Control circuit for battery charger
First Claim
1. A control circuit for an AC operated battery charger having a direct current output and for connection to a battery for charging the battery, the control circuit comprising an electrical relay connected in series between a first electrical side of the output of said charger and a terminal of said battery of the same polarity as said first electrical side, voltage drop means interconnecting a second electrical side of the output of said charger with a terminal of said battery of the same polarity as said second electrical side of the output of said charger for generating a voltage drop, detection means in parallel with said battery for detecting the battery voltage level of said battery, voltage reference means for generating a voltage of predetermined voltage level, a voltage comparator means interconnecting said voltage reference means and said detection means for comparing the battery voltage with the predetermined voltage level, relay control means interconnecting said voltage comparator means and said relay to close said relay and apply power from said charger to said battery when the battery voltage level is below a predetermined voltage level and for opening said relay when the battery voltage level reaches said predetermined voltage level, overcurrent sensor means connected to said voltage drop means for detecting a high current flow and also connected to said relay control means to open said relay, under voltage means interconnecting said detection means and said relay control means for activating said relay control means when a predetermined low voltage is detected in said control circuit and ripple detector means interconnecting said battery charger and said relay control means to open said relay when no ripple voltage output is detected from said battery charger.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control circuit for connection between a battery charger and a battery being charged, which includes a control switch in series between the charger and battery for disconnecting the battery under a variety of conditions including improper connection, loss of battery charger power, improper connection, and shorting of terminals. A switch connected in the series between a battery charger is closed in response to a low voltage condition in a battery and is open in response to a fully charged condition of the battery. An over-current circuit opens the switch and disconnects the battery charger from the battery when excessive currents are detected in the control system. An under voltage circuit also keeps the switch open when low voltages are detected prior to connection to a battery thus protecting the circuit from short circuits and similar mishaps in the connection of the charger and battery. A ripple detecting circuit constantly monitors the entire system and opens the switch between the battery charger and battery when power is not delivered from a battery charger thus preventing discharge of the battery through the control circuit systems.
60 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A control circuit for an AC operated battery charger having a direct current output and for connection to a battery for charging the battery, the control circuit comprising an electrical relay connected in series between a first electrical side of the output of said charger and a terminal of said battery of the same polarity as said first electrical side, voltage drop means interconnecting a second electrical side of the output of said charger with a terminal of said battery of the same polarity as said second electrical side of the output of said charger for generating a voltage drop, detection means in parallel with said battery for detecting the battery voltage level of said battery, voltage reference means for generating a voltage of predetermined voltage level, a voltage comparator means interconnecting said voltage reference means and said detection means for comparing the battery voltage with the predetermined voltage level, relay control means interconnecting said voltage comparator means and said relay to close said relay and apply power from said charger to said battery when the battery voltage level is below a predetermined voltage level and for opening said relay when the battery voltage level reaches said predetermined voltage level, overcurrent sensor means connected to said voltage drop means for detecting a high current flow and also connected to said relay control means to open said relay, under voltage means interconnecting said detection means and said relay control means for activating said relay control means when a predetermined low voltage is detected in said control circuit and ripple detector means interconnecting said battery charger and said relay control means to open said relay when no ripple voltage output is detected from said battery charger.
Specification