Patent · US Expired

Cordless battery charger

US4857820A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
22References
20Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 8, 1987
Grant dateAug 15, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 8, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02J2207/20
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A rechargeable emergency portable battery charger for starter motor storage batteries. The device includes a sealed lead acid battery as a source of energy. An oscillator circuit connected to a transformer generates 3 V in its secondary. This voltage is rectified and added in series to the 12 V of the self-contained battery to provide charging current to a starter motor storage battery. Connection is made via a cigarette lighter socket in the disabled vehicle. Current is limited to approximately 4 amps so as to limit heat dissipation to a safe level. Furthermore, a voltage-sensing circuit determines if the voltage of the starter storage battery is below approximately 6 V or is shorted to ground. In either case, output current is further limited to the point of cut-off. Recharging the self-contained battery is made possible by a switch that connects the cigarette lighter of a running car directly to the self-contained battery of the charger. This switch also permits connection of any 12 VDC device directly to the self-contained battery. An ammeter monitors current flow in this power pack mode, as well as the charging and recharging modes. A light-emitting diode circuit indicates whe…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.