초록 ▼

A charger for charging a rechargeable battery. The charger comprising a circuit for producing a charging current having a variable level and a control circuit for controlling the charging current. During a first charging period the current is maintained at a level to rapidly charge the battery at a

A charger for charging a rechargeable battery. The charger comprising a circuit for producing a charging current having a variable level and a control circuit for controlling the charging current. During a first charging period the current is maintained at a level to rapidly charge the battery at a rate in amperes which is greater than the capacity of the battery in ampere-hours. The controller includes means for interrupting the charging current for a predetermined interruption interval. During the interruption interval, the charging current is maintained at a non-zero value. The controller also includes means for determining a resistance free voltage for the battery. During a subsequent charging period, the charging current is controlled in response to the value of the resistance free voltage.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery, said apparatus comprising: generator means for generating a charging current having a variable level, and during a first charging period said current having a level to rapidly charge the battery at a rate in amperes greater than the capacity in amper

An apparatus for charging a rechargeable battery, said apparatus comprising: generator means for generating a charging current having a variable level, and during a first charging period said current having a level to rapidly charge the battery at a rate in amperes greater than the capacity in ampere-hours of the battery; controller means for controlling said generator means, said controller means including, (a) means for varying said charging current for a predetermined variation interval and during said variation interval said charging current being maintained at a non-zero, non-negative value; (b) means for determining a resistance free voltage value for the battery during said variation interval; (c) means for comparing a reference voltage to said resistance free voltage value for the battery; (d) means for controlling the level of said charging current in response to said resistances free voltage.