Device for indicating the fully charged state of a battery

• US 4,642,600 A
• Filed: 04/02/1985
• Issued: 02/10/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: VB Autobatterie GmbH
• Original Assignee: Varta Batterie AG (Michael Tojner, PhD, LLD)
• Inventors: Schulz, Jurgen, Rabenstein, Heinrich, Gummelt, Klaus, Salamon, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldberg, E. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/718,808
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 338/34, 320/35, 320/36, 320/46, 320/48, 429/86, 429/91
• US Class Current: 338/34
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/379 for lead-acid batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/387 Determining ampere-hour charge capacity or SoC
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/52 Removing gases inside the secondary cell, e.g. by absorption vent plugs or other mechanical arrangements for facilitating escape of gases H01M50/30
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00719 in response to degree of gas development in the battery
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/21 State of charge of battery

Abstract

The temperature rise associated with the catalytic recombination of battery gases at the end of the charging process is converted into an electrical signal suitable for checking and controlling charging, in a temperature-sensitive component such as a commercially available NTC or PTC resistor coated with a PTFE-bound palladium-activated carbon mixture. An additional activated carbon layer protects the catalyst from poisoning by the stibine present in the battery gases.

Claims

1. A device for indicating the fully charged state of a storage battery, especially a lead-acid storage battery, by determining the temperature of a recombination catalyst, comprising a temperature-sensitive electronic component whose surface is provided at least partially with catalyst material, and is adapted for exposure to the battery gases, wherein the catalyst material is covered with an antimony-adsorbing layer.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic component is a temperature-sensitive resistor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a mixture of carbon and palladium.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the antimony-adsorbing layer is comprised of activated carbon.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic component is coated with a nonconducting material at least in the region of the contacts of the electronic component.

6. A device for indicating the fully charged state of a storage battery, especially a lead-acid storage battery, by determining the temperature of a recombination catalyst, comprising a temperature-sensitive electronic component whose surface is provided at least partially with catalyst material which is comprised of a mixture of carbon and palladium, and is adapted for exposure to the battery gases.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the electronic component is a temperature-sensitive resistor.