System and method for charging a battery
First Claim
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1. A method for charging a battery, comprising:
- applying a first positive current pulse to the battery, the first current pulse being defined by a first pulse amplitude and a first pulse width;
applying a second positive current pulse to the battery after applying the first current pulse, the second current pulse being applied such that the current applied to the battery does not reach zero between the first and second current pulses, the second current pulse being defined by a second pulse amplitude and a second pulse width, the second pulse amplitude being smaller than the first pulse amplitude, the first and second current pulses defining a first pulse group;
repeating application of the first pulse group until a first measured parameter exceeds a predetermined value;
applying a third positive current pulse to the battery, the third current pulse being defined by a third pulse amplitude and a third pulse width;
applying a fourth positive current pulse to the battery after applying the third current pulse, the fourth current pulse being applied such that the current applied to the battery does not reach zero between the third and fourth current pulses, the fourth current pulse being defined by a fourth pulse amplitude and a fourth pulse width, the fourth pulse amplitude being smaller than the third pulse amplitude, the third and fourth pulses defining a second pulse group; and
repeating application of the second pulse group until a second measured parameter exceeds a predetermined value.
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Abstract
A system and method for charging a battery is provided. The method includes applying an excitation current pulse to the battery to determine the battery type and whether the battery is capable of holding a charge. To charge the battery, a series of current pulses are applied in groups with the average current being reduced for each succeeding group to take advantage of changing battery charge acceptance. When the voltage of the battery matches a predetermined value, application of the current pulse groups is ended. A single current pulse is then applied to complete the battery charge.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for charging a battery, comprising:
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applying a first positive current pulse to the battery, the first current pulse being defined by a first pulse amplitude and a first pulse width;
applying a second positive current pulse to the battery after applying the first current pulse, the second current pulse being applied such that the current applied to the battery does not reach zero between the first and second current pulses, the second current pulse being defined by a second pulse amplitude and a second pulse width, the second pulse amplitude being smaller than the first pulse amplitude, the first and second current pulses defining a first pulse group;
repeating application of the first pulse group until a first measured parameter exceeds a predetermined value;
applying a third positive current pulse to the battery, the third current pulse being defined by a third pulse amplitude and a third pulse width;
applying a fourth positive current pulse to the battery after applying the third current pulse, the fourth current pulse being applied such that the current applied to the battery does not reach zero between the third and fourth current pulses, the fourth current pulse being defined by a fourth pulse amplitude and a fourth pulse width, the fourth pulse amplitude being smaller than the third pulse amplitude, the third and fourth pulses defining a second pulse group; and
repeating application of the second pulse group until a second measured parameter exceeds a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for charging a battery, the method comprising:
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applying an excitation current pulse to the battery;
measuring a voltage response of the battery after applying the excitation current pulse;
applying a first positive current pulse to the battery, the first current pulse being defined by a first pulse amplitude and a first pulse width, the first pulse amplitude being based on the measured voltage response or a predetermined value;
applying a second positive current pulse to the battery after applying the first current pulse, the second current pulse being defined by a second pulse amplitude and a second pulse width, the second pulse amplitude being smaller than the first pulse amplitude; and
repeating application of the first and second positive current pulses until a measured parameter exceeds a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for charging a battery, the method comprising:
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applying an excitation current pulse to the battery;
measuring a voltage response of the battery after applying the excitation current pulse;
applying a first voltage pulse to the battery, the first voltage pulse being defined by a first voltage pulse amplitude and a first voltage pulse width, the first voltage pulse amplitude being greater than an open circuit voltage of the battery;
providing a rest period after application of the first voltage pulse; and
applying additional voltage pulses to the battery, separated by corresponding rest periods, until a predetermined condition is met. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. The method of claim 27, further comprising applying a single positive current pulse to the battery after application of the voltage pulse groups, thereby providing additional charge to the battery.
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28. A system for charging a battery, comprising:
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a power source;
a controller in communication with the power source, and configured to facilitate application of current pulses to a battery;
at least one sensor configured to measure a corresponding battery parameter and to output signals related to the corresponding parameter; and
a processor in communication with the controller and the at least one sensor, the processor being configured to, a) command the controller to apply an excitation current pulse to the battery, thereby facilitating a measurement by the at least one sensor of a voltage response of the battery, b) determine a first positive current pulse defined by a first pulse amplitude and a first pulse width, the first pulse amplitude being based on the measured voltage response or a predetermined value, c) command the controller to apply the first current pulse to the battery, and d) command the controller to apply a second positive current pulse to the battery defined by a second pulse amplitude and a second pulse width, the second pulse amplitude being smaller than the first pulse amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A system for charging a battery, comprising:
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a power source;
a controller in communication with the power source, and configured to facilitate application of current pulses and voltage pulses to a battery;
at least one sensor configured to measure a corresponding battery parameter and to output signals related to the corresponding parameter; and
a processor in communication with the controller and the at least one sensor, the processor being configured to, a) command the controller to apply an excitation current pulse to the battery, thereby facilitating a measurement by the at least one sensor of a voltage response of the battery, b) determine a first voltage pulse defined by a first voltage pulse amplitude and a first voltage pulse width, the first voltage pulse amplitude being greater than an open circuit voltage of the battery, c) command the controller to provide a rest period after application of the first voltage pulse, and d) apply additional voltage pulses to the battery, separated by corresponding rest periods, until a predetermined condition is met. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification