Abstract: A method for charging a battery, such as a lithium based battery, which applies different charge pulses and discharge pulses to the battery, takes voltage measurements during those charge pulses, discharge pulses, and rest periods between the charge pulses and discharge pulses, and determines whether to terminate or to continue charging the battery. The full sequence of charge pulses, discharge pulses, and rest periods, includes a plurality of charge pulses (1), separated by rest periods (2) and followed by a rest period (3). This is then followed by a plurality of discharge pulses (4), separated by rest periods (5) and followed by a rest period (6). This is then followed by a plurality of extended charge pulses (7), separated by rest periods (8) and followed by a rest period (9). Then another discharge pulse (10) is applied, followed by a rest period (11).

Abstract: Rapid determination of the condition or charge parameters of a battery, such as the present charge of the battery and the maximum charge capacity of the battery. A plurality of discharge pulses (210) and a plurality of rest periods (220) are applied to the battery. The battery voltage is then measured to provide voltages (225) during the rest periods, and/or voltages (230) during the discharge pulses. The voltage difference among selected one of the voltages are used to provide a difference voltage DELTA-L. The difference voltage DELTA-L is then used to determine a charge parameter of the battery, such as the maximum charge capacity or condition of the battery and the present charge in the battery. This information is then displayed to a user so that the user will know the present capacity and the present charge of the battery and can make an informed decision as to whether the battery is adequate for the project that the user has in mind, or to a subsequent process, such as a charging process.

Abstract: A controller (10) controls the application of charge pulses and discharge (depolarization) pulses to a battery (26) via a charge pulse circuit (22) and a discharge pulse circuit (24). A feedback circuit (18) allows the controller to monitor and adjust the charging process. A wave shaper (12) shapes the waveform of the charge pulses so as to limit the rise time of the charge pulses and thereby reduce reflected voltages and currents. A limiter (14) disables the charging circuit in the event that the controller should specify a charge pulse having an excessive duration or a continuous duration. Another limiter (16) limits the duration of the discharge pulses in the event that the controller should specify a discharge pulse having an excessive duration or a continuous duration. The charge pulse circuit is disabled whenever the controller specifies the application of a discharge pulse, and the discharge circuit is disabled whenever the controller specifies the application of a charge pulse.

Abstract: Rapid determination of the condition or charge parameters of a battery, such as the present charge of the battery and the maximum charge capacity of the battery. A plurality of discharge pulses (210) and a plurality of rest periods (220) are applied to the battery. The battery voltage is then measured to provide voltages (225) during the rest periods, and/or voltages (230) during the discharge pulses. The voltage difference among selected one of the voltages are used to provide a difference voltage DELTA-L. The difference voltage DELTA-L is then used to determine a charge parameter of the battery, such as the maximum charge capacity or condition of the battery and the present charge in the battery. This information is then displayed to a user so that the user will know the present capacity and the present charge of the battery and can make an informed decision as to whether the battery is adequate for the project that the user has in mind, or to a subsequent process, such as a charging process.