Method for varying sampling interval length

• US 6,362,596 B1
• Filed: 10/26/2000
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Brotto, Daniele C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US09/696,874
• Time in Patent Office: 516 Days
• Field of Search: 320/106, 320/110, 320/132, 320/127, 320/135, 320/155, 320/157
• US Class Current: 320/106
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00038 using passive battery identification means, e.g. resistors or capacitors identification by mechanical connections H02J7/0045
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method for charging a rechargeable battery pack includes identifying battery capacity, determining sampling interval length according to the battery capacity, and implementing the determined sampling interval length. Also disclosed herein is a method for charging batteries comprising identifying battery capacity, determining current-on period length in duty cycle according to the battery capacity, and implementing the determined current-on period length. Further, disclosed herein is a battery charging apparatus comprising a charger for charging first and second batteries, where the first battery comprises a microprocessor. The charger further comprises at least one terminal for receiving a battery identification signal, so that the charger can distinguish between the first and second batteries. Also disclosed herein is a battery/charger combination comprising a battery comprising first, second and third terminals, at least one cell disposed between the first and second terminals and a microprocessor disposed within the battery between the first and third terminals, a charger connected to the battery via the first, second and third terminals, wherein the microprocessor controls charging of the battery by sending instructions to the charger.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a battery and a charger for charging the battery;

identifying battery capacity of the battery;

calculating C-rate; and

determining sampling interval length according to the C-rate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the C-rate is calculated by dividing current output of the charger by the battery capacity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sampling interval length is determined by dividing a predetermined sampling interval length by the C-rate.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined sampling interval length is between about 30 and 60 seconds.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising terminating battery charging after a predetermined number of sampling intervals has occurred.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined number is between 30 and 140.

7. A method comprising:

providing a battery comprising a battery identification device having a value, and a charger for charging the battery; and

selecting sampling interval length according to the value of the battery identification device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the sampling interval length is selected by inputting the value into an equation.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the sampling interval length is selected by using the value to access a table.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising terminating battery charging after a predetermined number of sampling intervals has occurred.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined number is between 30 and 140.

12. A method comprising:

providing a battery and a charger for charging the battery;

identifying battery capacity of the battery;

calculating C-rate; and

determining current-on period length according to the C-rate.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the C-rate is calculated by dividing current output of the charger by the battery capacity.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the current-on period length is determined by multiplying a predetermined length by the C-rate.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined length is between about 30 and 60 seconds.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising terminating battery charging after a predetermined number of current-on periods has occurred.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the predetermined number is between 30 and 140.

18. A method comprising:

providing a battery comprising a battery identification device having a value, and a charger for charging the battery; and

selecting current-on period length according to the value of the battery identification device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the current-on period length is selected by inputting the value into an equation.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the current-on period length is selected by using the value to access a table.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising terminating battery charging after a predetermined number of current-on periods has occurred.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the predetermined number is between 30 and 140.