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US 2003/0141845 A1Published application
High frequency battery charger and method of operating same
AssigneeVector Products, Inc.
InventorsMichael Krieger, Bruce Randolph, Rov Scott Vetitoe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high frequency charger includes a charge circuit for charging a depleted battery and a boost circuit for jump-starting a vehicle. Two separate high frequency transformers are provided for the charge and boost circuits. A selector switch selectively activates at least one of the charging circuit and the boost circuit.
Claims77
A high frequency charger for charging a battery, comprising:
- a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency;
- a filter coupled to the first and second high frequency transformers for passing a DC voltage signal;
- means for measuring a charge rate of the battery;
- means for determining an amount of time the battery has been charging;
- means for measuring a voltage of the battery;
- and
- means for detecting an overtime fault if the charge rate is greater than a predetermined current, the battery has been charging longer than a predetermined amount of time, and the voltage of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage.
5 more elements
A high frequency charger for charging a battery, comprising:
- a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency;
- a filter coupled to the first and second high frequency transformers for passing a DC voltage signal;
- means for measuring a charge rate of the battery;
- means for determining an amount of time the battery has been charging;
- means for measuring a voltage of the battery;
- and
- means for detecting a shorted cell battery fault if the charge rate is greater than a predetermined current, the battery has been charging more a predetermined amount of time, and the voltage of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage.
5 more elements
A high frequency charger for charging a battery, comprising:
- a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency;
- a filter coupled to the first and second high frequency transformers for passing a DC voltage signal;
- clamps for connecting the charger to the battery;
- means for measuring a voltage at the clamps;
- means for indicated a bad battery fault if no voltage is detected at the clamps.
3 more elements
A high frequency charger for charging a battery, comprising:
- a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency;
- a filter coupled to the first and second high frequency transformers for passing a DC voltage signal;
- means for measuring a charge current of the battery;
- means for determining an amount of time the battery has been charging;
- means for measuring a voltage of the battery;
- and
- means for detecting an open cell battery fault if the charge current is less than a predetermined current, the battery has been charging more a predetermined amount of time, and the voltage of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage.
5 more elements
A computer-readable information storage medium for use with a computer controlling a high frequency charger comprising a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency;
- a boost circuit including a second high frequency transformer;
- a second switch switching the second high frequency transformer at a second frequency, and a selector for selecting one of a charge mode for charging a depleted battery and a boost mode for supplying a boosting current to start a vehicle with the depleted battery, the computer-readable information storage medium storing computer-readable program code for causing the computer to perform the steps of:
- detecting a selected mode of operation;
- if the boost mode is selected, controlling the boost circuit to supplying a boosting current to the depleted battery;
- checking for a rapid rise in voltage after the vehicle has been started;
- indicating the alternator is working properly if the rapid rise in voltage is present;
- and
- indicating the alternator is not working properly if the rapid rise in voltage is not present.
6 more elements
A computer-readable information storage medium for use with a computer controlling a high frequency charger comprising a charge circuit including a high frequency transformer;
- a switch switching the high frequency transformer at a predetermined frequency, the computer-readable information storage medium storing containing software implementing a method of reducing arcing in a battery charger, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a test current that is lower than a charging current from the battery charger to a battery;
- detecting if the test current is present at the battery;
- indicating a fault if the test current is not detected at the battery;
- and
- increasing the test current a predetermined amount and returning to the detecting step if the test current is detected at the battery.
3 more elements
A computer-readable information storage medium for use with a computer controlling a high frequency charger for charging a battery, comprising a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency;
- a filter coupled to the first and second high frequency transformers for passing a DC voltage signal, the computer-readable information storage medium storing computer-readable program code for causing the computer to perform the steps of:
- measuring a charge rate of the battery;
- determining an amount of time the battery has been charging;
- measuring a voltage of the battery;
- and
- detecting an overtime fault if the charge rate is greater than a predetermined current, the battery has been charging longer than a predetermined amount of time, and the voltage of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage.
4 more elements
A computer-readable information storage medium for use with a computer controlling a high frequency charger for charging a battery, comprising a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency;
- a filter coupled to the first and second high frequency transformers for passing a DC voltage signal, the computer-readable information storage medium storing computer-readable program code for causing the computer to perform the steps of:
- measuring a charge rate of the battery;
- determining an amount of time the battery has been charging;
- measuring a voltage of the battery;
- and
- detecting a shorted cell battery fault if the charge rate is greater than a predetermined current, the battery has been charging more a predetermined amount of time, and the voltage of the battery is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage.
4 more elements
A computer-readable information storage medium for use with a computer controlling a high frequency charger for charging a battery, comprising a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency;
- a filter coupled to the first and second high frequency transformers for passing a DC voltage signal;
- and clamps for coupling the filter to the battery, the computer-readable information storage medium storing computer-readable program code for causing the computer to perform the steps of:
- measuring a voltage at the clamps;
- indicating a bad battery fault if no voltage is detected at the clamps;
- and
- proceeding with a charging operation if a voltage is detected at the clamps.
4 more elements
A computer-readable information storage medium for use with a computer controlling a high frequency charger for charging a battery, comprising a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency, the charge circuit operating in at least one of a pulse mode and a charge mode;
- and a selector for selecting one of the charge mode and the pulse mode, the computer-readable information storage medium storing computer-readable program code for causing the computer to perform the steps of:
- measuring a charge current of the battery;
- determining an amount of time the battery has been charging;
- measuring a voltage of the battery;
- and
- detecting an open cell battery fault if the charge current is less than a predetermined current, the battery has been charging more a predetermined amount of time, and the voltage of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage.
4 more elements
A high frequency charger, comprising:
- a charging circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency for producing a charging current for charging the depleted battery;
- a boost circuit including a second high frequency transformer, separate from the first high frequency transformer;
- and
- a second switch switching the second high frequency transformer at a second frequency for producing a relatively high boost current compared to the charging current for jump-starting the vehicle;
- and
- a selector switch for selectively activating at least one of the charging circuit and the boost circuit.
4 more elements
A control circuit for a high frequency charger, comprising:
- a pulse width modulation controller having a reference voltage input, a control input and an output for outputting a control signal;
- a switch receiving the control signal and being switched on and off in response to the control signal, the switch adapted for connection to a transformer for switching the transformer;
- a voltage divider network dividing a voltage applied to the reference voltage input and the control input, whereby a duty cycle of the control signal output from the pulse width modulation controller varies based on the percentage of the reference voltage applied to the control input.
A method of reducing arcing in a battery charger, comprising:
- providing a test current that is lower than a charging current from the battery charger to a battery;
- detecting if the test current is present at the battery;
- indicating a fault if the test current is not detected at the battery;
- and
- increasing the test current a predetermined amount and returning to the detecting step if the test current is detected at the battery.
2 more elements
A computer-readable information storage medium for use with a computer controlling a high frequency charger comprising a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency, the charge circuit operating in at least one of a pulse mode and a charge mode;
- and a selector for selecting one of the charge mode and the pulse mode, the computer-readable information storage medium storing computer-readable program code for causing the computer to perform the steps of:
- detecting a selected of mode of operation input from the selector;
- and
- when the pulse mode is selected:
- a) generating a driving signal for the first switch for a first period of time;
- b) disabling the first switch for a second period of time;
- and
- c) returning to step a).
6 more elements
A computer-readable information storage medium for use with a computer controlling a high frequency charger comprising a charge circuit including a high frequency transformer;
- a switch switching the high frequency transformer at a predetermined frequency, the computer-readable information storage medium storing computer-readable program code for causing the computer to perform the steps of:
- checking a flag indicating the battery is in a bulk charge state or an absorption charge state;
- if the battery is in the bulk charge state:
- increasing a duty cycle of a driving signal for the first switch if a current provided by the battery charger is less than a desired current;
- decreasing the duty cycle of the driving signal for the first switch if the current provided by the battery charger is greater than the desired current;
- and
- setting the flag indicating the battery is in the absorption charge stage when a voltage of the battery is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage and the battery has been charging for more than a predetermined time, otherwise ending the charging process;
- and
- if the battery is in the absorption charge stage:
- decreasing the duty cycle of the driving signal for the first switch if the voltage of the battery is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage;
- increasing the duty cycle of the driving signal for the first switch if the voltage of the battery is less than the predetermined voltage;
- and
- stopping the charging process when the battery has been charging for more than a predetermined period of time.
10 more elements
A high frequency charger for charging a battery, comprising:
- a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency;
- a filter coupled to the first and second high frequency transformers for passing a DC voltage signal;
- means for coupling a resistance in parallel with the battery;
- means for measuring a voltage of the battery while the battery is coupled to the resistance;
- and
- means for correlating the measured voltage to a CCA value.
4 more elements
A computer-readable information storage medium for use with a computer controlling a high frequency charger for charging a battery, comprising a charge circuit including a first high frequency transformer;
- a first switch switching the first high frequency transformer at a first frequency;
- a filter coupled to the first and second high frequency transformers for passing a DC voltage signal, the computer-readable information storage medium storing computer-readable program code for causing the computer to perform the steps of:
- coupling a resistance in parallel with the battery;
- measuring a voltage of the battery while the battery is coupled to the resistance;
- and
- correlating the measured voltage to a CCA value.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.