US3609502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High frequency battery charger employing an inverter
Assignee: Mcculloch Corp
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Filing: 1969-07-24
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A charger designed to be within a specified weight limitation employs a method and circuit for rapid-charging which circuit employs an inverter for changing a direct current voltage to an alternating-current voltage having a substantially square wave form and a relatively high frequency in the order of 10,000 Hertz, and a rectifying circuit connected to the output of the inverter, for changing the high frequency alternating-current voltage to direct-current voltage for application to the battery to be charged. At least one unilateral impedance element is in the current path through the rectifying circuit with the element briefly providing a discharge path for the battery at the end of each period of forward conduction through the element.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilford B Burkett
- 👤 John H Bigbee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:26
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/325; H02M3/335; H02M3/338; H02M3/3385; H02M3/3387; H02M3/3388; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/90; H02J7/927; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery comprising: converting direct-current voltage from a source to an alternating-current voltage, rectifying the alternating-current voltage and applying the pulsating rectified voltage to a battery through a transmission means having a continuously operable, electrical connection and switch means, and discharging the battery through the switch means every time the alternating-current voltage drops below the battery voltage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery comprising: converting direct-current voltage from a source to an alternating-current voltage, rectifying the alternating-current voltage and applying the pulsating rectified voltage to a battery through a transmission means having a continuously operable, electrical connection and switch means, and discharging the battery through the switch means every time the alternating-current voltage drops below the battery voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising removing the direct-current voltage in response to a function of said battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising sampling the quiescent battery voltage as an integral function of battery terminal voltage and reducing the current through the battery in response to the attainment of a predetermined quiescent battery voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
A rapid battery-charging circuit comprising at least one source means for supplying direct-current voltage, at least one inverter circuit for changing the direct-current voltage to an alternating-current voltage, means for rectifying the alternating-current voltage, said rectifying means including at least one unilateral impedance element having a recovery time such that said element remains conductive for an interval after the alternating-current voltage decreases to less than the battery terminal voltage to provide a discharge path for the battery being charged, and transmission means operable to transmit the direct-current pulses from said rectifying means to a battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A rapid battery-charging circuit comprising at least one source means for supplying direct-current voltage, at least one inverter circuit for changing the direct-current voltage to an alternating-current voltage, means for rectifying the alternating-current voltage, said rectifying means including at least one unilateral impedance element having a recovery time such that said element remains conductive for an interval after the alternating-current voltage decreases to less than the battery terminal voltage to provide a discharge path for the battery being charged, and transmission means operable to transmit the direct-current pulses from said rectifying means to a battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A battery-charging circuit in accordance with claim 4 further comprising means responsive to a predetermined battery terminal voltage for removing the voltage from said source means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A battery-charging circuit in accordance with claim 4 further comprising means responsive to a predetermined quiescent battery voltage for terminating the rapid-charging of the battery, and means for simultaneously removing the voltage from said source means and applying at least a portion of the quiescent battery voltage to said terminating means as an integral function of battery terminal voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A battery-charging circuit in accordance with claim 4 wherein said transmission means includes at least one switch means further comprising means responsive to a predetermined quiescent battery voltage for terminating the rapid charging of a battery, and means responsive to an integral function of battery terminal voltage for simultaneously inhibiting the switch means in said transmission means and applying at least a portion of the quiescent battery voltage to said terminating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
A battery-charging circuit in accordance with claim 4 further comprising means responsive to a predetermined quiescent battery voltage for terminating the rapid charging of the battery being charged, means for generating a first battery-function-responsive control signal, and circuit means responsive to said control signal for simultaneously inhibiting the application of charging current to a battery through said transmission means and applying at least a portion of the quiescent battery voltage to said terminating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A battery-charging circuit in accordance with claim 8 wherein said signal generating means includes capacitor means for integrating a current related to battery terminal voltage with respect to time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A battery-charging circuit in accordance with claim 4 further comprising means for synchronizing the operation of two inverter circuits.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A battery-charging circuit in accordance with claim 10 further including switch means for selectively connecting two source means either in parallel or in series.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
A battery-charging circuit in accordance with claim 4 wherein said inverter circuit includes a saturable transformer having at least two windings, one winding being connected for controlling the timing of the inverter, and further comprising means responsive to a predetermined quiescent battery voltage connected to the second winding on said transformer for saturating said transformer and inhibiting the operation of said inverter, and means for applying a portion of the quiescent battery voltage to said saturating means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery comprising the steps of applying a pulsating direct-current signal to a battery through a continuously operable switch; and reversing the direction of current flow through the battery and the switch between the application of pulses of the direct-current signal to the battery.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery comprising the steps of applying a pulsating direct-current signal to a battery through a continuously operable switch; and reversing the direction of current flow through the battery and the switch between the application of pulses of the direct-current signal to the battery.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the pulses of the direct-current signal have a substantially vertical trailing edge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the pulsating direct-current signal is generated by periodically inverting a direct-current signal to provide an alternating-current signal and thereafter rectifying the alternating-current signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 13 including the steps of sensing a condition of the battery and inhibiting the application of the pulsating DC signal to the battery in response to the attainment of a predetermined value of the condition sensed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the current through the battery and the switch is reversed responsively to the relative amplitude of the individual pulses in the pulsating direct-current signal and the voltage of the battery.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery comprising: the steps of applying a pulsating direct-current signal to a battery through a continuously operable switch; and reversing the direction of current flow through the battery and the switch in response to the relative amplitude of the pulses in the pulsating direct-current signal and the voltage of the battery.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery comprising: the steps of applying a pulsating direct-current signal to a battery through a continuously operable switch; and reversing the direction of current flow through the battery and the switch in response to the relative amplitude of the pulses in the pulsating direct-current signal and the voltage of the battery.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
100 words
A rapid-charge circuit for a battery comprising means for generating an alternating-current voltage having a peak value in excess of the terminal voltage of the battery to be charged; means for rectifying the alternating-current voltage, said rectifying means including at least one switch means having a recovery time such that said switch means remains conductive for an interval after the alternating-current voltage decreases to less than the battery terminal voltage to provide a discharge path for the battery being charged; and transmission means operable to transmit the direct current pulse from said rectifying means to the battery to be charged.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
100 words
A rapid-charge circuit for a battery comprising means for generating an alternating-current voltage having a peak value in excess of the terminal voltage of the battery to be charged; means for rectifying the alternating-current voltage, said rectifying means including at least one switch means having a recovery time such that said switch means remains conductive for an interval after the alternating-current voltage decreases to less than the battery terminal voltage to provide a discharge path for the battery being charged; and transmission means operable to transmit the direct current pulse from said rectifying means to the battery to be charged.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rapid-charge circuit in accordance with claim 19 further including means for sensing a condition of the battery being charged and means for inhibiting the transmission of direct-current pulses to the battery in response to the attainment of a predetermined condition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |