Patent ID: 7940027

Claim:
A method to manage charge of a rechargeable battery comprising at least one electrochemical cell having a predetermined maximum continuous charge current (IMR_C) allowed for given temperature and state of charge conditions, the method comprising the steps of: measuring in real time the battery current (I); comparing in real time the battery current (I) to the predetermined maximum continuous charge current (IMR_C); calculating dynamically an overcharge capacity (Cap), wherein the value of said overcharge capacity is increased whenever the battery current is less than the predetermined maximum continuous charge current (I<IMR_C), and wherein the value of said overcharge capacity is decreased whenever the battery current is more than the predetermined maximum continuous charge current (I>IMR_C); determining in real time a value for an instantaneous maximum current allowed in charge (IMR) as a function of the calculated overcharge capacity, wherein the instantaneous maximum current allowed in charge is equal to the predetermined maximum continuous charge current (IMR_out1=IMR_C) whenever the calculated overcharge capacity is less or equal to zero (Cap≦0), and wherein the instantaneous maximum current allowed in charge is more than the predetermined maximum continuous charge current (IMR_out1>IMR_C) whenever the calculated overcharge capacity is more than zero (Cap>0).