Abstract: A method and an apparatus for rapidly charging a battery. The preferred charging method comprises applying one or more charging pulses (C1, C2), separated by a waiting period (CW1), with the last charging pulse, if there are more than one, being followed by a second waiting period (CW2). This is then followed by a series of discharging pulses (D1, D2, D3), which are separated by waiting periods (DW1, DW2), and followed by a last waiting period (DW3) before the occurrence of the next charging pulse (C1). The discharging pulses preferably have a magnitude which is approximately the same as the magnitude of the charging pulses but which have a duration which is substantially smaller than the duration of the charging pulses. The discharging pulses serve to create and disperse ions throughout the electrolyte of the battery so that the ions do not shield the plates of the battery from further charge transfer.

Abstract: An improved method and device for rapidly charging a battery by providing a charge pulse to the battery, followed immediately by a depolarization pulse created by allowing the battery to discharge across a load, followed by a stabilization period, and repeating this sequence cyclically until the battery is charged is disclosed. Preferably, the current level of the charge pulse is equal to or greater than the nominal rated current at which the battery can discharge in an hour, in order to achieve rapid charging. The duration of the charge pulse will generally be about one-tenth to two seconds. The current level of the depolarization pulse may be approximately the same magnitude or greater than the charging current, but of significantly shorter duration, such as 0.2-5% of the duration, to avoid unnecessary discharging of the battery. The duration of the stabilization period is generally greater than the magnitude of the depolarizing pulse.