US5646504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Magnetically balanced multi-output battery charging system
Assignee: Zincfive Power Inc
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Filing: 1994-04-15
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Granted: 1997-07-08
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Expires: 2014-04-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods for quickly and safely recharging and magnetically balancing a series of batteries or battery groups to their full charge capacity. The battery charging system includes a multi-output transformer having an impedance in the primary, a secondary with multiple outputs, and circuitry for charging each of the batteries or battery groups whereby the portion of charging current flowing from each of the multiple outputs to each of the batteries or battery groups relates inversely to the voltage of each of the batteries or battery groups.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Feldstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:35
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/50; H02J7/52; H02J7/56; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S320/00; Y10S320/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system for charging a string of batteries or battery groups serially connected at junctions to each other, comprising: a multi-output transformer having a primary and secondary with multiple secondary outputs, each of said multiple secondary outputs being connected to one of said string of batteries or battery groups; an impedance connected in series with said primary; and means for controlling both primary current flow through said primary and charging current flow through said secondary with multiple secondary outputs in response to the charge level of each of said string of batteries or battery groups whereby said charging current is a function of said impedance in said primary so that the portion of charging current flowing from each of said multiple secondary outputs to each of said string of batteries or battery groups relates inversely to the voltage across each of said string of batteries or battery groups.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system for charging a string of batteries or battery groups serially connected at junctions to each other, comprising: a multi-output transformer having a primary and secondary with multiple secondary outputs, each of said multiple secondary outputs being connected to one of said string of batteries or battery groups; an impedance connected in series with said primary; and means for controlling both primary current flow through said primary and charging current flow through said secondary with multiple secondary outputs in response to the charge level of each of said string of batteries or battery groups whereby said charging current is a function of said impedance in said primary so that the portion of charging current flowing from each of said multiple secondary outputs to each of said string of batteries or battery groups relates inversely to the voltage across each of said string of batteries or battery groups.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 1 wherein said impedance is a capacitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 1 wherein said impedance is an inductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 1 wherein said impedance is a resistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling charges each of said string of batteries or battery groups to full charge capacity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 5 wherein said means for controlling primary current flow through said primary is in response to the overall voltage across said string of batteries or battery groups.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 6 wherein said means for controlling primary current flow through said primary causes a walk-in charging current to be delivered to said string of batteries or battery groups whenever said overall voltage across said string of batteries or battery groups is at a first value corresponding to below about 70% of said string of batteries or battery groups full charge voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 7 wherein said walk-in charging current is delivered whenever said overall voltage across said string of batteries or battery groups is at a first value corresponding to below about 70% of said batteries full charge voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 8 wherein said walk-in charging current has a value of between about C/200 and C/5000.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 9 wherein said walk-in charging current has a value of between about C/400 and C/5000.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 7 wherein said means for controlling current flow through said primary causes a trickle current to be delivered to said string of batteries or battery groups whenever said overall voltage across said string of batteries or battery groups is at a second value above 100% of said batteries or battery groups full charge voltage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 11 wherein said trickle charging current has a value of between about C/500 and C/1000.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 11 wherein said means for controlling current flow through said primary causes a full charging current to be delivered to said string of batteries or battery groups whenever said overall voltage across said string of batteries or battery groups is at a third value corresponding to above said first value and below said second value of said string of batteries or battery groups full charge voltage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 13 wherein said full charging current has a value of between about C/50 and 3C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
The magnetically balanced, multi-output battery charging system of claim 1 wherein said means for charging each of said string of batteries or battery groups includes a control section for turning said current flow through said primary on and off to provide said full charging current in response to the overall voltage across said string of batteries or battery groups.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of charging a string of batteries or battery groups serially connected at junctions to each other, comprising the steps of: connecting each of said multiple outputs of a multi-output transformer having a primary with an impedance connected in series and a secondary with multiple secondary outputs each connected to one of said string of batteries or battery groups; and controlling both primary current flow through said of primary and charging current flow through said multiple secondary outputs in response to the charge level of each of said string of batteries or battery groups whereby said charging current is a function of said impedance in said primary so that the portion of charging current flowing from each of said multiple secondary outputs to each of said string of batteries or battery groups relates inversely to the voltage of each of said string of batteries or battery groups.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of charging a string of batteries or battery groups serially connected at junctions to each other, comprising the steps of: connecting each of said multiple outputs of a multi-output transformer having a primary with an impedance connected in series and a secondary with multiple secondary outputs each connected to one of said string of batteries or battery groups; and controlling both primary current flow through said of primary and charging current flow through said multiple secondary outputs in response to the charge level of each of said string of batteries or battery groups whereby said charging current is a function of said impedance in said primary so that the portion of charging current flowing from each of said multiple secondary outputs to each of said string of batteries or battery groups relates inversely to the voltage of each of said string of batteries or battery groups.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 further including the step of charging each of said string of batteries or battery groups to full charge capacity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17 further including the step of controlling current flow through said primary in response to the overall voltage across said string of batteries or battery groups.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 18 further including the step of controlling current through said primary to provide a walk-in charging current to said string of batteries or battery groups whenever said overall voltage across said string of batteries or battery groups is at a first value corresponding to below about 70% of said string of batteries or battery groups full charge voltage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19 further including the step of selecting said walk-in charging current having a value of between about C/200 and C/5000.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 19 further including the step of controlling current through said primary to provide a trickle charging current to said string of batteries or battery groups whenever said overall voltage across said string of batteries or battery groups is at a second value greater than 100% of said string of batteries or battery groups full charge capacity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 21 further including the step of selecting said trickle charging current having a value of between about C/500 and C/1000.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 21 further including the step of controlling current through said primary to provide a full charging current to said string of batteries or battery groups whenever said overall voltage across said string of batteries or battery groups is at a third value corresponding to above said first value and below said second value of said string of batteries or battery groups full charge capacity.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23 further including the step of selecting said full charging current having a value of between about C/50 and 3C.
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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) | 2000-07-07 | 2001-01-06 | 2001-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-07 | 2005-01-06 | 2005-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-07 | 2009-01-06 | 2009-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |