Rechargeable battery conditioner unit

摘要

A piggyback conditioner unit usable in conjunction with a Ni-Cad battery power pack and a standard charger for the pack, the pack being normally adapted to be seated on and connected to the charger for recharging. The power pack is subject to a "memory effect" that decreases its ability to regain its rated energy capacity unless before being recharged, it is first discharged from its existing state of discharge to a deep discharge state. When put to use, the battery conditioner unit is physically and electrically interposed between the charger and the power pack to create an assembly in which the unit is seated on and electrically connected to the charger, and the pack is seated on and electrically connected to the unit. The unit includes means to further discharge the power pack seated thereon until a deep discharge state is reached, which condition is reflected in a reduced pack voltage that is sensed to automatically activate the charger which then proceeds to recharge the pack. When the pack is recharged to its full rated capacity, this condition is sensed by the charger which then switches to a low-current maintenance charge state. The resultant drop in charger voltage is sensed by the unit and indicated to inform the user that the pack is now fully recharged and in condition for reuse.