US 2010/0164437 A1 · BATTERY FORMATION AND CHARGING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

Method and system for forming or charging batteries or power cells. The system includes control processor; input switch coupled to a power supply, charging switch coupled to the battery, filter network between the input and charging switches, battery temperature sensor, input voltage sensor, and charging voltage and current sensors. The control processor monitors the sensors and controls the switches to deliver a charging waveform to the battery selected to perform an efficient charging of the battery. The method includes applying a charging current pulse, having a current value and a pulse width, to the battery at a repetition rate; monitoring battery temperature; determining whether to change the current value, repetition rate or pulse width; and changing them when determined. Battery resistance can be a determinant. A sensor on a battery post can monitor battery temperature. A hardware temperature sensor can monitor system temperature and be used to detect system resonance.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A battery formation and charging process for charging a battery using a battery charging system, the process comprising:

applying a charging current pulse to the battery at a repetition rate, the charging current pulse having a current value and a pulse width of less than 10 milliseconds;
monitoring a battery temperature of the battery;
determining whether to change at least one of the current value, the repetition rate or the pulse width of the charging current pulse;
and
changing at least one of the current value, the repetition rate or the pulse width of the charging current pulse, if it is determined that a change is desired.

2 more elements

A battery formation and charging system for forming or charging a battery using a power supply, the battery formation and charging system comprising:

a control processor;
an input switch having an input and an output, the input switch being controlled by the control processor, the input of the input switch being coupled to the power supply, the control processor controlling the input switch to accept or not accept power from the power supply;
a filter network having an input and an output, the input of the filter network being coupled to the output of the input switch;
a charging switch having an input and an output, the charging switch being controlled by the control processor, the input of the charging switch being coupled to the output of the filter network, the output of the charging switch being coupled to the battery, the control processor controlling the charging switch to control the current delivered to the battery;
a battery temperature sensor monitoring a temperature of the battery, readings from the battery temperature sensor being monitored by the control processor;
an input voltage sensor monitoring a voltage applied by the input switch across the filter network, readings from the input voltage sensor being monitored by the control processor;
a charging voltage sensor monitoring a voltage applied by the charging switch across the battery, readings from the charging voltage sensor being monitored by the control processor;
a charging current sensor monitoring a current controlled by the charging switch and applied to the battery, readings from the charging current sensor being monitored by the control processor;
wherein the control processor uses the readings from the battery temperature sensor, the input voltage sensor, the charging voltage sensor and the charging current sensor to control the input switch and the charging switch to deliver a charging waveform to the battery, the charging waveform being selected to perform an efficient charging of the battery.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Battery formation and charging system and method

Life of this patent

Battery formation and charging system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27