Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a battery. A voltage controlled charger applies an initial charging signal and measures the battery terminal voltage. If the measured terminal voltage exceeds an upper threshold, the charger reduces the charging signal. If the measured terminal voltage falls below a lower threshold, the charger increases the charging signal. If the measured terminal voltage falls between the upper and the lower thresholds, the charger maintains the charging signal. Thereby, the charger substantially prevents the charging signal from exceeding the battery gassing potential during the charging process. The method and apparatus also desulfate deeply discharged batteries. The method and apparatus monitor a ripple voltage associated with the battery terminals to assess battery charge acceptance and battery quality. The amount of tolerable ripple voltage preferably decreases as the charging process proceeds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging a battery. A voltage controlled charger applies an initial charging signal and measures the battery terminal voltage. If the measured terminal voltage exceeds an upper threshold, the charger reduces the charging signal. If the measured terminal voltage falls below a lower threshold, the charger increases the charging signal. If the measured terminal voltage falls between the upper and the lower thresholds, the charger maintains the charging signal. Thereby, the charger substantially prevents the charging signal from exceeding the battery gassing potential during the charging process. The method and apparatus also desulfate deeply discharged batteries. The method and apparatus monitor a ripple voltage associated with the battery terminals to assess battery charge acceptance and battery quality. The amount of tolerable ripple voltage preferably decreases as the charging process proceeds.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing mineral fibers comprises controlling the bushing temperature to maintain molten glass throughput from a bushing at a constant, calculating the viscosity of the molten glass from the bushing temperature and the temperature of a glass delivery means, and modifying a process parameter in response to the calculated viscosity.