Apparatus and method for generating and storing energy in a portable energy storage device and using the stored energy to extend internal battery life

Abstract

A portable energy storage device that can be brought to a desired operating condition (such as temperature) using an external power source to save the power in internal power cell and, when the external power source is disconnected from device to make it portable, the internal power cell of the device automatically provides output power to the load that is regulated by a pulse time modulation control circuit that senses the desired operating condition and provides power pulses to the load sufficient only to maintain the desired operating condition thus extending the life of the internal power cell in the portable device.

1 . Apparatus for extending the life of at least one battery in a portable energy storage device having an energy storing and energy consuming load and including device power losses, P L , comprising: 
 an external power source coupled to the portable energy storage device to cause the energy load to store a desired residual amount of power, P R ;    at least one internal energy cell for supplying electrical power, P IN , to the energy consuming load only when the external power source is disconnected and the device is portable thereby extending the life of the at least one internal energy cell; and    a power regulating circuit coupled between the energy consuming load and the at least one internal energy cell for generating pulse time modulated signals that control the battery power to the energy consuming load such that the input power, P IN , substantially equals power losses, P L , thereby enabling the stored residual power, P R , to provide the output power, P O , and extend the life of the batteries.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a base unit for receiving the portable device; and    the external power source being coupled to the base unit to provide power to the portable device to enable it to store the desired kinetic/residual amount of power.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the portable device is a hair curling iron and the external power source preheats the hair curling iron to a desired temperature.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the power regulating circuit further comprises: 
 a control circuit coupled between the at least one internal energy cell and the energy storage load for generating pulse time modulated signals that automatically reduce the at least one energy cell input power, P IN , applied to the load to an amount sufficient only to replace the power losses, P L , thereby just maintaining the residual power, P R , to equal the desired output power, P O , to conserve electrical power and prolong the life of the load.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the external power source simultaneously charges/recharges the at least one energy cell whenever the device is in the base unit and the external power source is providing power to the portable device to enable it to store the desired residual amount of power.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further including: 
 the internal power cell being in the form of at least one battery; and    an AC/DC converter associated with the base unit for converting the AC wall socket power to DC power that is provided to the portable device to enable it to store the desired residual amount of power while simultaneously charging/recharging the at least one internal battery.    
   
   
       7 . A method of extending the life of at least one battery in a portable energy storage device having an energy consuming and storing load and power losses, P L , comprising the steps of: 
 supplying input power, P IN , to the device load from an external power source to achieve the desired output power, P O , with an accompanying residual power, P R  and to simultaneously charge/recharge the at least one battery as necessary;    automatically connecting the at least one battery to the load only when the external power source is disconnected; and    using variable rate pulse time modulated signals to automatically reduce the input power, P IN , supplied by the at least one battery to an amount sufficient only to replace the power losses, P L , thereby just maintaining the residual power, P R , equal to the desired power output, P O , to conserve input power and prolong the life of the load and extend the life of the at least one battery.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the steps of: 
 placing the portable energy storage device in a base unit; and    coupling the external power source to the base unit to cause the portable device to store the desired residual amount of power supplied by the external power source.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the steps of: 
 forming the portable device as a hair curling iron having the energy consuming and storing load; and    preheating the hair curling iron load to a desired temperature with the external power source.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of: 
 coupling a control circuit between the at least one internal battery and the energy storage load for generating pulse time modulated signals that automatically reduce the at least one battery input power, P IN , applied to the energy storage load to an amount sufficient only to replace the power losses, P L , thereby just maintaining the residual power, P R , to equal the desired output power, P O , to conserve electrical power and prolong the life of the at least one battery and the load.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising the step of: 
 simultaneously charging/recharging the at least one battery whenever the device is in the base unit and the external power source is providing power to the portable device to enable it to store the desired residual amount of power.