Device and method for pulse charging a battery and for driving other devices with a pulse

• US 6,677,730 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AI Technology Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AI Technology Group, Inc.
• Inventors: Bedini, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/032,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20030117111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 320/103, 320/124, 320/125, 320/129, 320/130, 320/139, 320/166
• US Class Current: 320/139
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/07 using capacitors charged and discharged alternately by semiconductor devices with control electrode , e.g. charge pumps

Abstract

A two-phase solid-state battery charger can receive input energy from a variety of sources including AC current, a battery, a DC generator, a DC-to-DC inverter, solar cells or any other compatible source of input energy. Phase I is the charge phase and phase II the discharge phase wherein a signal or current passes through a dual timing switch that controls independently two channels dividing the two phases. The dual timing switch is controlled by a logic chip or pulse width modulator. A potential charge is allowed to build up in a capacitor bank, the capacitor bank is then disconnected from the energy input source and then pulse charged at high voltage into the battery to receive the charge. The momentary disconnection of the capacitor from the input energy source allows for a free-floating potential charge in the capacitor. Once the capacitor has completed discharging the potential charge into the battery, the capacitor disconnects from the battery and re-connects to the energy source thus completing the two-phase cycle.

Claims

1. A solid-state pulse battery charger wherein input power from a primary source is stored as a potential charge in a capacitor bank, said capacitor bank then disconnected from said input power source through a dual timing means, said capacitor then connected to a battery to receive the potential charge, the charge then discharged into said battery from said capacitor, said battery then disconnected from said capacitor through said dual timing means, said capacitor then re-connected to said input power source completing a two phase switching cycle comprising:

a. a means for providing input power;

b. a means for timing a signal and a current flow in two phases, a charge phase and a discharge phase, through either a first channel output for charging said capacitor bank, or a second channel output for discharging stored energy from said capacitor into said battery, the current flowing from said first channel output through a first optical isolator and through a first NPN power transistor, said first transistor activating a first pair of N-channel MOSFETs with voltage stored as the potential charge in said capacitor bank, said capacitor disconnecting from said input power means by said timing means;

c. said means for timing current flow connecting to said second channel output, current flowing from said second channel through a second optical isolator and through a second NPN power transistor, said second transistor activating a second pair of N-channel MOSFETs, said capacitor connecting to said battery, the potential charge discharging into said battery, said timing means disconnecting said capacitor from said battery, and connecting said capacitor to said power means.

2. The pulse charger of claim 1 wherein the means for providing input power is an AC voltage current.

3. The pulse charger of claim 1 wherein the means for providing input power is a battery.

4. The pulse charger of claim 1 wherein the means for providing input power is a DC generator.

5. The pulse charger of claim 1 wherein the means for providing input power is an AC generator.

6. The pulse charger of claim 1 wherein the means for providing input power is a solar cell.

7. The pulse charger of claim 1 wherein the means for providing input power is a DC-to-DC inverter.

8. A method of making a solid-state pulse battery charger wherein input power from a primary source is stored as a potential charge in a capacitor bank, said capacitor disconnected from said input power source through a dual timing means, said capacitor connected to a battery to receive the potential charge, said charge discharged into said battery from said capacitor, said battery disconnected from said capacitor through said dual timing means, said capacitor reconnected to said input power source completing a two phase cycle comprising the steps of:

a. providing a source of input power;

b. connecting a means for dual-timing said charger to control a signal or current flow through a first channel output comprising a first optical isolator, a first NPN power transistor and a first pair of N-channel MOSFETs;

c. capturing energy from said current and storing said energy in said capacitor bank thereby charging said capacitor;

d. switching the flow of said current using said timing device to a second channel comprising a second optical isolator, a second NPN power transistor and a second pair of N-channel MOSFETs, thus disconnecting said capacitor from said power source and connecting said capacitor to said battery;

e. discharging the potential charge into said battery;

f. switching the flow of the current using said timing device to said power source and said first channel to complete said cycle.

9. The pulse charger of claim 8 wherein the means for providing input power is an AC voltage current.

10. The pulse charger of claim 8 wherein the means for providing input power is a battery.

11. The pulse charger of claim 8 wherein the means for providing input power is a DC generator.

12. The pulse charger of claim 8 wherein the means for providing input power is an AC generator.

13. The pulse charger of claim 8 wherein the means for providing input power is a solar cell.

14. The pulse charger of claim 8 wherein the means for providing input power is a DC-to-DC inverter.

15. A battery charger, comprising:

a supply node;

a charge node;

a charge-storage device; and

a switch circuit coupled to the supply and the charge nodes and the charge-storage device, the switch circuit operable to,

charge the charge-storage device and prohibit a battery-charge current from flowing into the charge node during a battery-rest period; and

allow the battery-charge current to flow from the charge-storage device into the charge node during a battery-charge period, and

prohibit the battery-charge current from flowing into the charge node during a battery-rest period.

16. The battery charger of claim 15, further comprising:

a capacitor coupled to the switch circuit; and

wherein the switch circuit is operable to,

allow the battery-charge current to from the capacitor into the charge node during the battery-charge period, and

charge the capacitor during the battery-rest period.

17. A method, comprising:

charging a battery during a first period of a charge cycle; and

accumulating charge in a charge-storage device and prohibiting the charging of the battery during a second period of the charge cycle.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein:

charging the battery comprises charging the battery with a charge current during the first period of the charge cycle; and

prohibiting the charging of the battery comprises prohibiting the charge current from flowing into the battery during the second period of the charge cycle.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein:

charging the battery comprises discharging the charge-storage device into the battery during the first period of the charge cycle; and

prohibiting the charging of the battery comprises uncoupling the charge-storage device from the battery during the second period of the charge cycle.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the charge-storage device comprises a capacitor.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the length of the second period is related to a level of charge accumulated in the charge-storage device.

22. A method, comprising:

discharging a charge-storage device into a battery during a first period of a battery-charge cycle; and

uncoupling the charge-storage device from the battery and charging the charge-storage device during a second period of the battery-charge cycle.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein uncoupling the charge-storage device comprises uncoupling the charge-storage device from the battery before commencing charging of the charge-storage device.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein uncoupling the charge-storage uncoupling the charge-storage device from the battery after commencing charging of the charge-storage device.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein uncoupling the charge-storage device comprises simultaneously uncoupling the charge-storage device from the battery and commencing charging of the charge-storage device.