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U.S. Department of Energy
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Charging system and method for multicell storage batteries

Patent ·
OSTI ID:863032
 [1]
  1. Rolling Hills Estates, CA
A battery-charging system includes a first charging circuit connected in series with a plurality of battery cells for controlled current charging. A second charging circuit applies a controlled voltage across each individual cell for equalization of the cells to the fully charged condition. This controlled voltage is determined at a level above the fully charged open-circuit voltage but at a sufficiently low level to prevent corrosion of cell components by electrochemical reaction. In this second circuit for cell equalization, a transformer primary receives closely regulated, square-wave voltage which is coupled to a plurality of equal secondary coil windings. Each secondary winding is connected in parallel to each cell of a series-connected pair of cells through half-wave rectifiers and a shared, intermediate conductor.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 4079303
OSTI ID:
863032
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English