Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning dirty transport containers, especially catering carts, the device comprising:—a cleaning chamber with essentially vertical chamber walls, a closable insertion opening for the transport containers, a supporting surface for the transport containers, a plurality of nozzles for emitting a cleaner for cleaning the transport containers, and a dryer for drying the cleaned transport containers, —an insertion track disposed against the insertion opening and outside the cleaning chamber for temporary keeping and insertion of the dirty transport containers, and—automated insertion in the cleaning chamber of dirty transport containers placed on the insertion track.

Abstract: A battery charger monitors an open-circuit voltage across the battery and the rate of change of temperature of the battery to determine a time to terminate the process of charging the battery. Charging proceeds in four stages. In the first stage the open-circuit voltage of the battery is monitored until such voltage crosses a threshold value. In the second stage, the rate of change of battery temperature is monitored to determine a reference value, for example, a minimum of the monitored rate. In the third stage, the rate of change of battery temperature is again monitored to identify a time when such rate exceeds the reference value by a predetermined amount. In the fourth stage, power supplied to charge the battery is limited immediately after stage three or a predetermined time after stage three for example by reducing the charging current to a trickle-charge level or by reducing the voltage by about 100 mV.

Abstract: A battery charger monitors an open-circuit voltage across the battery and the rate of change of temperature of the battery to determine a time to terminate the process of charging the battery. Charging proceeds in four stages. In the first stage the open-circuit voltage of the battery is monitored until such voltage crosses a threshold value. In the second stage, the rate of change of battery temperature is monitored to determine a reference value, for example, a minimum of the monitored rate. In the third stage, the rate of change of battery temperature is again monitored to identify a time when such rate exceeds the reference value by a predetermined amount. In the fourth stage, power supplied to charge the battery is limited immediately after stage three or a predetermined time after stage three for example by reducing the charging current to a trickle-charge level or by reducing the voltage by about 100 mV.

Abstract: A method of charging rechargeable batteries with a switch mode power supply, the method comprising determining one or more battery charging parameters, and controlling the power output of the switch mode power supply by digitally generating a gate signal for controlling opening periods and closing periods of a switching means of the switch mode power supply, each of the durations of the opening periods and the closing periods of the switching means, respectively, being determined in response to the determined one or more battery charging parameters and one or more charging process reference values. In particular, a method is proposed of controlling the duty cycle of a switch in the switch mode power supply during charging of the battery based on determinations of one or more characteristic charging parameters of the charging process and comparisons of determined parameter values with desired parameter values.

Abstract: In a system and method for charging a rechargeable battery having a protection circuit, the rechargeable battery operates according to a model that includes an ideal battery and an internal resistance. In the model, an electrode voltage develops across the ideal battery. An internal voltage drop equal to the difference between this electrode voltage and the battery voltage is developed across the internal resistance. The battery is charged with a charging voltage that may exceed the threshold voltage and the electrode voltage. The charging system and method ensures that (1) the voltage at the protection circuit is kept below the threshold voltage and (2) the electrode voltage is kept below the end-of-charge voltage.