| 主权项 |
1. A method of operating a lead acid battery in which the battery undergoes discharging phases during which the battery is partially discharged and charging phases during which the battery is charged, wherein the battery is operated according to a first method during one period of its lifetime, the first method comprising:
during a discharging phase during which the battery is partially discharged, monitoring the current flow out of and into the battery, and recording information relating to that current flow; and during a subsequent charging phase, calculating, based upon that recorded information, a desired amount of charge to be supplied to that battery, and supplying that desired amount of charge to the battery, wherein the charging of the battery during a charging phase involves calculating the net amount of charge removed from the battery, and wherein the desired amount of charge to be supplied to the battery is calculated by multiplying the calculated net amount of charge removed from the battery by a predetermined charge factor; and wherein the battery is operated according to a second method during another period of its lifetime, the second method comprising:
monitoring and recording information relating to the discharging and/or charging history of the battery; andduring a charging phase connecting the battery to a charging apparatus and applying a voltage to the battery wherein the voltage is adjusted in dependence on the recorded information relating to the discharging and/or charging history of the battery; wherein the battery lifetime has a first period and second, later period, in which the battery is operated according to the first method during only one of the first and second periods, and in which the battery is operated according to the second method during only the other one of the first and second periods. |
