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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Electronic battery charger device and method

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5580988

This paper describes a device for charging one or more batteries. It comprises: a circuit having terminal means for connecting to the terminal means on one or more batteries to be charged, the circuit including a source of electric energy, controllable switching means connected respectively between the energy source and each battery to be charged, a microprocessor having a control connection to each of the controllable switching means for controlling communication between the energy source and the respective batteries to be charged, the microprocessor including means to sequentially control the switch means to supply charging current to the batteries one at a time in repeating periods, means responsive to the voltage across the terminals of each battery prior to and during each charging period thereof operatively connected to the microprocessor, the microprocessor being programmed to calculate the different between the battery terminal voltage of each battery prior to and when it is being charged, means to store for each battery the minimum value of the voltage difference during each charging period, and means to terminate a charging operation for a battery when the battery terminal voltage difference being calculated exceeds the minimum stored value of the battery terminal voltage difference by a predetermed amount.

Assignee:
Eveready Battery Co., Inc., St. Louis, MO (United States)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 5055763
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-248962
OSTI ID:
5580988
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English