Abstract: A battery module and an overcharge protecting method are provided. The overcharge protecting method includes following steps: detecting a battery voltage of a rechargeable battery during a charging process; determining whether the battery voltage is larger than or equals to an upper limit voltage; if no, continuously charging the rechargeable battery until the battery voltage reaches a charging cut-off voltage and then the charging process is ended; if yes, stopping the charging process, reducing the value of the charging cut-off voltage and using the reduced charging cut-off voltage as the charging cut-off voltage in the next charging process. In the subsequent charging process, once the overcharge occurs, the value of the charging cut-off voltage is continuously reduced until the overcharge of the rechargeable battery does not occur during the charging process.

Abstract: A charger includes an output circuit unit to output a charging current to a secondary battery, a voltage detection unit to detect a voltage of the secondary battery, and a control unit to control the output circuit unit, whereby constant current charging and constant voltage charging are performed. The control unit decreases a constant current value of the charging current by stages during the constant current charging and determines that the secondary battery has deteriorated by using a first voltage drop value of the secondary battery occurring upon first conversion and a second voltage drop value of the secondary battery occurring upon second conversion.

Abstract: A battery charger circuit having a regulator controller configured to control the switching transistors of a switching voltage regulator. A power path switch is disposed intermediate an output of the switching voltage regulator and a terminal of a battery to be charged, with the power path switch including at least two transistor segments having common respective drain electrodes, common respective source electrodes and separate respective gate electrodes. A power path switch controller operates to sequentially turn ON the at least two transistor segments of the power path switch, preferably in the order of a decreasing ON resistance.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a charge pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charging operation, measure a plurality of voltages of the battery which are in response to the first charge pulse, determine a charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery, wherein the charge pulse voltage is a peak voltage which is in response to the first charge pulse, determine whether the CPV of the battery is within a predetermined range or greater than a predetermined upper limit value and adapt one or more characteristics of a charge packet if the CPV is outside the predetermined range or is greater than a predetermined upper limit value.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determining data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery using the data which is representative of (i) the relaxation time of the battery and/or (ii) the overpotential of the battery. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adapt one or more characteristics of a charge signal using data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine a state of charge of the battery using data which is representative of the state of health, or a change therein, of the battery.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adapt the charging of a battery using data which is representative of an overpotential or relaxation time (full or partial) of the battery. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to calculate data which is representative of an overpotential or relaxation time (full or partial) of the battery. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to calculate data which is representative of a state of charge of the battery using an overpotential or relaxation time (full or partial) of the battery.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery is provided, wherein current pulses are supplied to the battery, wherein each pulse is followed by a rest period during which no current is supplied to the battery, and wherein the state of charge of the battery is determined during the rest period.

Abstract: A portable power supply apparatus is provided having reduced impedance losses. The portable power supply apparatus is comprised of: a portable housing; a battery system residing in the housing; and an inverter circuit residing in the housing. The battery system generates a direct current (DC) voltage having a magnitude greater than or equal to a peak value of a desired alternating current (AC) voltage. The inverter circuit receives the DC voltage directly from the battery system, converts the DC voltage to an AC output voltage and outputs the AC output voltage to one or more outlets exposed on an exterior surface of the portable housing.

Abstract: Provided are a switching device for an electric vehicle and a method of controlling the switching device. The switching device includes a switch, a signal selection part, an inverter, and a controller. The switch generates a first or second switching signal according to an operation mode. The signal selection part receives the first or second switching signal, and selects the first or second switching signal according to the operation mode to output the selected switching signal. The inverter performs a direct current/alternating current conversion process on power according to the switching signal output from the signal selection part, and outputs the power. The controller determines the operation mode, and generates a control signal according to the operation mode such that the signal selection part selects the first or second switching signal.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a change in terminal voltage of the battery/cell. In another aspect, the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a partial relaxation time of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of an overpotential or full relaxation time of the battery/cell. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a state of charge and/or data which is representative of a state of health of the battery/cell.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a current pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charge, measuring a voltage at the terminals of the battery, determining a relationship of an open circuit voltage to an amount of charge in the battery using data which is representative of a state of health of the battery, calculating an open circuit voltage of the battery using the voltage measured at the terminals of the battery, a current applied to or removed from the battery and an impedance of the battery, and determining a state of charge of the battery using (i) the calculated open circuit voltage and (ii) the relationship of the open circuit voltage to the amount of charge.

Abstract: A charge system is disclosed. A charge system includes a switching device and a controller. The switching device performs switching of a DC input voltage at a predetermined switching frequency to generate an output voltage, and the output voltage being utilized for charging said battery. The controller allows the switching device to operate at a first switching frequency immediately after starting of charge and at a second switching frequency when a frequency changing condition holds. The second switching frequency is higher than that of first switching frequency.

Abstract: A battery charger is disclosed for use with various batteries, such as automotive and marine-type batteries. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the charging current is alternated between non-zero DC charging current levels. By alternating the charging current between non-zero DC charging levels, the battery can be charged to a higher capacity (i.e., ampere hours) faster, thus reducing the charging time and at the same time allow the rating of the battery charger to be increased. In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, the technique for alternating the charging current can be implemented in both linear and switched-mode battery chargers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are some embodiments for safely charging a mobile system battery pack, even when the power source (e.g., adapter) voltage is at a relatively high level that would otherwise result in excessive charge current.

Abstract: A system to recharge a battery including a first current-voltage source to generate a first signal, a second current-voltage source to generate a second signal, a first inductor-capacitor circuit to generate the first DC current-voltage signal using the first signal, a second inductor-capacitor circuit to generate the second DC current-voltage signal using the second signal, wherein the first and second inductor-capacitor circuits are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The system also includes a temperature sensor adapted to generate temperature data during the charging operation, and control circuitry configured to: (i) determine whether the first temperature data is out-of-specification, and (ii) generate one or more control signals to adjust the first and second DC current-voltage signals, in response to the first temperature data being out-of-specification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a battery is provided. The apparatus includes: a constant current circuit, a constant voltage circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit is adapted to control the constant current circuit to perform constant current charging to the battery; after a battery voltage during the constant current charging reaches a preset charging limited voltage, control the constant voltage circuit to perform constant voltage charging to the battery; after a charging current during the constant voltage charging becomes smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, control the battery to be charged by pulse charging until an open circuit voltage of the battery is larger than or equal to a preset voltage threshold.

Abstract: A combined battery charger and motor driver circuit assembly includes a rechargeable battery, a traction motor configured to accept a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) drive, a PNP transistor array, a charging source of chopped and rectified DC, and a control circuit configured to apply a discrete PWM drive signal to the gate of each transistor in the PNP transistor array.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine the state of charge of a battery/cell using data which is representative of a partial relaxation time of the battery/cell. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine the state of charge of a battery/cell using data which is representative of an overpotential or full relaxation time of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a state of charge of the battery/cell.

Abstract: A device for charging a battery, for example of an electric traction motor vehicle, based on a single-phase power supply network, the device including a filtering stage configured to be connected to the single-phase network, a voltage step-down stage connected to the filtering stage, a voltage step-up stage configured to be connected to the battery and coupled to the voltage step-down stage via an inductive component or an induction coil, and a regulating unit configured to impose chopping duty ratios on the voltage step-down stage and on the voltage step-up stage. The regulating unit compensates for phase shift between an input current of the voltage step-down stage and an input voltage of the voltage step-down stage.

Abstract: A charge control device includes a charge control circuit to control a charge of a secondary battery by controlling an output stage connected between a power supply and the secondary battery. The charge control circuit includes a first error amplifier to generate a first error voltage in response to a difference between a predetermined first reference voltage and a first feedback voltage. The value of the first feedback voltage is determined in accordance with a primary current supplied from the power supply to the output stage. The charge control circuit also includes a second error amplifier to generate a second error voltage in response to a difference between either one of a predetermined second reference voltage and the first error voltage, and a second feedback voltage. The value of the second feedback voltage is determined in accordance with a charge current supplied from the output stage to the secondary battery.

Abstract: A controller for a battery charger that includes a power converter has parametric sensors for providing a sensed Vin signal, a sensed Vout signal and a sensed Iout signal. A battery current regulator (BCR) is coupled to receive the sensed Iout signal and an Iout reference, and outputs a first duty cycle control signal. An input voltage regulator (IVR) receives the sensed Vin signal and a Vin reference. The IVR provides a second duty cycle control signal. A processor receives the sensed Iout signal and utilizes a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm, and provides the Vin reference to the IVR. A selection block forwards one of the first and second duty cycle control signals as a duty cycle control signal to the power converter. Dynamic switching between the first and second duty cycle control signals maximizes the power delivered to the battery.

Abstract: A charging device to charge a secondary battery that includes a DC/DC circuit to generate a charging current supplied to the secondary battery, an impedance measurement circuit to measure an impedance of the secondary battery, a first control circuit to output a duty-cycle decrease signal in accordance with the measured impedance, a charging-current monitor circuit to detect the charging current outputted from the DC/DC circuit when the duty cycle of the pulses generated by the DC/DC circuit is decreased by the duty-cycle decrease signal, and, a second control circuit to compare the charging current detected by the charging-current monitor circuit and a charging-current threshold and to output to the DC/DC circuit a frequency change signal that increases a switching operation frequency in the DC/DC circuit.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a change in terminal voltage of the battery/cell. In another aspect, the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a partial relaxation time of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of an overpotential or full relaxation time of the battery/cell. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a state of charge and/or data which is representative of a state of health of the battery/cell.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a charge pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charging operation, measure a plurality of voltages of the battery which are in response to the first charge pulse, determine a charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery, wherein the charge pulse voltage is a peak voltage which is in response to the first charge pulse, determine whether the CPV of the battery is within a predetermined range or greater than a predetermined upper limit value and adapt one or more characteristics of a charge packet if the CPV is outside the predetermined range or is greater than a predetermined upper limit value.

Abstract: A system for pulse charging a battery includes a battery module, an inverter, and a pulse apparatus connected to the inverter and the battery module and configured to pulse charge the battery module by modulating a power output from the inverter. A method of pulse charging a battery module includes the steps of converting AC power output from a power grid to constant DC power, modulating the constant DC power to produce modulated power, and providing the modulated power to the battery module to pulse charge the battery module.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a change in terminal voltage of the battery/cell. In another aspect, the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a partial relaxation time of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of an overpotential or full relaxation time of the battery/cell. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a state of charge of the battery/cell.

Abstract: A switch of a connecting circuit is connected between a signal line branched from an input terminal for a pilot signal in a charging inlet and a ground line connected to a vehicle earth, and is turned on/off in response to a control signal from a CPU. The CPU causes the switch to be turned on when a connector is not connected to the charging inlet, and detects a break in a control pilot line based on whether or not a change in the potential of the pilot signal occurs at that time.

Abstract: Battery chargers, electrical systems, and rechargeable battery charging methods are described. According to one aspect, a battery charger includes charge circuitry configured to apply a plurality of main charging pulses of electrical energy to a plurality of rechargeable cells of a battery to charge the rechargeable cells during a common charge cycle of the battery and to apply a plurality of secondary charging pulses of electrical energy to less than all of the rechargeable cells of the battery during the common charge cycle of the battery to charge the less than all of the rechargeable cells.

Abstract: A charger and discharger for a secondary battery includes a secondary battery coupled to an output stage of the charger and discharger, a first converter circuit including a first pulse voltage generator that outputs a first pulse voltage according to a first duty ratio, and a first inductor that outputs a first current in proportion to a value of an integral of the outputted first pulse voltage with respect to time to a positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery, a second converter circuit including a second pulse voltage generator that outputs a second pulse voltage according to a second duty ratio, and a second inductor that outputs a second current in proportion to a value of an integral of the outputted second pulse voltage with respect to time to a negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery, and first and second controllers controlling the duty ratios of the first and second pulse voltage generators, respectively.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a system end and an adapter. The system end provides a trigger signal. The adapter converts an input AC voltage into an output DC voltage and provides the output DC voltage to the system end. When the adapter is connected to the system end, the trigger signal turns on the adapter. When the adapter is disconnected from the system end, the adapter detects an absence of the trigger signal and turns off automatically.

Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adapt the charging of a battery/cell using data which is representative of an overpotential of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to calculate data which is representative of an overpotential of the battery/cell.

Abstract: A video game controller charging system for charging at least one video game controller is provided. The system includes a controller adapter including a battery unit, at least one first induction coil, and at least one first magnet, and is adapted to be received by the at least one video game controller; and a base including a power input, at least one second induction coil, and at least one structure on the base for providing physical support to the controller while the controller is being charged, the at least one structure including at least one second magnet. The base is configured to inductively charge the battery unit through inductive coupling between the at least one first induction coil and the at least one second induction coil when the controller is held in place on the structure by magnetic attraction between the magnets.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing battery-backed power to movable partitions are disclosed. A power converter generates a DC output from an AC input. The DC output may be selectively decoupled from an enabled DC output such that the DC output can be monitored for acceptable operation in-situ. The enabled DC output may be selectively coupled to a battery output terminal. A charge current may be sensed between the enabled DC output and the battery output to control charging of the battery with a pulse-width modulation operation by controlling the selective coupling of the enabled DC output to the battery output. The enabled DC output and the battery output are coupled in a logical-OR configuration to generate a supply output providing current from the enabled DC output and the battery. The supply output may drive a movable partition controller and a motor configured for opening and closing a movable partition.

Abstract: A desulfation device 10 drives its switching circuit 140 by using a pulse wave drive signal having a pulse width of 1.6 ?sec and a frequency of 20000 Hz. The switching circuit 140 is switched on to allow extraction of electric current of 500 mA from a battery via a resistor R1, while being switched off to stop the extraction of electric current. When the switching circuit 140 is switched off, a back electromotive force and a reverse current of 500 mA are supplied to the battery. The supplied reverse current is negative current in the form of spikes. This electric current acts on electrodes of the battery and thereby enables removal of sulfation on the electrodes of the battery, while reducing a temperature increase of the desulfation device 10 during its operation.

Abstract: A digital flash charger controller includes a transformer, a power supply element, and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). A secondary side of the transformer is electrically connected to an energy storage device, and the power supply element is used to supply an electric power to a primary side of the transformer. The ASIC outputs a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal to control whether the electric power is input to the primary side, and the ASIC converts a sensing signal generated at the secondary side of the transformer to a digital signal, and tracks a sensing negative edge of the sensing signal according to the digital signal to adjust a cutoff time of the PWM signal, such that the next pulse positive edge approaches the corresponding sensing negative edge.

Abstract: A multiple cell battery charger configured with a parallel topography is disclosed. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the multiple cell battery charger requires fewer active components than known battery chargers while at the same time protecting multiple battery cells from overcharge and discharge. The multiple cell battery charger in accordance with the present invention is a constant voltage battery charger that includes a regulator for providing a regulated source of direct current (DC) voltage to the battery cells to be charged. In accordance with the present invention, each battery cell is connected in series with a switching device, such as a field effect transistor (FET) and optionally a current sensing device. In a charging mode, the serially connected FET conducts, thus enabling the battery cell to be charged. The battery voltage is sensed by a microprocessor.

Abstract: Construction and operation of an oilfield molten salt battery. A battery includes an outer case, an elongated mandrel positioned within the outer case, and the mandrel being an electrical component of the battery. Another battery includes an electrical pickup, and a polymer insulator providing insulation between the outer case and the pickup. A method of charging a battery for use in a subterranean well includes the steps of: providing the battery including an electrolyte, and anode and cathode electrodes, the electrolyte being a molten salt comprising lithium salt, and at least one of the electrodes comprising lithium atoms; positioning the battery within a wellbore; and then charging the battery. Another method includes the steps of: heating the lithium ion molten salt battery; then charging the battery; and then positioning the battery within a wellbore.

Abstract: A self-contained power source to charge a battery and/or power a load is provided. The power source does not utilize a connection to an external power supply, such as AC mains and/or an AC to DC converter. In one embodiment, the self-contained power source includes an ultra low voltage power generator, such as 0.3V of a single solar cell, or even lower to slightly above the GND potential, that provides a voltage to a rechargeable battery, a load or both. A voltage converter with boost topology is used to supply a voltage comparable to the voltage of the rechargeable battery. A first push circuit containing a zero threshold voltage switch, a MUX circuit and a one-pulse-control block is utilized to ensure initial and continued operation of the voltage converter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery charger for charging a battery (10), said battery charger comprising an AC/DC power supply means (1), a pulse width modulation controlled DC/DC converter (2) and a control unit (3) that is connected to the AC/DC power supply means (1) and the PWM-controlled DC/DC converter (2). The battery charger has a maximum output power while avoiding to blow up small battery packs if the control unit (3) is adapted to measure at least a voltage and a current at terminals of the battery (10) to be charged, calculate a power at the battery (10), compare the calculated power and the nominal maximum power of the AC/DC power supply means (1), and transmit a signal to the PWM-controlled DC/DC converter (2) to adjust a charging current supplied to the battery (10) based on the comparison result. A temperature at the battery can also be measured.

Abstract: A power transmission system includes a loosely coupled air core transformer having a resonance frequency determined by a product of inductance and capacitance of a primary circuit including a primary coil. A secondary circuit is configured to have a substantially same product of inductance and capacitance. A back EMF generating device (e.g., a battery), which generates a back EMF with power transfer, is attached to the secondary circuit. Once the load power of the back EMF generating device exceeds a certain threshold level, which depends on the system parameters, the power transfer can be achieved at higher transfer efficiency if performed at an operating frequency less than the resonance frequency, which can be from 50% to 95% of the resonance frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic charge equalization apparatus and method having an automatic PWM generating means for a series-connected battery string. The automatic charge equalization method and apparatus for a series-connected battery string according to the present invention can improve charge equalization by accomplishing charge equalization operation after comparing the potential of the corresponding battery cell with the average potential of the plurality of battery cells including the corresponding battery cell upon charging or discharging the corresponding battery cell.

Abstract: A charge control circuit having a charge controller, a voltage detector, and a current detector is provided. The charge controller repeats the constant current constant voltage charge a plurality of times. In doing so, the charge controller supplies a charging current of a predetermined set current value from the charger to the secondary battery. This causes the charger to execute constant current charge when the terminal voltage detected by the voltage detector becomes equal to a predetermined threshold voltage value during the execution of the constant current charge. In turn, the charger executes a constant voltage charge by supplying a charging voltage of the threshold voltage value from the charger to the secondary battery until a current value detected by the current detector becomes equal to a predetermined threshold current value.

Abstract: A device and a method automatically trace and fix a resonance frequency of the batteries for offering an optimal charging frequency to the batteries. The device and method utilize a resonance frequency fr that charges batteries with a sinusoidal wave, automatic tracing function, and a fixed current. While the resonance frequency fr is adopted in a charging device and served as the optimum charging frequency, the using life of the batteries could be extended.

Abstract: The apparatus is for estimating a state of charge of a rechargeable battery charged by a vehicle-mounted power generation apparatus capable of generating a variable output voltage. The estimating apparatus includes a detecting function of detecting a charging/discharging current of the rechargeable battery, and an estimating function of making an estimation of the state of charge on the basis of relationship data defining the relationship among the output voltage, the state of charge, and a convergence value to which the charging/discharging current converges through transient behavior thereof in a state where variation of the output voltage is below a predetermined value after the output voltage is changed.

Abstract: An energy storage device includes buck and boost switches that charge and discharge a charge storage element (e.g. a supercapacitor or ultracapacitor) over a broad voltage range. Integrated charge limiting prevents the storage element from sinking a potentially damaging level of current. Pulse-width modulated control signals are combined with higher-frequency signals to allow the resulting modulated control signals to pass through relatively small, inexpensive isolation transformers. Pairs of control signals may be combined to produce composite control signals that turn power switches on and off, or may be used to separately turn the power switches on and off.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit includes an amplifier unit and a current control circuit as means for achieving the aforementioned object. The amplifier unit includes a gain compensation MOS transistor compensating for gain of an output characteristic and a linearity compensation MOS transistor compensating for linearity of an output characteristic. A source of the gain compensation MOS transistor is connected to a drain of the linearity compensation MOS transistor. An input signal is applied to a gate of the linearity compensation MOS transistor. A drain of the gain compensation MOS transistor is set as an output. The current control circuit performs control so as to pass predetermined current between the drain and the source of the gain compensation MOS transistor and pass predetermined current between the drain and the source of the linearity compensation MOS transistor.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery includes measuring the battery's voltage and comparing the battery voltage to a first threshold voltage. The method includes operating the battery in a charging mode if the measured battery voltage is less than the first threshold voltage, wherein operating in the charging mode comprises applying a charging signal to the battery. The charging signal has an oscillating triangular waveform superimposed on a DC bias signal. The method includes measuring the battery's current consumption and comparing the current consumption to a first threshold current. The method includes operating in a maintenance mode if the battery's current consumption is less than the first threshold current, wherein operating in the maintenance mode comprises terminating application of the charging signal to the battery. The method includes measuring, during operation in the maintenance mode, the battery's voltage and comparing the measured voltage to a second threshold voltage.

Abstract: A circuit charges and maintains a battery. The circuit includes a microprocessor for receiving a current sense signal and a voltage sense signal. The microprocessor generates control signals for selectively operating the circuit in a charging mode and in a maintenance mode. The circuit includes a current sense circuit for measuring the battery's current consumption and generating the current sense signal responsive to the measured current consumption. The circuit includes a voltage sense circuit for measuring the battery's voltage and generating the voltage sense signal responsive to the measured battery voltage. The circuit includes a waveform generator circuit for receiving the control signals, and operating in response thereto to apply a charging signal to the battery when in the charging mode and to deactivate the charging signal when in the maintenance mode. The charging signal has an oscillating triangular waveform superimposed on a DC bias signal.

Abstract: A pulse charging profile for a vehicle battery is synchronized with driver or vehicle demanded current disturbances by phase tracking the fundamental frequency of the desired pulse charging profile to those driver or vehicle demanded current disturbances. When these driver or vehicle demanded disturbances are not active, the tracked charging profile is honored.

Abstract: A battery charger is disclosed for use with various batteries, such as automotive and marine-type batteries. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the charging current is alternated between non-zero DC charging current levels. By alternating the charging current between non-zero DC charging levels, the battery can be charged to a higher capacity (i.e., ampere hours) faster, thus reducing the charging time and at the same time allow the rating of the battery charger to be increased. In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, the technique for alternating the charging current can be implemented in both linear and switched-mode battery chargers.