US5543701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical storage cell polarization controller
Assignee: Nytell Software LLC
•
Filing: 1993-11-09
•
Granted: 1996-08-06
•
Expires: 2013-11-09
Abstract
Abstract In order to extend the useful life of electrical storage battery cells under float voltage charge it is advisable to maintain the polarization of the positive plates of the cell relative to a reference electrode in the cell at a predetermined level. This invention provides a sensing and controller circuit which drains minute amounts of current from the positive cell plates when the polarization rises above the desired level and thereby prevents plate corrosion and loss of electrolyte. The present invention may be combined with a circuit for increasing cell polarization levels to provide a system for maintaining battery cells at optimum polarization levels over extended float charging periods.
Inventors
- 👤 Chiu F. Leung
- 👤 Thomas D. O'Sullivan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:31
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/50; H02J7/52; H02J7/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of extending the useful life of an electrical storage cell which comprises biasing the polarization potential of the positive cell electrode, when compared to a reference electrode in contact with the electrolyte of said cell and having a similar chemical composition as that of said positive electrode, toward the range of about 40 to 80 millivolts characterized in that said polarization potential biasing is effected by draining from said positive electrode an amount of current up to about 50 milliamps per kiloamp-hour of battery rating in generally direct proportion to polarization potentials above about 60 millivolts.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of extending the useful life of an electrical storage cell which comprises biasing the polarization potential of the positive cell electrode, when compared to a reference electrode in contact with the electrolyte of said cell and having a similar chemical composition as that of said positive electrode, toward the range of about 40 to 80 millivolts characterized in that said polarization potential biasing is effected by draining from said positive electrode an amount of current up to about 50 milliamps per kiloamp-hour of battery rating in generally direct proportion to polarization potentials above about 60 millivolts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said cell is a lead-acid battery cell in circuit with a source of float charge voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method according to claim 2 which comprises: a) measuring the polarization of the positive electrode of said cell with respect to a reference electrode in contact with the electrolyte of said cell and having a similar chemical composition as that of said positive electrode; and b) draining from said positive electrode an amount of current up to about 50 milliamps per kiloamp-hour of battery rating in generally direct proportion to polarizations above about 60 millivolts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said float charge voltage is about 2.2 VDC and said draining of current from said positive electrode is substantially in accordance with the following table: ______________________________________
Polarization Polarization
Voltage Current
mV ma/kA-hr
______________________________________
100 -52.5
90 -43.5
80 -34.5
70 -25.5
60 -16.5
50 0.
______________________________________
.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for extending the useful life of an electrical storage battery cell in circuit with a source of float charge voltage which comprises a reference electrode in contact with the electrolyte of said cell and having a similar chemical composition as that of the positive electrode of said cell, and controller means for biasing the polarization of said positive electrode with respect to said reference electrode toward the range of about 40 to 80 millivolts characterized in that said controller means comprises: a) means for comparing the polarization potential of said positive electrode with that of said reference electrode; and b) means responsive to the magnitude of said potential for draining from said positive electrode an amount of current up to about 50 milliamps per kiloamp-hour of battery rating in generally direct proportion to polarizations above about 60 millivolts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for extending the useful life of an electrical storage battery cell in circuit with a source of float charge voltage which comprises a reference electrode in contact with the electrolyte of said cell and having a similar chemical composition as that of the positive electrode of said cell, and controller means for biasing the polarization of said positive electrode with respect to said reference electrode toward the range of about 40 to 80 millivolts characterized in that said controller means comprises: a) means for comparing the polarization potential of said positive electrode with that of said reference electrode; and b) means responsive to the magnitude of said potential for draining from said positive electrode an amount of current up to about 50 milliamps per kiloamp-hour of battery rating in generally direct proportion to polarizations above about 60 millivolts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 characterized in that said means for draining said current comprises: a) gate means for metering current flow from said positive electrode; and b) means responsive to said polarization potential for controlling said gate means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said cell is a lead-acid battery cell and said float charge voltage is about 2.2 VDC characterized in that said gate controlling means is arranged to effect said drain of current from said positive electrode substantially in accordance with the following table: ______________________________________
Polarization Polarization
Voltage Current
mV ma/kA-hr
______________________________________
100 -52.5
90 -43.5
80 -34.5
70 -25.5
60 -16.5
50 0.
______________________________________
.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized in that said controller means further comprises means responsive to the magnitude of said potential for applying to said positive electrode an amount of current up to about 50 milliamps per kiloamp-hour of battery rating in generally inverse proportion to polarizations below about 60 millivolts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized in that said means for applying said current comprises: a) second gate means for metering current flow to said positive electrode; and b) second means responsive to said polarization potential for controlling said second gate means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said cell is a lead-acid battery cell and said float charge voltage is about 2.2 VDC characterized in that said gate controlling means are arranged to respectively effect said current flow at said positive electrode substantially in accordance with the following table: ______________________________________
Polarization Polarization
Voltage Current
mV ma/kA-hr
______________________________________
100 -52.5
90 -43.5
80 -34.5
70 -25.5
60 -16.5
50 0
40 +10
30 +20
20 +30
10 +40
0 +50.
______________________________________
.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US4935688A
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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) | 1999-08-06 | 2000-02-05 | 2000-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-06 | 2004-02-05 | 2004-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-06 | 2008-02-05 | 2008-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |