US4084124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for conditioning of nickel-cadmium batteries
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1976-11-24
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Granted: 1978-04-11
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Expires: 1996-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for reconditioning batteries utilizing a DC-DC converter. During a discharge of the batteries, each cell is monitored by the converter. When the voltage of a cell decreases to a predetermined level, a converter will assume the load of this cell and inhibit the voltage from reaching zero, thereby preventing voltage reversal of that cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Kapustka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; H01M10/441; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/875; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/325; H02M3/335; H02M3/337; H02M3/3372; H02J2207/00; H02J2207/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for reconditioning a battery, having a plurality of cells, connected to an energy source comprising the steps of: connecting across each cell a means for assuming the load of each cell when the voltage of each cell is reduced to a predetermined value; removing the battery from the energy source; placing a load across the battery; allowing the cells of the battery to discharge until all of the cells have reached said predetermined value; removing said load from across the battery; and recharging the battery.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for reconditioning a battery, having a plurality of cells, connected to an energy source comprising the steps of: connecting across each cell a means for assuming the load of each cell when the voltage of each cell is reduced to a predetermined value; removing the battery from the energy source; placing a load across the battery; allowing the cells of the battery to discharge until all of the cells have reached said predetermined value; removing said load from across the battery; and recharging the battery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method for reconditioning a battery according to claim 1 wherein a DC-DC converter is utilized in said connecting step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for reconditioning the battery according to claim 2 further including the step of monitoring the input current of the DC-DC converter to properly determine the correct time to remove the battery from its energy source for initiating the reconditioning process.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for reconditioning a battery, having a plurality of cells, connected to an energy source comprising the steps of: connecting across each cell a means for assuming the load of each cell when the voltage of each cell is reduced to a predetermined value; removing the battery from the energy source; placing a load across the battery; allowing the cells of the battery to discharge for a predetermined period of time; removing said load from across the battery; and recharging the battery.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for reconditioning a battery, having a plurality of cells, connected to an energy source comprising the steps of: connecting across each cell a means for assuming the load of each cell when the voltage of each cell is reduced to a predetermined value; removing the battery from the energy source; placing a load across the battery; allowing the cells of the battery to discharge for a predetermined period of time; removing said load from across the battery; and recharging the battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method for reconditioning a battery according to claim 4 wherein a DC-DC converter is utilized in said connecting step.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for reconditioning a battery according to claim 5 further including the steps of monitoring the input current of the DC-DC converter to properly determine the correct time to remove the battery from its energy source for initiating the reconditioning process.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
103 words
A device for reconditioning a battery having a plurality of cells comprising: monitoring means containing a plurality of outputs, one output placed in parallel with a single cell of the battery, for sensing the voltage of each of the cells; a control relay placed across all of the cells of the battery; a load resistor placed in series with said relay whereby each of the outputs of said monitoring means senses the voltage of each cell and if the voltage of each cell reaches a predetermined value, said monitoring means assumes the load thus preventing the voltage in each cell from becoming zero.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
103 words
A device for reconditioning a battery having a plurality of cells comprising: monitoring means containing a plurality of outputs, one output placed in parallel with a single cell of the battery, for sensing the voltage of each of the cells; a control relay placed across all of the cells of the battery; a load resistor placed in series with said relay whereby each of the outputs of said monitoring means senses the voltage of each cell and if the voltage of each cell reaches a predetermined value, said monitoring means assumes the load thus preventing the voltage in each cell from becoming zero.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device for reconditioning a battery according to claim 7 wherein said monitoring means is a DC-DC converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device for reconditioning a battery according to claim 7 further including a means for sensing the input current of said monitoring means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device for reconditioning a battery according to claim 7 further including a transformer for converting the input voltage of said monitoring means to the level and number of outputs required for the battery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 7 wherein the battery is of the nickel-cadmium type.
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) | 1981-04-10 | 1981-10-10 | 1982-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-10 | 1985-10-10 | 1986-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-10 | 1989-10-10 | 1990-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |