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A method and an apparatus for adjusting the process of charging a battery so as to charge the battery as rapidly as possible while avoiding overheating of or damage to the battery. The method provides for applying a charging pulse (C1) which provides an average charging current, applying a first dep

A method and an apparatus for adjusting the process of charging a battery so as to charge the battery as rapidly as possible while avoiding overheating of or damage to the battery. The method provides for applying a charging pulse (C1) which provides an average charging current, applying a first depolarizing pulse (D1), waiting for a first rest period (DW1), measuring the voltage (V1) at a predetermined point within the first rest period, applying a second depolarizing pulse (D2), waiting for a second rest period (DW2), measuring the voltage (V2) at the predetermined point within the second rest period, determining a difference between the voltage (V1) and the voltage (V2), and decreasing the average charging current if the difference is greater than a predetermined amount. The present invention also provides for determining whether the battery is low on water.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for terminating the charging process for a battery, comprising the steps of: applying a charging pulse to said battery; applying a first depolarizing pulse to said battery; waiting for a first rest period; measuring the voltage of said battery at a first predetermined point within said firs

A method for terminating the charging process for a battery, comprising the steps of: applying a charging pulse to said battery; applying a first depolarizing pulse to said battery; waiting for a first rest period; measuring the voltage of said battery at a first predetermined point within said first rest period; measuring the voltage of said battery at a second predetermined point within said first rest period; applying a second depolarizing pulse to said battery; waiting for a second rest period; measuring the voltage of said battery at a first predetermined point within said second rest period; measuring the voltage of said battery at a second predetermined point within said second rest period; determining a first difference between said voltage at said first predetermined point within said first rest period and said voltage at said second predetermined point within said first rest period; determining a second difference between said voltage at said first predetermined point within said second rest period and said voltage at said second predetermined point within said second rest period; and if both said first difference is greater than a predetermined threshold and said second difference is greater than said predetermined threshold then terminating said charging process.