Battery charger and charging method
First Claim
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1. A charging method for charging batteries, the method comprising:
- sending power to a battery pack;
sensing voltage of the battery pack;
calculating voltage change rate;
detecting a first inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a step in the battery pack voltage is not detected;
detecting a second inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a step in the battery pack voltage is not detected; and
reducing power sent to the battery pack when both first and second inflection points have been detected.
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Abstract
The charging method includes the steps of charging a battery pack, sensing voltage of the battery pack, calculating voltage change rate, detecting a first inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a voltage step is not detected, detecting a second inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a voltage step is not detected, and reducing current sent to the battery pack when both first and second inflection points have been detected.
13 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A charging method for charging batteries, the method comprising:
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sending power to a battery pack;
sensing voltage of the battery pack;
calculating voltage change rate;
detecting a first inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a step in the battery pack voltage is not detected;
detecting a second inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a step in the battery pack voltage is not detected; and
reducing power sent to the battery pack when both first and second inflection points have been detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A charging apparatus for charging batteries, the apparatus comprising:
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a current source for providing current to a battery pack; and
a controller connected to the current source for controlling the current source, wherein the controller (a) senses voltage of the battery pack, (b) calculates voltage change rate, (c) detects a first inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a step in the battery pack voltage is not detected, (d) detects a second inflection point based on the voltage change rate so long as a step in the battery pack voltage is not detected, and (e) reduces power sent to the battery pack when both first and second inflection points have been detected. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for charging batteries comprising the steps of:
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providing a current source for providing current to a battery pack, the current source having an amperage rating;
repeatedly pulsing the current source to provide a pulsed current to the battery pack, wherein a pulse of such pulsed current has an on-time having a first predetermined period of time and an off-time having a second predetermined period of time;
wherein the first predetermined period of time is between about 5 milliseconds and 250 milliseconds. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification