Method and apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery with non-liquid electrolyte

• US 20040232886A1
• Filed: 11/26/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Talent Development Limited
• Original Assignee: Advanced Battery Management, LLC
• Inventors: Marinka-Toth, Jozsef, Rozsnyay, Viktor, Reisz, Attila
• Granted Patent: US 7,557,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/139
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00711 with introduction of pulses during the charging process
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

The object of the invention is a method for charging a rechargeable battery having non-liquid electrolyte, which battery has an internal resonance frequency. The charging process contains at least one charging interval performed with current pulses, the frequency of said current pulses is essentially identical with the internal resonance frequency of the battery to be charged. Following the charging interval consists of periodic current pulses optionally a second relaxation interval is inserted, in which no charging current is applied to the rechargeable battery, within which optionally a second discharging interval is applied. After the second relaxation interval the charging is performed in an interval consists of a continuous charging current, whereafter an optional first relaxation interval is inserted, within which optionally a second discharging interval is applied. This sequence of the above steps can be varied and applied repeatedly until the full charge of the battery is attained.

Claims

1. A method of charging a rechargeable battery having non-liquid electrolyte, the battery including an internal resonance frequency, comprising:

applying a charging current to terminals of the rechargeable battery, wherein the applying includes at least one charging interval performed with current pulses, a frequency of the current pulses being essentially identical with the internal resonance frequency of the rechargeable battery, wherein, following the at least one charging interval the applying of a charging current is performed in an interval including a continuous charging current, the duration of the interval ranging between 200 ms and 1500 ms, and wherein a charging interval with periodic current pulses is then applied.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein a duty factor of the periodic current pulses is between 1:

10 and 10;

1.

3. A method according to claim 1, the wherein a peak current of the current pulses is in the range of 1·

C5 and 7·

C5.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the interval of periodic current pulses ranges between 200 ms and 1500 ms.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the periodic current pulses is within the range of 100 Hz and 10 000 Hz.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the interval of said continuous charging current is performed within a current intensity range of 1·

C5 and 7·

C5.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein, between the charging interval with continuous current and the subsequent charging interval with periodic current pulses, a first relaxation interval is inserted, in which no charging current is applied to the rechargeable battery.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the duration of the first relaxation interval is not more than 1500 ms.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein, within the first relaxation interval a first discharging interval is applied, the duration of which is not more than 50 ms.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein, between the charging interval including periodic current pulses and the subsequently applied interval including continuous current, a second relaxation interval is inserted, in which no charging current is applied to the rechargeable battery.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the duration of the second relaxation interval is not more than 1500 ms.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein, within the second relaxation period, a second discharging interval is applied, the duration of which is not more than 50 ms.

13. An apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery with non-liquid electrolyte, wherein the battery to be charged includes an internal resonance frequency and wherein a power supply is connected to the terminals of the rechargeable battery through a current metering device, comprising:

a controlled generator, inserted between one of the battery terminals and the power supply, a control input of which is adapted to receive a control signal via a control unit wherein the control unit is adapted to periodically first produce a pulse train having a frequency corresponding to the internal resonance frequency of the rechargeable battery for the duration of the charging interval, to generate current pulses through the controlled generator, the control unit thereafter being adapted to produce a control signal for the duration of the charging interval, to generate the continuous charging current through the controlled generator with a magnitude between 1·

C5 and 7·

C5.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the control unit is adapted to insert a first relaxation interval after the charging interval of the continuous charging current and before the subsequent charging interval, to generate current pulses through the controlled generator via a control signal, which interrupts the current through the controlled generator for the first relaxation interval.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit is adapted to insert a second relaxation interval after the charging interval, to generate current pulses through the controlled generator and before the subsequent charging interval of the continuous charging current via a control signal, which interrupts the current through the controlled generator for the second relaxation interval kW.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein parallel to the terminals of the rechargeable battery to be charged at least one discharging circuit is connected which includes a series arrangement of a resistor and a controlled switch, and wherein an output of the control unit, delivering a pulse corresponding to the discharging interval is connected to the control input of the controlled switch.

17. An apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery with non-liquid electrolyte, wherein the battery to be charged includes an internal resonance frequency and wherein a power supply is connected to the terminals of the rechargeable battery through a current metering device, comprising:

a controlled generator, inserted between one of the battery terminals and the power supply; and

means for producing a control signal for the controlled generator, the means for periodically first producing a pulse train having a frequency corresponding to the internal resonance frequency of the rechargeable battery for the duration of the charging interval, to generate current pulses through the controlled generator, the means thereafter for producing a control signal for the duration of the charging interval, to generate the continuous charging current through the controlled generator with a magnitude between 1·

C5 and 7·

C5.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the means is further for inserting a first relaxation interval after the charging interval of the continuous charging current and before the subsequent charging interval, to generate current pulses through the controlled generator via a control signal, which interrupts the current through the controlled current generator for the first relaxation interval.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the means is further for inserting a second relaxation interval after the charging interval, to generate current pulses through the controlled generator and before the subsequent charging interval of the continuous charging current via a control signal, which interrupts the current through the controlled generator for the second relaxation interval.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein parallel to the terminals of the rechargeable battery to be charged, at least one discharging circuit is connected which includes a series arrangement of a resistor and a controlled switch, and wherein an output of the means, delivering a pulse corresponding to the discharging interval, is connected to the control input of the controlled switch.