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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for extending the shelf-life of rechargeable batteries comprising:
 a set of one or more primary batteries;   a set of one or more secondary batteries; and   a charging component capable of using the set of one or more primary batteries to charge the set of one or more secondary batteries.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of one or more primary batteries comprises non-rechargeable batteries. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the set of one or more secondary batteries comprises rechargeable batteries. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the system further comprises the charging component being capable of monitoring a state of charge for each of the one or more secondary batteries. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the system further comprises the charging component being capable of receiving a signal to change a state of charge for at least one secondary battery. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the signal to change a state of charge for at least one secondary battery is based on information relating to pressing of a button, non-use of the charging component for a designated period of time, passage of a specific time interval, a temperature sensor, a gravity sensor, a load applied to the hybrid battery system, a message received via a network or cable connection, a calendar event, an indication of remaining capacity in the primary or secondary batteries, or a specified voltage or current draw to be supported by the system. 
     
     
         7 . A device for extending the shelf-life of rechargeable batteries comprising:
 a set of one or more primary batteries in a first battery module;   a set of one or more secondary batteries in a second battery module; and   a charging component capable of using the set of one or more primary batteries to charge the set of one or more secondary batteries, wherein the charging component resides in a battery housing configured to interface with the first battery module and the second battery module.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the set of one or more primary batteries comprises non-rechargeable batteries. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the set of one or more secondary batteries comprises rechargeable batteries. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the device further comprises the charging component being capable of monitoring a state of charge for each of the one or more secondary batteries. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the device further comprises the charging component being capable of receiving a signal to change a state of charge for at least one secondary battery. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the signal to change a state of charge for at least one secondary battery is based on information relating to pressing of a button, non-use of the charging component for a designated period of time, passage of a specific time interval, a temperature sensor, a gravity sensor, a load applied to the hybrid battery system, a message received via a network or cable connection, a calendar event, an indication of remaining capacity in the primary or secondary batteries, or a specified voltage or current draw to be supported by the battery system. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the battery modules are capable of being removed from the battery housing and replaced with one or more new battery modules. 
     
     
         14 . A method of extending the shelf-life of rechargeable batteries comprising:
 monitoring a first set of state of charge conditions for a set of primary batteries;   monitoring a second set of state of charge conditions for a set of secondary batteries;   determining based on the second set of state of charge conditions a recipient set of secondary batteries requiring charging;   determining based on the first set of state of charge conditions a charging set of primary batteries to be used for charging; and   applying the charging set of primary batteries to adjust the state of charge in the recipient set of secondary batteries.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising receiving a signal to change a state of charge for at least one secondary battery. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the signal to change a state of charge for at least one secondary battery is based on information relating to pressing of a button, non-use of the charging component for a designated period of time, passage of a specific time interval, a temperature sensor, a gravity sensor, a load applied to the hybrid battery system, a message received via a network or cable connection, a calendar event, an indication of remaining capacity in the primary or secondary batteries, or a specified voltage or current draw to be supported by the battery system. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising displaying information or an indication showing a remaining estimated shelf life, whether a hybrid battery system is at a designated state of charge, or if there is a fault within a hybrid battery system. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising selecting a first minimum state of charge for determining which primary batteries are suitable for charging. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising selecting a second minimum state of charge for determining which secondary batteries require charging. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the second minimum state of charge is based on a parameter to optimize a specific shelf life or a designated discharge rate.