Patent ID: 8368357
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G01R,H01M,H02J,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method to adaptively charge a battery, wherein the battery includes at least two terminals, the method comprising: applying a charge signal to the terminals of the battery, wherein the charge signal includes at least one pulse; measuring a terminal voltage of the battery which is a voltage between the terminals of the battery, wherein measuring the terminal voltage of the battery includes measuring a first terminal voltage of the battery, which is in response to a first pulse of the charge signal and at a first predetermined time relative to applying the first pulse of the charge signal to the terminals of the battery; monitoring the terminal voltage of the battery after applying the first pulse to the terminals of the battery and before applying a second pulse of the charge signal to the terminals of the battery to determine a second terminal voltage, wherein the second terminal voltage of the battery is a voltage which correlates to an equilibrium voltage of the battery; calculating data which is representative of the overpotential of the battery using the first terminal voltage of the battery and the second terminal voltage of the battery; and adapting one or more characteristics of the charge signal based on or using data which is representative of the overpotential of the battery.