Battery cell charging system having voltage threshold and bleeder current generating circuits

A method for charging a battery, comprising the steps of:

• supplying a charging current to a battery cell;
• comparing the battery cell voltage to a threshold cell voltage;
• generating a bleeder current if said cell voltage exceeds said threshold cell voltage;
• and
• subtracting said bleeder current from said charging current.

A battery cell charging circuit, comprising a battery including a plurality of cells;

• a charger circuit for supplying a charging current to each said cell;
• a first comparator for comparing a battery cell voltage to a predetermined threshold cell voltage, said comparator controlling the generating a bleeder current proportional to the amount said battery cell voltage exceeds said predetermined threshold;
• a current mirror for generating said bleeder current and a multiple of said bleeder current, said multiple of said bleeder being subtracted from said charging current supplied to said battery cell;
• and a second comparator for comparing said bleeder current to a maximum allowable bleeder current value, and generating a feedback signal to said charger circuit to control the value of said charging current.