Rechargeable battery conditioner unit
First Claim
1. A battery conditioner unit usable in conjunction with a Ni-Cad battery power pack which is in a state of partial discharge, the pack, is normally seated on and connected to a charger for the pack, said pack being subject to a memory effect that decreases its ability to regain its fully rated energy capacity unless the pack is in a deep discharge state before being recharged, the unit when put to use being physically and electrically interposed between the charger and the pack to create an assembly in which the unit is seated on and electrically connected to the charger and the pack is seated on and electrically connected to the unit, said charger being provided with an operating switch, said conditioner unit comprising:
- (a) means to effect further discharge of the power pack seated thereon until a deep discharge state is reached, as reflected in a reduced pack voltage;
(b) means responsive to said reduced voltage to connect said charger to said pack; and
(c) means responsive to said reduced voltage to actuate said charger switch, whereby the charger then proceeds to recharge the pack connected thereto.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A piggyback conditioner unit usable in conjunction with a Ni-Cad battery power pack and a standard charger for the pack, the pack being normally adapted to be seated on and connected to the charger for recharging. The power pack is subject to a "memory effect" that decreases its ability to regain its rated energy capacity unless before being recharged, it is first discharged from its existing state of discharge to a deep discharge state. When put to use, the battery conditioner unit is physically and electrically interposed between the charger and the power pack to create an assembly in which the unit is seated on and electrically connected to the charger, and the pack is seated on and electrically connected to the unit. The unit includes means to further discharge the power pack seated thereon until a deep discharge state is reached, which condition is reflected in a reduced pack voltage that is sensed to automatically activate the charger which then proceeds to recharge the pack. When the pack is recharged to its full rated capacity, this condition is sensed by the charger which then switches to a low-current maintenance charge state. The resultant drop in charger voltage is sensed by the unit and indicated to inform the user that the pack is now fully recharged and in condition for reuse.
44 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A battery conditioner unit usable in conjunction with a Ni-Cad battery power pack which is in a state of partial discharge, the pack, is normally seated on and connected to a charger for the pack, said pack being subject to a memory effect that decreases its ability to regain its fully rated energy capacity unless the pack is in a deep discharge state before being recharged, the unit when put to use being physically and electrically interposed between the charger and the pack to create an assembly in which the unit is seated on and electrically connected to the charger and the pack is seated on and electrically connected to the unit, said charger being provided with an operating switch, said conditioner unit comprising:
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(a) means to effect further discharge of the power pack seated thereon until a deep discharge state is reached, as reflected in a reduced pack voltage; (b) means responsive to said reduced voltage to connect said charger to said pack; and (c) means responsive to said reduced voltage to actuate said charger switch, whereby the charger then proceeds to recharge the pack connected thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification