Voltage sensor for detecting cell voltages
US5652501A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S320/21
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A battery charger/monitor circuit for charging and/or monitoring a plurality of series-connected cells, including a voltage sensor for sensing the voltage across each of the cells to provide a high cell voltage signal proportional to the highest voltage across any of the cells and a low cell voltage signal proportional to the lowest voltage across any of the cells. The circuit is operable in a monitor mode or a charge mode. In the monitor mode, the cells are disconnected from a load if the low cell voltage signal decreases to a first predetermined level. The circuit includes a controller which provides a control signal in response to the high cell voltage signal, the low cell voltage signal and a current sense signal, for controlling the charging of the cells. In the charge mode, the cells receive a constant charge current until the high cell voltage signal reaches a second predetermined level, after which the voltage across the cell charged to the highest voltage is held substantially constant, causing the charge current to be reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.