US4401935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Charge control apparatus and method
Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries LP
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Filing: 1982-03-04
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Granted: 1983-08-30
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Expires: 2002-03-04
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for controlling the charging of an electrical energy storage device by an electrical energy source and controlling the discharging of the device through a load involve a relay actuable between a first condition coupling the storage device to the load and a second condition coupling the storage device to the source. When the electrical signal from the source reaches a preselected threshold level, the relay is actuated from the first condition to the second condition thereof for charging of the storage device by the signal. When the electrical signal generated by the storage device reaches a preselected charged level, the relay is reset from the second condition to the first condition to supply power to the load. In a preferred embodiment, an additional regulated source electrical signal may be applied to the storage device independently of the relay for float charging of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Yerkes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:46
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/34; H02J7/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
Apparatus for controlling the charging of a rechargeable electrical energy storage device which generates a storage device electrical signal, by an electrical energy source which generates a source electrical signal, and controlling the discharging of the device through a load, the source having a charging output terminal and the load having a load input terminal, comprising: relay means actuable between a first condition coupling the storage device to the input terminal of the load for application of the storage device electrical signal to the load, and a second condition coupling the storage device to the output terminal of the source for charging of the storage device by the source electrical signal; means for detecting a preselected threshold level of the source electrical signal; means for actuating the relay means from the first condition to the second condition in response to said preselected threshold level; and means for detecting a preselected charged level of the storage device electrical signal; said actuating means including means for resetting the relay means from the second condition to the first condition in response to said preselected charged level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
Apparatus for controlling the charging of a rechargeable electrical energy storage device which generates a storage device electrical signal, by an electrical energy source which generates a source electrical signal, and controlling the discharging of the device through a load, the source having a charging output terminal and the load having a load input terminal, comprising: relay means actuable between a first condition coupling the storage device to the input terminal of the load for application of the storage device electrical signal to the load, and a second condition coupling the storage device to the output terminal of the source for charging of the storage device by the source electrical signal; means for detecting a preselected threshold level of the source electrical signal; means for actuating the relay means from the first condition to the second condition in response to said preselected threshold level; and means for detecting a preselected charged level of the storage device electrical signal; said actuating means including means for resetting the relay means from the second condition to the first condition in response to said preselected charged level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein the storage device is connected directly to the output terminal of the source in the second condition of the relay means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein the electrical energy storage device comprises rechargeable battery means and the electrical energy source comprises solar panel means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus recited in claim 3 which further comprises means for regulating the source electrical signal to a preselected lower level and applying the regulated signal to the storage device independently of the relay means for float charging of the device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus recited in claim 4 wherein the regulating means comprises a series pass regulator connected to the storage device independently of the relay means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein the actuating means comprises flip-flop means acting through relay driver means, the flip-flop means being actuable between first and second flip-flop conditions corresponding to the first and second conditions of the relay means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus recited in claim 6 wherein the actuating means, the threshold level detecting means and the charged level detecting means comprise NAND gate arrangements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus recited in claim 3 wherein the charged level detecting means comprises zener diode means acting through comparator means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus recited in claim 3 which comprises means for coupling a second lower average load to the storage device independently of said relay means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
Method for automatically controlling the charging of a rechargeable electrical energy storage device which generates a storage device electrical signal, by an electrical energy source which generates a source electrical signal, and controlling the discharging of the device through a load, the source having a charging output terminal and the load having a load input terminal, comprising: alternately connecting the storage device either to the input terminal of the load for application of the storage device electrical signal to the load, or to the output terminal of the source for charging of the storage device by the source electrical signal, depending upon the levels of the source electrical signal and the storage device electrical signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
115 words
Method for automatically controlling the charging of a rechargeable electrical energy storage device which generates a storage device electrical signal, by an electrical energy source which generates a source electrical signal, and controlling the discharging of the device through a load, the source having a charging output terminal and the load having a load input terminal, comprising: alternately connecting the storage device either to the input terminal of the load for application of the storage device electrical signal to the load, or to the output terminal of the source for charging of the storage device by the source electrical signal, depending upon the levels of the source electrical signal and the storage device electrical signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
Method for automatically controlling the charging of a rechargeable electrical energy storage device which generates a storage device electrical signal, by an electrical energy source which generates a source electrical signal, and controlling the discharging of the device through a load, the source having a charging output terminal and the load having a load input terminal, comprising: detecting a preselected threshold level of the source electrical signal; breaking an electrical coupling of the storage device to the load and establishing an electrical coupling of the storage device to the source each time the source electrical signal passes above the preselected threshold level; detecting a preselected charged level of the storage device electrical signal; and breaking the coupling to the source and reestablishing the coupling to the load each time the storage device electrical signal reaches the preselected charged level; whereby alternate charging and discharging of the storage device is accomplished indefinitely.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
151 words
Method for automatically controlling the charging of a rechargeable electrical energy storage device which generates a storage device electrical signal, by an electrical energy source which generates a source electrical signal, and controlling the discharging of the device through a load, the source having a charging output terminal and the load having a load input terminal, comprising: detecting a preselected threshold level of the source electrical signal; breaking an electrical coupling of the storage device to the load and establishing an electrical coupling of the storage device to the source each time the source electrical signal passes above the preselected threshold level; detecting a preselected charged level of the storage device electrical signal; and breaking the coupling to the source and reestablishing the coupling to the load each time the storage device electrical signal reaches the preselected charged level; whereby alternate charging and discharging of the storage device is accomplished indefinitely.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method recited in claim 11 wherein the storage device is coupled directly to the output terminal of the source each time the source electrical signal passes above the preselected threshold level, and the electrical energy source comprises solar panel means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method recited in claim 12 which further comprises regulating the source electrical signal to a preselected lower level and applying the regulated signal to the storage device for float charging thereof when the storage device is coupled to the load.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method recited in claim 13 which further comprises coupling a second lower average load to the storage device, such that electrical power is available to the second load at all times.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3419779A
Cited
US3673485A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-29 | 1987-02-28 | 1987-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-29 | 1991-02-28 | 1991-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-29 | 1995-02-28 | 1995-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |