BATTERY CHARGING BASED ON REAL-TIME BATTERY CHARACTERIZATION
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- connecting a power supply to a battery;
generating a pulse train comprising a plurality of pulses;
producing a pulsed charging current from the power supply by modulating the power supply with the pulse train, the battery thereby being charged by the pulsed charging current;
simultaneous with charging the battery with the pulsed charging current, making a plurality of measurements of current or voltage, or both current and voltage, of the battery; and
varying the pulsed charging current as the battery is being charged based on the plurality of measurements, including varying pulse lengths of the pulses that comprise the pulse train or pulse durations of the pulses that comprise the pulse train, or both the pulse lengths and the pulse durations of the pulses that comprise the pulse train.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery charging circuit can produce a pulsed charging current to charge a battery. During charging, without disconnecting the pulsed charging current from the battery, EIS measurements can be made. In other words, the pulsed charging current can serve double-duty, for battery charging and as a drive signal for the EIS measurements. The EIS measurements can be used to alter parameters of the pulsed charging current to improve battery life. In some instances, the parameters of the pulsed charging current can be momentarily changed for the purpose of making the EIS measurements, and then restored subsequent to making the measurements to parameters suitable for battery charging.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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connecting a power supply to a battery; generating a pulse train comprising a plurality of pulses; producing a pulsed charging current from the power supply by modulating the power supply with the pulse train, the battery thereby being charged by the pulsed charging current; simultaneous with charging the battery with the pulsed charging current, making a plurality of measurements of current or voltage, or both current and voltage, of the battery; and varying the pulsed charging current as the battery is being charged based on the plurality of measurements, including varying pulse lengths of the pulses that comprise the pulse train or pulse durations of the pulses that comprise the pulse train, or both the pulse lengths and the pulse durations of the pulses that comprise the pulse train. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A circuit comprising:
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a terminal for a connection to an external power supply; a terminal for a connection to a battery; a pulse train generator configured to generate a pulse train comprising a plurality of pulses; and control logic operative to; produce a pulsed charging current using the external power supply by modulating the external power supply with the pulse train, the battery thereby being charged by the pulsed charging current; simultaneous with charging the battery with the pulsed charging current, make a plurality of measurements of current or voltage, or both current and voltage, of the battery; and vary the pulsed charging current as the battery is being charged based on the plurality of measurements, including varying pulse lengths of the pulses that comprise the pulse train or pulse durations of the pulses that comprise the pulse train, or both the pulse lengths and the pulse durations of the pulses that comprise the pulse train. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A circuit comprising:
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means for connecting a power supply to a battery; means for generating a pulse train comprising a plurality of pulses; means for producing a pulsed charging current from the power supply by modulating the power supply with the pulse train, the battery thereby being charged by the pulsed charging current; means, simultaneous with charging the battery with the pulsed charging current, for making a plurality of measurements of current or voltage, or both current and voltage, of the battery; and means for varying the pulsed charging current as the battery is being charged based on the plurality of measurements, including varying pulse lengths of the pulses that comprise the pulse train or pulse durations of the pulses that comprise the pulse train, or both the pulse lengths and the pulse durations of the pulses that comprise the pulse train.
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Specification