BATTERY CHARGING APPARATUS
Method and apparatus for surface charging an automobile battery is presented. The apparatus comprises a plurality of batteries configured in series to provide a surface charge to a target battery in a vehicle. A surface charge provides a time limited window in which to start the vehicle after its battery has been discharged. The plurality of batteries in the apparatus does not have to be discarded after their charge has been depleted because the apparatus further comprises a charging circuit for recharging the used batteries from the target battery. Recharging the plurality of batteries, which are normally “non-rechargeable”, at least once provides a destination for used batteries that would otherwise be discarded. Embodiments may comprise an LED to signify when a target battery has sufficient surface charge to warrant an attempt to start the vehicle. The apparatus is a small portable device that can stored anywhere in the vehicle.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/082,508, filed on Nov. 18, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/868,962, filed on Apr. 23, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,610,395, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/497,452, filed on Jul. 2, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,456,130, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/561,866, filed on Nov. 20, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,573,230, which claims priority to a U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/738,329, filed on Nov. 18, 2005, specifications of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention described herein pertain to the field of electrical systems. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments of the invention comprise for example used household batteries to surface charge a car battery for a limited time to enable the battery to start an engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Existing solutions allow for a battery source to provide a surface charge to a battery. Once the surface charge exists on the battery, there is a limited amount of time in which the battery may be used to start an engine in a vehicle. If the battery in the vehicle has been run down by an energy drain (for example by leaving the head lights on), a quick surface charge usually provides enough energy to start the engine in the vehicle. Existing solutions use new batteries to charge a target battery, such as, for example, an automobile battery. The use of new batteries is not environmentally friendly since there are existing used batteries that could be used to charge a target battery, however the related art does not contemplate the use of used batteries for this purpose.
On a global scale there are millions of non-rechargeable batteries used every year that are simply discarded, for example AA batteries. The environmental impact is tremendous in that many types of batteries contain harmful toxic chemicals that eventually leak into the environment. It is currently illegal to use mercury in most battery types so the environmental impact is no longer as great as it used to be. However, there are significant chemical resources in the multitude of discarded batteries that are simply discarded but which could be recycled. It is estimated that over 350 million rechargeable batteries are purchased in the United States every year. Even so, these batteries do not last forever and many are eventually discarded as well.
Alkaline batteries manufactured and sold in the United States are generally labeled with warnings that state that the batteries in any size are not rechargeable and users are warned against recharging the batteries. Some manufacturers have designed specific alkaline batteries for rechargeable use, but those batteries are sold at a higher premium price and are only rechargeable with the aid of the manufacturer's charging system. The design of these specific “rechargeable” alkaline batteries is supposed to be different than the typical alkaline batteries sold in high volume in most stores around the world. However, most alkaline batteries are “use once and discard” products that pose a significant environmental hazard.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,491, entitled “method and apparatus for depositing an electrical charge to an electrical storage cell used in an automobile,” describes the basic functions associated with providing a surface charge to a battery. The energy source described in the '491 patent may comprise a variety of electrical sources; however using used batteries for this purpose is not contemplated.
For at least the limitations described above there is a need for applications of used batteries so that these batteries are not discarded into the environment and hence there is a need for a method and apparatus comprising used batteries for surface charging an automobile battery.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne or more embodiments of the invention enable a method and apparatus comprising used batteries for surface charging an automobile battery. The apparatus comprises at least one used battery inserted into a case that is coupled with a target battery to provide a surface charge to the battery, for example to start a vehicle with a drained battery. Types of used batteries that may be utilized in embodiments of the invention include alkaline/alkaline manganese, zinc carbon/carbon zinc, zinc air, silver oxide/silver, lithium, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion and small sealed lead acid batteries. Many of these batteries comprise materials that are not environmentally friendly.
The apparatus case is sealed with a case top. The seal may include a tongue and groove coupling or any other type of sealing mechanism. Inside the case, a circuit board and a panel on opposing sides of the at least one used battery provide for connecting the at least one used battery in series. The circuit board may be constructed using any type of material utilized in circuit board construction, for example epoxy-glass laminates or cardboard or any other material. A compressive insert may be utilized to provide force sufficient to hold the at least one used battery against the circuit board and the panel. An electrical connector coupled with the case top provides a positive lead and a negative lead coupled with the at least one used battery and provides for an interface with a target battery, such as an automotive battery. Fuses may be utilized to protect the apparatus from too high of a current load and may be utilized in any portion of the circuit in keeping with the spirit of the invention.
One or more embodiments of the invention comprise at least one resistor in series with the positive lead. The at least one resistor is configured to limit current from the at least one used battery to the target battery. This limiting effect slows the time that it takes to charge the target battery but allows for lower heat to be generated, albeit over a longer period of time. By limiting the heat generated, a measure of safety is provided. By utilizing some of the at least one used batteries as heat sinks, the speed at which a surface charge may be deposited into the target battery may be increased. The at least one resistor may be placed against one more used batteries to increase the thermal transfer rate. The at least one resistor may be enclosed in a thermally conductive material that is electrically insulating to provide for efficient thermal transfer with an additional measure of safety. In other embodiments of the invention, the resistors may be mounted on the circuit board or outside the case.
The at least one battery in the case may form a series of batteries that are in contact with both the panel and circuit board. The panel may be flexible so that differences in battery heights may be accounted for. The compressive insert may be foam based or may comprise any other material(s) that provide a spring-like capability that forces the battery ends onto the respective conductive lines/paths that exist on the panel and circuit board.
In addition, the apparatus may comprise a switch that allows for manual connection of the at least one used battery to the target battery. The switch may also be used to connect the target battery to an LED to display a status indicator showing whether the target battery comprises a sufficient charge to warrant an attempt to start the vehicles engine that is coupled to the target battery for example. The apparatus may also comprise a charging circuit and the switch may be used in any combination with the connection to the target battery or LED or charging circuit. Alternatively, in a non-switch embodiment, the electrical circuit in the apparatus may automatically charge the target battery or may charge the at least one used battery, depending on the voltages presented to the apparatus.
The apparatus may also comprise a protection circuit that protects the at least one used battery from a maximum charging current when the charging circuit is used. This may be accomplished with a low wattage diode, for example, that may form an open circuit when too much current flows through it.
Although any type of used battery may be utilized in the apparatus, non-rechargeable alkaline batteries may be utilized in a limited number of recharge cycles. If carefully charged according to this method, non-rechargeable alkaline batteries may comprise the at least one used battery of the apparatus. Whether recharged or not, if each of the at least one used batteries inserted into the apparatus comprises a charge of at least 1.2 volts, then generally enough voltage will be present for the batteries to be used in embodiments of the invention. Thus, batteries at the end of their life to be utilized in an application where normally these batteries would be discarded. Further embodiments of the invention are detailed in the detailed description below.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:
A method and apparatus comprising used batteries for surface charging an automobile battery will now be described. In the following exemplary description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to an artisan of ordinary skill that the present invention may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. In other instances, specific features, quantities, or measurements well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Readers should note that although examples of the invention are set forth herein, the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents, are what define the metes and bounds of the invention.
One or more embodiments of the invention allow for charging a target battery and recharging used batteries.
The at least one battery in the case may form a series of batteries that are in contact with both the panel and circuit board. See
In addition, the apparatus may comprise an optional switch that allows for manual connection of the at least one used battery to the target battery. The switch may also be used to connect the target battery to an LED to display a status indicator showing whether the target battery comprises a sufficient charge to warrant an attempt to start the vehicles engine that is coupled to the target battery for example. The apparatus may also comprise a charging circuit and the switch may be used in any combination with the connection to the target battery or LED or charging circuit. Alternatively, in a non-switch embodiment, the electrical circuit in the apparatus automatically charge the target battery or the at least one used battery depending on the voltages presented to the apparatus.
Although any type of the at least one used battery may be utilized, non-rechargeable alkaline batteries may be utilized in a limited number of recharge cycles. If carefully charged, non-rechargeable alkaline batteries may comprise the at least one used battery of the apparatus. Whether recharged or not, if each of the at least one used battery comprises a charge of 1.2 volts or over, then generally the battery comprises enough voltage to be used in embodiments of the invention. This allows for batteries at the end of their life to be utilized in an application where normally these batteries would be discarded.
A combined waveform, as shown in
This process is not limited to the circuit used in current charging demonstrations, but may be affected by many like circuits producing effective charging signals. The one thing in common in all circuits utilizing this technology is the mixture of AC and DC.
An exemplary charging diagram employing this method is shown in
While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.
Claims
1. A battery charging apparatus comprising:
- a case having a bottom surface and a vertical wall attached to the bottom surface in a substantially perpendicular configuration to define a volume of space above the bottom surface for housing a plurality of batteries with one or more connections facing upwards and one or more connections facing downwards;
- a case cover coupled to the case to secure the plurality of batteries within the case;
- a first plurality of conductive elements above the bottom surface of the case and below the plurality of batteries and in contact with said connections facing downwards on the plurality of batteries;
- a second plurality of conductive elements beneath the case cover and above the plurality of batteries and in contact with said connections facing upwards on the plurality of batteries, wherein the first plurality of conductive elements and the second plurality of conductive elements connect the plurality of batteries electrically in series by circuitry resulting in a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal;
- a positive contact electrically connected to the positive battery terminal;
- a negative contact electrically connected to the negative battery terminal;
- a connector for electrically coupling with an interface to a target battery, said connector having a positive lead removably coupled to said positive contact and a negative lead removably coupled to said negative contact;
- a first diode coupled between said positive lead and said positive contact to allow current to flow in a first direction from said plurality of batteries to said target battery; and
- a second diode coupled between said positive lead and said positive contact to allow current to flow in a second direction from said target battery to the plurality of batteries for recharging the plurality of batteries.
2. The battery charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface to the target battery comprises a cigarette lighter plug.
3. The battery charging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a charge control circuit coupled between said positive lead and positive contact, said charge control circuit including a switch with a first and second position, wherein said first position allows current to flow in said first direction from the plurality of batteries to the target battery through the positive contact and wherein said second position allows current to flow in said second direction from the target battery through an inductor regulated by a voltage regulator to the plurality of batteries through the positive contact.
4. The battery charging apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of said plurality of batteries is an AA alkaline battery, and wherein said second position of said switch causes recharging of said AA alkaline battery.
5. The battery charging apparatus of claim 4, wherein said recharging of said plurality of batteries occurs only after said plurality of batteries become used batteries.
6. The battery charging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a status circuit, the status circuit including a light, the light illuminating when the target battery has a voltage greater than a threshold amount.
7. The battery charging apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second diode is rated at a lower current than said first diode.
8. A battery charging apparatus comprising:
- a case having a bottom surface and a vertical wall attached to the bottom surface in a substantially perpendicular configuration to define a volume of space above the bottom surface for housing a plurality of batteries with one or more connections facing upwards and one or more connections facing downwards;
- a case cover coupled to the case to secure the plurality of batteries within the case;
- a first plurality of conductive elements above the bottom surface of the case and below the plurality of batteries and in contact with said connections facing downwards on the plurality of batteries;
- a second plurality of conductive elements beneath the case cover and above the plurality of batteries and in contact with said connections facing upwards on the plurality of batteries, wherein the first plurality of conductive elements and the second plurality of conductive elements connect the plurality of batteries electrically in series by circuitry resulting in a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal;
- a positive contact electrically connected to the positive battery terminal;
- a negative contact electrically connected to the negative battery terminal;
- a connector for electrically coupling with an interface to a target battery, said connector having a positive lead removably coupled to said positive contact and a negative lead removably coupled to said negative contact; and
- a charge control circuit coupled between said positive lead and said positive contact, said charge control circuit including a switch with a first and second position, wherein said first position allows current for charging the target battery to flow in a first direction from the plurality of batteries to the target battery, and wherein said second position allows current for recharging the plurality of batteries to flow in a second direction from the target battery through an inductor regulated by a voltage regulator to the plurality of batteries.
9. The battery charging apparatus of claim 8, wherein the interface to the target battery comprises a cigarette lighter plug.
10. The battery charging apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a charge control circuit coupled between said positive lead and positive contact, said charge control circuit including a switch with a first and second position, wherein said first position allows current to flow in a first direction from the plurality of batteries to the target battery through the first diode and wherein said second position allows current to flow in a second direction from the target battery through an inductor regulated by a voltage regulator to the plurality of batteries through the second diode.
11. The battery charging apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of said plurality of batteries is an AA alkaline battery, and wherein said second position of said switch causes recharging of said AA alkaline battery.
12. The battery charging apparatus of claim 11, wherein said recharging of said plurality of batteries occurs only after said plurality of batteries become used batteries.
13. The battery charging apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a status circuit, the status circuit including a light, the light illuminating when the target battery has a voltage greater than a threshold amount.
14. The battery charging apparatus of claim 8, wherein said second diode is rated at a lower current than said first diode.
15. A battery charging apparatus comprising:
- a case for housing a plurality of batteries with one or more connections facing upwards and one or more connections facing downwards, wherein each of said plurality of batteries is an alkaline battery;
- a case cover coupled to the case to secure the plurality of batteries within the case;
- a first plurality of conductive elements above the bottom surface of the case and below the plurality of batteries and in contact with said connections facing downwards on the plurality of batteries;
- a second plurality of conductive elements beneath the case cover and above the plurality of batteries and in contact with said connections facing upwards on the plurality of batteries, wherein the first plurality of conductive elements and second plurality of conductive elements connect the plurality of batteries electrically in series by circuitry resulting in a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal;
- a positive contact electrically connected to the positive battery terminal;
- a negative contact electrically connected to the negative battery terminal;
- a connector for electrically coupling with an interface to a target battery, said connector having a positive lead removably coupled to said positive contact and a negative lead removably coupled to said negative contact; and
- a charge control circuit coupled between said positive lead and said positive contact, said charge control circuit including a switch with a first and second position, wherein said first position allows current for charging the target battery to flow in a first direction from the plurality of batteries to the target battery, and wherein said second position allows current for recharging the plurality of batteries to flow in a second direction from the target battery to the plurality of batteries.
16. The battery charging apparatus of claim 15, wherein the interface to the target battery comprises a cigarette lighter plug.
17. The battery charging apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one of said plurality of batteries is an AA alkaline battery, and wherein said second position of said switch causes recharging of said AA alkaline battery.
18. The battery charging apparatus of claim 17, wherein said recharging of said plurality of batteries occurs only after said plurality of batteries become used batteries.
19. The battery charging apparatus of claim 17, wherein said recharging of said plurality of batteries is regulated by said charge control circuit.
20. The battery charging apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a status circuit, the status circuit including a light, the light illuminating when the target battery has a voltage greater than a threshold amount.
Type: Application
Filed: May 12, 2015
Publication Date: Nov 5, 2015
Inventors: PATRICK DICKSON (FLORENCE, OR), ROD BRONSON (LOMPOC, CA)
Application Number: 14/709,710