Method and apparatus for recharging a battery

摘要

The present invention provides a novel method for charging silver-zinc rechargeable batteries and an apparatus for practicing the charging method. The recharging apparatus includes recharging management circuitry; and one or more of a silver-zinc cell, a host device or a charging base that includes the recharging management circuitry. The recharging management circuitry provides means for regulating recharging of the silver-zinc cell, diagnostics for evaluating battery function, and safety measures that prevent damage to the apparatus caused by charging batteries composed of materials that are not suited for the charging method (e.g., non-silver-zinc batteries).

主权项

1. A method of charging a rechargeable battery having multiple voltage plateaus wherein the battery has a voltage, VBatt, that is less than its highest voltage plateau comprising:
charging the battery with a first charging current, I1, wherein the first charging current, I1, is applied until the battery is charged to a voltage, V1; and controlling the first charging current, I1, when the voltage of the battery is V1, so that the voltage of the battery is maintained at V1 with a deviation of no more than about ±20% of V1, wherein voltage, V1, is less than the voltage of a natural polarization peak, VPP, associated with a voltage plateau, VP, wherein VP is greater than VBatt, and V1 is greater than the voltage plateau, VP; and charging the battery with a second charging current, I2, wherein the second charging current, I2, is applied after the first charging current, I1, until the battery voltage reaches a voltage, V2, wherein the voltage, V2, is greater than VP, and less than VPP; and controlling the second charging current, I2, when the voltage of the battery reaches the voltage, V2, so that the voltage of the battery is maintained at V2 with a deviation of no more than about ±20% of V2.