Method and apparatus for charging storage batteries
First Claim
1. In a method of charging a storage battery that includes sensing battery temperature and ambient temperature, comparing the sensed temperatures to determine their difference, and providing a first charging voltage varying as a first inverse function of battery temperature defining a first high charging rate in a first temperature range in which battery temperature does not exceed ambient temperature by more than a first temperature difference, wherein the improvement comprises:
- providing an intermediate charging voltage varying as a second inverse function of battery temperature defining an intermediate charging rate in an intermediate temperature range in which the battery temperature exceeds ambient temperature by at least said first temperature difference but by less than a second temperature difference that is greater than the first temperature difference, wherein at each battery temperature the voltage of said intermediate charging rate is less than the value of the first function at the same temperature by an amount that varies as a function of the battery temperature.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for charging storage batteries in which the charging rate is varied as a function of temperature are disclosed. The battery temperature and ambient temperature are sensed and compared. When the battery temperature is less than the ambient temperature plus a first temperature difference, a first charging rate is provided; when the battery temperature is greater than the ambient temperature plus the first temperature difference but less than the ambient temperature plus a second temperature difference which is greater than the first temperature difference, an intermediate charging rate is provided which varies with the comparison of the battery and ambient temperatures between the first charging rate and a second charging rate which is less than the first charging rate; and when the battery temperature is greater than the ambient temperature plus the second temperature difference, the second charging voltage is provided. Alternatively, charging may be cut-out instead of proceeding at the second charging rate. The method disclosed herein may advantageously be used to charge all types of storage batteries.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. In a method of charging a storage battery that includes sensing battery temperature and ambient temperature, comparing the sensed temperatures to determine their difference, and providing a first charging voltage varying as a first inverse function of battery temperature defining a first high charging rate in a first temperature range in which battery temperature does not exceed ambient temperature by more than a first temperature difference, wherein the improvement comprises:
providing an intermediate charging voltage varying as a second inverse function of battery temperature defining an intermediate charging rate in an intermediate temperature range in which the battery temperature exceeds ambient temperature by at least said first temperature difference but by less than a second temperature difference that is greater than the first temperature difference, wherein at each battery temperature the voltage of said intermediate charging rate is less than the value of the first function at the same temperature by an amount that varies as a function of the battery temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In storage battery charging apparatus that includes means for sensing battery temperature and ambient temperature and means responsive to said sensed temperatures for providing a first charging voltage varying as a first inverse function of battery temperature defining a first high charging rate in a first temperature range in which the battery temperature does not exceed ambient temperature by more than a first temperature difference, the improvement comprising:
means for providing an intermediate charging voltage varying as a second inverse function of battery temperature defining an intermediate charging rate in an intermediate temperature range in which the battery temperature exceeds ambient temperature by at least said first temperature difference but by less than a second temperature difference that is greater than the first temperature difference, wherein at each battery temperature the voltage of said intermediate charging rate is less than the value of the first function at the same temperature by an amount that varies as a function of the battery temperature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
Specification