Recharging 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 read the voltage of the battery;
a microprocessor to establish a charging of said battery by said charger until substantially fully charged and then terminating said charging;
said reading means at least periodically reading the voltage of the battery after the termination of charging and determining if the battery voltage has decreased below a predetermined value;
said microprocessor establishing recharging of the battery at a first 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 second charging rate for a finishing charge of the battery, where x is a positive number; and
selector means to select the values of said first and second charging rates.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microprocessor controlled battery charger to charge a battery when the charging current is reduced to zero even though the charger is still connected to the battery. The microprocessor includes a means to read the voltage of the battery and also includes a timer. The voltage of the battery is periodically read and when it decreases below a predetermined value the microprocessor again establishes recharging of the battery first at an intermediate rate until either a maximum voltage is reached or a minimum dv/dt is reached and then the current is reduced to a lower current rate for a finishing charge of the battery for a given period of time.
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Citations
9 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 read the voltage of the battery; a microprocessor to establish a charging of said battery by said charger until substantially fully charged and then terminating said charging; said reading means at least periodically reading the voltage of the battery after the termination of charging and determining if the battery voltage has decreased below a predetermined value; said microprocessor establishing recharging of the battery at a first 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 second charging rate for a finishing charge of the battery, where x is a positive number; and selector means to select the values of said first and second charging rates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification