METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING BATTERIES UTILIZING HETEROGENEOUS REACTION KINETICS

摘要

A method and apparatus utilizing a new parameter for assessing battery chargeacceptance for controlling the charging process of the battery. The chargeacceptance parameter comprises a terminal voltage profile which is determinedduring a variation in a diagnostic current. The slope of the terminal voltageprofile is used in the charging process to assess the charge acceptanceability of the battery and thereby control the charging current. For a firstgroup of batteries including lead-acid and nickel-cadmium batteries, theterminal voltage profile is characterised by an increasing profile slope asthe charge acceptance ability of the battery is reached. For a second group ofbatteries comprising nickel-metal hydride batteries, the terminal voltageprofile is characterized by a profile slope which approaches zero as thecharge acceptance ability of the battery is reached.