Battery charger polarity circuit control

• US 4,361,795 A
• Filed: 09/26/1980
• Issued: 11/30/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Raymond R. Santilli
• Original Assignee: Raymond R. Santilli
• Inventors: Santilli, Raymond R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hickey, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US06/191,216
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 320/25, 320/26, 320/57, 320/59, 320/DIG. 2, 361/246, 361/245
• US Class Current: 320/165
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/14 Indicating direction of current; Indicating polarity of voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0034 using reverse polarity correcting or protecting circuits mechanical means of polarity protection H02J7/0045

Abstract

A normally open polarity sensing circuit is interposed between the charging current output of a battery charger and battery terminal clamps connected with a rechargeable storage battery. Normally open reed switches, closed by battery positive terminal potential, gates silicon controlled recitifiers for battery charging current flow according to the polarity of the battery.

Claims

1. In combination with a battery charger including a circuit for charging a rechargeable storage battery, said battery charger having a transformer including a center tapped secondary winding providing battery charging current at its respective ends and center tap, the improvement comprising:

a battery polarity sensing circuit connected with the respective ends and center tap of the secondary winding;

a first battery cable connected with the secondary winding center tap; and

,

a second battery cable connected with the ends of the secondary winding in series with the sensing circuit,

said battery charging circuit including first and second normally open switch means in series with the battery cables and controlled by the sensing circuit,

said first and second switch means each including at least one silicon controlled rectifier and a magnetic reed switch,

said first or said second switch means being closed by battery residual potential to render said battery charging circuit conductive when said first and second battery cables are connected with the terminals of a battery to be charged.

2. The combination according to claim 1 in which the first switch means silicon controlled rectifier anode and cathode are respectively connected with said transformer secondary winding ends and said second battery cable and the terminals of the first switch means reed switch are respectively connected with said transformer secondary winding ends and the gate of the first switch means silicon controlled rectifier.

3. The combination according to claim 2 in which the second switch means silicon controlled rectifier anode and cathode are respectively connected with said second battery cable and said transformer secondary winding ends and the terminals of the second switch means reed switch are respectively connected with said second battery cable and the gate of the second switch means silicon controlled rectifier.