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. 28, 2000
Filed:
May. 10, 1999
Commonwealth Scientifc and Industrial Research Organisation, Campbell, AU;
International Lead Zinc Research Organisation Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for fast charging of batteries such as lead acid batteries is provided. A repeatedly pulsed current is applied to the battery to enable a determined resistance free maximum pulsed voltage to be reached where the determined resistance free maximum pulsed voltage is below that at which unacceptable gassing will occur. The determined resistance free maximum pulsed voltage is above that of a known average resistance free pulsed voltage for the battery type. When the determined maximum pulsed voltage is reached the pulsed current is continued to be applied to maintain the resistance free maximum pulsed voltage at approximately the determined resistance free maximum pulsed voltage by at least one of: (I) reducing the amplitude of the pulsed charging current, (II) increasing the OFF-time of pulses of the pulsed charging current, (III) decreasing the ON-time of pulses of the pulsed charging current, (IV) a combination of any two or more of (I), (II) or (III). In addition, the present invention may employ a combination of stages to charge the battery. Alternatively or in combination, the system may use a repeatedly pulsed charging current or a repeatedly pulsed charge voltage to control and adjust the charging of the battery.