US5808447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries
Assignee: Godo Kaisha IP Bridge 1
•
Filing: 1997-02-12
•
Granted: 1998-09-15
•
Expires: 2017-02-12
Abstract
Abstract This charging method repeatedly charges and suspends charging to pulse charge a rechargeable battery. Open circuit battery voltage is measured during periods of suspended charging and charging is resumed when the measured voltage drops below a specified voltage. When the period of suspended charging is longer than a specified time, open circuit battery voltage is compared to a minimum voltage. When the open circuit battery voltage is greater than the minimum voltage and the period of suspended charging is longer than the specified time, the battery is considered fully charged. When the open circuit battery voltage is less than the minimum voltage, even though the period of suspended charging is longer than the specified time, the battery is assumed to be removed from the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomohisa Hagino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:07
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/60; H02J7/685; H02J7/90; H02J7/927; H02J7/96
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries which repeatedly charges and suspends charging, wherein open circuit battery voltage is measured during periods of suspended charging, charging is resumed when the measured open circuit voltage drops below a specified voltage, and the rechargeable battery is assumed fully charged and charging is ended when the period of suspended charging becomes longer than a specified time; and characterized in that open circuit battery voltage is compared to a minimum voltage when the period of suspended charging is longer than the specified time, the rechargeable battery is judged to be fully charged when open circuit battery voltage is greater than the minimum voltage and the period of suspended charging is longer than the specified time, and the rechargeable battery is assumed to be removed when open circuit battery voltage is less than the minimum voltage even when the period of suspended charging is longer than the specified time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries which repeatedly charges and suspends charging, wherein open circuit battery voltage is measured during periods of suspended charging, charging is resumed when the measured open circuit voltage drops below a specified voltage, and the rechargeable battery is assumed fully charged and charging is ended when the period of suspended charging becomes longer than a specified time; and characterized in that open circuit battery voltage is compared to a minimum voltage when the period of suspended charging is longer than the specified time, the rechargeable battery is judged to be fully charged when open circuit battery voltage is greater than the minimum voltage and the period of suspended charging is longer than the specified time, and the rechargeable battery is assumed to be removed when open circuit battery voltage is less than the minimum voltage even when the period of suspended charging is longer than the specified time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries as recited in claim 1 wherein the rechargeable battery protection circuit performs the switching to repeatedly charge and suspend charging based on open circuit battery voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries as recited in claim 1 wherein the rechargeable battery is a lithium ion rechargeable battery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries as recited in claim 1 wherein the rechargeable battery is a nickel cadmium rechargeable battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries as recited in claim 1 wherein the rechargeable battery is a nickel hydrogen rechargeable battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries as recited in claim 1 wherein trickle charging is performed for a set time period prior to rechargeable battery charging.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries as recited in claim 6 wherein trickle charging is performed for a set time period prior to rechargeable battery charging, and the voltage of the trickle charged battery is measured to determine if the battery is defective.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries as recited in claim 1 wherein a total pulse charging time is set, and charging is ended if this set time expires.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries as recited in claim 1 wherein rechargeable battery charging current is measured at periodic intervals to determine suspended charging time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pulse charging method for rechargeable batteries as recited in claim 1 wherein a counter is started when charging current drops below a specified current, to determine suspended charging time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4056764A
Cited
US4736150A
Cited
JPH02119539A
Cited
US5291117A
Cited
US5606240A
Cited
US5442274A
Cited
JPH06113474A
Cited
US5684386A
Cited
JPH097641A
Cited
JPH09233726A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-03-16 | 2002-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-14 | 2006-03-16 | 2006-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-14 | 2010-03-16 | 2010-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |