Battery exercising device
First Claim
1. A battery exercising device comprising:
- (a) a voltage sensing circuit operable to allow the battery exercising device to determine a voltage level of a rechargeable battery; and
(b) a control unit comprising a processing unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the voltage sensing circuit such that the control unit determines the voltage level, wherein the control unit is programmed to enter a battery assessment mode in response to a charging trigger being detected by the control unit, wherein the battery assessment mode comprises an operation mode wherein the control unit determines a first voltage level of the rechargeable battery and compares the first voltage level of the rechargeable battery to a predetermined initial voltage level, wherein the control unit is further programmed to transition from the battery assessment mode to a charge mode when the first voltage level of the rechargeable battery is greater than the initial voltage level; and
wherein in response to the first voltage level of the rechargeable battery being less than the initial voltage level, the control unit is further programmed to charge the rechargeable battery while remaining in the battery assessment mode by allowing an applied voltage of the rechargeable battery to reach up to a maximum applied voltage level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a rechargeable battery connected to the battery exercising device. A battery assessment may be performed on the rechargeable battery to determine whether to charge the battery after the battery assessment. The rechargeable battery may be desulfated during the battery assessment in an effort to restore or increase the cranking power and/or the charge timing of the rechargeable battery. A solar panel may be provided as the power source and may be used in conjunction with a bank battery to store collected solar power until needed to recharge the battery.
29 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A battery exercising device comprising:
- (a) a voltage sensing circuit operable to allow the battery exercising device to determine a voltage level of a rechargeable battery; and
(b) a control unit comprising a processing unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the voltage sensing circuit such that the control unit determines the voltage level, wherein the control unit is programmed to enter a battery assessment mode in response to a charging trigger being detected by the control unit, wherein the battery assessment mode comprises an operation mode wherein the control unit determines a first voltage level of the rechargeable battery and compares the first voltage level of the rechargeable battery to a predetermined initial voltage level, wherein the control unit is further programmed to transition from the battery assessment mode to a charge mode when the first voltage level of the rechargeable battery is greater than the initial voltage level; and
wherein in response to the first voltage level of the rechargeable battery being less than the initial voltage level, the control unit is further programmed to charge the rechargeable battery while remaining in the battery assessment mode by allowing an applied voltage of the rechargeable battery to reach up to a maximum applied voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- (a) a voltage sensing circuit operable to allow the battery exercising device to determine a voltage level of a rechargeable battery; and
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15. A method of assessing a rechargeable battery comprising:
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(a) determining a first voltage level of the rechargeable battery; (b) comparing the first voltage level of the rechargeable battery to an initial voltage level; (c) if the first voltage level of the rechargeable battery is greater than the initial voltage level, charging the rechargeable battery by providing constant current to the rechargeable battery; and (d) if the first voltage level of the rechargeable battery is less than to the initial voltage level, charging the rechargeable battery by allowing an applied voltage of the rechargeable battery to reach up to a maximum applied voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
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(a) a standalone recharging device operable to selectively charge a rechargeable battery; and (b) a battery exercising device in communication with the recharging device, wherein the battery exercising device comprises; (i) a discharge circuit operable to allow the battery exercising device to selectively discharge the rechargeable battery; and (ii) a control unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the timing element, wherein the control unit receives timing data from the timing element, wherein the control unit comprises a processing component, wherein the control unit is programmed to discharge the rechargeable battery to a predetermined discharge level via the discharge circuit, and wherein the control unit is further programmed to actuate the recharging device to charge the rechargeable battery to a predetermined charge level after the rechargeable battery has been discharged to the predetermined discharge level.
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Specification