltage of an electrochemical cell is less than the threshold voltage, the cell is disconnected from an electrical load and when the discharge voltage is the same as, or greater than, the threshold voltage, the electrochemical cell is connected to an electrical load. The circuit is configured so that the value of the threshold voltage increases from an initial value when the electrochemical cell is first disconnected from the electrical load.

主权项

1. An electrical circuit, comprising:
a) an electrochemical cell capable of generating an electrical current comprising a discharge voltage to thereby power an electrical load; b) a sensing circuit electrically connected to the electrochemical cell, wherein the sensing circuit is configured to measure the discharge voltage generated by the electrochemical cell; c) at least a first and second resistor configured to generate a first threshold voltage value and a second threshold voltage value that are different; d) at least one electrical switch electrically connected to the sensing circuit, wherein the at least one electrical switch is capable of electrically connecting and disconnecting the electrochemical cell to the electrical load; and e) wherein actuation of the sensing circuit causes the at least one electrical switch to disconnect the electrochemical cell from the electrical load when the discharge voltage value is determined to be less than the first threshold voltage value and cause the sensing circuit to reconnect the electrochemical cell to the electrical load when the discharge voltage value is the same as, or greater than, the second threshold voltage value, the second threshold voltage value being greater than the first voltage value.