Method and system for battery charging
First Claim
1. A method for controlling battery charging comprising the steps of:
- applying a predetermined voltage to a battery to be charged;
increasing the voltage applied to the battery to a known maximum battery charging voltage;
measuring a current supplied to the battery at the maximum battery charging voltage;
supplying a predetermined set of constant current charging levels to be stored in a memory of the battery;
setting a charging current level approximately equal to one of the set of predetermined constant current charging levels based on the current supplied to the battery at the maximum battery charging voltage for minimizing an amount of time needed to charge the battery and maximizing a useful life of the battery; and
charging the battery at one of a highest constant current charging level not exceeding the maximum charging voltage or the maximum power level not exceeding the maximum charging voltage, whichever supplies the greatest amount of current.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system (400) for controlling battery charging including applying a predetermined voltage to a battery (500) to be charged, increasing the voltage applied to the battery (500) to a known maximum battery charging voltage, measuring a current supplied to the battery (500) at the maximum battery charging voltage, supplying a predetermined set of constant current charging levels, and setting a charging current level equal to one of the set of predetermined constant current charging levels based on the current supplied to the battery at the maximum battery charging voltage for minimizing an amount of time needed to charge the battery (500) and maximizing a useful life of the battery (500).
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for controlling battery charging comprising the steps of:
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applying a predetermined voltage to a battery to be charged; increasing the voltage applied to the battery to a known maximum battery charging voltage; measuring a current supplied to the battery at the maximum battery charging voltage; supplying a predetermined set of constant current charging levels to be stored in a memory of the battery; setting a charging current level approximately equal to one of the set of predetermined constant current charging levels based on the current supplied to the battery at the maximum battery charging voltage for minimizing an amount of time needed to charge the battery and maximizing a useful life of the battery; and charging the battery at one of a highest constant current charging level not exceeding the maximum charging voltage or the maximum power level not exceeding the maximum charging voltage, whichever supplies the greatest amount of current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for controlling battery charging comprising:
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a charging voltage supply for supplying a voltage to a battery to be charged; voltage control circuitry for increasing the voltage supplied to the battery to a known maximum battery charging voltage; a current meter for measuring a current supplied to the battery at the maximum battery charging voltage; current control circuitry for setting a charging current level approximately equal to one of a set of predetermined constant current charging levels based on the current supplied to the battery at the maximum battery charging voltage for minimizing an amount of time needed to charge the battery and maximizing a useful life of the battery; and wherein the current control circuitry further includes charge level selection means for charging the battery at one of a highest constant current charging level not exceeding the maximum charging voltage or the maximum power level without exceeding the maximum charging voltage, whichever supplies the greatest amount of current. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for controlling battery charging with a microprocessor comprising the steps of:
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applying a predetermined voltage to a battery to be charged; storing a predetermined set of constant current charging levels and a maximum battery charging voltage in a memory of the microprocessor; increasing the voltage applied to the battery to the maximum battery charging voltage; measuring a current supplied to the battery at the maximum battery charging voltage; setting a charging current level approximately equal to one of a highest constant current charging level not exceeding the maximum charging voltage or a maximum power level not exceeding the maximum charging voltage, whichever supplies the greatest amount of current to the battery for minimizing an amount of time needed to charge the battery and maximizing a useful life of the battery; and stepping down to a successively lower constant current charging level after the voltage supplied to the battery again reaches the maximum battery charging voltage.
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13. A method for controlling battery charging comprising the steps of:
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applying a predetermined voltage to a battery to be charged; increasing the voltage applied to the battery to a known maximum battery charging voltage; measuring a current supplied to the battery at the maximum battery charging voltage; supplying a predetermined set of constant current charging levels to be stored in a memory of the battery; setting a charging current level approximately equal to one of the set of predetermined constant current charging levels based on the current supplied to the battery at the maximum battery charging voltage for minimizing an amount of time needed to charge the battery and maximizing a useful life of the battery; and setting the constant current charging level to a highest one of the predetermined set of constant current charging levels that is less than the measured current at the maximum battery charging voltage.
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Specification