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:
Nov. 21, 2000
Filed:
Nov. 05, 1999
Nasser H Kutkut, Madison, WI (US);
Herman Wiegman, Madison, WI (US);
Raymond Marion, Middleton, WI (US);
Power Designers, LLC, Middleton, WI (US);
Abstract
Battery charge equalization is carried out utilizing modules connectable in staggered relation between pairs of batteries in a series connected string of batteries. Each module is standardized and has the same construction as the other modules. The modules may be constructed to provide unidirectional charge distribution down the string from a more highly charged battery to a lower charged battery and from a more highly charged last battery in the string back to a less highly charged first battery in the string, or may be constructed to provide bi-directional charge redistribution up or down the string of batteries. The charge equalizer modules are forward-based and reduce the charging current as the voltages on the two batteries to which the module is connected equalize. Each battery equalizer module may comprise a transformer having a primary and a secondary with the same number of turns, a controllable switching device connected in series with the primary, and a free-wheeling diode connected in series with the secondary winding.