End of charge detector
First Claim
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1. An end of charge detection circuit for a battery charger comprising:
- means for periodically causing a differential change in the magnitude of charging current while it is being delivered to a battery;
detection means for (1) measuring the voltage drop across terminals of said battery during each time of differential change in the magnitude of the charging current, and (2) producing an end of charge signal whenever the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined level; and
said means for periodically causing a differential change in the magnitude of charging current being delivered to said battery including;
shunting means for shunting charging current away from said battery; and
connecting means for periodically connecting said shunting means across the terminals of said battery for a predetermined period of time, for producing the differential change in the magnitude of charging current.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting the end of charge of a battery includes the steps of periodically changing, for a predetermined time period, the magnitude of charging current to a battery or bank of batteries, during each such predeterimined period, measuring the voltage drop across the battery or batteries until a predetermined level is reached, and producing an "end of charge signal" in response to the predetermined level of voltage drop being attained.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. An end of charge detection circuit for a battery charger comprising:
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means for periodically causing a differential change in the magnitude of charging current while it is being delivered to a battery; detection means for (1) measuring the voltage drop across terminals of said battery during each time of differential change in the magnitude of the charging current, and (2) producing an end of charge signal whenever the voltage drop exceeds a predetermined level; and said means for periodically causing a differential change in the magnitude of charging current being delivered to said battery including; shunting means for shunting charging current away from said battery; and connecting means for periodically connecting said shunting means across the terminals of said battery for a predetermined period of time, for producing the differential change in the magnitude of charging current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for detecting the "end of charge" of a battery comprising the steps of:
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(A) periodically shunting charging current away from said battery for a predetermined period of time, for producing a differential change in the magnitude of charging current; (B) measuring the voltage drop across said battery at times that charging current is being shunted away from said battery; and (C) producing an "end of charge" signal if the battery voltage exceeds a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification