Patents by Inventor John L. Bowman, Jr.

John L. Bowman, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Apparatus and method for charging batteries
    Patent number: 4388582
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for charging batteries at a high rate without damaging or reducing the life of the battery. The method comprises monitoring the level of energy stored in the battery, preferably by monitoring a particular battery characteristic. The variation of the characteristic with time is analyzed, preferably by measuring successive values of the characteristic, computing the slope and comparing successive slope values so as to identify inflection points and other significant events in the variation of the characteristic.Apparatus for performing these methods and for controlling the supply of energy is disclosed which comprises suitable power supply and a programed microcomputer for measuring successive values of the characteristic, performing the required computations, and controlling the supply of energy applied to the battery by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Saar, Richard T. Walter, John L. Bowman, Jr.