Flux-coupled iron directed battery charger
First Claim
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1. A battery charger for charging at least one electric cell, comprising:
- a substantially u-shaped first iron-core material;
a substantially u-shaped second iron-core material magnetically coupled to the first iron-core material;
a primary transformer winding, having a first terminal and a second terminal, magnetically coupled to the first iron-core material and wound around the second iron-core material, for establishing magnetic flux through the first iron-core material in response to a varying voltage applied between the first and second terminalsa secondary transformer winding coupled to the first iron-core material having a first terminal and a second terminal for establishing a potential between the first terminal and said second terminal, in response to the magnetic flux flowing through the first iron-core material;
a rectifier coupled to the secondary transformer winding, for rectifying current flowing from the secondary transformer winding for charging of the electric cell;
control means coupled to the rectifier for controlling the amount of current flowing from the rectifier, whereby the amount of current flowing into the electric cell is substantially reduced when the electric cell is substantially charged;
a third transformer and winding coupled to said first iron core material for increasing the reluctance of the first iron-core material when the electric cell is substantially charged.
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Abstract
A flux-coupled, iron directed battery charger charges a battery while avoiding physical contact between the charger and the battery and uses a control circuit that substantially reduces the flow of charging current to the battery when said battery is fully or nearly fully charged.
45 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A battery charger for charging at least one electric cell, comprising:
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a substantially u-shaped first iron-core material; a substantially u-shaped second iron-core material magnetically coupled to the first iron-core material; a primary transformer winding, having a first terminal and a second terminal, magnetically coupled to the first iron-core material and wound around the second iron-core material, for establishing magnetic flux through the first iron-core material in response to a varying voltage applied between the first and second terminals a secondary transformer winding coupled to the first iron-core material having a first terminal and a second terminal for establishing a potential between the first terminal and said second terminal, in response to the magnetic flux flowing through the first iron-core material; a rectifier coupled to the secondary transformer winding, for rectifying current flowing from the secondary transformer winding for charging of the electric cell; control means coupled to the rectifier for controlling the amount of current flowing from the rectifier, whereby the amount of current flowing into the electric cell is substantially reduced when the electric cell is substantially charged; a third transformer and winding coupled to said first iron core material for increasing the reluctance of the first iron-core material when the electric cell is substantially charged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electric battery comprising:
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an electric cell; a housing for holding said electric cell; a substantially u-shaped iron-core material; a first secondary transformer winding coupled to the iron-core material having a first terminal and a second terminal for establishing a potential between the first terminal and the second terminal, in response to magnetic flux flowing through the iron-core material; a rectifier, coupled to the first secondary transformer winding and to the electric cell, for rectifying current flowing from the first secondary transformer winding for charging of the electric cell; a control means coupled to the rectifier for controlling the amount of current flowing from the rectifier for charging of the electric cell, whereby the amount of current flowing into the electric cell is substantially reduced when the electric cell is substantially charged; a second secondary transformer winding having first and second terminals the second secondary transformer being wound around the iron core material for increasing the reluctance of the iron-core material when the electric cell is substantially charged; and means for connecting the first terminal of the second transformer winding to the second terminal of the second transformer winding when the electric cell is substantially charged, thus increasing the reluctance of the iron-core material. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification