×

Voltage recovery method for a zinc-air battery

  • US 6,091,230 A
  • Filed: 09/18/1998
  • Issued: 07/18/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of recovering and restoring the voltage in a zinc-air battery when the voltage has fallen below a first predefined threshold, the method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) decoupling essentially all loads from the zinc-air battery and permitting the voltage to stabilize;

    (b) sampling the voltage to determine if the voltage of the zinc-air battery is below a second predefined threshold;

    (c) starting a timer and determining if the voltage has recovered to at least a third predefined threshold prior to the timing out of the timer; and

    (d) periodically sampling the voltage to determine if the voltage has recovered to a voltage above a fourth predefined threshold for a sustained period of time, the periodic sampling being done if the zinc-air battery fell below the first predefined threshold but did not fall below the second predefined threshold, and upon determination that the voltage of the zinc-air battery has recovered to above the fourth predefined threshold, coupling the loads, previously decoupled from the battery, back to the battery.

View all claims
  • 5 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×