Method and circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using a charge-time parameter
First Claim
1. A method of charging a battery, the method comprising:
- (a) setting a first charge-time parameter specifying a time to reach a state of charge of the battery, wherein setting the first charge-time parameter includes reading, from memory, one or more characteristics of a first charging signal, and wherein the one or more characteristics determine the state of charge of the battery associated with the first charge-time parameter within a charge time period corresponding to the first charge-time parameter;
(b) applying the first charge signal to the battery, wherein the first charge signal is calculated to charge the battery as required by the first charge-time parameter;
(c) measuring, after applying at least a portion of the first charge signal, a plurality of voltage values and/or current values between two terminals of the battery;
(d) calculating feedback information from the plurality of voltage values and/or current values, the feedback information being selected from the group consisting of an overpotential of the battery, a charge pulse voltage or a change therein, a relaxation time of the battery, and any combination thereof;
(e) determining a second charge signal using the feedback information, wherein an adjustment from the first charge signal to the second charge signal improves a cycle life of the battery; and
(f) applying the second charge signal to the battery.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus to charge a battery are disclosed. The method comprises applying a first charge signal to the battery, wherein the first charge signal is calculated to charge the battery as required by a first charge time parameter, the first charge-time parameter specifying a time to reach (i) a state of charge of the battery or (ii) a charge storage level corresponding to a usage time of the battery. The method further includes determining a second charge signal using feedback information and applying the second charge signal to the battery, wherein an adjustment from the first charge signal to the second charge signal improves a cycle life of the battery. An apparatus for charging the battery implementing the method is also provided.
208 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method of charging a battery, the method comprising:
-
(a) setting a first charge-time parameter specifying a time to reach a state of charge of the battery, wherein setting the first charge-time parameter includes reading, from memory, one or more characteristics of a first charging signal, and wherein the one or more characteristics determine the state of charge of the battery associated with the first charge-time parameter within a charge time period corresponding to the first charge-time parameter; (b) applying the first charge signal to the battery, wherein the first charge signal is calculated to charge the battery as required by the first charge-time parameter; (c) measuring, after applying at least a portion of the first charge signal, a plurality of voltage values and/or current values between two terminals of the battery; (d) calculating feedback information from the plurality of voltage values and/or current values, the feedback information being selected from the group consisting of an overpotential of the battery, a charge pulse voltage or a change therein, a relaxation time of the battery, and any combination thereof; (e) determining a second charge signal using the feedback information, wherein an adjustment from the first charge signal to the second charge signal improves a cycle life of the battery; and (f) applying the second charge signal to the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An apparatus for charging a battery, the apparatus comprising:
- charging circuitry configured to be coupled to the battery, monitoring circuitry configured to be coupled to the battery, and control circuitry coupled to the charging circuitry and the monitoring circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to;
(a) control the charging circuitry to apply a first charge signal to the battery, wherein the first charge signal is calculated to charge the battery as required by a first charged-time parameter, and wherein the first charge-time parameter specifies a time to reach a state of charge of the battery, and wherein setting the first charge-time parameter includes reading, from memory, one or more characteristics of a first charging signal, and wherein the one or more characteristics determine the state of charge of the battery associated with the first charge-time parameter within a charge time period corresponding to the first charge-time parameter; (b) receive, after at least a portion of the first charge signal is applied, a plurality of voltage values and/or current values obtained via the monitoring circuitry and from between two terminals of the battery; (c) calculate feedback information from the plurality of voltage values and/or current values, the feedback information being selected from the group consisting of an overpotential of the battery, a charge pulse voltage or a change therein, a relaxation time of the battery, and any combination thereof; (d) determine a second charge signal using the feedback information, wherein an adjustment from the first charge signal to the second charge signal improves a cycle life of the battery; and (e) control the charging circuitry to apply the second charge signal to the battery. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- charging circuitry configured to be coupled to the battery, monitoring circuitry configured to be coupled to the battery, and control circuitry coupled to the charging circuitry and the monitoring circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to;
Specification