US3900784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Converter for battery charger
Assignee: Prestolite Electric Inc
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Filing: 1974-07-10
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1994-07-10
Abstract
Abstract In a vehicle having a main battery and a charger for such main battery, an improved converter for charging an auxiliary battery while such auxiliary battery is connected in series with the main battery. Power from the main battery and charger is applied through a multivibrator to a power transformer having a rectified output connected for charging the auxiliary battery. When the current to the transformer exceeds a predetermined level, the frequency of the multivibrator is dependent upon the charging current up to a maximum frequency which limits the maximum charging current. Below the predetermined current level, the charging current to the auxiliary battery decreases as the voltage across the auxiliary battery increases. The converter is cycled on and off in response to the voltage across the auxiliary battery when in a charged state. Hysteresis is provided in a voltage sensing circuit which cycles the converter off at a predetermined high voltage and on at a predetermined lower voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Helmut K Seike
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:21
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/14; H02J7/1423
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A converter for charging a battery from a direct current source comprising, in combination, a free running multivibrator having first and second periodic outputs, a transformer having primary and secondary windings, said primary winding having first and second winding portions, means for applying current from the source to said first primary portion during the first output from said multivibrator, means for applying current from the source to said second primary portion during the second output from said multivibrator, means for rectifying the output from said secondary winding to obtain a direct current for charging the battery, and means for increasing the operating frequency of said multivibrator as the output power from said transformer increases above a predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A converter for charging a battery from a direct current source comprising, in combination, a free running multivibrator having first and second periodic outputs, a transformer having primary and secondary windings, said primary winding having first and second winding portions, means for applying current from the source to said first primary portion during the first output from said multivibrator, means for applying current from the source to said second primary portion during the second output from said multivibrator, means for rectifying the output from said secondary winding to obtain a direct current for charging the battery, and means for increasing the operating frequency of said multivibrator as the output power from said transformer increases above a predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A converter for charging a battery from a direct current source, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said frequency increasing means includes means for sensing the current in said primary winding, and switch means responsive to said sensed current exceeding a predetermined level for causing said multivibrator output to change.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A converter for charging a battery from a direct current source, as set forth in claim 2, and including means responsive to an increase in the voltage across the battery when the output power from said transformer is below said predetermined level for decreasing the charging current to the battery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A converter for charging a battery from a direct current source, as set forth in claim 3, and further including means for sensing the voltage across the battery, and means for inhibiting current to said primary winding when the sensed battery voltage exceeds a predetermined high voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A converter for charging a battery from a direct current source, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said inhibiting means includes means for continuing to inhibit current to said primary winding after the sensed battery voltage exceeds such high voltage until the sensed battery voltage drops to a predetermined voltage lower than such high voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A converter for charging a battery from a direct current source, as set forth in claim 1, and including means responsive to an increase in the voltage across the battery when the output power from said transformer is below said predetermined level for decreasing the charging current to the battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
A converter for charging a battery from a direct current source, as set forth in claim 1, and further including means for sensing the voltage across the battery, and means for inhibiting current to said primary winding when the sensed battery voltage exceeds a predetermined high voltage, said inhibiting means including means for contiNuing to inhibit current to said primary winding after the sensed battery voltage exceeds such high voltage until the sensed battery voltage drops below a predetermined voltage lower than such high voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a vehicle including a main battery for operating an electrical system within the vehicle, a charger for the main battery operated from the vehicle''s engine and an auxiliary battery connected in series with the main battery for supplying a high voltage for starting the engine, a converter for charging the auxiliary battery comprising, in combination, a free running multivibrator having first and second periodic outputs, a transformer having primary and secondary windings, said primary winding having first and second winding portions, means for applying current from the main battery and charger to said first primary portion during the first output from said multivibrator, means for applying current from the main battery and charger to said second primary portion during the second output from said multivibrator, means for rectifying the output from said secondary winding to obtain a direct current for charging the auxiliary battery, and means for increasing the operating frequency of said multivibrator as the power from said transformer increases above a predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a vehicle including a main battery for operating an electrical system within the vehicle, a charger for the main battery operated from the vehicle''s engine and an auxiliary battery connected in series with the main battery for supplying a high voltage for starting the engine, a converter for charging the auxiliary battery comprising, in combination, a free running multivibrator having first and second periodic outputs, a transformer having primary and secondary windings, said primary winding having first and second winding portions, means for applying current from the main battery and charger to said first primary portion during the first output from said multivibrator, means for applying current from the main battery and charger to said second primary portion during the second output from said multivibrator, means for rectifying the output from said secondary winding to obtain a direct current for charging the auxiliary battery, and means for increasing the operating frequency of said multivibrator as the power from said transformer increases above a predetermined level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A converter for charging an auxiliary battery in a vehicle, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said frequency increasing means includes means for sensing the current in said primary winding, and switch means responsive to said sensed current exceeding a predetermined level for causing said multivibrator output to change.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A converter for changing an auxiliary battery in a vehicle, as set forth in claim 8, and including means responsive to an increase in the voltage across the auxiliary battery when the output power from said transformer is below said predetermined level for decreasing the charging current to the auxiliary battery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
A converter for charging an auxiliary battery in a vehicle, as set forth in claim 8, and further including means for sensing the voltage across the auxiliary battery, and means for inhibiting current to said primary winding when the sensed battery voltage exceeds a predetermined high voltage, said inhibiting means including means for continuing to inhibit current to said primary winding after the sensed auxiliary battery voltage exceeds such high voltage until the sensed auxiliary battery voltage drops below a predetermined voltage lower than such high voltage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |