Battery trickle charging circuit
US6492792B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J7/0071
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
This invention includes a trickle charging circuit that works with a series charging element to charge battery cells with a low, constant current when the voltage of the cell is below a predetermined operational range. The trickle charging circuit includes a control transistor that is actuated by a current source when both the power supply and undervoltage battery cell are coupled. The trickle charging continues until a minimum operational voltage of the cell is reached. The invention includes a means for rapid charging the cell once the cell voltage is within a preferred operational range. The circuit includes means for charging at other currents, like mid-rate currents, as well.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.