US4689544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control of the charging of pressurized gas-metal electrical storage cells
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1985-10-17
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Granted: 1987-08-25
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Expires: 2005-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for controlling the charging of pressurized gas-metal cells such as nickel-hydrogen cells, to prevent detrimental overcharging, wherein the time rate of change of a battery gas pressure index is monitored as a control parameter. When the time rate of change of the index falls below a preselected value, charging is discontinued. The cell gas pressure index can be gas pressure itself, or a quantity which is responsive to, and depends upon gas pressure, such as the deformation of a cell component.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven J. Stadnick
- 👤 Howard H. Rogers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:33
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/34; H01M10/345; H01M10/42; H01M10/44; H01M10/445; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/90; H02J7/971; H02J7/973; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A storage cell charging controller for use with a pressurized gas-metal storage cell, comprising: means for determining the rate of change of a cell gas pressure index with time; and means for discontinuing the charging of the cell when the rate of change falls and remains below a preselected value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
A storage cell charging controller for use with a pressurized gas-metal storage cell, comprising: means for determining the rate of change of a cell gas pressure index with time; and means for discontinuing the charging of the cell when the rate of change falls and remains below a preselected value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein said cell is a nickel-hydrogen cell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein said means for determining includes: means for measuring the deformation of a component of the cell, and the deformation is the gas pressure index.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein said means for determining includes a strain gauge fastened to an external wall of the cell, and the voltage output of the strain gauge is the gas pressure index.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein said means for determining includes: means for measuring the gas pressure within the cell, and the gas pressure is the gas pressure index.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The controller of claim 1, wherein said means for discontinuing includes: means for calculating an averaged value of the rate of change of the cell gas pressure index.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The controller of claim 6, wherein said means for calculating comprises a digital computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A process for preventing the detrimental overcharging of a pressurized gas-metal cell being charged from a current source, comprising: determining the time rate of change of a cell gas pressure index; comparing the time rate of change with a preselected value; and discontinuing the charging of the cell when the time rate of change falls and remains below the preselected value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A process for preventing the detrimental overcharging of a pressurized gas-metal cell being charged from a current source, comprising: determining the time rate of change of a cell gas pressure index; comparing the time rate of change with a preselected value; and discontinuing the charging of the cell when the time rate of change falls and remains below the preselected value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 8, wherein said cell is a nickel-hydrogen cell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the cell pressure index is gas pressure within the cell.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the cell pressure index is deformation under pressure of a component of the cell.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the cell pressure index is the voltage output of a strain gauge fastened to an extenral wall of the cell.
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) | 1990-08-24 | 1991-02-23 | 1991-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-24 | 1995-02-23 | 1995-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-24 | 1999-02-23 | 1999-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |