Multi-chemistry battery charging system and method of identifying and improved charging technique for primary and secondary dry-cell batteries
First Claim
1. Multi-chemistry battery charging system of identifying and improving charging technique for primary and secondary dry-cell batteries such as Alkaline or Titanium, and Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese (RAM), NiCd or NiMH, the system including;
- a. a battery charger constructed to accept a variety of different sizes and different chemistry types of single dry-cell batteries,b. a microprocessor for controlling the battery charger andc. having electronic circuitry that can identify different primary and secondary batteries inserted into the charger andd. applying an inherently appropriate preferred charge current and voltage to safely and properly charge up the batteries;
wherein switching circuits create charge current pulses at different frequencies to achieve the desired effects of slow, medium or fast charge rates suitable for recharging of the multi-chemistry primary and secondary dry-cell batteries within the same system.
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Abstract
A microprocessor controlled multi chemistry battery charging system and method for recharging primary and secondary batteries are disclosed. The charger has multiple battery holder bays with different recess levels to accept up to four batteries of different sizes and different chemistry types particularly Primary Alkaline, Primary Titanium, Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese (RAM), NiCd and NiMH batteries. The microprocessor controlled electronic circuit automatically identifies the type of battery to be charged by monitoring and comparing voltage responses over preset time by supplying constant charging current. Depending upon the type of battery, the charger controls suitable charging current or current pulses at different frequencies till battery voltage reaches preset maximum reference voltage or battery voltage remains relatively constant below preset maximum reference voltage over preset time period. The charger has built in safety protections, battery tester function, audio visual arrangements to display status, a variable DC output port and USB ports.
15 Citations
14 Claims
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1. Multi-chemistry battery charging system of identifying and improving charging technique for primary and secondary dry-cell batteries such as Alkaline or Titanium, and Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese (RAM), NiCd or NiMH, the system including;
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a. a battery charger constructed to accept a variety of different sizes and different chemistry types of single dry-cell batteries, b. a microprocessor for controlling the battery charger and c. having electronic circuitry that can identify different primary and secondary batteries inserted into the charger and d. applying an inherently appropriate preferred charge current and voltage to safely and properly charge up the batteries; wherein switching circuits create charge current pulses at different frequencies to achieve the desired effects of slow, medium or fast charge rates suitable for recharging of the multi-chemistry primary and secondary dry-cell batteries within the same system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Multi-chemistry battery charging system of identifying and improved charging technique for primary and secondary dry-cell batteries such as Alkaline or Titanium, and Rechargeable Alkaline Manganese (RAM), NiCd or NiMH including the steps of:
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a. Providing a battery charger with microprocessor controlled circuitry for pulsed charging of the multi-chemistry primary and secondary dry-cell batteries, b. performing a series of self tests and initialization routines at power up of the battery charger to ensure the whole system is functioning correctly and send out appropriate signals to inform the user of its status; c. the circuitry of the battery charger constantly sending out electrical signals to all charging terminals to sense for the presence of batteries across all available battery bays in the battery charger; d. upon a battery being detected as connected to the charger, i. firstly measuring the initial voltage of the battery and comparing it with a preset range of values and deciding if the battery is a new or fully charged primary alkaline battery; ii. if it is then promptly indicating the battery is fully charged and stopping any further processing of the said battery; and iii. if the required condition is not met, then applying a relatively constant test current of the order between 300 to 500 mA to the battery for a preset period and monitoring the rate of voltage change of the said battery, Wherein the electronic circuitry can identify different primary and secondary batteries inserted into the charger to allow application of an inherently appropriate preferred charge current and voltage to safely and properly charge up the batteries. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification