General Electric Company

Charles R Blake

Raymond K Sugalski

Ferdinand H Mullersman

Charging apparatus having visual indicating means, e.g., a light emitting diode, responsive to the delivery of charging current to rechargeable cells having different physical sizes and/or electrical charging characteristics. The apparatus includes at least two sets of terminals for connecting cells requiring different respective charging current in one of two parallel charging paths. A first charge rate path supplies part of the charging current to cells of high current demand and a second charge rate path supplies charging current to cells of low current demand.

Battery charger with visual charge indicating means

A liquid crystal indicator label and method for making same includes a liquid crystal material, adapted to change color in response to a change in temperature within a predetermined range, which is adhered to a predetermined surface portion of a transparent substrate and a black background adhered at least behind the liquid crystal material, with an adhesive adhered behind the black background and any portion of the substance not covered by the black background. The liquid crystal is preferably confined to a surface area substantially smaller than the entire surface of the substrate, and a border member is positioned either between the liquid crystal and the substrate or between the liquid crystal and the black background to overlap at least some of the edge portions of the liquid crystal. According to a modified aspect of the invention, the black background covers the entire back surface of the substrate and alpha-numeric characters can be located between the substrate and the black background to display a desired message along with the indicator. As preferable embodied, the label according to the invention is used with a battery charger, with the liquid crystal portion positioned directly adjacent a heat generating circuit element which is adapted to heat up when current flows through battery cells placed in the charger.

Liquid crystal indicator

An indicator of full charge for secondary sealed cells and like cells which become heated when subjected to overcharge current, or batteries of such cells, undergoing a charging operation includes a heat sensitive mechanism adapted to change a perceivable characteristic in response to the rise in temperature of the cell or battery as the charging operation continues beyond full charge. Part of the heat sensitive mechanism is thermally coupled to the battery or cell and another part is maintained at ambient temperature so that the perceivable characteristic of the portion maintained at ambient temperature and that of the portion at the raised temperature of the overcharged battery or cell can be readily observed to signify that full charge has been attained. As preferably embodied, the heat sensitive mechanism is a liquid crystal material.

Indicator of full charge for secondary cell or battery thereof

A temperature stabilized battery system including a battery having at least one rechargeable electrochemical cell, a Peltier type heat pump providing a hot thermal transfer face, a cold thermal transfer face and semiconductor means for transferring thermal energy between the two faces, one thermal transfer face being in thermal transfer relation to the battery and the other face being in thermal transfer relation to a heat sink. Thermal insulation surrounds at least a portion of the battery for reducing the flow of heat into and out of the battery except via the heat pump. The battery is wrapped or encased in a thermally conductive blanket which is surrounded by the insulation means.

Thermoelectric temperature stabilized battery system

A charging system for alternatively charging cells having different physical sizes and/or electrical characteristics comprising a charge current source, a plurality of cellholder modules and interconnection means on said charger and said modules for selective alternative connection of each of said modules to the charger. Each module includes a liquid crystal indicator for indicating when cells in the module are being charged.

Growing community of inventors

Gainesville, FL, United States of America

Charles R Blake