Battery charger
US5396163A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 11, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J7/007182
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A charger for rechargeable cells or batteries utilizes a mechanism whereby resistance-free voltage is continually monitored during periodic current-off intervals in the charging process and compared to an independent reference voltage to prevent overcharge. After a certain degree of charge has been obtained, the current is gradually reduced to a finishing charge. Several means are provided for terminating the finishing charge while avoiding overcharge. Another embodiment of a charger provides for measurement of the resistance-free voltage during the current-off period after sufficient time is allowed for the recombination of any oxygen which may have been produced during charging, thus taking into account inherent variations in cells of the same type.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.