Energy transfer and equalization in rechargeable lithium batteries
US6040685A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J7/007182
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of charging a rechargeable lithium battery which comprises charging the battery with a charging current; sampling a charging voltage of the battery during charging to recognize potential electrolyte decomposition; interrupting the charging current periodically to create current-free periods and sampling an open circuit voltage of the battery at a plurality of points during each current-free period to identify potential shunting and unequal states of charge among individual cells of the battery; lowering the charging current if any of the above-identified adverse conditions are identified and continuing charging with the charging current if the potential adverse charging condition is not identified; and terminating charging when the charging current is lowered below a pre-determined minimum level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.