초록 ▼

A circuit for safely and rapidly charging batteries, with the charging occurring at three different rates. A first rate is used to bring a battery up to a level where it is determined to be safe for rapid rate charging. At this charge level the temperature of the battery may also be checked to be su

A circuit for safely and rapidly charging batteries, with the charging occurring at three different rates. A first rate is used to bring a battery up to a level where it is determined to be safe for rapid rate charging. At this charge level the temperature of the battery may also be checked to be sure it is within a safe range for rapid charging. If safe, the battery is then rapidly charged at a second rate, until it is almost at its maximum capacity. At that point a third rate charge, lower than the first charge rate, is used to maintain the battery at nominally full charge. A microprocessor controller controls a plurality of rapid rate chargers and determines when the battery parameters are safe so that rapid charging can be safely employed. The rapid charger may be of a conventional charge pump type.

대표청구항 ▼

A three level battery charging circuit comprising: a dual rate charging circuit connectable across the terminals of a battery to be charged and including an automatic switch means for automatically switching from a first charge rate to a second lower charge rate in response to a sensed battery volta

A three level battery charging circuit comprising: a dual rate charging circuit connectable across the terminals of a battery to be charged and including an automatic switch means for automatically switching from a first charge rate to a second lower charge rate in response to a sensed battery voltage in excess of a first predetermined threshold voltage; a further charging circuit providing charging current at a third rate higher than said first rate and connected in parallel with said dual rate charging circuit; and control means connected to control said further charging circuit so as to switch it to active condition in response to a sensed battery voltage in excess of a second predetermined threshold voltage which is less than said first threshold; whereby, for a fully discharged battery, the following sequence of charging rates is provided: (a) said first rate, (b) the combination of said first rate and said third rate, (c) the combination of said second rate and said third rate, and (d) said second rate.