Timed fast charger
First Claim
1. Charging apparatus for a rechargeable cell having a sequential timed fast-rate charging mode and a slow-rate charging mode comprising:
- (a) means adapted for connection to an external electrical source including rectifying means for providing a source of unidirectional charging current; and
(b) thermally activated charging control means connected in series between said charging current means and said rechargeable cell and including;
(1) first control means thermally coupled to said rectifying means for providing and maintaining for a predetermined period of time a fast-rate charging current path between said charging current means and said rechargeable cell, and(2) second control means connected in parallel with, and thermally coupled to, said first control means for providing thereafter a slow-rate charging current path between said charging current means and said rechargeable cell.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a charger for rechargeable electrochemical cells, a transformer charging circuit supplies a charging current to the battery at a fast charge rate for a predetermined time followed by a continuous slow charge rate. A normally closed automatic reset thermostat in series with the rectifier diodes in the charging circuit, and thermally coupled to them, opens after a period of time, dependent upon the heat generated by the rectifier diodes and upon the thermal mass of the thermostat and diodes, and terminates the fast charge current. A resistor, shunted across the thermostat and thermally coupled to it, establishes a slow charge rate current path when the thermostat opens. Heat generated in the resistor causes the thermostat to remain open as long as the battery is connected and AC power is supplied to the transformer primary winding.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. Charging apparatus for a rechargeable cell having a sequential timed fast-rate charging mode and a slow-rate charging mode comprising:
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(a) means adapted for connection to an external electrical source including rectifying means for providing a source of unidirectional charging current; and (b) thermally activated charging control means connected in series between said charging current means and said rechargeable cell and including; (1) first control means thermally coupled to said rectifying means for providing and maintaining for a predetermined period of time a fast-rate charging current path between said charging current means and said rechargeable cell, and (2) second control means connected in parallel with, and thermally coupled to, said first control means for providing thereafter a slow-rate charging current path between said charging current means and said rechargeable cell.
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2. Charging apparatus for a rechargeable cell having a sequential timed fast-rate charging mode and a slow-rate charging mode comprising:
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(a) means adapted for connection to an external electrical source including rectifying means for providing a source of unidirectional charging current; (b) thermostatic switch means connected between said charging current means and said rechargeable cell and being operable between a normally closed position, wherein fast charging current is supplied to said cell, and an open position wherein said fast charging current is interrupted, said thermostatic switch means being thermally coupled to said rectifying means so as to switch from the normally closed position to the open position in response to the heat generated by said rectifying means; and (c) resistance means connected across and thermally coupled to said thermostatic switch means, said resistance means providing a slow charging current to said cell and generating sufficient heat to maintain said thermostatic switch means in the open position upon interruption of the fast charging current. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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6. In charging apparatus for a rechargeable cell having a sequential timed fast-rate charging mode and a slow-rate charging mode and comprising a transformer and diode rectifying means connected to said transformer for providing a source of unidirectional charging current when connected to an external source, and thermally activated charging control means connected in series between said rectifying means and said rechargeable cell for providing a fast-rate charging current path to said rechargeable cell for a first period of time and a slow-rate charging current path to said rechargeable cell for a second period of time, the improvement comprising:
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(a) thermostatic switch means connected between said charging current means and said rechargeable cell and being operable between a normally closed position, wherein fast charging current is supplied to said cell, and an open position wherein said fast charging current is interrupted, said thermostatic switch means being thermally coupled to said rectifying means so as to switch from the normally closed position to the open position in response to the heat generated by said rectifying means; and (b) resistance means connected across and thermally coupled to said thermostatic switch means, said resistance means providing a slow charging current to said cell and generating sufficient heat to maintain said thermostatic switch means in the open position upon interruption of the fast charging current. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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Specification