VOLTAGE REGULATOR SYSTEM FOR SECONDARY BATTERIES

• US 3,763,416 A
• Filed: 05/24/1972
• Issued: 10/02/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Otto Jache
• Original Assignee: Otto Jache
• Inventors: Jache, Otto
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, J. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hickey, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US05/256,521
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 320/35,36,2 322/33 136/181,171,172,166,173 180/68.5
• US Class Current: 320/147
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007194 of the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/14 for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

To permit charging of secondary batteries by electrical power at a voltage which is just below the gassing voltage of the battery, a temperature sensing device is placed on the holder for the battery, spring-pressed against the battery so that the actual battery temperature will be sensed. The sensed temperature then is utilized to control the voltage regulator to vary the charge voltage in accordance with actual battery temperature to provide for most rapid and safe charging under all battery operating conditions.

Claims

1. In a voltage regulator system for secondary batteries 2 in which the battery 2 is charged from a source of variable voltage;

a holder means 1, 3, 4, 5, 13 holding the battery in a fixed location including a member 1, 13 located adjacent the battery when the battery is placed against the holder means;

a voltage regulator 9 limiting the charge voltage to a predetermined value; and

temperature sensitive means providing an electrical signal connected to the voltage regulator to affect charge voltage in dependence on battery temperature;

the improvement wherein said member 1, 13 of the holder means adjacent the battery 2 is formed with a cavity therein, the temperature sensing means 10 being an element mechanically separate from the battery 2 and located in the cavity to contact the outside wall of the battery and to be in heat transfer relation therewith to sense battery temperature.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein resilient means 11 are provident resiliently biassing the temperature sensor into contact with the battery wall.

3. System according to claim 2, wherein the temperature sensor is located against the bottom wall of the battery.

4. System according to claim 2, wherein the temperature sensor is located against the side wall of the battery.

5. System according to claim 2, wherein the voltage regulator and the temperature sensor form one integral unit, said unit being spring-pressed by said resilient means against the battery.

6. System according to claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor and voltage regulator form an integral unit located in the cavity and resiliently held therein with the temperature sensor facing the battery when the battery is located in position with respect to the holder means.

7. System according to claim 6, wherein the member is plate-like And formed with a closed cavity, the temperature sensor-voltage regulator unit and the resilient means being located in said cavity;

and thermal insulation means are located at least in part in said cavity to insulate the temperature sensor from outside temperature disturbances.

8. System according to claim 1, further comprising thermal insulating means insulating the temperature sensor against outside temperature disturbances and surrounding the temperature sensor at least in part.