SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING BATTERIES

• US 20090206796A1
• Filed: 03/31/2009
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schumacher Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Schumacher Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Johnson, Thomas Finis, Pacholok, David R., Chen, Xiao Ping
• Granted Patent: US 7,808,211 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/145
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

A high frequency battery charger includes a converter, drive logic, and control logic. The converter transforms a DC voltage into a high frequency AC voltage. The drive logic controls a conversion of the high frequency AC voltage through a train of pulses. The control logic adjusts the output of the converter to maximize a charging cycle of a battery. The method of transforming an AC input into a direct current output used to charge a rechargeable battery includes transforming an AC input into a first DC output; transforming the first DC output into a high frequency AC output; transforming the high frequency AC output into a second DC output; and passing a charging current to an external load when the load is correctly connected to an output.

Claims

1-34. -34. (canceled)

35. A method of transforming an AC input into a direct current output used to charge a rechargeable battery comprising:

transforming an AC input into a first DC output;

transforming the first DC output into a high frequency AC output;

transforming the high frequency AC output into a second DC output; and

passing a charging current to a load only when the load is correctly connected to an output of a charging connector.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the act of transforming the first DC input into a high frequency AC output comprises actuating a plurality switches coupled to a primary of a high frequency transformer.

37. The method of claim 35 further comprising the act of monitoring the charging current with a processor.

38. The method of claim 35 further comprising the act of providing a spark resistance when a load is connected in a reverse polarity.

39. The method of claim 35 wherein the act of passing the charging current comprises passing the charging current onto a battery only when the charging current is below a predetermined threshold.

40. The method of claim 35 wherein the charging current comprises a pulsating current.

41-43. -43. (canceled)