Patent US3614583A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3614583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Rapid charging of batteries
Assignee: Mcculloch Corp
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Filing: 1969-10-20
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1989-10-20
Abstract
Abstract Batteries, having one or more cells, are charged by applying a charging current, either continuous direct current or pulsating direct current, having an average value during flow in excess of the nominal 1 hour rate of the cells as rated by the manufacturer. The batteries are intermittently discharged to depolarize the battery to enhance the chargeability of the battery. This discharging is at a rate also in excess of the nominal 1 hour rate, with the occurrence of the discharging being dependent upon the occurrence of a selected value of either battery terminal voltage, battery pressure, or battery temperature, one of which is monitored.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilford B Burkett
- 👤 Robert V Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:55
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/90; H02J7/927; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current at the maximum possible rate permitted by the size, structure, and materials of the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, pressure and temperature of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; interrupting the charging current in response to the occurrence of a critical valve in the sensed parameter; depolarizing the electrodes of the battery by discharging at a high rate and repeating the above steps.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current at the maximum possible rate permitted by the size, structure, and materials of the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, pressure and temperature of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; interrupting the charging current in response to the occurrence of a critical valve in the sensed parameter; depolarizing the electrodes of the battery by discharging at a high rate and repeating the above steps.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, pressure and temperature of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; applying a discharge path in response to the occurrence of a selected value in the sensed parameter; and repeating the above steps to effect charging.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, pressure and temperature of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; applying a discharge path in response to the occurrence of a selected value in the sensed parameter; and repeating the above steps to effect charging.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current at a rate in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, pressure and temperature of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; discharging the battery in response to the occurrence of a selected value in the sensed parameter; and repeating the above steps to effect charging.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current at a rate in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, pressure and temperature of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; discharging the battery in response to the occurrence of a selected value in the sensed parameter; and repeating the above steps to effect charging.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein the sensed parameter is the battery terminal voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the terminal voltage on open circuit is sensed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the terminal voltage while the charge current is applied is sensed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current at a rate in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, pressure and temperature of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; depolarizing the battery in response to the occurrence of a selected value in the sensed parameter; and repeating the above steps to effect charging.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current at a rate in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, pressure and temperature of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; depolarizing the battery in response to the occurrence of a selected value in the sensed parameter; and repeating the above steps to effect charging.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current in excess of the nominal one-hour rate of the cells of the battery and intermittently interrupting the application of charging current and discharging at a high rate with the interruptions and discharging becoming more frequent with time.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current in excess of the nominal one-hour rate of the cells of the battery and intermittently interrupting the application of charging current and discharging at a high rate with the interruptions and discharging becoming more frequent with time.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells to impose an increasing charge on the battery comprising the steps of applying a charging current in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery and intermittently discharging at a rate in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate with the discharging becoming more frequent with time.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells to impose an increasing charge on the battery comprising the steps of applying a charging current in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery and intermittently discharging at a rate in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate with the discharging becoming more frequent with time.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery to attain an increasing charge on the battery; and effecting said charging with charge current exceeding the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells battery.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery to attain an increasing charge on the battery; and effecting said charging with charge current exceeding the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells battery.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery to attain an increasing charge on the battery and effecting said charging with charge current in excess of five times the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery to attain an increasing charge on the battery and effecting said charging with charge current in excess of five times the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery to attain an increasing charge on the battery and effecting said charging with charge current in excess of five times the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery to attain an increasing charge on the battery and effecting said charging with charge current in excess of five times the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to its effective capacity and effecting said charging with charge current exceeding the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
49 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to its effective capacity and effecting said charging with charge current exceeding the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to at least 95 percent of its effective capacity and effecting said charging with charge current exceeding the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to at least 95 percent of its effective capacity and effecting said charging with charge current exceeding the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to its effective capacity effecting said charging with charge current in excess of twice the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery
Claim 27
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to its effective capacity effecting said charging with charge current in excess of twice the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery
Claim 28
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to its effective capacity and effecting said charging with charge current in excess of five tiMes the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to its effective capacity and effecting said charging with charge current in excess of five tiMes the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to at least 95 percent of its effective capacity and effecting said charging with charge current in excess of twice the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to at least 95 percent of its effective capacity and effecting said charging with charge current in excess of twice the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to at least 95 percent of its effective capacity and effecting said charging with charge current in excess of five times the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of rapidly charging a battery having one or more cells comprising the steps of alternately charging and discharging a battery until the battery is charged to at least 95 percent of its effective capacity and effecting said charging with charge current in excess of five times the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for rapid charging a battery having one or more cells comprising a direct current source for supplying charging current in excess of the nominal one-hour rate of the cells of the battery coupled to a battery to be charged, means connected across the battery for sensing the terminal voltage, means connected between the source and the battery responsive to the sensing means for intermittently interrupting the charging current to the battery for limited intervals of time, and means for intermittently discharging the battery during said interval of time.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for rapid charging a battery having one or more cells comprising a direct current source for supplying charging current in excess of the nominal one-hour rate of the cells of the battery coupled to a battery to be charged, means connected across the battery for sensing the terminal voltage, means connected between the source and the battery responsive to the sensing means for intermittently interrupting the charging current to the battery for limited intervals of time, and means for intermittently discharging the battery during said interval of time.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus for rapid charging a battery in accordance with claim 19 wherein the apparatus includes a load, and means responsive to said terminal voltage sensing means for simultaneously interrupting charging current and applying said load across the battery.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus for rapid charging a battery in accordance with claim 19 wherein the apparatus includes a load, and means responsive to said terminal voltage-sensing means for simultaneously interrupting charging current and applying said load across said battery and for simultaneously reapplying charging current and removing the load after a selected period of time.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus for rapid charging a battery in accordance with claim 19 wherein the apparatus includes a load and means for selectively applying the load across said battery.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for rapid charging a battery having one or more cells comprising a direct current source for supplying charging current in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery coupled to the battery to be charged, means associated with the battery for sensing the change in one of the parameters of the battery that varies during the application of charging current, and means responsive to the sensing means for applying a discharge path across the battery for an interval of time.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for rapid charging a battery having one or more cells comprising a direct current source for supplying charging current in excess of the nominal 1-hour rate of the cells of the battery coupled to the battery to be charged, means associated with the battery for sensing the change in one of the parameters of the battery that varies during the application of charging current, and means responsive to the sensing means for applying a discharge path across the battery for an interval of time.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 23 wherein the direct current source comprises an alternating current source and at least one rectifier connected across the output of the alternating current source to produce a pulsating direct current voltage/
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
A battery-charging circuit comprising a source of charging current greater than the nominal 1-hour rate of a battery; a load; and circuit means for alternately connecting said source and said load to said battery to impose on an increasing charge on said battery.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
43 words
A battery-charging circuit comprising a source of charging current greater than the nominal 1-hour rate of a battery; a load; and circuit means for alternately connecting said source and said load to said battery to impose on an increasing charge on said battery.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current to the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, temperature, and pressure of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; and intermittently, in response to the attainment of a selected value of the sensed parameter, depolarizing the battery by reversing the current through the battery.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current to the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, temperature, and pressure of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; and intermittently, in response to the attainment of a selected value of the sensed parameter, depolarizing the battery by reversing the current through the battery.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cells of the battery are sealed cells.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cells of the battery are nickel cadmium cells.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cells of the battery are alkaline cells.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charGing current to the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, temperature, and pressure of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; and intermittently, in response to the attainment of a selected value of the sensed parameter, depolarizing the battery by reversing the current through the battery for a selected period of time.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charGing current to the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, temperature, and pressure of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; and intermittently, in response to the attainment of a selected value of the sensed parameter, depolarizing the battery by reversing the current through the battery for a selected period of time.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current to the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, pressure, and temperature of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; and intermittently, in response to the attainment of a selected value of the sensed parameter, removing the detrimental polarization effects of charging by reversing the current through the battery.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
71 words
A method of charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying a charging current to the battery whereby the parameters of terminal voltage, pressure, and temperature of the battery change; sensing the change in one of the parameters; and intermittently, in response to the attainment of a selected value of the sensed parameter, removing the detrimental polarization effects of charging by reversing the current through the battery.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying charging current pulses having a first repetition rate and applying a discharge path to the battery between charge pulses at a second repetition rate that is less than the first rate.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of applying charging current pulses having a first repetition rate and applying a discharge path to the battery between charge pulses at a second repetition rate that is less than the first rate.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of charging the battery with direct current pulses at a first repetition rate and polarizing the battery between charging current pulses at a second repetition rate that is less than the first rate.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of rapid charging batteries having one or more cells comprising the steps of charging the battery with direct current pulses at a first repetition rate and polarizing the battery between charging current pulses at a second repetition rate that is less than the first rate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |