Abstract: The invention is a reconditioner for batteries to remove the “memory effect” or “voltage depression”, which is caused by the failure to completely discharge a battery before recharging the battery. The invention places a closed circuit with a low resistance between the positive and negative terminals of a battery. A threshold device is used to stop the current flow after the battery is discharged to a certain level. Some embodiments of the invention provide an indicator to indicate when a battery is sufficiently discharged. Other embodiments also provide a recharger, which recharges the battery after the battery is sufficiently discharged.

Abstract: Apparatus for charging and desulfating lead-acid batteries provides a DC electrical charging current to the battery terminals to charge the battery to a fully charged voltage during a bulk charge mode. When the battery reaches a fully charged voltage, the apparatus switches to a float charge mode where the battery voltage decreases to a float voltage less than the fully charged voltage and is maintained at this level. When the apparatus is in the float charge mode, the battery charging current is turned rapidly on and off to maintain the battery at the float voltage and to desulfate the battery. When the battery voltage drops to a predetermined value below the float voltage, the bulk charge mode is reentered.

Abstract: A portable radio (306) provides a selectable and/or automatic battery conditioning mode of operation (400). Battery conditioning is achieved by discharge state (410) that discharges the battery down to a predetermined threshold using existing radio circuitry (308).

Abstract: A battery maintenance and testing system (22) that includes a battery support system (2) that tests, conditions, and charges rechargeable battery packs. The battery support system (22) accommodates a dumb battery (32) that do not have any internal logic by running a default maintenance routine, as well as a smart battery (24, 24') that has internal logic that monitors its condition, keeps track of the time and number of charge discharge cycles the battery has experienced since it was last conditioned, logs any errors that would necessitate the battery being discarded, and stores information relevant to its maintenance and testing. The battery maintenance and testing system (22) is able to communicate with a smart battery (24, 24') to automatically to retrieve this information and use it to condition, test, and charge the battery to optimal condition or to indicate to the user that the battery is defective and needs to be discarded.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique method for safely and effectively moving the passive layer from the anode of a battery, so that the battery will function safely and properly. Batteries that are stored for long periods of time develop passive layers over their anodes. The present invention removes this passive layer by applying a series of controlled electric pulses to the anode. When a controlled electric charge discharges at the anode, it removes a portion of the passive layer at the discharge region of the anode. Each pulse is separated from a subsequent pulse by a resting time period. This resting period allows the anode to recover, so that the subsequent pulse will discharge at another location. These pulses are applied to the anode until the entire passive layer is safely removed, thus allowing the battery to function properly.

Abstract: A DC to DC converter particularly suited for use to boost or reduce the voltage with single battery systems allows insertion of the battery in either polarity through use of a symmetrical arrangement of solid-state switches which alternate charging an inductor for the DC to DC converter operation and establishing a ground depending on the polarity of the battery. The use of a solid-state switch to establish a ground avoids the severe voltage drop required of rectifier systems.

Abstract: A method which may be used to condition a battery. The method includes sensing that the battery needs to be conditioned while an external power source is being used as the source of system power. According to the method, the battery is then used as the system power source while the external power source remains available.

Abstract: A capacity calibration apparatus for the battery of a portable computer system is provided. The computer system includes a main board circuit, a processor unit, a display unit, a power-supply board circuit, a battery and a parallel port interface. The capacity calibration apparatus includes a standard parallel port interface and a control circuit. The standard parallel port interface is connected to the parallel port interface of the computer system. Via the parallel port interface, the computer system outputs at least one control signal to the capacity calibration apparatus. The capacity calibration apparatus selectively outputs the alternating current supply to the power-supply board circuit in order to proceed a charge/discharge procedure of a predetermined type such that the capacity value of the battery is initialized.

Abstract: According to the invention, the discharge depth representing the ratio of discharged capacity relative to the rated discharge capacity of a battery is divided into a plurality of ranges with each range allocated with the number of charges at which a refresh discharge should be carried out. The discharge depth is obtained as a sum of discharged capacity between one charge and the next. At the time of charging, summing up the count of the number of charges in the corresponding range according to the discharge depth is repeated until the number of charges in any of the ranges reaches the number at which the refresh discharge should be carried out. Then the refresh discharge is carried out either automatically or manually.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the internal resistance (R.sub.i) of rechargeable accumulators, in particular nickel-cadmium accumulators, wherein an electric energy source is connected with the poles (.+-.) of the accumulator, which is adapted for outputting an electric energy of at least the 40-fold product of the absolute value of the short-circuit current (I.sub.K) and the absolute value of the nominal voltage of an untreated accumulator and wherein the accumulator is subjected to the energy for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of activation treatment of a Ni/MH secondary battery which comprises a step of immersing an electrode or battery in a solution or electrolyte and charging/discharging concurrently. In accordance with the activation treatment of a Ni/MH secondary battery by hot-charging method of the invention, the time required for activation treatment is remarkably saved and the activation process is carried out in a highly efficient manner, compared to the conventional methods of activation treatment.