US4243928A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage regulator for variant light intensity photovoltaic recharging of secondary batteries
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
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Filing: 1979-05-29
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Granted: 1981-01-06
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Expires: 1999-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A simplified voltage regulator circuit permits varient light intensity photovoltaic recharging of secondary batteries. The regulator circuit electronically shunts serially connected regions of a photovoltaic recharger array to avoid overcharging during periods of high light intensity or full battery charge conditions. The regulator circuitry provides minimal series resistance to the photovoltaic array and requires nominal driving power. The photovoltaic array and the regulator circuitry may comprise discrete components or may share a common substrate body.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth Nazimek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:11
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/34; H02J7/35; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/56; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291; Y10S136/293; Y10S323/00; Y10S323/906
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A photovoltaic recharging system for voltage regulated charging of secondary batteries under substantially varying light illumination levels, said system comprising: at least one secondary battery; a recharger array comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in power supplying relation to said battery and interconnected in a manner providing at least four serially spaced voltage terminals defining at least three subarrays each subarray containing a predetermined number of serially connected photovoltaic cells; a blocking diode interposed between said recharger array; a switching device having a main current conduction path coupled in parallel with at least two of said subarrays and having at least one subarray coupled between a control terminal of said switching device which is connected to one of said voltage terminals and the main current conduction path of said switching device, said switching device being responsive to a photovoltage developed across said subarray whereupon attaining a predetermined voltage said switching device is rendered conductive, electrically disabling a voltage contribution to battery recharging by the subarrays coupled in parallel with said switching device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A photovoltaic recharging system for voltage regulated charging of secondary batteries under substantially varying light illumination levels, said system comprising: at least one secondary battery; a recharger array comprising a plurality of photovoltaic cells connected in power supplying relation to said battery and interconnected in a manner providing at least four serially spaced voltage terminals defining at least three subarrays each subarray containing a predetermined number of serially connected photovoltaic cells; a blocking diode interposed between said recharger array; a switching device having a main current conduction path coupled in parallel with at least two of said subarrays and having at least one subarray coupled between a control terminal of said switching device which is connected to one of said voltage terminals and the main current conduction path of said switching device, said switching device being responsive to a photovoltage developed across said subarray whereupon attaining a predetermined voltage said switching device is rendered conductive, electrically disabling a voltage contribution to battery recharging by the subarrays coupled in parallel with said switching device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The recharging system of claim 1 wherein the number of serially connected solar cells comprises at least one subarray not coupled in parallel relationship with the main current conduction path of said switching device is preselected to provide an open circuit photovoltage under a maximum anticipated illumination level about equal to a maximum battery recharging voltage plus a voltage required to initiate current conduction through said blocking diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The recharging system of claim 1 wherein the number of serially connected photovoltaic cells comprising said recharger array is determined by dividing a full charge voltage of said secondary battery plus a voltage required to initiate current conduction through said blocking diode by the voltage produced by an individual photovoltaic device at a roomlight illumination level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The recharging system of claim 1 wherein said voltage which renders the switching device conductive is further characterized as the photovoltage developed by the serially connected photovoltaic cells connected between the control terminal of said switching device and the main current conduction path of said switching device when the photovoltage of the entire recharger array is equal to a maximum battery charging voltage plus a voltage sufficient to initiate current conduction through the blocking diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The recharging system of claim 1 wherein said secondary battery comprises a lithium-titanium disulfide battery having a fully charged voltage of 2.1 and a maximum charging voltage of 2.6.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The recharging system of claim 1 wherein said photovoltaic cells comprise silicon solar cells characterized as having an open circuit voltage of about 0.5 volts when illuminated with sunlight having an intensity of about 100 mw/cm 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The recharger system set forth in claim 2 wherein said maximum anticipated illumination level is sunlight of an intensity about equal to 100 mw/cm 2 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The recharger system set forth in claims 6 or 7 wherein said recharger array comprises 10 serially connected silicon solar cells.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The recharger system set forth in claim 1 wherein said switching device comprises a silicon controlling rectifier.
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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) | 1984-01-06 | 1984-07-07 | 1985-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-06 | 1988-07-07 | 1989-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-06 | 1992-07-07 | 1993-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |