Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging – Diverse charging or discharging rates for plural batteries
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-12-11
Wong, Peter S. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: battery or capacitor charging or discharging
Diverse charging or discharging rates for plural batteries
C320S110000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06329790
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electric battery charger for conventional, non-lithium small appliance and utility, batteries.
2. Background of the Invention
Timed battery charging apparatus of various types are utilized in the prior art. Many of these, as opposed to this invention, feature a multiple level charging current system supplied continuously throughout the charging cycle to so called rechargeable batteries. Generally these apparatus exhibit complex circuitry that are relatively costly to manufacture. It can therefore be appreciated that there continues to be a need for timed battery charging apparatus with simplicity of design and economy of cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a simple, inexpensive design for a timed battery charger for processing non-lithium, small appliance and utility batteries which may be of the D, C, AA and AAA type through a charging cycle, which batteries may be so called non-rechargeable type batteries.
According to the invention there is provided a timed battery charger for processing a battery through a charging cycle, comprising:
a current source having an alternating current input and a direct current output for providing current at a signal predetermined level during the charging cycle;
control means for dividing the charging cycle into a plurality of successive predetermined phases, each phase comprising a duty cycle wherein a charging current from the current is delivered to an external battery terminal, alternated with a resting cycle during which a charging current is not delivered to the external terminal of the battery.
According to the invention there may also be provided means for removably connecting the battery to the timed battery charger.
The a current source may comprises:
a transformer with a primary and secondary with the primary being connected to the alternating current input; and
a bridge rectifier connected to secondary of the transformer to provide the direct current output.
The control means may comprise a timer for dividing the charging cycle into a plurality of alternating duty and resting cycles.
The invention may also include a further means for pre-determining the duration of the charging cycle with reference to the type of battery charged.
The means for pre-determining the duration of the charging cycle may be set to control the duration of the charging cycle for:
D type batteries at about 20 minutes;
C type batteries at about 15 minutes;
AA type batteries at about 10 minutes; and
AAA type batteries at about 3 minutes.
According to the invention the battery charger may further comprise a fan for the dissipation of heat generated by the battery charger during the charging cycle.
The charging current delivered to the external terminal of the battery may be between 2 and 5 ampere at about 6 volts direct current; and preferably about 4.4 ampere at about 6 volts direct current.
The duration of the duty cycle may be between 60 and 30 seconds and the duration of the resting cycle may be between 45 and 20 seconds.
The duration of the duty cycle preferably does not exceed 45 seconds and the duration of the resting cycle preferably does not exceed 20.
Perferably, the duration of the duty cycle is about 40 seconds and the duration of the resting cycle is about 20 seconds.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention by way of example.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4395672 (1983-07-01), Gassaway
patent: 4647834 (1987-03-01), Castleman
patent: 5248928 (1993-09-01), Gilmore
patent: 5481174 (1996-01-01), Martin et al.
patent: 5523667 (1996-06-01), Feldstein
patent: 5602462 (1997-02-01), Stich et al.
patent: 5670862 (1997-09-01), Lewyn
patent: 5686811 (1997-11-01), Bushong et al.
de Kock Elbie R.
Luk Lawrence
Wong Peter S.
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