AC TO DC AND DC POWERED BATTERY RECLAIMER AND AINTAINER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to battery maintenance and more particularly/ to a voltage power source powered battery reclaiming/ maintaining and current charging for liquid electrolyte and jell electrolyte supplied batteries.
A characteristic of liquid electrolyte type batteries particularly lead acid batteries is that chemical compound deposits slowly build up on the plates to partially or entirely cover, and displace the normal plate surfaces. Low current recharging is inadequate in that it cannot/ as such/ sufficiently remove such deposits that with the passage of time crystallize and choke the battery plates by interfering blockage of electrolyte movement. Through the years many people have tried to dislodge these deposits, by "Fast Charging" and high current pulse charging approches that generally ultimately overheat and warp the lead plates in a lead acid battery. When this occurs a battery may still appear to have taken a charge and even the electrolyte may check as being correct but the battery does not hold the charge as the plates are effectively shorted. The transfer between metal (lead) electrodes and ions in a solution is not instantaneous. Thus, there is a series of sufficiently fast rise time voltage pulses to voltage levels above the theoretical cell voltage in close to instantaneous voltage. This causes a skin effect over the entire lead plate surfaces and the lead sulfation that is built up on plate surfaces will be released, going back into the solution. Batteries using other electrolytes also face reclaiming/ maintenance and charging problems that need to be successfully addressed.
It is therefore/ a principle object of this invention to provide a voltage power source powered combination reclaiming/ maintaining and charging circuit for batteries. Another object is to provide such a combination reclaiming/ and maintaining circuit capable of removing current blocking deposits from battery plates.
A further object is to prevent overheating and warpage of plates in a battery when charging efforts are made to dislodge deposits from battery plates, and to prevent explosion of batteries with overheating.
Still another object is to significantly extend the useful life service life and reliability of batteries at reasonable cost. Features of the invention useful in accomplishing the above objects include/ in AC to DC and DC powered battery reclaimer and maintainer units, a voltage power source that supplies voltage in fast rise time voltage pulses. The pulse envelopes have an extremely fast rise time with the signal output passed through a close coupled RF transformer to the battery conneted output section. The transformer has a secondary winding producing a current - voltage full wave output sharply defined through a two diode rectifying circuit to a multi-frequency lOKHz to lOOKHz pulse output. The sharp pulse outputs with RF content in the 2-10 megahertz frequency range have specific frequencies equal to natural resonant frequencies of the specific electrolytes used in respective batteries. These resulting high frequency RF output signals in each pulse envelope are capable of reclaiming/ and maintaining batteries that possess a liquid electrolyte or jell electoloyte and this output is beneficial to dry cell batteries as well in extending battery life.
Specific embodiments representing what are presently regarded as the best mode of carrying out the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:
Figure 1 represents a schematic view of a voltage power source powered battery reclaimer and charger unit with a one transistor oscillator inverter circuit;
Figure 2 , a schematic view of a voltage source powered battery reclaimer and charger unit with a two transistor relaxation blocking bystable multi-vibrator circuit; Figure 3, a schematic view of a voltage source powered reclaimer and maintainer unit with direct DC charging and the multi-pulse output superimposed thereon;
Figure 4, a schematic view of a voltage source powered reclaimer and maintainer unit with a Hartley oscillator section and a transistor amplifier pulse driver output;
Figure 5, a schematic view of a voltage source powered reclaimer and maintainer unit with a Colpitts oscillator section and a transistor amplifier pulse driver output;
Figure 6, a schematic view, similar in some respects to the embodiment of Figure 3/ with an AC input transformer tranferred and rectified with relay controlled connection for battery charging, maintaining and discharging reclaimer section with a multi-pulse output applied by itself or superimposed on DC charging on DC charging voltage when relay contacts are closed;
Figure 1 , a block schematic view of an AC to DC powered unit with timer controlled relay connection sequentially of a charging/ maintaining and reclaiming circuit unit to a series of batteries;
Figure 8, a generator DC power source for various embodiments;
Figure 9, an AC power source to DC converter schematic for powering various embodiments;
Figure 10, an alternator AC power source to diode
bridge rectifier schematic for feeding DC power to various embodiments;
Figure 11/ a battery DC power source for feeding DC power to various embodiments; Figure 12, a fuel cell as a DC power source for various embodiments;
Figure 13/ a voltage vs. time showing of the typical waveform generated as an output with the various powered battery reclaimer and maintainer unit embodiments; and, Figure 14/ is a showing of one of the pulses of the waveform of Figure 4 greatly expanded.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings:
The AC to DC power input powered battery reclaimer and maintainer 20, of Figure 1, for batteries 21 is shown to have a three pronged plug 22, insertable into a 110 volt AC receptacle, with opposite AC prongs 23 and 24 and a ground prong 25. A three pronged plug 22, insertable into a 110 volt AC receptacle, with opposite AC prong 25. The ground prong 25 is connected to ground and the AC prongs 23 and 24 are connected to opposite ends of transformer 26 primary coil 27. Transformer 26 has a ferrite ceramic core element 28 between primary coil 27 and secondary coil 29 that has a voltage rectifying diode 30 connected anode to an end of coil 29 and cathode through resistor 31 to and through tranformer 32 primary coil 33 to the collector of PNP transistor 34. The positive voltage junction 31 and coil 33 is connected through capacitor 35 to the negative voltage line 36 and through resistor 37 and on through tranformer primary coil 38 to the base of transistor 34. Resistor 37 is also connected through resistor 39 and capacitor 40. in parallel, to negative voltage line 36 that is connected to the emitter of NPN transistor 34. It should be noted that transformer 32 in addition to first and second primary coils 33 and 38 respectively, have first and
secondary coils 41 and 42, respectively, and first and second ferrite ceramic core elements 43 and 44, respectively. The center tap 45 between first and second secondary coils 41 and 42 is connected through fuse 46 and connector 15 to the negative terminal of a battery 21 being treated. The outer ends of the first and second secondary coils 41 and 42 are, respectively, connected to the anodes of diodes 47 and 48 through the diodes to volt meter 49 ad also through resistor 50 to the center tap 45 fuse 46 junction. The outer side of the volt meter 49 is connected through connector section 15' to the positive terinal of the battery 21. It should be noted that the 2 to 10 megahertz frequency contributes to the battery plates skin effect of magnetic coupling and enhances the plate cleansing of battery plates of chemical deposits. The single transistor 34 circuit is a relaxation oscillator using close coupled current transformers that impose a fixed current ratio between base current and collector current while also providing the polarity reversal for positive feedback. Secondary windings 41 and 42 provide a current-voltage full wave pulse output capable of maintaining and reclaiming batteries that possess a liquid or jell electrolyte.
Refer next to the two NPN transistors 51 and 52 relaxation bystable multi-vibrator circuit 53 equipped AC to DC, or DC, powered battery reclaimer and maintainer unit 201 of Figure 2. Here again the positive line 54 out of the resistor 31' is connected through capacitor 29' to negative line 36'. The emitters of NPN transistors 51 and 52 are connected to negative line 36' and the positve line 54 is connected through tranformer opposite enc3 coiis 55 and 56 to, respectively, the collector of NPN transistor 51 and the collector of NPN transistor 52. The positive line 54 is serially connected through resistors 57 and 58 to negative line 36• and capacitor 59 is connected from the junction of resistors 51 and 58 to the negative line 36'. The junction of resistors 57 and 58 and capacitor 59 is connected to the tap between the
secondary coils 61 and 62, of transformer 32', the other ends of which are connected, respectively, to the bases of NPN transistors 51 and 52. In transformer 32' a single ferrite ceramic core element 63 is used between the primary coils 55 and 56 and secondary coils 61 and 62 on one side and with two secondary coils 41 and 42 on the secondary output side of transformer 32'. In all other regards the output is the same as with the embodiment of Figure 1. Referring now to the embodiment of Figure 3 an AC to DC, or DC, power with reclaimer and maintainer unit 64 is shown with the output pulses superimposed on the DC charger source of battery 21. The positive DC output line 65 is connected to the anode of diode 66 with cathode connected on through line 67 to battery positive terminal connecting clip 15P. Positive DC voltage line 65 is connected serially through resistor 68 and capacitor 69 to negative DC voltage line 70 extended to the battery negative terminal connecting clip 15N. The junction of resistor 68 and capacitor 69 is connected serially through resistors 71 and 72 to negative DC voltage line 70 and also through transformer 73 primary coil 74 to the collector of NPN transistor 75 having its emitter connected through line 76N to the negative DC voltage line 70. The junction of resistors 71 and 72 is connected serially through transformer 73 transistor biasing coil 76 and line 77 to the base of NPN transistor 75. Pulse signaling as generated at the collector of NPN transistor 75 is conveyed to transformer primary coil 74 and through the transformer 73, equipped with a single ferrite ceramic core element 78 for fast signal transfer, to transformer secondary coils 76 and 79. Transformer secondary coil 79 has a center tap connection through line 80 to the negative DC voltage line 70 and opposite ends are connected to the anodes of diodes 81 and 82 and through these diodes acting to rectify the signal from coil 79 to a fast rise -time positive DC voltage pulse
-?- waveform fed to and through meter 83 and fuse 84 to line 67 as a pulse waveform superimposed on line 67 DC voltage levels applied to battery 21.
With the embodiment of Figure 4 an AC to DC, or DC, powered reclaimer and maintainer unit 85 is provided having an oscillator section 86 and a NPN transistor 87 amplifier pulse driver output section 88. The positive DC output line 54' is connected through capacitor 29" to the negative DC output line 36, and to and through transformer 89 primary coil 90 to the collector of NPN transistor 87. The positive DC output line 54' is connected through resistor 91 and capacitor 92 to the emitter of NPN transistor 93, and also through center coil 94 of a three coil two core transformer 95/ to the base of NPN transistor 93 in the Hartley oscillator section 86. The collector of transistor 93 is connected through transformer coil 96 to DC negative line 36 with coil 96 a fast response ferrite ceramic core element 97 in the coupling with transformer coil 94. A second fast response ferrite ceramic core element 98 is included in transformer 95 between center coil 94 and closely coupled output coil 99, having one end connected to the junction of resistors 100 and 101 serially connected between lines 54' and 36, and the other end connected to the base of NPN transistor 87. The emitter of NPN transistor 87 is connected to the DC negative line 36. The output signal is passed from primary coil 90 to secondary coils 41-42 of transformer 89 equipped with a fast response ferrite ceramic core element 97 in the coupling between coils 90 and 41-42- The secondary coil 41-42 is center tap 45 connected through connector 15 to the negative side of battery 21 and the opposite ends of coils 41-42 are connected through rectifying diodes 47 and 48 to and through connector 15' to the positive terminal of battery 21. With the embodiment of Figure 5 the AC to DC, or DC powered battery reclaimer and maintainer unit 102 powers
an oscillator section 103 and a NPN transistor 104 pulse drive output section 105. Positive DC line 54" is connected through resistor 106 to the collector of NPN transistor 107, to and through coil 108 to the base of NPN tansistor 107. Capacitors 109 and 110 are series connected between opposite ends of coil 108 and the common connection between capacitors 109 and 110 is connected to the negative DC line 36" and the junction between resistor 106 and the collector of NPN transistor 107 is also connected through capacitor 111 to the base of NPN transistor 87 that is also connected to the junction of resistors 100* and 101' serially connected between lines 54" and 36".
Referring now to Figure 6 a two prong 23 and 24 socket 22' is used for feeding AC to transformer 26' having primary coil 27 and secondary coil 29' separated with a ferrite ceramic core element 28' therebetween. Opposite ends of secondary coil 29' are connected to the anodes of diodes 112 and 113 for rectifying a positive DC to positive line 114 relative to negative DC being fed from coil center tap 115 to negative line 116 in a battery charging and discharging reclaimer embodiment 117. Line branch 114A from positive line 114 and line branch 116A from negative line 116 extend to cycle timer 118. Timer 118 output lines 119 and 120 extend to relay coil 121 and lines 120 and 122 are connected to relay coil 123 in order that relay switches 124 and 125 be switched in cyclic manner as controlled by cycle timer 118. Positive line 114 is connected to switch contact 126 of switch 125 and in the state shown passes positive DC on through closed switch 124 to and through current meter 127 to the positive terminal of battery 21 as a charging current. Negative DC line 116 is connected through resistor 118 to switch contact 119 of the double pole single throw relay switch 125 that when closed vjxt-.b
switch 124 also closed serves to discharge battery 21. Positive DC line 114 is connected through resistor 128 and, serially, capacitor 129 to negative DC line 116. The junction of resistor 128 and capacitor 129 is connected serially through resistors 130 and 131 to negative DC line 116 and also through first primary coil 132 of transformer 133 to the collector of NPN transistor 134 having an emitter connection to negative DC line 116. The junction of resistors 130 and 131 is connected through the second primary coil 135 of transformer 133 to the base of NPN transistor 134. A ferrite ceramic core element 136 separates secondary coil 137 from first and second primary coils 132 and 135. Opposite ends of secondary coil 137 are connected to the anodes* respectfully, of diodes 138 and 139 having cathodes connected via line 140 through fuse 141 to positive DC line extension 114B out of relay switches 124 and 125 through current meter 127 to the positive cerminal ot battery 21. Center tap 142 of secondary coil 137 is connected through line 143 to the negative DC voltage line 116 that is connected through a circuit breaker or fuse 144 to the negative terminal of battery 21. This is another embodiment for cleaning battery plates of chemical deposits. The cycle timer 118 is adjusted to cycle charge? and discharge time generally equally over a twenty four hour period as controlled by relay switch 125 for a number of cycles and then at the end of the period of cycles relay switch 124 is opened to leave only the pulses generated by the vibrator circuit 145 being applied to the battery 21 to generate high frequency ringing in the circuit within each pulse structure. Resistor 118 would generally be about one ohm for discharging battery 21, however, for small batteries that resistance value would be increased.
Referring to the AC to DC powered unit 146, of Figure 7, a two prong 23 and 24 socket 22' is used for feeding AC to AC to DC power supply 147 having a positive DC output line 148 and a negative DC output line 149. The positive DC line 148 has a branch line 148A connected to step timer 150 and to decade counter driver circuit 151, a branch line 148B connected to resistor 152 and a branch line 148C connected to A/D converter circuit 153. A/D converter circuit 153 has multiple outputs 154 to BCD out to moniter circuit 155, for informational purposes, and also an output line 156 connection to voltage digital readout circuit 157. The negative DC line 149 has a branch line 149A connected to stepper timer 150 and to decade counter drivers circuit 151, a branch line 149B connected to the blocking oscillator circuit 158 and a branch line 149C connected to A/D converter circuit 153. Decade counter drivers circuit 151 has a plurality of output lines 159A-Z connected in like manner to individual relay switches 160A-Z for batteries 21A-Z. Each of lines 159A-Z has a connection to the anode of a light emitting diode 161A-Z the cathode of which are connected in common to and through resistor 162 to negative DC branch line 149A. Negative DC branch line 149A is also connected to the relay switch coils 163A-Z. Resistor 152 is connected through capacitor 164 to the negative DC line 149, serially through resistor.3165 and 166 to the negative DC line 149 and through first primary transformer coil 167 to the collector of NPN transistor 168. The junction of resistors 165 and 1.66 is connected through second primary transformer coil 169 to the base of NPN transistor 168 and the emitter tnereof is also connected to the negative DC line 149. A ferrite ceramic core element 170 in transformer 171 separates secondary coil 172 from first and second primary coils 167 and 169. Opposite ends of transformer secondary coil 172
are connected to the anoides of diodes 173 and 174 the cathodes of which are connected through signal pulse output line 175 through current meter 176 and through fuse 177 to normally open contacts of relay switches 160A-Z that are connected to the positive terminals of batteries 21A-Z. The output of current meter 176 is connected through line 178 to and through, serially resistors 179 and 180 to the center tap 182 of tranformer secondary coil 172 that along with the junction line 181 of resistors 179 and 180 is connected as an input to A/D converter circuit 153. Transformer secondary coil center tap 182 is also connected to normally open contacts of relay switches 160A-Z that are connected to the negative terminals of batteries 21A-Z such that individual selected batteries 21A-Z may be relay switch 160A-Z connected for pulse activated RF ringing frequency treating ar desired. This embodiment is particularly useful for Keeping battery plates leaned on groups of batteries in use or setting on a shelf. Alternate DC sources for the various embodiment units shown may be a DC generator 183 (Figure 8). An AC to DC transformer 184 with secondary coil 185 opposite end diodes 186 and 187 rectifying positive DC relative to negative DC center tap 188 outputs (Figure 9). Figure 10 shows an alternator AC source 189 rectified through four diode 190, 191, 192, and 193 bridge 194 to positive DC and negative DC output lines 195 and 196. A master DC voltage supply battery 197 (Figure 11) may also be used for the required DC source. A fuel cell 198 (Figure 12) may also be used. Please note that while the embodiments of Figures 2-7 use NPN transistors like circuits using PNP transistors would provide like working results with proper circuit biasing reversals for the voltages required. Further, comparable working circuits would include, in place of NPN
or PNP bipolar transistors, field effect (FET) devises.. metal (MOS) devises and unijunction (UJT) devises.
Referring also to the waveforms of each of figures
13 and 14 embodiments of the high frequency AC to DC or DC powered battery reclaimer and charger units that, with having a circuit connected to a battery 21 with the electrolyte in the circuit as part of the circuit an RF ringing signal of the natural frequency of the electrolyte is generated. The pulse waveform of Figure 13 nas waveform envelopes plus and minus within 0.1 volt within the 0.05 to 0.5 volt range in the 10,000 to 100,000 per second frequency range dependent on the DC voltage supplied with each waveform pulse envelope front rise t-ime of less than one hundred nano seconds per volt. This is sharp enough to shock the battery electrolyte irεo resonant feedback ringing as shown in Figure 14 contained in each pulse envelope. The resonant energy is imparted to the electrolyte molecules both in deposits on battery plates and in the electrolyte solution as an effective ley in removing deposits of such molecules (or atoms) tnd their being dispersed back into the electrolyte solution-
With this pulse waveform while very low current iε generated it is sufficient to allow electrons to be displaced in the battery electrolyte compound thereoy forming ions in the battery plates into the electrolyte solution.
Typical values for some components in two of the embodiments include: Figure 1: Capacitor 35 250 microfarads
Resistor 31 15 ohms
Resistor 37 200 ohms
Capacitor 40 0.1 microfarads
Resistor 39 120 ohms Resistor 50 150 ohms Transistor 34 NPN Transformer 32 Primary Coils 33 and 38 10 and 8 turns, respectively
Secondary Coils 41 and 42 30 turns each
Figure 2: Resistor 31' 15 ohms Capacitor 28' 250 microfarads
Transistors 51 and 52 NPN Capacitor 59 0.1 microfarads Resistor 57 250 ohms Resistor 58 150 ohms Resistor 50 150 ohms
Transformer 32'
Opposite end Primary Coils 55 and 56 10 turns Coils 61 and 62 8 turns
Secondary Coils 41 and 42 30 turns Please note that in various embodiments the primary to secondary transformer coil ratios would fall in the approximate range of 1 to 3 to as much as 1 to 20.
Wheras this invention has been described with respect to several embodiments thereof, it should be realized that various changes may be made without departure from the essential contributions to the art made by the teachings hereof.