THERMAL RUNAWAY PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR A BATTERY CHARGER

摘要

A protection system and method for a battery charger for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a battery during charging in order to protect the battery when a thermal runaway condition is detected. The protection system in accordance with the present invention does not require external temperature sensors nor does it rely on actions by the technician or user. The system includes one or more electrical sensors normally provided with conventional battery chargers for sensing electrical parameters during charging and providing an indication of a possible thermal runaway condition based upon the trend of the electrical charging parameters. The protection system monitors charging characteristics of a battery for complete or partial charging cycles. If charging characteristics deviate from normal or indicate an anomaly, determined by software, the system assumes there may be a thermal runaway condition and executes a protection measure, such as terminating charging of the battery.