Patent ID: 6285185
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: B07C,H01M,Y02E,Y02W

Abstract:
Apparatus for determining the type of battery or accumulator (10), the apparatus comprising at least one excitation coil (20) coupled to energizing means (21, 22, 23) for generating an alternating magnetic field and thereby inducing an alternating current in said battery or accumulator (10), means for placing the battery or accumulator (10) in said alternating magnetic field and detection means (30, 31, 32) for measuring induced current during the presence of the battery or accumulator (10) in the alternating magnetic field, characterized in that the apparatus further comprising means (41, 42, 24, 34) for establishing a quasi-static magnetic field in the battery or accumulator (10) during the measurement of the induced current, said quasi-static magnetic field being applied for causing a substantial saturation in at least a portion of ferromagnetic parts of the battery or accumulator (10) and in that the energizing means (21, 22, 23) is arranged for energizing the excitation coil (20) with at least one frequency selected from a low frequency in the range between about 1 kHz and about 5 kHz, preferably about 3 kHz, and a high frequency in the range above about 10 kHz, preferably about 40 kHz.