Method and apparatus for charging batteries utilizing heterogeneous reaction kinetics

• US 6,495,992 B1
• Filed: 04/02/1997
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minit Charger, LLC
• Original Assignee: Norvik Traction, Inc.
• Inventors: Pavlovic, Vladimir S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TIBBITS, PIA FLORENCE
• Application Number:
  US08/832,010
• Time in Patent Office: 2,085 Days
• Field of Search: 320/148, 320/162, 320/163, 320/161, 320/160, 320/DIG.12, 324/430
• US Class Current: 320/161
• 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: H02J 7/00711 with introduction of pulses during the charging process
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters

Abstract

A method and apparatus utilizing a new parameter for assessing battery charge acceptance for controlling the charging process of the battery. The charge acceptance parameter comprises a terminal voltage profile which is determined during a variation in a diagnostic current. The slope of the terminal voltage profile is used in the charging process to assess the charge acceptance ability of the battery and thereby control the charging current. For a first group of batteries including lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries, the terminal voltage profile is characterized by an increasing profile slope as the charge acceptance ability of the battery is reached. For a second group of batteries comprising nickel-metal hydride batteries, the terminal voltage profile is characterized by a profile slope which approaches zero as the charge acceptance ability of the battery is reached.

Claims

1. An apparatus for rapidly charging a rechargeable battery, said apparatus comprising:

generator means for generating a charging current having a variable level, and during a high charging period said charging current having a high level to rapidly charge the battery;

controller means for controlling said generator means, said controller means including;

(a) current control means for decreasing said charging current below said high level during said high charging period for a predetermined test interval; and

(b) evaluation means for determining a charge acceptance ability of the battery during said test interval without exceeding said charge acceptance ability;

wherein said evaluation means comprises means for measuring the slope of the battery voltage response to said decrease in said charging current, and wherein said current control means controls said charging current in response to said evaluation means.

2. The apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein said evaluation means further comprises means for comparing said slope of the voltage response to a predetermined slope limit.

3. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein said predetermined slope limit comprises the voltage response slope corresponding to said charge acceptance ability of the battery.

4. The apparatus claimed in claim 3, wherein said charge acceptance ability of the battery comprises a point at which continued charging at said high level would result in hydrolyzation within the battery.

5. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein the battery comprises a first battery selected from a first group comprising lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries, and wherein said predetermined slope limit comprises a maximum slope that corresponds to said charge acceptance ability of said first battery.

6. The apparatus claimed in claim 2, wherein the battery comprises a second battery selected from a second group comprising nickel-metal hydride batteries, and wherein said predetermined slope limit comprises a minimum slope that corresponds to said charge acceptance ability of said second battery.

7. The apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein said current control means controls said charging current in response to said evaluation means by ending said high charging period and initiating a regulated charging period when said evaluation means determines that said charge acceptance ability of the battery has been reached.

8. The apparatus claimed in claim 7, wherein said charge acceptance ability of the battery comprises a point at which continued charging at said high charging period charging current level would result in hydrolyzation within the battery.

9. The apparatus claimed in claim 7, further including means for decrementally lowering said charging current during said regulated charging period, said means for decrementally lowering being responsive to said evaluation means, such that said battery charge acceptance ability is not exceeded.

10. The apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein said current control means comprises means for causing a step down in the magnitude of said charging current, and wherein said evaluation means comprises means for measuring the slope of the battery voltage response to said step down.

11. The apparatus claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined test interval is less than 1800 milliseconds.

12. A method of rapidly recharging a rechargeable battery, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) supplying, during a high charging period, a charging current to the battery, said charging current having a variable level and having a level to rapidly charge the battery;

(b) decreasing said charging current during said high charging period for a predetermined test interval;

(c) determining a charge acceptance ability of the battery without exceeding said charge acceptance ability during said test interval; and

(d) controlling said charging current in response to said measurement of the slope of the battery voltage response,

wherein said step of determining comprises measuring the slope of the battery voltage response to said decrease in said charging current.

13. The method claimed in claim 12, wherein said step of determining further comprises comparing said slope of the battery voltage response to a predetermined slope limit.

14. The method claimed in claim 13, wherein said predetermined slope limit comprises the voltage response slope corresponding to said charge acceptance ability of the battery.

15. The method claimed in claim 14, wherein said charge acceptance ability of the battery comprises a point at which continued charging at said high charging period charging current level would result in hydrolyzation within the battery.

16. The method claimed in claim 13, wherein the battery comprises a first battery selected from a first group comprising lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries, and wherein said predetermined slope limit comprises a maximum slope that corresponds to said charge acceptance ability of said first battery.

17. The method claimed in claim 13, wherein the battery comprises a second battery selected from a second group comprising nickel-metal hydride batteries, and wherein said predetermined slope limit comprises a minimum slope that corresponds to said charge acceptance ability of said second battery.

18. The method claimed in claim 12, wherein said step of controlling said charging current comprises ending said high charging period and initiating a regulated charging period in response to said measurement of said slope when said slope indicates that said charge acceptance ability of the battery has been reached.

19. The method claimed in claim 18, wherein said charge acceptance ability of the battery comprises a point at which continued charging at said high charging period charging current level would result in hydrolyzation within the battery.

20. The method claimed in claim 18 further comprising the step of decrementally lowering said charging current during said regulated charging period, said step of decrementally lowering being responsive to step of determining, such that said battery charge acceptance ability is not exceeded.

21. The method claimed in claim 12, wherein said step of decreasing said charging current comprises causing a step down in the magnitude of said charging current, and wherein said step of determining comprises measuring the slope of the battery voltage response to said step down.

22. The method claimed in claim 12, wherein said predetermined test interval is less than 1800 milliseconds.