Photovoltaic battery charge controller

• US 4,626,764 A
• Filed: 09/02/1983
• Issued: 12/02/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Weinhardt, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hickey, R. J.
• Application Number:
  US06/529,184
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 320/2-5, 320/30, 320/31, 320/9, 320/47, 320/39, 320/40, 136/291, 136/293, 363/42, 307/10 BP
• US Class Current: 320/102
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/293 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/18 Indicator or display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/906 Solar cell systems

Abstract

A voltage regulator is disclosed for a photovoltaic panel (PVP) battery cging system having a relay switch in series with a reverse current blocking diode disposed between the positive terminals of the photovoltaic panel and the battery to be charged. A variable resistor is wired in series with the coil of the relay in such manner that the voltage drop across the combination will equal the potential difference across the terminals of the battery being charged at a point in time when the normally closed relay switch will be caused to open to discontinue further charging of the battery and prevent overcharge. The reverse current blocking diode is customarily provided to prevent discharge of the battery through the PVP at night.

Claims

1. A photo voltaic panel (PVP) battery charging device, comprising:

a PVP having positive and negative terminals;

a relay coil coupled across said positive and negative terminals of said PVP;

a variable resistor coupled across said positive and negative terminals of said PVP in series with said relay coil;

a positive and a negative battery connecting terminals, said positive battery terminal being coupled to said positive PVP terminal, and said negative battery terminal being coupled to said negative PVP terminal;

a normally closed relay switch operated upon by said relay coil and coupled between said positive PVP terminal and said positive battery terminal; and

a forward biased diode coupled between said positive PVP terminal and said positive battery terminal in series with said relay switch between said relay switch and said positive battery terminal.