WO2008072014A1 - Battery charger - Google Patents

Battery charger Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008072014A1
WO2008072014A1 PCT/GB2007/050752 GB2007050752W WO2008072014A1 WO 2008072014 A1 WO2008072014 A1 WO 2008072014A1 GB 2007050752 W GB2007050752 W GB 2007050752W WO 2008072014 A1 WO2008072014 A1 WO 2008072014A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
charger
smart
channel
chargers
battery
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2007/050752
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Thomas Mark Liddell
Jeremy Paul Frost
Original Assignee
Absl Power Solutions Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Absl Power Solutions Limited filed Critical Absl Power Solutions Limited
Publication of WO2008072014A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008072014A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0013—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/00032—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by data exchange
    • H02J7/00036—Charger exchanging data with battery
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0042—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction

Definitions

  • the present invention provides a smart charger.
  • Secondary batteries are used in many different devices. In some situations it is necessary to recharge secondary batteries in field situations where the main sources of power are from generators or vehicles.
  • the present invention aims to provide a charger that can be used in field situations and can be used on a vehicle .
  • the present invention provides a multichannel charger comprising two or more individual smart chargers that are capable of standing alone which are all connected to a single electrical power input.
  • the power input may be an AC or DC input.
  • a smart charger is a charger that complies with Smart Battery Charger Specification Revision 1.1, December 11, 1998. It communicates with a smart battery via a System Management Bus which complies with System Management Bus Specification Revision 1.1, December 11, 1998.
  • a smart battery is a secondary battery which complies with Smart Battery Data Specification Revision 1.1, December 11, 1998.
  • a smart battery may have one of a range of chemistries including but not limited to lithium ion.
  • the battery provides signals to the smart charger in order to instruct the charger how to charge the battery. Thus, it tells the charger the current and voltage to provide and also tells the charger when to stop charging the battery.
  • the smart chargers can be used alone or can be connected to form a multi-channel charger. It is a particular advantage of the present invention that each of the smart chargers is a fully functional smart charger when used individually.
  • each charger of the invention is made up of individual smart chargers wherein each of them is capable of standing alone. This arrangement is highly advantageous because if one smart charger fails then the remaining channels of the multichannel charger of the invention can still be used for charging.
  • individual operators can remove and use the individual smart chargers and these can be readily transported. Assembling a multi-channel charger as and when required thus allows greater flexibility and availability of chargers than using a specially constructed multi-channel charger which would also be harder to transport.
  • the multi-channel charger typically comprises a base plate to which the smart chargers are connected and which has a DC or AC input.
  • the present invention therefore also provides a method of assembling a multi-channel charger which method comprises connecting two or more smart chargers to a multi-channel charger base plate wherein the base plate has a DC or AC input.
  • the base-plate has an AC input it is typically rectified, that is to say the base plate carries a converter or rectifier to provide a desired DC voltage.
  • the individual smart chargers are all capable of generating heat individually and/or in the configuration of a multi-channel charger of the invention, they may also be provided with separate heat dissipation means, such as heat exchangers or heat sinks made of metal plates, and these may in turn be placed in contact with a further heat sink or heat exchanger that may make up a part of the configuration of the multichannel charger of the invention.
  • the configuration of the heat sinks of the individual smart chargers with the heat sink of the multi-charger of the invention is such that heat dissipation away from the multi-charger heat generating components is optimised.
  • the heat exchangers of the individual smart chargers are typically in contact with a system heat exchanger of the multi-channel charger when the smart chargers are assembled to form the multichannel charger.
  • the system heat exchanger or heat sink associated with the multi-charger of the invention can be the base plate on which the multi-channel charger of the invention may be mounted or in an alternative the heat exchanger may be itself mounted on a base plate, typically a metal base plate, itself.
  • the individual smart chargers do not each comprise a heat exchanger or heat sink, they may be mounted on a system heat exchanger or heat sink as described above.
  • the contacting means between the individual smart chargers and the system heat exchanger will be such as to optimise the dissipation of heat away from the multi- charger of the invention.
  • the components that may make up the heat exchanger of the individual smart chargers and/or of the multi-channel charger of the invention typically are of the form of a metal plate which may have features on it in the form of ribs, flanges or fins or other projections for optimal heat dissipation.
  • the smart charger is designed so that any user indicators are visible both when the charger is used individually or in a multi-channel unit.
  • the multi-channel charger may comprise any desired number of smart chargers, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more smart chargers.
  • each smart charger can provide a charging current of up to 6A and can accept voltages of 10-40V DC.
  • the smart charger can adjust its charging regime to suit different batteries, to optimise the supply power available and/or in response to the ambient temperature.
  • the smart charger has a visual indicator of the progress of charging the battery.
  • the multi-channel charger has four channels and the input current of the multi-channel charger is limited to 4OA for low voltages.
  • the present invention also provides the use of a multi-channel charger of the present invention to charge a smart battery.
  • multi-channel chargers of the present invention will be particularly useful in field situations where there is a continuing requirement to recharge secondary batteries using mobile power sources.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-channel charger of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a four channel charger 1 with a DC input 2.
  • Four smart chargers 3 are connected to the input 2 (connections not shown) .
  • Each smart charger 3 has a SM Bus connector 4 and an indicator 5.
  • a smart battery is connected to each smart charger 3 for recharging via a cable connected to the SM Bus 4.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
  • Secondary Cells (AREA)

Abstract

A multi-channel charger (1) comprising two or more individual smart chargers (3) that are capable of standing alone which are all connected to a single electrical power input (2).

Description

Battery Charger
Description
The present invention provides a smart charger.
Background of Invention
Secondary batteries are used in many different devices. In some situations it is necessary to recharge secondary batteries in field situations where the main sources of power are from generators or vehicles.
Summary of Invention
The present invention aims to provide a charger that can be used in field situations and can be used on a vehicle .
Accordingly, the present invention provides a multichannel charger comprising two or more individual smart chargers that are capable of standing alone which are all connected to a single electrical power input.
The power input may be an AC or DC input.
A smart charger is a charger that complies with Smart Battery Charger Specification Revision 1.1, December 11, 1998. It communicates with a smart battery via a System Management Bus which complies with System Management Bus Specification Revision 1.1, December 11, 1998. A smart battery is a secondary battery which complies with Smart Battery Data Specification Revision 1.1, December 11, 1998. A smart battery may have one of a range of chemistries including but not limited to lithium ion. The battery provides signals to the smart charger in order to instruct the charger how to charge the battery. Thus, it tells the charger the current and voltage to provide and also tells the charger when to stop charging the battery.
The smart chargers can be used alone or can be connected to form a multi-channel charger. It is a particular advantage of the present invention that each of the smart chargers is a fully functional smart charger when used individually. Thus, each charger of the invention is made up of individual smart chargers wherein each of them is capable of standing alone. This arrangement is highly advantageous because if one smart charger fails then the remaining channels of the multichannel charger of the invention can still be used for charging. In addition, individual operators can remove and use the individual smart chargers and these can be readily transported. Assembling a multi-channel charger as and when required thus allows greater flexibility and availability of chargers than using a specially constructed multi-channel charger which would also be harder to transport.
The multi-channel charger typically comprises a base plate to which the smart chargers are connected and which has a DC or AC input. The present invention therefore also provides a method of assembling a multi-channel charger which method comprises connecting two or more smart chargers to a multi-channel charger base plate wherein the base plate has a DC or AC input. Where the base-plate has an AC input it is typically rectified, that is to say the base plate carries a converter or rectifier to provide a desired DC voltage. Since the individual smart chargers are all capable of generating heat individually and/or in the configuration of a multi-channel charger of the invention, they may also be provided with separate heat dissipation means, such as heat exchangers or heat sinks made of metal plates, and these may in turn be placed in contact with a further heat sink or heat exchanger that may make up a part of the configuration of the multichannel charger of the invention. Typically, the configuration of the heat sinks of the individual smart chargers with the heat sink of the multi-charger of the invention is such that heat dissipation away from the multi-charger heat generating components is optimised. In order to optimise heat exchange the heat exchangers of the individual smart chargers are typically in contact with a system heat exchanger of the multi-channel charger when the smart chargers are assembled to form the multichannel charger. The system heat exchanger or heat sink associated with the multi-charger of the invention can be the base plate on which the multi-channel charger of the invention may be mounted or in an alternative the heat exchanger may be itself mounted on a base plate, typically a metal base plate, itself. Where the individual smart chargers do not each comprise a heat exchanger or heat sink, they may be mounted on a system heat exchanger or heat sink as described above. In such a configuration, the man skilled in the art will appreciate that the contacting means between the individual smart chargers and the system heat exchanger will be such as to optimise the dissipation of heat away from the multi- charger of the invention. The components that may make up the heat exchanger of the individual smart chargers and/or of the multi-channel charger of the invention typically are of the form of a metal plate which may have features on it in the form of ribs, flanges or fins or other projections for optimal heat dissipation. Preferably the smart charger is designed so that any user indicators are visible both when the charger is used individually or in a multi-channel unit.
The multi-channel charger may comprise any desired number of smart chargers, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more smart chargers. In a preferred embodiment each smart charger can provide a charging current of up to 6A and can accept voltages of 10-40V DC. Preferably, the smart charger can adjust its charging regime to suit different batteries, to optimise the supply power available and/or in response to the ambient temperature. Preferably, the smart charger has a visual indicator of the progress of charging the battery. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the multi-channel charger has four channels and the input current of the multi-channel charger is limited to 4OA for low voltages.
The present invention also provides the use of a multi-channel charger of the present invention to charge a smart battery.
It is envisaged that multi-channel chargers of the present invention will be particularly useful in field situations where there is a continuing requirement to recharge secondary batteries using mobile power sources.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A specific construction of an apparatus embodying the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the drawing filed herewith, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-channel charger of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Figure 1 shows a four channel charger 1 with a DC input 2. Four smart chargers 3 are connected to the input 2 (connections not shown) . Each smart charger 3 has a SM Bus connector 4 and an indicator 5. In use a smart battery is connected to each smart charger 3 for recharging via a cable connected to the SM Bus 4.

Claims

Cl aims
1. A multi-channel charger comprising two or more individual smart chargers that are capable of standing alone which are all connected to a single electrical power input .
2. A charger according to claim 1 wherein each smart charger has a heat sink in contact with a heat sink on the multi-channel charger.
3. A charger according to claim 1 or 2 comprising four smart chargers.
4. A method of assembling a multi-channel charger which method comprises connecting two or more smart chargers to a multi-channel charger base-plate wherein the base-plate has a DC or AC input .
5. A method according to claim 4 wherein 4 smart chargers are connected to the base-plate.
6. Use of a multi-channel charger according to any one of claims 1 to 3 to charge a smart battery.
PCT/GB2007/050752 2006-12-14 2007-12-12 Battery charger WO2008072014A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0624938.7A GB0624938D0 (en) 2006-12-14 2006-12-14 Battery charger
GB0624938.7 2006-12-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008072014A1 true WO2008072014A1 (en) 2008-06-19

Family

ID=37712115

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2007/050752 WO2008072014A1 (en) 2006-12-14 2007-12-12 Battery charger

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB0624938D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2008072014A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8633619B2 (en) 2009-07-10 2014-01-21 Protonex Technology Corporation Power managers and methods for operating power managers
US9634485B2 (en) 2013-04-01 2017-04-25 Protonex Technology Corporation Power manager
USD802533S1 (en) 2016-03-23 2017-11-14 Protonex Technology Corporation Portable power manager enclosure
US10326284B2 (en) 2014-11-11 2019-06-18 Revision Military Ltd. Control module for DC power network
US10587116B2 (en) 2015-11-20 2020-03-10 Galvion Soldier Power, Llc Distributed power manager
US10848067B2 (en) 2015-11-20 2020-11-24 Galvion Soldier Power, Llc Power manager with reconfigurable power converting circuits
US11258366B2 (en) 2015-11-20 2022-02-22 Galvion Soldier Power, Llc Power manager with reconfigurable power converting circuits

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5218286A (en) * 1991-09-16 1993-06-08 Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. Multichannel battery charger
US5926372A (en) * 1997-12-23 1999-07-20 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Power block assembly and method of making same
US6204632B1 (en) * 1999-09-08 2001-03-20 Selfcharge Apparatus for charging multiple batteries
US20050275372A1 (en) * 2004-06-14 2005-12-15 Crowell Jonathan C Power controller for managing arrays of smart battery packs

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001224139A (en) * 2000-02-08 2001-08-17 Sony Corp Charging apparatus, battery pack and charging method for secondary battery

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5218286A (en) * 1991-09-16 1993-06-08 Monarch Marking Systems, Inc. Multichannel battery charger
US5926372A (en) * 1997-12-23 1999-07-20 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Power block assembly and method of making same
US6204632B1 (en) * 1999-09-08 2001-03-20 Selfcharge Apparatus for charging multiple batteries
US20050275372A1 (en) * 2004-06-14 2005-12-15 Crowell Jonathan C Power controller for managing arrays of smart battery packs

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8633619B2 (en) 2009-07-10 2014-01-21 Protonex Technology Corporation Power managers and methods for operating power managers
US8638011B2 (en) 2009-07-10 2014-01-28 Protonex Technology Corporation Portable power manager operating methods
US8775846B2 (en) 2009-07-10 2014-07-08 Protonex Technology Corporation Portable power manager having one or more device ports for connecting with external power loads
US11569667B2 (en) 2009-07-10 2023-01-31 Galvion Soldier Power, Llc Power managers and methods for operating power managers
US10333315B2 (en) 2009-07-10 2019-06-25 Revision Military Ltd. Power managers and methods for operating power managers
US11283265B2 (en) 2009-07-10 2022-03-22 Galvion Soldier Power, Llc Power managers and methods for operating power managers
US9634485B2 (en) 2013-04-01 2017-04-25 Protonex Technology Corporation Power manager
US10250134B2 (en) 2013-04-01 2019-04-02 Revision Military Ltd. Power manager
US10361629B2 (en) 2013-04-01 2019-07-23 Revision Military Ltd. Power manager
US10326284B2 (en) 2014-11-11 2019-06-18 Revision Military Ltd. Control module for DC power network
US11258366B2 (en) 2015-11-20 2022-02-22 Galvion Soldier Power, Llc Power manager with reconfigurable power converting circuits
US11108230B2 (en) 2015-11-20 2021-08-31 Galvion Soldier Power, Llc Power manager with reconfigurable power converting circuits
US10848067B2 (en) 2015-11-20 2020-11-24 Galvion Soldier Power, Llc Power manager with reconfigurable power converting circuits
US10587116B2 (en) 2015-11-20 2020-03-10 Galvion Soldier Power, Llc Distributed power manager
US11355928B2 (en) 2015-11-20 2022-06-07 Galvion Soldier Power, Llc Distributed power manager
USD802533S1 (en) 2016-03-23 2017-11-14 Protonex Technology Corporation Portable power manager enclosure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0624938D0 (en) 2007-01-24
GB0724200D0 (en) 2008-01-23
GB2444847A (en) 2008-06-18

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