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Methods and apparatus for charging batteries

  • US 4,163,934 A
  • Filed: 07/06/1977
  • Issued: 08/07/1979
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/06/1977
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. The method of charging a battery whose charging cycle is characterized by a rising voltage-versus-time charging curve including a decreased-slope bend when it is fully charged, which includes the steps of supplying relatively high charging current to the battery during an initial phase and reduced charging current to the battery later in the charging cycle, periodically testing the slope of the voltage-versus-time charging curve during both said phases while continuing to supply charging current, deriving a representation of the charging current, smoothing and utilizing that representation in regulating the charging current within limits ensuring a minimum battery-voltage increment during each slope-testing interval for a sound battery that is not fully charged, and terminating the charging cycle after a slope test that shows less than a predetermined battery-voltage increment.

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