Apparatus and method for determining the temperature of a charging power source
First Claim
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1. A battery charging apparatus, comprising:
- a battery charger having a microprocessor that comprises a field programmable gate array, which receives a set-point value, said battery charger having a housing for receiving a battery, wherein the microprocessor is linked to the battery charger;
an automatic temperature sensor linked to the microprocessor;
a connection using at least one clamp to connect to the battery;
a comparator that compares a voltage upstream from the connection of the clamp with a voltage at the connection of the clamp to test a quality of the clamp connection to the battery; and
a module in communication with the microprocessor, and adapted to communicate with similar modules of other battery chargers to network the battery charger with other battery chargers,wherein the battery charger determines at which point in a sine wave to allow voltage or current to pass through to the battery to be charged based on a sine value selected, wherein the selected sine value is determined by observing an end-point of the sine wave and following along the sine wave in a rearward direction, the sine value defining a mean voltage or mean current for pass through.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically sensing the temperature of a battery during the testing and charging. The method and apparatus can monitor the temperature of the battery, the charger or both. Additionally, a user can be notified when the temperature is at or exceeds a predetermined level. The temperature data is also used to aid in efficiently charging the battery.
38 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A battery charging apparatus, comprising:
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a battery charger having a microprocessor that comprises a field programmable gate array, which receives a set-point value, said battery charger having a housing for receiving a battery, wherein the microprocessor is linked to the battery charger; an automatic temperature sensor linked to the microprocessor; a connection using at least one clamp to connect to the battery; a comparator that compares a voltage upstream from the connection of the clamp with a voltage at the connection of the clamp to test a quality of the clamp connection to the battery; and a module in communication with the microprocessor, and adapted to communicate with similar modules of other battery chargers to network the battery charger with other battery chargers, wherein the battery charger determines at which point in a sine wave to allow voltage or current to pass through to the battery to be charged based on a sine value selected, wherein the selected sine value is determined by observing an end-point of the sine wave and following along the sine wave in a rearward direction, the sine value defining a mean voltage or mean current for pass through. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for detecting the properties of a charging battery, comprising:
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locating a battery within a housing of a battery charger; providing a temperature sensor within the housing and exterior to the battery in order to record a temperature of the battery; transmiffing a set-point value to the battery charger; determining at which point in a sine wave to allow voltage or current to pass through to the battery, based on a selected sine value, wherein the selected value is determined by observing an end-point of the sine wave and following along the sine wave in a rearward direction, the sine value defining a mean voltage or mean current for pass through; applying a load to the battery; automatically monitoring the temperature of the battery in response to a load; and transmitting the temperature to a microprocessor that comprises a field programmable gate array; determining a quality of a connection of the battery charger with the battery by comparing voltages at different locations; and networking the battery charger with another battery charger and communicating between the networked battery chargers via a connection. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for detecting the properties of a charging battery, comprising:
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means for receiving a battery in a battery charger; means for detecting temperature located in the receiving means; means for transmitting a set-point value to the battery charger; means for determining at which point in a sine wave to allow voltage or current to pass through to the battery based on a selected sine value, wherein the selected value is determined by observing an end-point of the sine wave and following along the sine wave in a rearward direction, the sine value defining a mean voltage or mean current for pass through; means for applying a load to the battery; means for automatically monitoring a temperature of the battery in response to the load; and means for transmitting the temperature to a microprocessor that comprises a field programmable gate array; means for determining a quality of the connection of the battery charger with the battery; and means for networking the battery charger with another battery charger and communicating between the networked battery chargers via a connection. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification