Battery charger with temperature compensation
First Claim
1. A method for controlling battery charging, said method comprising:
- comparing a battery temperature with an environmental temperature;
charging the battery in a normal charge state at a normal charge rate if the battery temperature is greater than the environmental temperature beginning at a transition to a positive temperature difference;
charging the battery in a warm charge state at a charge rate faster than the normal charge rate if the battery temperature is not greater than the environmental temperature beginning at a transition to a negative temperature difference;
monitoring a difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature when charging in the warm charge state; and
switching from the warm charge state to the normal charge state when the difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature is within a predetermined range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery charger and method for charging a battery are provided. The method includes comparing a battery temperature with an environmental temperature, charging the battery in a normal charge state if the battery temperature is greater than the environmental temperature and charging the battery in a warm charge state if the battery temperature is not greater than the environmental temperature. The method further includes monitoring a difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature when charging in the warm charge state, and switching from the warm charge state to the normal charge state when the difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature is within a predetermined range.
48 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling battery charging, said method comprising:
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comparing a battery temperature with an environmental temperature; charging the battery in a normal charge state at a normal charge rate if the battery temperature is greater than the environmental temperature beginning at a transition to a positive temperature difference; charging the battery in a warm charge state at a charge rate faster than the normal charge rate if the battery temperature is not greater than the environmental temperature beginning at a transition to a negative temperature difference; monitoring a difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature when charging in the warm charge state; and switching from the warm charge state to the normal charge state when the difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature is within a predetermined range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A charge monitor for a battery charger, said charge monitor comprising:
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an environmental temperature sensor configured to monitor an environmental temperature; a comparator configured to compare the environmental temperature with a battery temperature from a battery temperature sensor of a battery being charged to determine a higher of the environmental temperature and battery temperature; and a charge controller receiving the determined higher temperature and configured to operate in a normal charge state at a normal charge rate if the battery temperature is greater than the environmental temperature beginning at a transition to a positive temperature difference, and to operate in a warm charge state at a charge rate faster than the normal charge rate if the battery temperature is not greater than the environmental temperature beginning at a transition to a negative temperature difference, and wherein charging is switched from the warm charge state to the normal charge state when the difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature is within a predetermined range. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A battery charger comprising:
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an interface for connection to a battery to be charged; and a charge monitor having a comparator configured to compare a sensed battery temperature with a sensed environmental temperature and a charge controller configured to operate in a normal charge state at a normal charge rate if the battery temperature is greater than the environmental temperature beginning at a transition to a positive temperature difference, and to operate in a warm charge state at a charge rate faster than the normal charge rate if the battery temperature is not greater than the environmental temperature beginning at a transition to a negative temperature difference, and wherein charging is switched from the warm charge state to the normal charge state when the difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature is within a predetermined range. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification