Surface charge removal apparatus and method

• US 20050237026A1
• Filed: 08/19/2004
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Paragon Controls Limited
• Original Assignee: Paragon Controls Limited
• Inventors: Hall, Steven, Moore, Christopher Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US10/922,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20050237026A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/130
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Apparatus for connection to a battery for dissipating surface charge. A load is provided for dissipating surface charge. The load is temporarily connected to the battery for a period of time determined by a timer. Also disclosed is a method for dissipating surface charge.

Claims

1. Apparatus for connection to a battery for dissipating surface charge, comprising:

(a) a load for dissipating surface charge; and

(b) a timer operatively associated with the load for temporarily connecting the load to the battery for a period of time determined by the timer.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a voltage sensor for sensing a terminal voltage of the battery and upon the terminal voltage exceeding a predetermined level, the apparatus operates to temporarily connect the load to the battery until such time as the terminal voltage reaches the predetermined level.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the apparatus comprises reverse-polarity protection circuitry to protect the apparatus in the event that the battery connections are transposed.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the apparatus further comprises a suitably programmed microprocessor for controlling the operation of the apparatus.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a cooling fan arranged to cool the load.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load comprises a resistive load.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises indicators for displaying the operational status of the apparatus.

8. A method of dissipating surface charge in a battery, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a load that is operatively associated with the battery for being switched between connected and disconnected positions relative to the battery terminals; and

(b) initiating a controlled partial discharge of the battery for a predetermined time period by temporarily connecting the battery to the load.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8;

and further comprising the step of sensing a battery terminal voltage before initiating the controlled partial discharge.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein if the sensed voltage is higher than a predetermined level, the load is connected to the battery until the sensed terminal voltage reaches the predetermined level, before continuing with the discharge for the predetermined time period.