Method and apparatus for improving cycle-life and capacity of a battery pack
First Claim
1. In a charging system supplying a source voltage and a source current to a plurality of battery cells, a method comprising the steps of:
- determining a capacity for each of the plurality of battery cells;
determining a desired cutoff current for a select one of the plurality of battery cells having the smallest capacity;
determining an optimal source cutoff current according to the capacity of the select one of the plurality of battery cells;
adjusting the source current according to the optimal source cutoff current; and
upon the source current reaching the optimal source cutoff current, periodically applying the source current to the plurality of cells.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A charging system (108) supplies a source voltage (Vco, FIG. 5) and a source current (Ico, FIG. 5) to a plurality of battery cells (110). The charging system operates according to a method (200) including the steps of determining (202) a capacity for each of the plurality of battery cells (120 and 130), determining (204) a desired cutoff current (Ico1, FIG. 5) for a select one of the plurality of battery cells (120) having the smallest capacity, determining (206) an optimal source cutoff current according to the capacity of the select one of the plurality of battery cells, adjusting (208) the source current according to the optimal source cutoff current, and periodically applying (209) the source current after reaching the optimal source cutoff current.
8 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a charging system supplying a source voltage and a source current to a plurality of battery cells, a method comprising the steps of:
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determining a capacity for each of the plurality of battery cells;
determining a desired cutoff current for a select one of the plurality of battery cells having the smallest capacity;
determining an optimal source cutoff current according to the capacity of the select one of the plurality of battery cells;
adjusting the source current according to the optimal source cutoff current; and
upon the source current reaching the optimal source cutoff current, periodically applying the source current to the plurality of cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device, comprising:
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a plurality of battery cells; and
a charging system for supplying a source voltage and a source current to the plurality of battery cells, wherein the charging system is programmed to;
determine a capacity for each of the plurality of battery cells;
determine a desired cutoff current for a select one of the plurality of battery cells having the smallest capacity;
determine an optimal source cutoff current according to the capacity of the select one of the plurality of battery cells;
adjust the source current according to the optimal source cutoff current; and
upon the source current reaching the optimal source cutoff current, periodically applying the source current to the plurality of cells. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A SCR (Selective Call Radio), comprising:
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a battery pack having plurality of battery cells for supplying power to the SCR;
a charging system for supplying a source voltage and a source current to the plurality of battery cells;
a wireless transceiver for exchanging messages with a radio communication system;
a memory for storing and processing data; and
a processor for controlling the components of the SCR, wherein charging system under control of the processor is programmed to;
determine a capacity for each of the plurality of battery cells;
determine a desired cutoff current for a select one of the plurality of battery cells having the smallest capacity;
determine an optimal source cutoff current according to the capacity of the select one of the plurality of battery cells;
adjust the source current according to the optimal source cutoff current; and
upon the source current reaching the optimal source cutoff current, periodically applying the source current to the plurality of the cells. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification