IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,973,511
Granted Patent B2
US 7,973,511 · App. 12/157,973 · Granted Jul 5, 2011

Method for distinguishing batteries having different chemistries

Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,973,511
App. No.
12/157,973
Granted
Jul 5, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method is provided for distinguishing between batteries having different chemistry compositions. The method includes: supplying electrical energy to the battery for charging thereof; monitoring a voltage characteristic of the battery periodically during charging, wherein the voltage characteristic varies over time with the state of charge of the battery; and identifying the chemistry composition of the battery based on the voltage characteristic of the battery.

Claims (22)

1. A method for distinguishing between batteries having different chemistry compositions, comprising:

supplying electrical energy to the battery for charging thereof;

monitoring a voltage characteristic of the battery periodically during charging, wherein the voltage characteristic varies over time with the state of charge of the battery;

identifying the chemistry composition of the battery based on the voltage characteristic of the battery,

wherein identifying the chemistry composition further comprises identifying a first inflection point exhibited in the voltage characteristic of the battery and identifying the chemistry composition as a lithium based chemistry when a second inflection point is not detected within a defined period of time following the first inflection point.

2. A method for distinguishing between batteries having different chemistry compositions, comprising:

supplying electrical energy to the battery for charging thereof;

monitoring a voltage characteristic of the battery periodically during charging, wherein the voltage characteristic varies over time with the state of charge of the battery;

identifying the chemistry composition of the battery based on the voltage characteristic of the battery and determining a slope of the variation in the voltage characteristic and identifying the chemistry composition of the battery based on the slope,

wherein identifying the chemistry composition further comprises identifying a first inflection point exhibited in the voltage characteristic of the battery and identifying the chemistry composition as a lithium based chemistry when a second inflection point is not detected within a defined period of time following the first inflection point and the slope exceeds a threshold.

3. A method for distinguishing between batteries having different chemistry compositions, comprising:

supplying electrical energy to the battery for charging thereof;

monitoring a voltage characteristic of the battery periodically during charging, wherein the voltage characteristic varies over time with the state of charge of the battery;

determining a slope of the variation in the voltage characteristic; and

identifying the chemistry composition of the battery based on the slope of the voltage characteristic of the battery,

wherein identifying the chemistry composition further comprises identifying a first inflection point exhibited in the voltage characteristic of the battery and identifying the chemistry composition as a lithium based chemistry when a second inflection point is not detected within a defined period of time following the first inflection point.

4. A method for distinguishing between batteries having different chemistry compositions, comprising:

supplying electrical energy to the battery for charging thereof;

monitoring a voltage characteristic of the battery periodically during charging, wherein the voltage characteristic varies over time with the state of charge of the battery;

determining a slope of the variation in the voltage characteristic; and

identifying the chemistry composition of the battery based on the slope of the voltage characteristic of the battery,

wherein identifying the chemistry composition further comprises identifying a first inflection point exhibited in the voltage characteristic of the battery and identifying the chemistry composition as a lithium based chemistry when a second inflection point is not detected within a defined period of time following the first inflection point and the slope exceeds a threshold.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2008
From: CHOKSI, SNEHAL; HOWARD, GEOFFREY S.; WHITE, DANIEL J.; CUNANAN, REGINA GRACIA C.; BROTTO, DANIELE C.
To: BLACK & DECKER INC.
Reel/Frame 021999/0429 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2008
From: CHOKSI, SNEHAL; HOWARD, GEOFFREY S.; WHITE, DANIEL J.; CUNANAN, REGINA GRACIA C.; BROTTO, DANIELE C.
To: BLACK & DECKER INC.
Reel/Frame 021159/0121 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60944135 · Jun 15, 2007
Related Publication 20080309284A1 · Dec 18, 2008