Battery management system
First Claim
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1. A method of charging a battery comprising the steps of:
- applying to the battery a first current of sufficient amplitude to provide a fast charge while the output voltage of the battery does not exceed a first predetermined reference voltage;
terminating the first current a first predetermined interval after the output voltage exceeds the first predetermined reference voltage;
allowing the battery to self-discharge while the output voltage exceeds the first predetermined reference voltage, thereby defining a self-discharge interval;
repeating the preceding steps while the self-discharge interval is less than a first predetermined multiple of the first predetermined interval so as to generate first current pulses;
applying a load to the battery when the self-discharge interval exceeds a second predetermined multiple of the first predetermined interval, said second predetermined multiple being less than said first predetermined multiple, said load being insufficient to substantially discharge the battery; and
rejecting the battery if the output voltage under said load differs by a predetermined amount from the output voltage under no load.
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Abstract
A battery charger providing a fast charge while the output voltage of the battery does not exceed a reference voltage. The battery charger providing a self-discharge interval after the output voltage exceeds the predetermined reference voltage.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of charging a battery comprising the steps of:
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applying to the battery a first current of sufficient amplitude to provide a fast charge while the output voltage of the battery does not exceed a first predetermined reference voltage; terminating the first current a first predetermined interval after the output voltage exceeds the first predetermined reference voltage; allowing the battery to self-discharge while the output voltage exceeds the first predetermined reference voltage, thereby defining a self-discharge interval; repeating the preceding steps while the self-discharge interval is less than a first predetermined multiple of the first predetermined interval so as to generate first current pulses; applying a load to the battery when the self-discharge interval exceeds a second predetermined multiple of the first predetermined interval, said second predetermined multiple being less than said first predetermined multiple, said load being insufficient to substantially discharge the battery; and rejecting the battery if the output voltage under said load differs by a predetermined amount from the output voltage under no load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for charging a battery, comprising:
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first charging means for charging the battery with a first current of sufficient amplitude to provide a fast charge; a first comparator for comparing the output voltage of the battery with a first predetermined reference voltage; first control means responsive to the first comparator for inhibiting the first charging means a first predetermined interval after the output voltage of the battery exceeds the first predetermined reference voltage; said first control means further responsive to said first comparator for activating said first charging means when said output voltage falls below said predetermined reference voltage, a time between said inhibition and said activation being denoted as a battery self-discharge interval; second control means for inhibiting the first charging means when said self-discharge interval exceeds a first predetermined multiple of the first predetermined interval and for producing an indication of completion of charging; means for applying a load to the battery when the self-discharge interval exceeds a second predetermined multiple of the first predetermined interval, said second predetermined multiple being less than the first predetermined multiple, said load being insufficient to substantially discharge the battery; and third control means responsive to the difference between the output voltage of the battery under the application of said load with the output voltage under the application of no load for inhibiting the first charging means if the difference exceeds a predetermined amount and for providing an indication of rejection of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification