Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A charging system for a traction battery pack divided into a plurality of sub-packs comprising: means for charging the battery pack according to a predetermined charging cycle, the charging cycle having a plurality of phases, means for measuring the voltages of the individual sub-packs, means for selecting the sub-pack having the lowest voltage, means for determining the rate of rise of the voltage of said selected sub-pack, and means for determining when said rate of rise falls below a predetermined level, one of said phases of the charging cycle being terminated when said rate of rise falls below said predetermined level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A charging system for a traction battery pack divided into a plurality of sub-packs comprising: means for charging the battery pack according to a predetermined charging cycle, the charging cycle having a plurality of phases, means for measuring the voltages of the individual sub-packs, means for selecting the sub-pack having the lowest voltage, means for determining the rate of rise of the voltage of said selected sub-pack, and means for determining when said rate of rise falls below a predetermined level, one of said phases of the charging cycle being terminated when said rate of rise falls below said predetermined level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 1 in which each sub-pack comprises a plurality of cells connected in series.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 1 in which the system further includes means for determining the charge withdrawn from the battery during discharge, one of the phases of the charging cycle supplying the battery pack with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 1 in which the charging cycle includes a phase in which the battery is given a predetermined overcharge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 1 in which the charging cycle includes a phase in which the battery is given an equalising charge, this phase being executed at a frequency less than each re-charging cycle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A charing system as claimed in claim 1 in which the system includes means responsive to the temperature of the electrolyte of the battery pack, the voltage of the individual sub-packs being corrected in accordance with this temperature.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of charging a traction battery pack comprising: performing a predetermined charging cycle on the pack, the cycle having a plurality of phases, dividing the battery pack into a plurality of sub-packs, measuring the voltage of each individual sub-pack, selecting the sub-pack having the lowest voltage, dtermining the rate of rise of voltage of said selected sub-pack, and determining when said rate of rise falls below a predetermined level, one of said phases of the charging cycle being terminated when said rate of rise falls below said predetermined level.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of charging a traction battery pack comprising: performing a predetermined charging cycle on the pack, the cycle having a plurality of phases, dividing the battery pack into a plurality of sub-packs, measuring the voltage of each individual sub-pack, selecting the sub-pack having the lowest voltage, dtermining the rate of rise of voltage of said selected sub-pack, and determining when said rate of rise falls below a predetermined level, one of said phases of the charging cycle being terminated when said rate of rise falls below said predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 in which each sub-pack comprises a plurality of cells connected in series.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 further including determining the charge withdrawn from the battery pack during discharge, one of the phases of the charging cycle supplying the battery with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 in which the charging cycle includes a phase in which the battery is given a predetermined overcharge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 in which the charging cycle includes a phase in which the battery is given an equalising charge, this phase being executed at a frequency less than each recharging cycle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 further comprising measuring the temperature of the battery electrolyte and correcting the voltage measurements of the individual sub-packs in accordance with this temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
82 words
A charging system for a battery comprising: means responsive to the battery current during charging and discharging for obtaining a current value, means for integrating the current value with respect to time to obtain a charge withdrawn value, and means for charging the battery according to a predetermined cycle, said cycle including a phase in which the battery is supplied with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn, the current being varied during said phase in accordance with the charge withdrawn value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
A charging system for a battery comprising: means responsive to the battery current during charging and discharging for obtaining a current value, means for integrating the current value with respect to time to obtain a charge withdrawn value, and means for charging the battery according to a predetermined cycle, said cycle including a phase in which the battery is supplied with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn, the current being varied during said phase in accordance with the charge withdrawn value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A charging system according to claim 13 in which during charging the current value is adjusted in accordance with the charging efficiency.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
A charging system according to claim 13 in which the system includes means responsive to the battery voltage and in which said charging cycle includes a second phase which is terminated when the rate of rise of the battery voltage falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 15 in which the battery is divided into a plurality of sub-packs, said second phase being terminated when the rate of rise of voltage of the sub-pack having the lowest voltage falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A charging system as claimed in claim 15 in which the charging cycle includes a third phase in which the battery is given an overcharge.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of charging a battery comprising: measuring the battery current during charging and discharging to obtain a current value, integrating the current value with respect to time to obtain a charge withdrawn value, and charging the battery in accordance with a predetermined cycle including a phase in which the battery is supplied with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn value, the charge being varied during said phase in accordance with the charge withdrawn value.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of charging a battery comprising: measuring the battery current during charging and discharging to obtain a current value, integrating the current value with respect to time to obtain a charge withdrawn value, and charging the battery in accordance with a predetermined cycle including a phase in which the battery is supplied with a charge equivalent to the charge withdrawn value, the charge being varied during said phase in accordance with the charge withdrawn value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 in which during charging the current value is adjusted in accordance with the charging efficiency.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 in which the method includes measuring the battery voltage and in which said charging cycle includes a second phase which is terminated when the rate of rise of the battery voltage falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 20 in which the battery is divided into a plurality of sub-packs, said second phase being terminated when the rate of rise of the voltage of the sub-pack having the lowest voltage falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 20 in which the charging cycle includes a third phase in which the battery is given an overcharge.