Patent US5028860A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5028860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Battery charge apparatus controlled by detecting charge current with constant charge voltage
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1990-01-10
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Granted: 1991-07-02
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Expires: 2010-01-10
Abstract
Abstract A nonaqueous secondary battery is charged by a constant voltage. The charging current decreases with time, and, when it becomes smaller than a predetermined reference value, the charging is controlled either by terminating the charging current or by setting it at a very low value.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsutoshi Amano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:53
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/90; H02J7/94; H02J7/947; G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/165; G01R19/16533; G01R19/16538; G01R19/16542; H02J7/80; H02J7/82; H02J7/825
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for charging a battery, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a constant voltage and applying it to a nonaqueous, organic electrolyte, lithium secondary battery for generating a charging current therein, said charging current decreasing rapidly as a function of time from an initial maximum current to a stable, low level of charging current substantially equal to 10% of said initial maximum current; a detecting circuit responsive to said charging current for generating a control signal when said charging current becomes smaller than a reference value substantially equal to said stable, low level of charging current; and means responsive to the control signal for controlling said charging current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for charging a battery, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a constant voltage and applying it to a nonaqueous, organic electrolyte, lithium secondary battery for generating a charging current therein, said charging current decreasing rapidly as a function of time from an initial maximum current to a stable, low level of charging current substantially equal to 10% of said initial maximum current; a detecting circuit responsive to said charging current for generating a control signal when said charging current becomes smaller than a reference value substantially equal to said stable, low level of charging current; and means responsive to the control signal for controlling said charging current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the controlling of said charging current is effected by terminating said charging current.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the controlling of said charging current is effected by setting said charging current at a very low value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for charging a battery, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a constant voltage and applying it to a nonaqueous, organic electrolyte, lithium secondary battery for generating a charging current therein, said lithium secondary battery having a charging current characteristic that rapidly decreases from an initial maximum level before reaching a stable low level that is substantially equal to 10% of said initial maximum level; a detecting circuit connected to said means for generating a constant voltage for detecting said charging current; and an electronic switch connected between said detecting circuit and said secondary battery which is turned OFF by an output signal of said detecting circuit when a value of said charging current becomes smaller than a predetermined value substantially equal to said stable low level of charging current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
130 words
Apparatus for charging a battery, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a constant voltage and applying it to a nonaqueous, organic electrolyte, lithium secondary battery for generating a charging current therein, said lithium secondary battery having a charging current characteristic that rapidly decreases from an initial maximum level before reaching a stable low level that is substantially equal to 10% of said initial maximum level; a detecting circuit connected to said means for generating a constant voltage for detecting said charging current; and an electronic switch connected between said detecting circuit and said secondary battery which is turned OFF by an output signal of said detecting circuit when a value of said charging current becomes smaller than a predetermined value substantially equal to said stable low level of charging current.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to any of claims 1-4 wherein said predetermined value is selected to correspond to a value of said charging current at the end of the charging.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to any of claim 1-4 wherein said means for generating a constant voltage comprises an alternating current source, a rectifying circuit and a voltage regulator.
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) | 1994-07-01 | 1994-12-31 | 1995-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-01 | 1998-12-31 | 1999-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-01 | 2002-12-31 | 2003-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |