Methods and systems for charging electrochemical cells
First Claim
1. A method of charging an electrochemical cell, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing the electrochemical cell; and
providing a time varying charging voltage to said electrochemical cell, thereby generating a charging current resulting in charging of said electrochemical cell;
wherein said time varying charging voltage has a non-linear time dependency provided by V=V0±
k(t)t and Vmin≦
V≦
Vmax;
wherein V is the time varying charging voltage, t is time, V0 is an initial voltage, k(t) is a time dependent voltage rate, Vmin is a minimum voltage and Vmax is a maximum voltage.
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Abstract
The invention provides systems and methods for charging an electrochemical device, such as a secondary electrochemical cell. Charging systems and methods of some embodiments provide charging parameters, such as charging voltage and charging current, that vary in a preselected manner as a function of time so as to enhance the overall device performance (e.g., specific capacity, discharge rate, etc.) cycling properties and useful lifetime of a secondary electrochemical cell. Charging systems and methods of some embodiments provide charging parameters, such as time varying charging voltages and charging currents, that take into consideration important electrochemical cell properties that impact device performance, cycling and lifetime, such as the state of health of an electrochemical cell, and/or the health and/or composition of specific system components such as anode, cathode, and electrolyte and/or the cycle history of the electrochemical cell (e.g., cycle number, etc.).
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of charging an electrochemical cell, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing the electrochemical cell; and providing a time varying charging voltage to said electrochemical cell, thereby generating a charging current resulting in charging of said electrochemical cell;
wherein said time varying charging voltage has a non-linear time dependency provided by V=V0±
k(t)t and Vmin≦
V≦
Vmax;
wherein V is the time varying charging voltage, t is time, V0 is an initial voltage, k(t) is a time dependent voltage rate, Vmin is a minimum voltage and Vmax is a maximum voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A battery charging system comprising:
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two or more electrodes for making an electrical connection to terminals of an electrochemical cell; a power supply positioned in electrical communication with said two or more electrodes for providing a controllable time varying charging voltage to said two or more electrodes; and a processor for controlling said charging voltage provided by the power supply, wherein said processor provides a time varying charging voltage to said electrochemical cell, thereby generating a charging current resulting in charging of said electrochemical cell;
wherein said time varying charging voltage has a non-linear time dependency provided by V=V0±
k(t)t and Vmin≦
V≦
Vmax;
wherein V is the time varying charging voltage, t is time, V0 is an initial voltage, k(t) is a time dependent voltage rate, Vmin is a minimum voltage and Vmax is a maximum voltage. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A secondary battery charging controller comprising:
a control circuit for controlling a charging voltage provided by a power supply for charging a secondary battery, wherein said control circuit controls said charging voltage to provide a time varying charging voltage to said electrochemical cell, thereby generating a charging current resulting in charging of said electrochemical cell;
wherein said time varying charging voltage has a non-linear time dependency provided by V=V0±
k(t)t and Vmin≦
V≦
Vmax;
wherein V is the time varying charging voltage, t is time, V0 is an initial voltage, k(t) is a time dependent voltage rate, Vmin is a minimum voltage and Vmax is a maximum voltage.
Specification