Voltaic pile with charge equalizing system
First Claim
1. A voltaic pile with first and second terminals, said pile comprising:
- a plurality of modules, each having third and fourth respective terminals with a plurality of voltaic cells connected series-wise therebetween;
said modules connected series-wise by said respective third and fourth terminals, with end terminals of said series-wise-connected modules defining said first and second terminals;
said voltaic pile sized to operate at a first power level;
a charge redistribution system with DC input terminals and AC output terminals, said DC input terminals connected with said first and second terminals, said charge redistribution system operating at a power level no greater than one-tenth of the first power level;
each of said modules having respective charging terminals connected with said charge redistribution system AC output terminals;
each of said modules further having a transformer with a primary winding connected with said charging terminals and a secondary winding coupled via a rectifier with the cells of said each of said modules whereby said cells are charged.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A voltaic pile has first and second terminals by which it is charged and discharged. The pile comprises a plurality of modules (3), each having respective third and fourth terminals with a plurality of voltaic cells connected in series therebetween. The modules are connected series-wise or in series-parallel configuration by the respective third and fourth terminals, with the end terminals of the series of modules defining the previously mentioned first and second terminals. A power supply Load (1) is provided with DC input terminals and AC output terminals, the DC input terminals connected via lines (2) with the first and second terminals. Thus, even in the absence of Power charging current or drain current, the power supply is able to draw upon the output of the pile to supply power back to individual modules that may require charging, to maintain balance among the modules. Each of the modules has respective charging terminals connected with the power supply AC output terminals, and also has a transformer with a primary winding connected to the charging terminals and a secondary winding coupled via a rectifier with the cells of the modules, whereby the cells are charged.
52 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A voltaic pile with first and second terminals, said pile comprising:
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a plurality of modules, each having third and fourth respective terminals with a plurality of voltaic cells connected series-wise therebetween;
said modules connected series-wise by said respective third and fourth terminals, with end terminals of said series-wise-connected modules defining said first and second terminals;
said voltaic pile sized to operate at a first power level;
a charge redistribution system with DC input terminals and AC output terminals, said DC input terminals connected with said first and second terminals, said charge redistribution system operating at a power level no greater than one-tenth of the first power level;
each of said modules having respective charging terminals connected with said charge redistribution system AC output terminals;
each of said modules further having a transformer with a primary winding connected with said charging terminals and a secondary winding coupled via a rectifier with the cells of said each of said modules whereby said cells are charged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A voltaic pile with first and second terminals, said pile comprising:
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a plurality of modules, each having third and fourth respective terminals with at least one voltaic cell connected series-wise therebetween;
said modules connected series-wise by said respective third and fourth terminals, with end terminals of said series-wise-connected modules defining said first and second terminals;
said pile operating at a first power level;
a charge redistribution system with DC input terminals and AC output terminals, said DC input terminals connected with said first and second terminals and operating at a power level no greater than one-tenth of the first power level;
each of said modules having respective charging terminals connected with said charge redistribution system AC output terminals;
each of said modules further having a transformer with a primary winding connected with said charging terminals and a secondary winding coupled via a rectifier with the at least one cell of said each of said modules whereby said at least one cell is charged. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A voltaic pile with first and second terminals, said pile comprising:
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a plurality of modules, each having third and fourth respective terminals with a plurality of voltaic cells connected series-wise therebetween;
said modules connected in a series-parallel array by said respective third and fourth terminals, with end terminals of said series-parallel connected modules defining said first and second terminals;
said pile sized to operate at a first power level;
a charge redistribution system with DC input terminals and AC output terminals, said DC input terminals connected with said first and second terminals, said charge redistribution system sized to operate at a level no greater than one-tenth of the first power level;
each of said modules having respective charging terminals connected with said charge redistribution system AC output terminals;
each of said modules further having a transformer with a primary winding connected with said charging terminals and a secondary winding coupled via a rectifier with the cells of said each of said modules whereby said cells are charged. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A voltaic pile with first and second terminals, said pile comprising:
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a plurality of modules, each having third and fourth respective terminals with at least one voltaic cell connected series-wise therebetween;
said modules connected series-wise by said respective third and fourth terminals, with end terminals of said series-wise-connected modules defining said first and second terminals, said pile operating at a first power level;
a charge redistribution system with DC input terminals and AC output terminals, said DC input terminals connected with said first and second terminals and operating at a power level no greater than one-tenth of the first power level;
each of said modules having respective charging terminals connected with said charge redistribution system AC output terminals;
each of said modules further having a transformer with a primary winding connected with said charging terminals and a secondary winding coupled via a rectifier with the at least one cell of said each of said modules whereby said at least one cell is charged. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for redistributing charge in a voltaic pile comprising at least a series configuration of modules, each containing at least one voltaic cell, said pile further comprising a DC-to-AC charge redistribution system, the AC output of the charge redistribution system inductively coupled with chargers electrically coupled with respective modules, said method comprising the steps of:
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operating the charge redistribution system at a power level no greater than one-tenth the operating power of the pile; and
applying charging current selectively to the modules so as to balance the state of charge of the voltaic cells within the modules.
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Specification