Detector for rapid charging and method

• US 6,229,285 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2000
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Original Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation (University System of Georgia)
• Inventors: Ding, Yi
• Primary Examiner(s): TIBBITS, PIA FLORENCE
• Assistant Examiner(s): Toatley, Jr., Gregory J
• Application Number:
  US09/543,275
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• Field of Search: 320/132, 320/139, 324/427, 324/432, 324/433
• US Class Current: 320/132
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00041 in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00711 with introduction of pulses during the charging process
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Detectors and methods for rapid charging each provide efficient recharging of batteries of various types and ratings. During the charging process, the detector preferably monitors battery state of charge (SOC) and/or battery charge acceptance (BCA) in order to select appropriate waveforms for the charging signal. The charging signal may be a pulse width and amplitude modulated current, voltage or power waveform with the amplitude and pulse width of each charging pulse being selected based upon the detected battery SOC and/or BCA.

Claims

1. A method for charging a battery, comprising the steps of:

generating a first discharge pulse;

applying said first discharge pulse to a battery;

determining, based upon battery response to said first discharge pulse, at least one of the group consisting of;

state of charge of the battery and battery charge acceptance of the battery;

generating a first charging pulse group based upon the state of charge of the battery or the battery charge acceptance of the battery; and

applying said first charging pulse group to the battery.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

generating a second discharge pulse;

applying said second discharge pulse to the battery;

determining, based upon battery response to said second discharge pulse, at least one of the group consisting of;

state of charge of the battery and battery charge acceptance of the battery;

generating a second charging pulse group based upon the state of charge of the battery or the battery charge acceptance of the battery; and

applying said second charging pulse group to the battery.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying said first charging pulse group comprises sequentially applying additional ones of said first charging pulse group to the battery if the state of charge of the battery or the battery charge acceptance of the battery is less than a first predetermined level.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of applying said second charging pulse group comprises applying said second charging pulse group to the battery if the state of charge of the battery or the battery charge acceptance of the battery is at least equal to said first predetermined level.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining comprises measuring a first voltage of the battery and, after a delay, measuring a second voltage of the battery.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said first predetermined level is between approximately 45% and approximately 85% of maximum state of charge of the battery.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each pulse of said first charging pulse group has an amplitude of between approximately 0.003 C to approximately 20.0 C.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining comprises comparing said first voltage and said second voltage.

9. A battery charger for charging a battery comprising:

a pulse generator configured to generate a first discharge pulse and to apply said first discharge pulse to the battery;

a detector configured to determine at least one of the group consisting of;

state of charge of the battery and battery charge acceptance of the battery based upon battery response to said first discharge pulse;

said pulse generator being further configured to generate a first charging pulse group corresponding to said at least one of said group such that battery charge is increased.

10. The battery charger of claim 9, wherein said pulse generator is configured to generate a second discharge pulse and to apply said second discharge pulse to the battery, said detector is configured to determine at least one of the group consisting of state of:

charge of the battery and battery charge acceptance of the battery based upon battery response to said second discharge pulse, and wherein said pulse generator is further configured to generate a second charging pulse group corresponding to said at least one of said group such that battery charge is increased.

11. The battery charger of claim 9, wherein said pulse generator is configured to generate additional ones of said first charging pulse group and to sequentially apply said additional ones of said first charging pulse group to the battery if the state of charge of the battery or the battery charge acceptance of the battery is less than a first predetermined level.

12. The battery charger of claim 9, wherein said detector is configured to determine said at least one of the group by measuring a first voltage of the battery and, after a delay, measuring a second voltage of the battery.

13. A battery charger for charging a battery comprising:

means for generating a first discharge pulse;

means for applying said first discharge pulse to the battery;

means for determining at least one of the group consisting of;

state of charge of the battery and battery charge acceptance of the battery based upon battery response to said first discharge pulse;

said means for generating being further configured to generate a first charging pulse group corresponding to said at least one of said group such that battery charge is increased.

14. The battery charger of claim 13, wherein said means for determining comprises means for measuring a first voltage of the battery and, after a delay, measuring a second voltage of the battery.