Patents by Inventor William H. Bushong

William H. Bushong 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).

  • Method and apparatus for regulating charging of electrochemical cells
    Patent number: 6878481
    Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided having a pressure-responsive apparatus for determining a charge termination point. In particular, a reversible pressure-responsive switch may be disposed in a cap at the open end of a rechargeable metal hydride cell. The reversible pressure-responsive switch may also contain a vent system for releasing the cell internal pressure. Alternatively, a rechargeable cell may include a strain gauge disposed in its outer surface whose resistance changes as the outer surface of the battery expands due to internal pressure accumulation during charging. Additionally, a rechargeable cell is used combination with a charging source that can supply constant voltage, constant current, alternating current, or voltage that varies between a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Rayovac Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Bushong, Cheeseman Paul, Thomas Kaufman, Michael Root, Aaron Rositch, Marc L. Syvertsen, Viet H. Vu
  • Method and apparatus for regulating charging of electrochemical cells
    Publication number: 20020119364
    Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided having a pressure-responsive apparatus for determining a charge termination point. In particular, a reversible pressure-responsive switch may be disposed in a cap at the open end of a rechargeable metal hydride cell. The reversible pressure-responsive switch may also contain a vent system for releasing the cell internal pressure. Alternatively, a rechargeable cell may include a strain gauge disposed in its outer surface whose resistance changes as the outer surface of the battery expands due to internal pressure accumulation during charging. Additionally, a rechargeable cell is used combination with a charging source that can supply constant voltage, constant current, alternating current, or voltage that varies between a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: William H. Bushong, Paul Cheeseman, Thomas Kaufman, Michael Root, Aaron Rositch, Marc L. Syvertsen, Viet H. Vu