US5969505A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Charging system for charging capacitors of a capacitor bank
Assignee: NANTONG JIANGHAI CAPACITOR Co Ltd
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Filing: 1997-12-05
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Granted: 1999-10-19
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Expires: 2017-12-05
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an apparatus for efficiently charging a capacitor bank consisting of capacitors connected in series. The apparatus needs parallel monitors of a small maximum rating though the capacitors are charged quickly with a large charging current from a charger. The monitors bypass the charging current at voltages exceeding a preset voltage. The state of charge of the bank is detected. If certain conditions are satisfied (e.g., the terminal voltage of the bank exceeds a preset value, at least one of the monitors is turned on, or the terminal voltage of at least one of the capacitors exceeds a preset value), a charging control circuit reduces the charging current. This current is gradually reduced. Immediately before the bank is fully charged, the charging current is reduced greatly or in a stepwise fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Michio Okamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:13
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J7/00; H02J7/34; H02J7/345; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B40/00; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y02E60/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for controllably charging a bank of capacitors connected in series with a charging current, said apparatus comprising: a charger for charging said capacitor bank and for controlling a charging current; parallel monitors connected in parallel with each capacitor, which detect terminal voltages developed across each capacitor and bypass said charging current at voltages in excess of a preset value; a detection means for detecting a voltage developed across said capacitor bank; and a charging control means which compares the detected voltage of said capacitor bank with a reference value for reduction and controls said charger to reduce said charging current when the detected voltage of said capacitor bank reaches the reference value for reduction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for controllably charging a bank of capacitors connected in series with a charging current, said apparatus comprising: a charger for charging said capacitor bank and for controlling a charging current; parallel monitors connected in parallel with each capacitor, which detect terminal voltages developed across each capacitor and bypass said charging current at voltages in excess of a preset value; a detection means for detecting a voltage developed across said capacitor bank; and a charging control means which compares the detected voltage of said capacitor bank with a reference value for reduction and controls said charger to reduce said charging current when the detected voltage of said capacitor bank reaches the reference value for reduction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a charging level-setting means for setting a charging level of said capacitor bank and a means for setting the preset value for said parallel monitors according to said set charging level.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for controllably charging a bank of capacitors connected in series with a charging current, said apparatus comprising: a charger for charging said capacitor bank and for controlling a charging current; parallel monitors connected in parallel with each capacitor, which detect terminal voltages developed across each capacitor and bypass said charging current at voltages in excess of a preset value, said parallel monitors generating signals indicating whether the parallel monitors are ON or OFF; a decision means for producing a decision signal in response to the signals from said parallel monitors when at least one of the parallel monitors is ON; and a charging control means which controls said charger to reduce said charging current in response to the decision signal.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for controllably charging a bank of capacitors connected in series with a charging current, said apparatus comprising: a charger for charging said capacitor bank and for controlling a charging current; parallel monitors connected in parallel with each capacitor, which detect terminal voltages developed across each capacitor and bypass said charging current at voltages in excess of a preset value, said parallel monitors generating signals indicating whether the parallel monitors are ON or OFF; a decision means for producing a decision signal in response to the signals from said parallel monitors when at least one of the parallel monitors is ON; and a charging control means which controls said charger to reduce said charging current in response to the decision signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a charging level-setting means for setting a charging level of said capacitor bank and a means for setting said preset value for said parallel monitors according to said set charging level.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for controllably charging a bank of capacitors connected in series with a charging current, said apparatus comprising: a charger for charging said capacitor bank and for controlling a charging current; parallel monitors connected in parallel with each capacitor, which detect terminal voltages developed across each capacitor and bypass said charging current at voltages in excess of a preset value; a detection means for detecting a voltage developed across a capacitor of said capacitor bank; and a charging control means which compares the detected voltage with a reference value for reduction and controls said charger to reduce said charging current when the detected voltage reaches the reference value for reduction.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for controllably charging a bank of capacitors connected in series with a charging current, said apparatus comprising: a charger for charging said capacitor bank and for controlling a charging current; parallel monitors connected in parallel with each capacitor, which detect terminal voltages developed across each capacitor and bypass said charging current at voltages in excess of a preset value; a detection means for detecting a voltage developed across a capacitor of said capacitor bank; and a charging control means which compares the detected voltage with a reference value for reduction and controls said charger to reduce said charging current when the detected voltage reaches the reference value for reduction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a charging level-setting means for setting a charging level of said capacitor bank and a means for setting the preset value for said parallel monitors according to said set charging level.
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) | 2002-10-18 | 2003-04-19 | 2003-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-18 | 2007-04-19 | 2007-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-18 | 2011-04-19 | 2011-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |