American Power Conversion Corporation

James E Nelson

C Michael Hoff

Daniel C Cohen

Philip C Hopkins

A method of charging a NiMH or NiCd battery such that charging does not occupy a substantial amount of time and such that the operating temperature of the battery is reduced during the lifetime of the battery, thereby extending the life of the battery. This invention is a method of charging that is accomplished using a temperature differential method to continuously regulate the rate of charge injected into the battery. An amplifier is used to amplify the difference in temperature between one or more cases in which the battery is contained and ambient temperature. In this method, the greater the difference in temperature, the lower the charging current is injected into the battery. The method of charging may be incorporated into uninterruptible power supply equipment.

Method and system for charging a NiMH or NiCd battery

Controlling re-charge of a nickel metal-hydride (NiMH) or nickel cadmuim (NiCd) battery

A system for controlling multiple energy storage devices in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the system generally includes a charger coupled to a direct current (DC) bus of the UPS system, and two or more energy storage circuits, each of which includes a power regulator coupled to the charger and coupled to the DC bus, at least one energy storage device coupled to the power regulator, and a processor coupled to the power regulator for controlling the charge and discharge of the at least one energy storage device. In another embodiment of the invention, digital communication between two or more controllers is accomplished over the DC bus through use of the Control Area Network (CAN) protocol.

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Salem, NH, United States of America

James E Nelson