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Apparatus and method for charging batteries

  • US 4,388,582 A
  • Filed: 01/05/1982
  • Issued: 06/14/1983
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1978
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of rapidly and efficiently charging a battery of the type in which the voltage characteristic thereof varies with the state of charge of the battery and in which the voltage characteristic varies with time during charging to exhibit an inflection point prior to the battery attaining substantial full charge, the inflection point characterized by a change in the slope of the voltage characteristic from successive increases in slope to a decrease, the method comprising the steps of:

  • supplying electrical energy to the battery for charging thereof;

    monitoring said voltage characteristic of the battery periodically during charging;

    computing the slope of the variation of said monitored voltage characteristic with time;

    storing the maximum value of the so-computed slope values;

    comparing each successively computed slope value with said stored maximum value;

    identifying the inflection point exhibited in the variation of said voltage characteristic prior to the battery attaining substantial full charge by identifying a change in the so-compared slope values from successive increases in slope to a decrease; and

    controlling the supply of electrical energy to the battery on the basis of the so-determined occurrence.

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