US4052656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery charging system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-14
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Granted: 1977-10-04
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Expires: 1995-08-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for charging storage batteries by continuously sensing particular battery parameters and controlling the charging current in response thereto to charge a single battery, or a string of batteries. The batteries are charged in a charging cycle including a high charging current stage, a controlled charge tapering stage, and a finishing current stage so that the batteries are charged in as short a time as possible without injuring the batteries regardless of their age or condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Maurice Lavell
- 👤 Donald P. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:53
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/90; H02J7/96; H02J7/963; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of charging a battery comprising the steps of: sensing the charging current and terminal voltage of the battery, charging said battery with a relatively high and substantially constant current during a high current stage until said terminal voltage rises relatively rapidly indicating a transition phase; tapering the charging current from the relatively high value to a pedetermined finishing current in a taper current stage, said tapering being at a rate which causes continual rise in said terminal voltage of said battery during said tapering; monitoring the total charge delivered to said battery during said high and taper current stages; further charging said battery with said finishing current for a time period based upon said total charge and thereafter terminating said charging of said battery.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of charging a battery comprising the steps of: sensing the charging current and terminal voltage of the battery, charging said battery with a relatively high and substantially constant current during a high current stage until said terminal voltage rises relatively rapidly indicating a transition phase; tapering the charging current from the relatively high value to a pedetermined finishing current in a taper current stage, said tapering being at a rate which causes continual rise in said terminal voltage of said battery during said tapering; monitoring the total charge delivered to said battery during said high and taper current stages; further charging said battery with said finishing current for a time period based upon said total charge and thereafter terminating said charging of said battery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of charging a battery defined in claim 2 including the step of: decreasing said relatively high current at a very slight slope compared to the slope of said taper current during said high current stage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 2 wherein: said finishing current is of a value sufficient to continue charging a battery in poor condition but insufficient to damage a battery in good condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of charging a battery defined in claim 3 including the step of: decreasing said relatively high current at a very slight slope compared to the slope of said taper current during said high current stage.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of charging a battery comprising the steps of: monitoring the terminal voltage of the battery; charging said battery with a relatively high and substantially constant current until said terminal voltage rises relatively rapidly in a transition phase; further charging said battery during said transition phase with a taper charge current from said high current to a finishing current value, the current tapering being at a rate which causes the continued rise in said terminal voltage of said battery; estimating the amount of charge delivered to said battery during said high and taper current stages from said terminal voltage and the time period of said high current and taper current stages; and further charging said battery with said finishing current value for a time period based upon said estimated charge delivered to said battery.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of charging a battery comprising the steps of: monitoring the terminal voltage of the battery; charging said battery with a relatively high and substantially constant current until said terminal voltage rises relatively rapidly in a transition phase; further charging said battery during said transition phase with a taper charge current from said high current to a finishing current value, the current tapering being at a rate which causes the continued rise in said terminal voltage of said battery; estimating the amount of charge delivered to said battery during said high and taper current stages from said terminal voltage and the time period of said high current and taper current stages; and further charging said battery with said finishing current value for a time period based upon said estimated charge delivered to said battery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein: said estimating step includes applying a plating voltage to an electroplating cell which is proportional to said terminal voltage during said high and taper current stages; and said further charging step includes applying a predetermined deplating voltage to said electroplating cell, said finishing current being terminated when said cell is deplated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method defined in claim 6 further including the steps of: monitoring the charging current delivered to said battery; and substantially smoothing said charging current during said high current stage utilizing the sensed circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method defined in claim 6 wherein: said estimating step includes applying a plating voltage to an electroplating cell which is proportional to said terminal voltage during said high and taper current stages; and said further charging step includes applying a predetermined deplating voltage to said electroplating cell, said finishing current being terminated when said cell is deplated.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of charging a battery with a battery charger comprising the steps of: monitoring the terminal voltage of said battery; delivering a first high charging current in a high current stage to said battery when the value of said terminal voltage indicates that said battery is substantially discharged, said first high charging current being delivered to said battery until said terminal voltage rises relatively rapidly indicating a transition phase; tapering the charging current from said first high charging current to a predetermined finishing current in a taper current stage, the tapering current being at a preset rate permitting continued charging of said battery during said taper current stages; estimating the amount of charge delivered to said battery during said high and taper current stages from said terminal voltage and the time period of said high and taper current stages; and further charging said battery with said finishing current for a second time period upon said estimated charge delivered to said battery.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of charging a battery with a battery charger comprising the steps of: monitoring the terminal voltage of said battery; delivering a first high charging current in a high current stage to said battery when the value of said terminal voltage indicates that said battery is substantially discharged, said first high charging current being delivered to said battery until said terminal voltage rises relatively rapidly indicating a transition phase; tapering the charging current from said first high charging current to a predetermined finishing current in a taper current stage, the tapering current being at a preset rate permitting continued charging of said battery during said taper current stages; estimating the amount of charge delivered to said battery during said high and taper current stages from said terminal voltage and the time period of said high and taper current stages; and further charging said battery with said finishing current for a second time period upon said estimated charge delivered to said battery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method defined in claim 9 wherein: said estimating step includes applying a plating voltage to an electroplating cell which is proportional to said terminal voltage during said high and taper current stages; and said further charging step includes applying a predetermined deplating voltage to said electroplating cell, said finishing current being terminated when said cell is deplated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of charging a battery defined in claim 10 including the step of: decreasing said relatively high current at a very slight slope compared to the slope of said taper current during said high current stage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
159 words
A battery-charging system comprising: means for monitoring the terminal voltage of said battery; means for delivering a first high charging current in a high current stage to said battery when the value of said terminal voltage indicates that said battery is substantially discharged, said first high charging current being delivered to said battery until said terminal voltage rises relatively rapidly indicating a transition phase; means for tapering said first high charging current to a predetermined finishing current in a taper current stage, the tapering current being at a preset rate permitting continued charging of said battery during said taper current stage; means for estimating the amount of charge delivered to said battery, during said high and taper current stages, from said terminal voltage and the time period of said high and taper current stages; and means for further charging said battery with said finishing current for a second time period based upon said estimated charges delivered to said battery.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
159 words
A battery-charging system comprising: means for monitoring the terminal voltage of said battery; means for delivering a first high charging current in a high current stage to said battery when the value of said terminal voltage indicates that said battery is substantially discharged, said first high charging current being delivered to said battery until said terminal voltage rises relatively rapidly indicating a transition phase; means for tapering said first high charging current to a predetermined finishing current in a taper current stage, the tapering current being at a preset rate permitting continued charging of said battery during said taper current stage; means for estimating the amount of charge delivered to said battery, during said high and taper current stages, from said terminal voltage and the time period of said high and taper current stages; and means for further charging said battery with said finishing current for a second time period based upon said estimated charges delivered to said battery.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
The battery-charging system defined in claim 12 wherein: said means for estimating includes an electroplating cell which is plated during said high and taper currentstages with a plating voltage which is proportional to said terminal voltage; and said means for further charging includes means for applying a predetermined deplating voltage to said electroplating cell, said finishing current being terminated when said cell is deplated.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
8 words
The battery-charging system defined in claim 13 including:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
means for monitoring the charging current delivered to said battery; and means connected to said current-monitoring means for substantially smoothing said charging current during said high current stage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
means for monitoring the charging current delivered to said battery; and means connected to said current-monitoring means for substantially smoothing said charging current during said high current stage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The battery charging system defined in claim 12 including: means for monitoring the charging current delivered to said battery; and means connected to said current-monitoring means for substantially smoothing said charging current during said high current stage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The battery-charging system defined in claim 12 including: means for gradually decreasing the relatively high value charging current at a very slight slope compared to the slope of said taper current during said high current stage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The battery-charging system defined in claim 12 wherein said finishing current is sufficient to continue charging of a battery of poor condition but insufficient to cause damage to a battery in good condition.
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) | 1980-10-03 | 1981-04-04 | 1981-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-03 | 1985-04-04 | 1985-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-03 | 1989-04-04 | 1989-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |