Battery charging method and apparatus with thermal mass equalization
First Claim
1. A method of charging a battery, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining a temperature change characteristic at the battery in response to a temperature change of the environment of the battery;
monitoring the temperature of the environment of the battery as the battery is being charged;
determining an anticipated temperature change at the battery in response to the monitored temperature of the environment of the battery as the battery is being charged;
measuring the actual temperature change at the battery as the battery is being charged;
comparing the anticipated temperature change at the battery with the actual temperature change at the battery; and
discontinuing charging of the battery as the actual temperature change at the battery exceeds the anticipated temperature change at the battery by a predetermined number of degrees.
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Abstract
A battery charging method in an environment of variable temperatures provides for a temperature correction to determine an onset of an overcharge phase which is detected by a discernible thermal energy output of a charging battery. The method comprises a precursory operation of determining time period required for effecting a temperature change in the battery in response to a temperature change of an ambient space about the battery. The temperature of the battery is then monitored throughout the charging process by measuring the temperature of the battery at timed, predetermined intervals. Over the same timed intervals the temperature of the ambience is measured. A measured difference in the temperature of the ambience with respect to a prior temperature of the ambience is applied to a measured temperature of the battery as modified by a predetermined time delay factor. The temperature is thereby corrected to reflect a change which would have occurred as a result of a temperature change of the ambient space about the battery. The corrected temperature, consequently, represents a temperature of the battery which is the result of the charging process. An apparatus for determining the onset of an overcharge phase of a battery charging cycle includes a control temperature sensor, a battery temperature sensor and a provision for determining when the battery temperature deviates from an anticipated temperature in response to a temperature change of the environment of the battery.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of charging a battery, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a temperature change characteristic at the battery in response to a temperature change of the environment of the battery; monitoring the temperature of the environment of the battery as the battery is being charged; determining an anticipated temperature change at the battery in response to the monitored temperature of the environment of the battery as the battery is being charged; measuring the actual temperature change at the battery as the battery is being charged; comparing the anticipated temperature change at the battery with the actual temperature change at the battery; and discontinuing charging of the battery as the actual temperature change at the battery exceeds the anticipated temperature change at the battery by a predetermined number of degrees. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. Apparatus for determining onset of an overcharge phase of a battery during a charging cycle thereof wherein the battery has a pre-charging time/temperature relationship between changes in the temperature of the battery in response to changes in the temperature of the environment of the battery, the apparatus comprising:
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a control temperature sensor; a battery temperature sensor; and a control arrangement, communicatively coupled to the environment and battery temperature sensors, configured to determine from the relationship an anticipated battery temperature responsive to a temperature change of the environment of the battery as measured by the control temperature sensor, to determine deviation from the anticipated battery temperature of the actual battery temperature as measured by the battery temperature sensor, and to determine onset of an overcharge phase of the battery as the actual battery temperature exceeds the anticipated battery temperature by a predetermined number of degrees. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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12. Apparatus comprising:
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(a) a portable device configured to be powerable by a battery and having a casing; (b) a control temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the casing and configured to operably measure the temperature of the casing; (c) a battery embedded within and configured to power the portable device, the battery having a pre-charging time/temperature characteristic relating changes in the temperature of the battery to changes in the temperature of the casing; (d) a battery temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the battery; and (e) a microprocessor circuit arrangement configured to charge the battery, to determine from the time/temperature characteristic an anticipated temperature change for the battery responsive to a change in the temperature of the casing, to compare the anticipated temperature of the battery with the actual temperature of the battery, and to discontinue charging of the battery as the anticipated temperature of the battery exceeds the actual temperature of the battery by a predetermined number of degrees. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification