Process for ultra-rapidly charging a sealed nickel-cadmium storage battery

• US 4,959,604 A
• Filed: 12/01/1988
• Issued: 09/25/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Societe Anonyme DBA
• Original Assignee: Societe Anonyme DBA
• Inventors: Cuesta, Rosendo
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peckman, Kristine
• Application Number:
  US07/278,547
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 320/20, 320/21, 320/23, 320/24, 320/32, 320/37, 320/39, 320/40
• US Class Current: 320/164
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00718 in response to charge current gradient
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A process for charging a sealed nickel-cadium storage battery in a time on the order of three to fifteen minutes. Charging is performed at a constant charging voltage which is lower than the voltage at which hydrogen is released at the negative electrode of the storage battery. Charging is terminated when the charging current intensity of the storage battery registers a significant increase following a gradual decrease during the charging process.

Claims

1. A process for ultra-rapidly charging a sealed nickel-cadmium storage battery, wherein the charging process comprises:

applying to the battery a charging voltage which is sufficient to complete the charging process in a time on the order of three to fifteen minutes but is lower than a voltage at which hydrogen is released in gaseous form, and

terminating the charging voltage when charging current intensity registers a significant increase following a gradual decrease.

2. A charging process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging voltage supplied to the storage battery is limited to a value ranging from 1.60 to 1.67 volts inclusive.

3. A charging process as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the charging current is equal to a value of five to twenty-five times the capacity of the storage battery to be charged and wherein the said significant increase in current is on the order of 0.5 to 1 ampere.