Multiple station charging apparatus with single charging power supply for parallel charging
US5780991A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jul 14, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A charging apparatus with multiple charge stations is disclosed. The apparatus includes a single power supply which operates under the control of a microprocessor to charge a plurality of battery packs disposed in respective charging stations. Associated with each charging station is a wiring harness assembly which includes an EEPROM memory chip having one or more stored charging algorithms for the type or types of battery packs to be charged at that charging station. The microprocessor reads the charging algorithm from a charging station's memory chip when a battery pack is inserted in the charging station. The microprocessor utilizes a feedback control loop including a resistor network to regulate the charging current and charging voltage supplied to each battery pack being charged. If a plurality of Li-Ion battery packs are disposed in respective charging stations, each pack is sequentially charged such that the voltage across the pack is raised to the rated output voltage of the pack. Then, all of the Li-Ion battery packs are charged in parallel until each is fully charged. The parallel charging reduces total charging time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.