Battery charging and maintenance system

• US 6,346,792 B1
• Filed: 05/25/2001
• Issued: 02/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John Summerfield, Victor Wright
• Original Assignee: John Summerfield, Victor Wright
• Inventors: Wright, Victor, Summerfield, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIBBITS, PIA FLORENCE
• Application Number:
  US09/865,353
• Time in Patent Office: 263 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107-109
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

A battery charging and maintenance system for providing long term maintenance and charging of batteries. The battery charging and maintenance system includes a charging assembly designed for converting alternating current into direct current for use in charging batteries, a golf cart regulator assembly electrically couplable to the charging assembly, a golf cart charging lead assembly for electrically coupling the charging assembly to the golf cart regulator assembly, an automobile regulator assembly electrically couplable to the charging assembly, and an automobile charging lead assembly for electrically coupling the charging assembly to the automobile regulator assembly.

Claims

1. A battery charging and maintenance system for the long term maintenance and charging needs of golf carts comprising:

a charging assembly adapted for converting alternating current into direct current for use in charging batteries;

a golf cart regulator assembly having a housing, said housing having a first portion of hook and loop fastener applied to a back face of said housing, said first portion of hook and loop fastener is used to couple said golf cart regulator to an interior surface of the golf cart, said golf cart regulator is electrically couplable to said charging assembly;

a golf cart charging lead assembly for electrically coupling said charging assembly to said golf cart regulator assembly;

an automobile regulator assembly having a housing, said housing having a first portion of hook and loop fastener applied to a back face of said housing, said first portion of hook and loop fastener is used to couple said automobile regulator to an interior surface of the automobile, said automobile regulator is electrically couplable to said charging assembly; and

an automobile charging lead assembly for electrically coupling said charging assembly to said automobile regulator assembly.

2. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 1, wherein said charging assembly further comprises:

a housing having four side walls a top wall and a bottom wall defining an interior space;

a transformer adapted for stepping down voltage from an outlet, said transformer preferably is adapted for working with 115 volts and 60 hertz, said transformer is positioned within said housing;

a voltage control assembly for controlling the voltage output of the charging assembly, said voltage control assembly is positioned within said housing;

a first rectifier assembly for converting the stepped down ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage for use in charging the battery of an automobile, said first rectifier assembly is positioned within said housing;

a second rectifier assembly for converting the stepped down ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage for use in charging the batteries of a golf cart, said second rectifier assembly is positioned within said housing.

3. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 2, wherein said first rectifier assembly further comprises:

a half wave rectifier for converting an ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage, said half wave rectifier is operationally coupled to said voltage control assembly;

a pulse generator assembly electrically connected to an output of said half wave rectifier, said pulse generator is used to pulse an output of said charging assembly;

an overload protection circuit electrically coupled in series with said pulse generator assembly, said overload protection circuit preventing an output exceeding a predetermined level; and

a polarity sensing and limiting circuit electrically connected in series with said overload protection circuit, said polarity sensing and limiting circuit is adapted for preventing the reverse biasing of the battery when connected to said battery charging and maintenance system.

4. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 3, wherein said pulse generating assembly further comprises:

a pulse generator for pulsing an output of said half wave rectifier;

a current control circuit connected in series with said pulse generator and providing a control feedback signal; and

a current flow indicator connected to the control feedback signal of said current control circuit and providing a current indicator signal to said pulse generator such that a control loop is defined by said pulse generator, current control circuit and current flow indicator.

5. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 2, wherein said second rectifier assembly further comprises:

a full wave rectifier for converting an ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage, said full wave rectifier is operationally coupled to said voltage control assembly;

a second pulse generator assembly electrically connected to an output of said full wave rectifier, said second pulse generator is used to pulse an output of said charging assembly;

a second overload protection circuit electrically coupled in series with said second pulse generator assembly, said second overload protection circuit preventing an output exceeding a predetermined level; and

a second polarity sensing and limiting circuit electrically connected in series with said second overload protection circuit, said second polarity sensing and limiting circuit is adapted for preventing the reverse biasing of the battery when connected to said battery charging and maintenance system.

6. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 5, wherein said second pulse generating assembly further comprises:

a second pulse generator for pulsing an output of full half wave rectifier;

a second current control circuit connected in series with said second pulse generator and providing a control feedback signal; and

a second current flow indicator connected to the control feedback signal of said second current control circuit and providing a current indicator signal to said second pulse generator such that a control loop is defined by said second pulse generator, second current control circuit and second current flow indicator.

7. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 2, wherein said automobile regulator assembly further comprises:

a regulator for maintaining the voltage output by said first rectifier assembly within a predetermined maximum value and a predetermined minimum value.

8. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 2, wherein said golf cart regulator assembly further comprises:

a second regulator for maintaining the voltage output by said second rectifier assembly within a predetermined maximum value and a predetermined minimum value.

9. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 2, wherein said charging unit further comprises:

a first output jack electrically coupled to said first rectifier assembly, said first output jack is positioned such that said first output jack is accessible through an opening in a side wall of said housing;

a second output jack electrically coupled to said second rectifier assembly, said second output jack is positioned such that said second output jack is accessible through an opening in a side wall of said housing.

10. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 2, wherein said automobile regulator assembly further comprises an input jack, said input jack is positioned such that said input jack is accessible through an aperture in said housing.

11. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 2, wherein said golf cart regulator assembly further comprises a second input jack, said second input jack is positioned such that said second input jack is accessible through and aperture in said housing.

12. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 2, wherein said automobile charging lead assembly further comprises:

a first plug member and a second plug member, said first plug member and said second plug member preventing reverse biasing of the battery of the automobile when said automobile regulator assembly is electrically coupled to said first rectifier assembly using said automobile charging lead assembly.

13. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 2, wherein said golf cart charging lead assembly further comprises:

a third plug member and a fourth plug member, said third plug member and said fourth plug member preventing reverse biasing of the batteries of the golf cart when said golf cart regulator assembly is electrically coupled to said second rectifier assembly using said golf cart charging lead assembly.

14. The battery charging and maintenance system of claim 2, further comprising:

a first and piece of a second portion of hook and loop fastener, said first and second pieces of a second portion of hook and loop fastener is adapted for coupling to a surface of the automobile and golf cart respectively.

15. A battery charging and maintenance system for the long term maintenance and charging needs of golf carts comprising:

a charging assembly adapted for converting alternating current into direct current for use in charging batteries;

a golf cart regulator assembly having a housing, said housing having a first portion of hook and loop fastener applied to a back face of said housing, said first portion of hook and loop fastener is used to couple said golf cart regulator to an interior surface of the golf cart, said golf cart regulator is electrically couplable to said charging assembly;

a golf cart charging lead assembly for electrically coupling said charging assembly to said golf cart regulator assembly;

an automobile regulator assembly having a housing, said housing having a first portion of hook and loop fastener applied to a back face of said housing, said first portion of hook and loop fastener is used to couple said automobile regulator to an interior surface of the automobile, said automobile regulator is electrically couplable to said charging assembly;

an automobile charging lead assembly for electrically coupling said charging assembly to said automobile regulator assembly;

said charging assembly further comprises;

a housing having four side walls a top wall and a bottom wall defining an interior space;

a transformer adapted for stepping down voltage from an outlet, said transformer preferably is adapted for working with 115 volts and 60 hertz, said transformer is positioned within said housing;

voltage control assembly for controlling the voltage output of the charging assembly, said voltage control assembly is positioned within said housing;

a first rectifier assembly for converting the stepped down ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage for use in charging the battery of an automobile, said first rectifier assembly is positioned within said housing;

a second rectifier assembly for converting the stepped down ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage for use in charging the batteries of a golf cart, said second rectifier assembly is positioned within said housing;

said first rectifier assembly further comprises;

a half wave rectifier for converting an ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage, said half wave rectifier is operationally coupled to said voltage control assembly;

a pulse generator assembly electrically connected to an output of said half wave rectifier, said pulse generator is used to pulse an output of said charging assembly;

an overload protection circuit electrically coupled in series with said pulse generator assembly, said overload protection circuit preventing an output exceeding a predetermined level;

a polarity sensing and limiting circuit electrically connected in series with said overload protection circuit, said polarity sensing and limiting circuit is adapted for preventing the reverse biasing of the battery when connected to said battery charging and maintenance system;

said pulse generating assembly further comprises;

a pulse generator for pulsing an output of said half wave rectifier;

a current control circuit connected in series with said pulse generator and providing a control feedback signal; and

a current flow indicator connected to the control feedback signal of said current control circuit and providing a current indicator signal to said pulse generator such that a control loop is defined by said pulse generator, current control circuit and current flow indicator;

said second rectifier assembly further comprises;

a full wave rectifier for converting an ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage, said full wave rectifier is operationally coupled to said voltage control assembly;

a second pulse generator assembly electrically connected to an output of said full wave rectifier, said second pulse generator is used to pulse an output of said charging assembly;

a second overload protection circuit electrically coupled in series with said second pulse generator assembly, said second overload protection circuit preventing an output exceeding a predetermined level;

a second polarity sensing and limiting circuit electrically connected in series with said second overload protection circuit, said second polarity sensing and limiting circuit is adapted for preventing the reverse biasing of the battery when connected to said battery charging and maintenance system;

said second pulse generating assembly further comprises;

a second pulse generator for pulsing an output of full half wave rectifier;

a second current control circuit connected in series with said second pulse generator and providing a control feedback signal; and

a second current flow indicator connected to the control feedback signal of said second current control circuit and providing a current indicator signal to said second pulse generator such that a control loop is defined by said second pulse generator, second current control circuit and second current flow indicator;

said automobile regulator assembly further comprises a regulator for maintaining the voltage output by said first rectifier assembly within a predetermined maximum value and a predetermined minimum value;

said golf cart regulator assembly further comprises a second regulator for maintaining the voltage output by said second rectifier assembly within a predetermined maximum value and a predetermined minimum value;

said charging unit further comprises;

a first output jack electrically coupled to said first rectifier assembly, said first output jack is positioned such that said first output jack is accessible through an opening in a side wall of said housing;

a second output jack electrically coupled to said second rectifier assembly, said second output jack is positioned such that said second output jack is accessible through an opening in a side wall of said housing;

wherein said automobile regulator assembly further comprises an input jack, said input jack is positioned such that said input jack is accessible through an aperture in said housing;

wherein said golf cart regulator assembly further comprises a second input jack, said second input jack is positioned such that said second input jack is accessible through and aperture in said housing;

wherein said automobile charging lead assembly further comprises a first plug member and a second plug member, said first plug member and said second plug member preventing reverse biasing of the battery of the automobile when said automobile regulator assembly is electrically coupled to said first rectifier assembly using said automobile charging lead assembly;

wherein said golf cart charging lead assembly further comprises;

a third plug member and a fourth plug member, said third plug member and said fourth plug member preventing reverse biasing of the batteries of the golf cart when said golf cart regulator assembly is electrically coupled to said second rectifier assembly using said golf cart charging lead assembly;

a first and piece of a second portion of hook and loop fastener, said first and second pieces of a second portion of hook and loop fastener is adapted for coupling to a surface of the automobile and golf cart respectively.

16. A battery charging and maintenance system for the long term maintenance and charging needs of golf carts comprising:

a charging assembly adapted for converting alternating current into direct current for use in charging batteries;

said charging assembly further comprises;

a housing having four side walls a top wall and a bottom wall defining an interior space;

a transformer adapted for stepping down voltage from an outlet, said transformer preferably is adapted for working with 115 volts and 60 hertz, said transformer is positioned within said housing;

a voltage control assembly for controlling the voltage output of the charging assembly, said voltage control assembly is positioned within said housing;

a first rectifier assembly for converting the stepped down ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage for use in charging the battery of an automobile, said first rectifier assembly is positioned within said housing;

a second rectifier assembly for converting the stepped down ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage for use in charging the batteries of a golf cart, said second rectifier assembly is positioned within said housing;

said first rectifier assembly further comprises;

a half wave rectifier for converting an ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage, said half wave rectifier is operationally coupled to said voltage control assembly;

a pulse generator assembly electrically connected to an output of said half wave rectifier, said pulse generator is used to pulse an output of said charging assembly;

an overload protection circuit electrically coupled in series with said pulse generator assembly, said overload protection circuit preventing an output exceeding a predetermined level;

a polarity sensing and limiting circuit electrically connected in series with said overload protection circuit, said polarity sensing and limiting circuit is adapted for preventing the reverse biasing of the battery when connected to said battery charging and maintenance system;

said pulse generating assembly further comprises;

a pulse generator for pulsing an output of said half wave rectifier;

a current control circuit connected in series with said pulse generator and providing a control feedback signal; and

a current flow indicator connected to the control feedback signal of said current control circuit and providing a current indicator signal to said pulse generator such that a control loop is defined by said pulse generator, current control circuit and current flow indicator;

said second rectifier assembly further comprises;

a full wave rectifier for converting an ac voltage from said transformer to a dc voltage, said full wave rectifier is operationally coupled to said voltage control assembly;

a second pulse generator assembly electrically connected to an output of said full wave rectifier, said second pulse generator is used to pulse an output of said charging assembly;

a second overload protection circuit electrically coupled in series with said second pulse generator assembly, said second overload protection circuit preventing an output exceeding a predetermined level;

a second polarity sensing and limiting circuit electrically connected in series with said second overload protection circuit, said second polarity sensing and limiting circuit is adapted for preventing the reverse biasing of the battery when connected to said battery charging and maintenance system;

said second pulse generating assembly further comprises;

a second pulse generator for pulsing an output of full half wave rectifier;

a second current control circuit connected in series with said second pulse generator and providing a control feedback signal; and

a second current flow indicator connected to the control feedback signal of said second current control circuit and providing a current indicator signal to said second pulse generator such that a control loop is defined by said second pulse generator, second current control circuit and second current flow indicator;

a first regulator for maintaining the voltage output by said first rectifier assembly within a predetermined maximum value and a predetermined minimum value;

a second regulator assembly for maintaining the voltage output by said second rectifier assembly within a predetermined maximum value and a predetermined minimum value;

said charging unit further comprises;

a switch member positioned such that said switch member is accessible from a side wall of said housing, said switch member being used to select between an output of said first regulator assembly and said second regulator assembly;

an output jack electrically coupled to said switch member, said output jack is positioned such that said output jack is accessible through an opening in a side wall of said housing;

a charging lead assembly comprising a first plug member and a second plug member, said first plug member and said second plug member preventing reverse biasing of the battery of the vehicle when said first or second regulator assembly is electrically coupled to said vehicle via said switch member using said charging lead assembly.