Patent ID: 6798174
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: H01M,H02J,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for charging a battery pack, the method comprising the steps of:a. applying a charge current until a voltage across at least one rechargeable cell reaches a predetermined maximum voltage threshold; b. measuring and storing the magnitude of the applied charging current; c. discontinuing the charging current; d. waiting a predetermined time; e. repeating at least once: i. the applying of a charging current until the voltage across the at least one rechargeable cell reaches a predetermined maximum voltage threshold; ii. the measuring and storing of the magnitude of the applied charging current; iii. the discontinuing of the charging current, iv. and the waiting a predetermined time; f. calculating an average of a predetermined number of the stored magnitudes of the applied charging current; g. sensing for the presence of a power source; and h. terminating charging when both the average of a predetermined number of the stored magnitudes of the applied charging current falls below a predetermined current threshold, and the power source is present.