Battery apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for use in conjunction with a battery including a pair of battery input terminals adapted to be connected to the respective positive and negative electrodes of the battery; a pair of output terminals adapted to be connected across a load device; and inverter means between said battery input and output terminals for producing an alternating signal of preselected frequency at said output terminals; a first lead for connecting said inverter means to one terminal of said pair of battery input terminals, a control terminal, a second lead for connecting said inverter means to said control terminal, and removable cable means for selectively connecting said control terminal to said other one of said pair of battery input terminals whereby said inverter means is energized by the battery through the circuit including said first and second leads and said cable means.

Claim 3

Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said cable means includes a load device socket connected to said pair of output terminals.

Claim 4

Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said cable means includes a selectively operable switch for connecting and disconnecting said control terminal and said other terminal of said pair of battery input terminals.

Claim 5

Apparatus as in claim 1, further including frequency test means for testing the frequency of the signal appearing at said pair of output terminals, said frequency test means comprising a pair of alternating source input terminals adapted to be connected to a source of alternating potential having said preselected frequency, and indicating means connected across said pair of output terminals and said pair of alternating source input terminals for indicating the equality of the frequency of the inverter signal at said pair of output terminals and the frequency of the signal applied to said pair of alternating source input terminals.

Claim 6

Apparatus as in claim 4, in which said indicating means comprises a lamp operable to produce a flickering light when said inverter signal at said pair of output terminals and the signal applied to said pair of alternating source input terminals are not of the same frequency, and a switch For selectively connecting said lamp across said pair of alternating source input terminals.

Claim 7

Apparatus as in claim 5, and frequency varying means on said oscillator for varying the frequency of said oscillator to equalize the frequencies of the inverter and the alternating source signals.

Claim 8

Apparatus as in claim 1, and a transformer having a first and a second winding, first connecting means for connecting said first winding across said inverter means so that the output signal of said inverter means is applied to said first winding, said second winding having a plurality of taps, lead means for connecting one end of said second winding to one of said pair of output terminals, and second connecting means for selectively and individually connecting said plurality of taps to the other of said pair of output terminals, whereby signals of different amplitude may be applied between said pair of output terminals.

Claim 9

Apparatus as in claim 7, and signal indicating means connected across said pair of output terminals for indicating the amplitude of the signal applied thereto.

Claim 10

Apparatus as in claim 7 and battery charging means connected to said pair of battery input terminals for charging a battery connected thereto, said battery charging means including rectifying means for producing a unidirectional potential adapted to be connected to said first winding by said first connecting means, a pair of alternating source input terminals adapted to be connected to an AC source, said second connecting means being operable to selectively connect said pair of altenating source input terminals to said second winding, and regulating means for regulating the value of the charging current in accordance with the potential of said battery.

Claim 11

Apparatus as in claim 9, in which said regulating means includes switch means having an input electrode, an output electrode and a control electrode for establishing a path for current flow between said input and output electrodes in response to a control signal applied to said control electrode; lead means connecting said rectifier means, said input and output electrodes of said switch means and said pair of battery input terminals in a series loop; impedance means connected between said control and gate electrodes; and control means for applying said control signal to said control electrode.

Claim 12

Apparatus as in claim 10, and unidirectional current conducting means connected between said control means and one of said battery input terminals polarized to prevent current flow from a battery connected between said battery input terminals and said control means in the absence of said control signal.

Claim 13

Apparatus as in claim 10, and a diode connected between said pair of battery input terminals polarized to conduct a current when a battery is connected between said pair of battery input terminals with a predetermined polarity, and fuse means connected in series with said battery charger and one of said pair of battery input terminals for opening the circuit therebetween in response to current flow through said diode.

Claim 14

Apparatus including battery charging means for charging the battery, said apparatus including a pair of battery terminals adapted to be connected individually to the respective electrodes of a battery, a pulse generator for producing a train of pulses, switching means connected between said pulse generator and said pair of terminals and having a control electrode for applying said train of pulses to said battery terminals in response to a control signal applied to said control electrode, voltage reference means for producing a reference signal, and control means connected with said battery terminals and responsive to the difference between said reference signal and the battery terminal voltage for producing said control signal and for applying said control signal to said control electrode whereby said control electrode controls the interval of operation of said switching means for each pulse in said pulse train, saId control means including a differential amplifier having a first input, a second input and an output lead means for connecting said output to said control electrode, said first input being connected to said reference means, and feedback means connected to said second input for applying a signal thereto proportional to the battery terminal voltage, a diode connecting said output with said control electrode and polarized to conduct when the signal at said amplifier output rises above the battery terminal voltage, said feedback means including a potentiometer connected between said diode and the other of said pair of battery terminals.

Claim 15

Apparatus including battery charging means for charging the battery, said apparatus including a pair of battery terminals adapted to be connected individually to the respective electrodes of a battery, a pulse generator for producing a train of pulses, switching means connected between said pulse generator and said pair of terminals and having a control electrode for applying said train of pulses to said battery terminals in response to a control signal applied to said control electrode, voltage reference means for producing a reference signal, and control means connected with said battery terminals and responsive to the difference between said reference signal and the battery terminal voltage for producing said control signal and for applying said control signal to said control electrode whereby said control electrode controls the interval of operation of said switching means for each pulse in said pulse train, saId control means including a differential amplifier having a first input, a second input and an output lead means for connecting said output to said control electrode, said first input being connected to said reference means, and feedback means connected to said second input for applying a signal thereto proportional to the battery terminal voltage, a diode connecting said output with said control electrode and polarized to conduct when the signal at said amplifier output rises above the battery terminal voltage, said feedback means including a potentiometer connected between said diode and the other of said pair of battery terminals.

Claim 16

Apparatus as in claim 13, in which said pulse generator comprises an unfiltered full wave bridge rectifier adapted to be connected to a source of AC energy.

Claim 17

Apparatus as in claim 13, and reversal protection means for preventing charging of the battery in the reverse direction, said protection means including unidirectional current conducting means for conducting current in response to a reversal of said battery, and disconnect means for disconnecting said switching means from said pair of battery terminals in response to current flow through said current conducting means.

Claim 18

Apparatus including battery charging means for charging a battery, said apparatus including a pair of battery terminals adapted to be connected individually to the respective electrodes of a battery, a pulse generator for producing a train of pulses, switching means connected between said pulse generator and said pair of terminals and having a control electrode for applying said train of pulses to said battery terminals in response to a control signal applied to said control electrode, voltage reference means for producing a reference signal, control means responsive to the difference between said reference signal and the battery terminal voltage for producing said control signal and for applying said control signal to said control electrode whereby said control signal controls the interval of operation of said switching means for each pulse in said pulse train, and a unidirectional current conducting means connected between one of said pair of battery terminals and said control means polarized to prevent current flow from said battery through said control means in the absence of said control signal.

Claim 19

Apparatus including battery charging means for charging a battery, said apparatus including a pair of battery terminals adapted to be connected individually to the respective electrodes of a battery, a pulse generator for producing a train of pulses, switching means connected between said pulse generator and said pair of terminals and having a control electrode for applying said train of pulses to said battery terminals in response to a control signal applied to said control electrode, voltage reference means for producing a reference signal, control means responsive to the difference between said reference signal and the battery terminal voltage for producing said control signal and for applying said control signal to said control electrode whereby said control signal controls the interval of operation of said switching means for each pulse in said pulse train, and a unidirectional current conducting means connected between one of said pair of battery terminals and said control means polarized to prevent current flow from said battery through said control means in the absence of said control signal.

Claim 20

Apparatus as in claim 13, in which said switching means includes a silicon controlled rectifier having an anode electrode connected to the positive terminal of said bridge rectifier, a cathode electrode connected to one of said battery terminals adapted to be connected to the positive electrode of the battery, and a gate electrode corresponding to said control electrode.

Claim 21

Apparatus as in claim 13, in which said reference means comprises a zener diode.

Claim 22

Apparatus as in claim 13, including a resistor connected in series with said feedback means and said second input for preventing excessive current flow.

Claim 23

Battery-operated apparatus having an inverter portion for producing an alternating potential and a charger portion for charging a battery comprising a pair of battery input terminals; a battery connected between said pair of battery input terminals; said charger portion including a pulse generator for producing a train of pulses, a switching device connected to said pulse generator and having a control electrode for applying said train of pulses to said battery in response to a control signal applied to said control electrode, voltage reference means for producing a reference signal, and control means responsive to the difference between said reference signal and said battery terminal voltage for producing said control signal and for applying said control signal to said control electrode to control the value of the charging current; said inverter portion including signal means for producing an alternating signal of preselected frequency, a pair of output terminals adapted to be connected to said inverter, switching means operabLe between a plurality of different positions for connecting said battery with said charger portion for a first position of said switching means and for connecting said battery to said inverter and providing a path between said inverter and said pair of output terminals for a second position of said switching means, said signal means including an energizing circuit having a lead connected to one terminal of said battery, control terminal, a second lead connecting said signal means to said control terminal, and removable cable means for connecting said control terminal to the other terminal of said battery.

Claim 24

Battery-operated apparatus having an inverter portion for producing an alternating potential and a charger portion for charging a battery comprising a pair of battery input terminals; a battery connected between said pair of battery input terminals; said charger portion including a pulse generator for producing a train of pulses, a switching device connected to said pulse generator and having a control electrode for applying said train of pulses to said battery in response to a control signal applied to said control electrode, voltage reference means for producing a reference signal, and control means responsive to the difference between said reference signal and said battery terminal voltage for producing said control signal and for applying said control signal to said control electrode to control the value of the charging current; said inverter portion including signal means for producing an alternating signal of preselected frequency, a pair of output terminals adapted to be connected to said inverter, switching means operabLe between a plurality of different positions for connecting said battery with said charger portion for a first position of said switching means and for connecting said battery to said inverter and providing a path between said inverter and said pair of output terminals for a second position of said switching means, said signal means including an energizing circuit having a lead connected to one terminal of said battery, control terminal, a second lead connecting said signal means to said control terminal, and removable cable means for connecting said control terminal to the other terminal of said battery.

Claim 25

Battery-operated apparatus having an inverter portion for producing an alternating potential and a charger portion for charging a battery comprising a pair of battery input terminals; a battery connected between said pair of battery input terminals; said charger portion including a pulse generator for producing a train of pulses, a switching device connected to said pulse generator and having a control electrode for applying said train of pulses to said battery in response to a control signal applied to said control electrode, voltage reference means for producing a reference signal, control means responsive to the difference between said reference signal and said battery terminal voltage for producing said control signal and for applying said control signal to said control electrode to control the value of the charging current; said inverter portion including an oscillator for producing an alternating signal of preselected frequency, a pair of output terminals adapted to be connected to said inverter, and switching means operable between a plurality of different positions for connecting said battery with said charger portion for a first position of said switching means and for connecting said battery to said inverter and providing a path between said inverter and said pair of output terminals for a second position of said switching means; and a transformer having a first and a second winding, means for connecting said first winding to said switching means whereby said switching means connects said first winding to said pulse generator when in said first position and to said inverter to receive the alternating signal when in said second position, a source of alternating potential, means for connecting said second winding to said switching means whereby said switching means connects said second winding with said source of alternating energy when in said first position and to said output terminals when in said second position, and a frequency test device, means for connecting said frequency test device with said switching means whereby said frequency test device is connected across said output terminals for said second position of said switching means and across said source of alternating energy for said first position of said switching means, said alternating energy source having said preselected frequency, and connect means for selectively connecting said alternating energy source to said frequency test device when said switching means is in said second position, said frequency test device including indicating means for indicating the equality of the frequencies of said inverter alternating signal and the signal from said alternating energy source.

Claim 26

Battery-operated apparatus having an inverter portion for producing an alternating potential and a charger portion for charging a battery comprising a pair of battery input terminals; a battery connected between said pair of battery input terminals; said charger portion including a pulse generator for producing a train of pulses, a switching device connected to said pulse generator and having a control electrode for applying said train of pulses to said battery in response to a control signal applied to said control electrode, voltage reference means for producing a reference signal, control means responsive to the difference between said reference signal and said battery terminal voltage for producing said control signal and for applying said control signal to said control electrode to control the value of the charging current; said inverter portion including an oscillator for producing an alternating signal of preselected frequency, a pair of output terminals adapted to be connected to said inverter, and switching means operable between a plurality of different positions for connecting said battery with said charger portion for a first position of said switching means and for connecting said battery to said inverter and providing a path between said inverter and said pair of output terminals for a second position of said switching means; and a transformer having a first and a second winding, means for connecting said first winding to said switching means whereby said switching means connects said first winding to said pulse generator when in said first position and to said inverter to receive the alternating signal when in said second position, a source of alternating potential, means for connecting said second winding to said switching means whereby said switching means connects said second winding with said source of alternating energy when in said first position and to said output terminals when in said second position, and a frequency test device, means for connecting said frequency test device with said switching means whereby said frequency test device is connected across said output terminals for said second position of said switching means and across said source of alternating energy for said first position of said switching means, said alternating energy source having said preselected frequency, and connect means for selectively connecting said alternating energy source to said frequency test device when said switching means is in said second position, said frequency test device including indicating means for indicating the equality of the frequencies of said inverter alternating signal and the signal from said alternating energy source.

Claim 27

Battery-operated apparatus as in claim 21, in which said oscillator includes frequency varying means to vary the frequency of said oscillator to produce a signal of said preselected frequency.