High frequency battery charger and method of operating same
First Claim
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1. A high frequency battery charger for charging a target battery, comprising:
- a charging circuit including a high frequency transformer, a switch switching the high frequency transformer, a filter coupled to the high frequency transformer for passing a DC voltage signal and a controller providing a high frequency driving signal to the switch;
measuring circuitry for measuring at least one of a voltage or a current at the target battery; and
a microprocessor receiving the measured voltage or current and calculating diagnostics of the target battery based on at least one of the measured voltage or current, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to;
provide a test current that is lower than a charging current from the battery charger to the target battery;
detect if the test current is present at the target battery;
indicate a fault if the test current is not detected at the target battery; and
increase the test current a predetermined amount and return to the detecting step if the test current is detected at the target battery.
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Abstract
A high frequency battery charger for charging a target battery is provided. The battery charger includes a charging circuit including a high frequency transformer, a switch switching the high frequency transformer, a filter coupled to the high frequency transformer for passing a DC voltage signal and a controller providing a high frequency driving signal to the switch. Measuring circuitry measures at least one of a voltage or a current at the target battery. A microprocessor receives the measured voltage or current and calculates diagnostics of the target battery based on at least one of the measured voltage or current.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A high frequency battery charger for charging a target battery, comprising:
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a charging circuit including a high frequency transformer, a switch switching the high frequency transformer, a filter coupled to the high frequency transformer for passing a DC voltage signal and a controller providing a high frequency driving signal to the switch; measuring circuitry for measuring at least one of a voltage or a current at the target battery; and a microprocessor receiving the measured voltage or current and calculating diagnostics of the target battery based on at least one of the measured voltage or current, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to;
provide a test current that is lower than a charging current from the battery charger to the target battery;
detect if the test current is present at the target battery;
indicate a fault if the test current is not detected at the target battery; and
increase the test current a predetermined amount and return to the detecting step if the test current is detected at the target battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A high frequency battery charger for charging a target battery, comprising:
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a high frequency transformer; means for switching the high frequency transformer;
means coupled to the high frequency transformer for passing a DC voltage signal;means for providing a high frequency driving signal to the switch; means for measuring at least one of a voltage or a current at the target battery; and means for receiving the measured voltage or current and calculating diagnostics of the target battery based on at least one of the measured voltage or current, wherein the means for receiving and calculating provide a test current that is lower than a charging current from the battery charger to the target battery;
detect if the test current is present at the target battery;
indicate a fault if the test current is not detected at the target battery; and
increase the test current a predetermined amount and return to the detecting step if the test current is detected at the target battery. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification