Method and apparatus for monitoring the self discharge of a secondary battery upon completion of a charge cycle
US5982148A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J7/0069
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A battery charger monitors the terminal voltage of a secondary battery connected thereto with no appreciable depletion of the battery energy. Upon the completion of the charge cycle, the battery charger monitors the terminal voltage of the battery by first creating a high impedance node at the battery low side, and then regulating the battery high side voltage to a value below the maximum allowable terminal voltage for the battery. The battery low side voltage will decreases in response to a value below ground. The charger monitors the terminal voltage across the battery by measuring the battery low side voltage When the battery charger detects that the battery has discharged to a predetermined capacity level, the charger initiates a charge maintenance mode. The battery charger either refreshes the battery or maintains the battery at the predetermined capacity level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.