Patent ID: 6917184
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: H02J

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for charging a battery comprising: a first input terminal; second input terminal; a first output terminal arranged to be coupled to a reference voltage, and to a first terminal of said battery; a second output terminal arranged to be coupled to a second terminal of said battery; a controlled current flow path between said second input terminal and said second output terminal; and a control circuit which is operative, in response to a DC power source being coupled to said first and second input terminals, to cause said controlled current flow path to provide a first, substantially constant battery charging current therethrough, so as to charge said battery to a prescribed voltage and, in response to a voltage of said battery reaching said prescribed voltage, to effect a stepwise reduction in the battery charging current to a second, substantially constant battery charging current less than said first, substantially constant battery charging current for a period of time, such that thermal dissipation does not exceed a limit set by said control circuit, and thereafter gradually reducing battery charging current, so as to reduce power dissipation to a value less than a thermal limit.