Battery charger and method of charging nickel based batteries
First Claim
1. A method of charging a rechargeable battery comprising:
- charging the battery with a charging current;
sampling an open circuit voltage of the battery;
lowering the charging current if the open circuit voltage reaches or exceeds a predetermined thermally dependant open circuit voltage (EThermal); and
continuing charging with the charging current until a predetermined charging condition is identified.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of charging a rechargeable battery which comprises charging the battery with a charging current; sampling conditions of the battery during charging to recognize potential adverse conditions within the battery; interrupting the charging current periodically to create current-free periods and sampling an open circuit voltage of the battery during each current-free period to identify potential overcharge conditions in the battery; lowering the charging current if any adverse conditions are identified and continuing charging with the charging current if adverse charging conditions are not identified; and terminating charging when a predetermined value is recognized. The method of charging nickel-metal hydride and nickel-cadmium batteries is based on switching charging current as soon as temperature related battery open circuit voltage reaches the first predetermined value, tapering current and continuing charging up to terminating point.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of charging a rechargeable battery comprising:
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charging the battery with a charging current;
sampling an open circuit voltage of the battery;
lowering the charging current if the open circuit voltage reaches or exceeds a predetermined thermally dependant open circuit voltage (EThermal); and
continuing charging with the charging current until a predetermined charging condition is identified. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A battery charger for charging a rechargeable battery or cell comprising:
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a power supply to provide charging current to said battery or cell;
a charge interrupter for periodically interrupting the charging current;
a voltage sensor for sampling voltage values of the battery;
a temperature sensor for sampling temperature of the battery;
a data compiler for compiling and analyzing the voltage values and temperature of the battery to indent an indicator of charge adjustment;
said indicator being identified when an unsteady open circuit voltage exceeds a predetermined thermally dependent open circuit voltage; and
a charging current adjuster for adjusting the charging current when the indicator is identified. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification