RAPID CHARGE RATES FOR SEALED CELLS

• US 3,531,706 A
• Filed: 04/28/1967
• Issued: 09/29/1970
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gates Energy Products, Inc. (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Ferdinand H. Mullersman
• Inventors: Mullersman, Ferdinand H.
• Application Number:
  US04/634,562
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• US Class Current: 320/142
• CPC Class Codes: N/A

Abstract

In a charger for a secondary battery of electrochemical cells, wherein pulsed D-C current is supplied to the battery at a rapid charge rate, and a trickle charge current may be supplied at a lower rate, a novel controlling circuit provides for cut off of the rapid charge rate. A signal-responsive controller provided with switch means, which may, for example, be a magnetic-flux controlled reed switch or a solid-state controlling circuit, senses the temperature-compensated battery voltage only during periods of zero charge current and acts, also only during periods of zero charge current, to terminate the flow of high charge rate current as the battery reaches nearly full voltage. A first temperature compensating element having a temperautre sensor located in thermally conductive relation with the battery compensates battery voltage sensed for the actual temperature of the battery and modifies the sensed battery voltage at which the control circuit is activated to operate the switch means. According to another feature of the invention, a second temperature compensating element serves to adjust line voltage for temperature-related variations.

Claims