Method and apparatus for battery charging
First Claim
1. A method of charging a battery and terminating the charging thereof upon determination of the existence of a prescribed condition comprising the steps of:
- applying charging current to the battery;
measuring the battery voltage soon after the charging current is applied;
determining, on the basis of said battery voltage measurement, the knee voltage of the charging characteristic of the particular battery being charged;
calculating a battery voltage limit beyond which no further charging current is to be applied, said voltage limit being the point at which the instantaneous battery voltage is a pre-determined value greater than the knee voltage of the battery'"'"'s charging characteristic;
continued measuring of the battery voltage as said charging current is applied; and
terminating the application of charging current when said battery voltage limit is reached.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for charging series connected batteries, particularly nickel cadmium. The means and method described are used for charging single or multiple batteries. In the form of multiple batteries the batteries are charged sequentially in time. A programmed microprocessor controls the constant current source which provides a mean constant charging current to the battery under charge. By monitoring battery voltage during charging the processor will terminate charging when certain conditions occur. In addition, provision is made for termination of battery charging upon occurrence of certain abnormal conditions.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of charging a battery and terminating the charging thereof upon determination of the existence of a prescribed condition comprising the steps of:
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applying charging current to the battery; measuring the battery voltage soon after the charging current is applied; determining, on the basis of said battery voltage measurement, the knee voltage of the charging characteristic of the particular battery being charged; calculating a battery voltage limit beyond which no further charging current is to be applied, said voltage limit being the point at which the instantaneous battery voltage is a pre-determined value greater than the knee voltage of the battery'"'"'s charging characteristic; continued measuring of the battery voltage as said charging current is applied; and terminating the application of charging current when said battery voltage limit is reached. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification