摘要 |
PCT No. PCT/AU95/00174 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 23, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 23, 1996 PCT Filed Mar. 28, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/26588 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 5, 1995A method and apparatus for processing rechargeable batteries include using a processor arranged to monitor the voltage of a battery when it is being discharged and to terminate the discharge after detecting that the rate of change of the voltage has passed through a termination pattern indicative of exhaustion of a cell of the battery. The determination is made by monitoring the voltage during discharge and detecting when the voltage curve thereof exhibits first convexity followed by concavity. The degree of convexity and concavity, and the time interval within which they must occur, are determined by the processor. The discharge is also terminated if the voltage reaches a predetermined voltage or if, after the termination pattern is detected, and before the voltage has reached a predetermined voltage, a predetermined amount of charge is removed from the battery. The invention also envisages recharging the battery first at high rate until the amount of charge returned to the battery is no more than the charge removed from the battery before the discharge was terminated. The charge may then be continued at a lower rate until the battery is overcharged to a predetermined extent. |