Structure and Method for Extending Battery Life

Abstract

A battery sleeve for extending the operational life of one or more batteries, the battery sleeve comprising a positive conductive electrode configured such that when the battery sleeve is coupled to at least one battery, the positive conductive electrode of the sleeve serves as the new positive terminal of the at least one battery.

1 . A battery sleeve for extending the operational life of one or more batteries, comprising:
 a positive conductive electrode; and   an insulating layer extending below the conductive electrode such that when the sleeve is coupled to a battery, the positive conductive electrode is positioned above the positive terminal of the battery with the insulating layer electrically isolating the positive conductive electrode from the positive terminal of the battery.   
     
     
         2 . The battery sleeve of  claim 1  further comprising a negative conductive electrode configured so that when the sleeve is coupled to a battery, the negative conductive electrode is in electrical contact with the negative terminal of the battery. 
     
     
         3 . The battery sleeve of  claim 2  further comprising a voltage regulator circuit adapted to receive the positive and negative terminals of a battery and provide an output signal on an output terminal electrically connected to the positive conductive electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The battery sleeve of  claim 2  further comprising a voltage regulator circuit adapted to receive the positive and negative voltages provided by the battery and generate a substantially constant output voltage on the battery sleeve's positive conductive electrode for the duration of the battery's operating life. 
     
     
         5 . The battery sleeve of  claim 4  wherein the voltage regulator is housed in an upper portion of the battery sleeve near the positive conductive electrode. 
     
     
         6 . The battery sleeve of  claim 4  wherein the voltage regulator is housed in a lower portion of the battery sleeve near the negative conductive electrode. 
     
     
         7 . The battery sleeve of  claim 1  wherein when the battery sleeve is coupled to a battery, the positive conductive electrode of the sleeve serves as the new positive terminal of the battery. 
     
     
         8 . The battery sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the battery sleeve is configured so that when the sleeve is coupled to a battery, the positive terminal of the battery is covered by the insulating layer such that the positive terminal is not externally electrically accessible. 
     
     
         9 . The battery sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the battery sleeve is configured so that when the sleeve is coupled to a battery, the negative terminal of the battery is externally electrically accessible. 
     
     
         10 . The battery sleeve of  claim 1  adapted to receive two or more interconnected batteries. 
     
     
         11 . A battery sleeve for extending the operational life of one or more batteries, the battery sleeve comprising a positive conductive electrode configured such that when the battery sleeve is coupled to at least one battery, the positive conductive electrode of the sleeve serves as the new positive terminal of the at least one battery. 
     
     
         12 . The battery sleeve of  claim 11  further comprising a voltage regulator adapted to receive the voltage provided by the at least one battery and generate a substantially constant output voltage for the duration of the operating life of the at least one battery. 
     
     
         13 . The battery sleeve of  claim 12  further comprising an insulating layer extending below the conductive electrode, wherein the sleeve is configured such that when the sleeve is coupled to a battery, the positive conductive electrode is positioned above the positive terminal of the battery with the insulating layer insulating the positive conductive electrode from the positive terminal of the battery. 
     
     
         14 . The battery sleeve of  claim 13  further comprising a negative conductive electrode configured so that when the sleeve is coupled to a battery, the negative conductive electrode is in electrical contact with the negative terminal of the battery. 
     
     
         15 . The battery sleeve of  claim 12  wherein the voltage regulator is configured to provide the substantially constant output voltage on the positive conductive electrode. 
     
     
         16 . A battery sleeve for extending the operational life of one or more batteries, comprising:
 a positive conductive electrode;   an insulating layer extending below the conductive electrode such that when the sleeve is coupled to a battery, the positive conductive electrode is positioned above the positive terminal of the battery with the insulating layer electrically isolating the positive conductive electrode from the positive terminal of the battery;   a negative conductive electrode configured so that when the sleeve is coupled to a battery, the negative conductive electrode is in electrical contact with the negative terminal of the battery; and   a voltage regulator circuit adapted to receive a voltage provided by one or more batteries and generate a substantially constant output voltage on the positive conductive electrode for the duration of the operating life of the one or more batteries.   
     
     
         17 . The battery sleeve of  claim 16  where in the voltage regulator is housed in an upper portion of the battery sleeve near the positive conductive electrode. 
     
     
         18 . The battery sleeve of  claim 16  where in the voltage regulator is housed in a lower portion of the battery sleeve near the negative conductive electrode. 
     
     
         19 . The battery sleeve of  claim 16  wherein the battery sleeve is configured so that when the sleeve is coupled to a battery, the positive terminal of the battery is covered by the insulating layer such that the positive terminal is not externally electrically accessible. 
     
     
         20 . A battery with life-extending circuitry, comprising:
 a housing with positive and negative terminals; and   a voltage regulator circuit adapted to receive a first voltage provided by the battery and generate a substantially constant output voltage for the duration of the operating life of the battery, the output voltage being provided on the positive terminal of the battery.   
     
     
         21 . The battery of  claim 20  wherein the battery is a disposable battery. 
     
     
         22 . The battery of  claim 20  wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.