The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 21, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 26, 1996
Wilhelmus J Smits, Eindhoven, NL;
Eduard E Gillissen, Heerlen, NL;
Johann R Van Beek, Eindhoven, NL;
Gerardus H Somers, Eindhoven, NL;
U.S. Philips Corporation, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for recharging a battery, comprising a compartment which holds the battery so that its electrical terminals are in contact with a pair of electrodes. The electrodes are connectable to the poles of a controllable source of electrical energy. In the compartment a ferromagnetic body is positioned so as to be subjected to mechanical stress in response to mechanical deformation of the battery. An electrical device monitors the magnetic permeability .mu. of the ferromagnetic body by measuring the self-inductance of a coil surrounding at least a portion of the ferromagnetic body. The .mu. of the ferromagnetic body changes by magnetostrictive effects arising from mechanical stress of the ferromagnetic body in response to mechanical deformation of the battery (5) during charging. Expansion of the battery can be used as an indicator that charging has been completed, and that the battery should be disconnected from the source of electrical energy.