Other

Atlantic Richfield Company

Terry Staler

John W Yerkes

Electrical charging control apparatus regulates the charging of a rechargeable battery by a solar panel. The control of the charging is through a relay which when closed directly connects the output and charging terminal of the solar panel to the output and charging terminal of the battery to permit the charging of the battery by the solar panel. Such coupling is in turn under the control of signal-tester apparatus which prevents the coupling when the signals at the uncoupled terminals are in a coupling prevention relationship chosen to prevent significant discharging of the battery through the solar panel; of breaker apparatus which breaks a coupling after a predetermined period of time; and of additional signal-tester apparatus which causes a termination of the coupling when the signal at the connected terminals reaches a chosen charging termination threshold. The breaking of the coupling, which can result in a periodic breaking, permits the testing for discharging prevention. A charging control method is in accordance with the above outlined method of operation of the charging control apparatus.

Electrical charging control apparatus and method, and solar to

Electrical charging control apparatus regulates the charging of a rechargeable battery by a solar panel. Selector apparatus can select a direct connection, through a relay, of the output and charging terminal of the solar panel to the output and charging terminal of the battery to permit charging through such a direct connection. It, alternatively, by opening the relay, can select a coupling of such terminals through a regulator, to permit trickle charging through the regulator. Breaker/closer apparatus, during a direct connection, periodically breaks such diret connection so that the selector apparatus can determine whether the signal at the solar panel output and charging terminal, due to the condition of the sun, has gone below the level at which charging can occur. Also, subsequent to a charging termination threshold having been reached and a resulting termination of the direct correction, the breaker/closer apparatus periodically causes such a direct connection so that signal-tester apparatus can again test for the charging termination threshold. Discharging of the battery through loads is terminated by additional breaker apparatus which causes a circuit breaker between the battery and the loads to open when the battery falls below a load disconnect threshold. Any substantial additional discharging through the loads must await the rising of the battery voltage above a load reconnect threshold and a manual closing of the circuit breaker.

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Tarzana, CA, United States of America

Terry Staler