Method and apparatus for determining when to terminate charging of a battery
US6097172A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 1, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for charging a battery are described in a technique wherein charge pulses are followed by discharge pulses and then first rest periods and other discharge pulses followed by second rest periods. Selected ones of the second rest periods are extended in time to enable a battery equilibrium to be established and the open circuit voltage of the battery to settle down and reflect an overcharging condition of the battery. By comparing the open circuit voltages measured during different extended second rest periods small voltage decreases can be reliably detected and used to determine an overcharging condition such as when gases are generated and affect the open circuit voltage. Once overcharging is detected the battery charging is stopped.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.