Method and system for charging a NiMH or NiCd battery
First Claim
1. A system for charging a battery comprising:
- an uninterruptible power supply having at least one of a Nickel Metal Hydride battery and a Nickel Cadmium battery;
a first sensor configured to detect a first temperature at a point proximal to the at least one battery;
a second sensor configured to detect a second temperature at a point distal to the at least one battery; and
a controller configured to control a charging current into the battery by varying a flow of charging current into the battery proportional to a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of charging a NiMH or NiCd battery such that charging does not occupy a substantial amount of time and such that the operating temperature of the battery is reduced during the lifetime of the battery, thereby extending the life of the battery. This invention is a method of charging that is accomplished using a temperature differential method to continuously regulate the rate of charge injected into the battery. An amplifier is used to amplify the difference in temperature between one or more cases in which the battery is contained and ambient temperature. In this method, the greater the difference in temperature, the lower the charging current is injected into the battery. The method of charging may be incorporated into uninterruptible power supply equipment.
15 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for charging a battery comprising:
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an uninterruptible power supply having at least one of a Nickel Metal Hydride battery and a Nickel Cadmium battery; a first sensor configured to detect a first temperature at a point proximal to the at least one battery; a second sensor configured to detect a second temperature at a point distal to the at least one battery; and a controller configured to control a charging current into the battery by varying a flow of charging current into the battery proportional to a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A power supply system comprising:
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a power input configured to receive input power from a power source; a power output configured to provide power output to at least one of a Nickel Metal Hydride battery and a Nickel Cadmium battery; a charger coupled to the power input and the at least one battery, and configured to convert input power to output power to charge the at least one battery; and a controller, coupled to the charger, configured to control the power output from the charger to the at least one battery based on a measurement of heat generated in the at least one battery, wherein the controller is configured to vary a flow of charging current into the battery proportional to the measurement. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A method of charging a battery pack in a power supply system, the method comprising:
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detecting a first temperature at a point proximal to a battery pack; detecting a second temperature at a point distal to the battery pack; varying a flow of charging current into the battery pack such that the charging current is proportional to a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer readable medium having stored thereon sequences of instruction including instructions that will cause a processor to:
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receive an indication of a first temperature detected at a point proximal to a battery pack in a power supply system; receive an indication of a second temperature detected at a point distal to the battery pack; determine a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature; and vary a flow of charging current into the battery pack proportional to the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A system for charging a battery comprising:
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an uninterruptible power supply having a battery; a first sensor configured to detect a first temperature at a point proximal to the battery; a second sensor configured to detect a second temperature at a point distal to battery; and a controller configured to vary a flow of charging current into the battery proportional to a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification