Battery control system

• US 4,346,336 A
• Filed: 11/17/1980
• Issued: 08/24/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Frezzolini Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Frezzolini Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Crawford, James J.
• Primary Examiner(s): HICKEY, ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US06/207,647
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 320/35, 320/36, 320/3, 320/46, 320/39, 320/31, 320/32, 320/9, 307/66
• US Class Current: 320/147
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00302 Overcharge protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00309 Overheat or overtemperature protection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems

Abstract

The system comprises first and second input terminals each adapted for connection to a source of charging power, first means for feeding power from the first input terminal to a first terminal of the rechargeable power source, second means for feeding power from the second input terminal to a second terminal of the rechargeable power source. Means are provided for sensing at least one condition of the rechargeable power source and for interrupting the first means for feeding power in response thereto. Third means are provided for feeding power from the rechargeable power source to the first input terminal. The third means includes means for bypassing at least a portion of the means for interrupting the first means for feeding power.

Claims

1. A recharge control system for a rechargeable power source comprising first and second input terminals each adapted for connection to a source of charging power, first circuit means for feeding power from said first input terminal to a first terminal of the rechargeable power source, second circuit means for feeding power from said second input terminal to a second terminal of the rechargeable power source, switch means for sending at least one condition of said rechargeable power source and for interrupting said first circuit means for feeding power in response thereto, third circuit means for feeding power from said rechargeable power source to said first input terminal, said third means including means for bypassing at least a portion of said switch means for interrupting said first circuit means for feeding power;

said switch means including a pressure switch connected with said rechargeable power source and having contacts in series with said first circuit means, said switch means being responsive to said pressure exceeding a predetermined value to open said contacts;

said means for bypassing including a power diode bypassing said switch contacts for power fed from said rechargeable power source to at least one of said input terminals; and

a thermostat having contacts in series with said first circuit means for feeding power, said thermostat being operative to close said contacts above a predetermined temperature and to open said contacts below said predetermined temperature, and a resistor in parallel with said thermostat contacts, whereby said resistor is placed in series with said first circuit means for feeding power below said predetermined temperature, and said means for bypassing is effective for bypassing said thermostat contacts and said resistor for feeding power from said rechargeable power source to said first input terminal.

2. A recharge control system according to claim 1, wherein said rechargeable power source is adapted to comprise a plurality of interconnected cells, and a thermostat having contacts in series with pre-selected ones of said cells, said thermostat being operative to close said contacts below a predetermined temperature and to open said contacts above said temperature, said means for bypassing being ineffective to bypass said contacts whereby said rechargeable power source is rendered inoperative above said predetermined temperature.

3. A recharge control system according to claim 1 further including a second thermostat having third contacts in series with said first circuit means for feeding power, said second thermostat being operative to open said contacts above a predetermined temperature and said means for bypassing being ineffective for bypassing said third contacts.

4. A recharge control system according to claim 1 further comprising third and fourth input terminals each adapted for connection to a source of heater power and a thermostatically controlled heater connected to said third and fourth input terminals, said thermostatically controlled heater being effective to maintain the temperature of said rechargeable power source above said predetermined temperature.

5. A recharge control system according to claim 1, and drop-out sensing circuit and a switching device in series with said first circuit means for feeding power, said drop-out sensing means being responsive to a terminal voltage below a predetermined value to open said switching device, and means for sensing a voltage at said second and first input terminals exceeding a second predetermined voltage level and responsive thereto to close said switching device.

6. A recharge control system for a rechargeable battery having first and second battery terminals comprising first and second input terminals for feeding charging power to, and receiving stored power from said battery, at least one pressure responsive switch having first contacts in series with said charging power to said first battery terminal, a resistor in series with said first contact, a thermostat having second contacts in parallel with said resistor, said thermostat being effective to close said second contacts above a predetermined battery temperature, a power diode in parallel with the series combination of said first and second contacts, said diode being poled to block charging power from flowing through it but to permit stored power to flow through it, drop-out means in series with said power diode responsive to a battery terminal voltage below a first predetermined value to cut off said first battery terminal from said power diode and turn-on sensing means responsive to a voltage at said first and second input terminals exceeding a second predetermined voltage greater than said first predetermined voltage for reconnecting said first battery terminal to said power diode.

7. A recharge control system according to claim 6 further comprising means for disabling said battery at temperatures above a second predetermined battery temperature.

8. A recharge control system according to claim 6 further comprising a thermostatically controlled heater operative to maintain the temperature of said battery above said predetermined battery temperature.