Microprocessor controlled battery charger
First Claim
1. A microprocessor controlled battery charger adapted to be connected to a battery to be charged, said battery charger comprising, in combination:
- means to connect the battery charger to the battery to be charged;
means to read the voltage of the battery;
a timer;
a microprocessor connectecd to said timer and to said voltage reading means for establishing a first charging rate for at least a short time period and for establishing a reduced second charging rate until the rate of change of voltage with time is less than x/100 volts per hour at which time the current is further reduced to a third charging rate for a finishing charge of the battery, where x is a positive number; and
selector means to select the value of said first charging rate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microprocessor controlled battery charger utilizes a high frequency switching circuit and a means to read the voltage of the battery plus a timer in the circuit wherein the microprocessor is connected both to the timer and to the voltage reading means and establishes a decreasing step charging rate of the battery so as to charge the battery at a first charging rate, then at a second lower charging rate until the rate of change of voltage with time is less than a small amount of volts per hour and then the current is reduced to a third charging rate for a finishing charge of the battery. In the preferred embodiment the first charging rate is maintained until a predetermined battery voltage is achieved and the third charging rate is maintained for a given period of time.
110 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A microprocessor controlled battery charger adapted to be connected to a battery to be charged, said battery charger comprising, in combination:
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means to connect the battery charger to the battery to be charged; means to read the voltage of the battery; a timer; a microprocessor connectecd to said timer and to said voltage reading means for establishing a first charging rate for at least a short time period and for establishing a reduced second charging rate until the rate of change of voltage with time is less than x/100 volts per hour at which time the current is further reduced to a third charging rate for a finishing charge of the battery, where x is a positive number; and selector means to select the value of said first charging rate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A microprocessor controlled battery charger adapted to be connected to a battery to be charged, said battery charger comprising, in combination:
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means to connect the battery charger to the battery to be charged; means to read the voltage of the battery; a timer; and a microprocessor connected to said timer and to said voltage reading means for establishing a first charging rate for at least a short time period and for establishing a second charging rate until the rate of change of voltage with time is less than x/100 volts per hour at which time the current is reduced to a third charging rate for a finishing charge of the battery, where x is a positive number; said microprocessor establishing a zero current charge rate if said voltage reading means determines the battery voltage to be less than 10.7 volts for a six cell lead-acid battery.
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14. A microprocessor controlled battery charger adapted to be connected to a battery to be charged, said battery charger comprising, in combination:
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means to connect the battery charger to the battery to be charged; means to read the voltage of the battery; a timer; and a microprocessor connected to said timer and to said voltage reading means for establishing a first charging rate for at least a short time period and for establishing a second charging rate until the rate of change of voltage with time is less than x/100 volts per hour at which time the current is reduced to a third charging rate for a finishing charge of the battery, where x is a positive number; said microprocessor establishing a zero current charge rate if said voltage reading means determines the battery to be connected in reverse polarity.
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15. A microprocessor controlled battery charger adapted to be connected to a battery to be charged, said battery charger comprising, in combination:
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means to connect the battery charger to the battery to be charged; means to read the voltage of the battery; a timer; and a microprocessor connected to said timer and to said voltage reading means for establishing a first charging rate for at least a short time period and for establishing a second charging rate until the rate of change of voltage with time is less than x/100 volts per hour at which time the current is reduced to a third charging rate for a finishing charge of the battery, where x is a positive number; said microprocessor establishing a zero output voltage if said voltage reading means determines the battery is not connected to the charger.
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Specification