MX2012012806A

Bipolar overvoltage battery pulser and method.

Abstract

A bipolar overvoltage battery pulser and method are provided that apply a positive pulse voltage and a negative pulse voltage alternately across the terminals of a battery. The object of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulser and method is to increase the cycle lifetime and capacity of storage batteries, such as lead acid batteries. The rise times for the leading edges of the positive pulses and for the trailing edges of the negative pulses are short compared to the ionic relaxation time in the electrochemical solution. Alternating between the positive and negative pulses gives each new pulse an equal starting condition without realizing any memory effect that otherwise may result if the last applied pulse was of the same polarity, which reduces the extent of overvoltage that may be applied to the battery and decrease the highest useable pulse cycling frequencies that could be achieved without experiencing pulse overlapping. The shape, type and timing of the pulses may be adjusted to create overvoltage pulses having high duration and amplitude.

MX2012012806A, drawing sheet 1 — Sheet 1 of 10

Term

4.6 yearsleft in the term

Expires 5 May 2031.

6 claims: 2 independent, 4 dependent

1
REIVINDICACIONES 1. Un generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar caracterizado porque comprende:un generador de impulso configurado para producir un voltaje de impulso positivo y un voltaje de impulso negativo;un controlador de voltaje de impulso positivo configurado para convertir el voltaje de impulso positivo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo;un controlador de voltaje de impulso negativo configurado para convertir el voltaje de impulso negativo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo;y un distribuidor de voltaje de impulso configurado para fusionar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo y la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso y aplicar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso a través de las terminales de una batería, en donde la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso comprende por lo menos un impulso de voltaje positivo que tiene un borde delantero y una amplitud de pulso positiva seguida por al menos un impulso de voltaje negativo que tiene un borde trasero y una amplitud de pulso negativo, en donde un tiempo de subida del borde delantero y un tiempo de subida del borde trasero son cada uno menores que el tiempo de relajación de una solución electrolítica de la batería.
2
El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque comprende adicionalmente un 5 microcontrolador, en donde el generador de impulso se configura en el microcontrolador.
3
El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque el generador de impulso comprende un 10 generador de impulso positivo configurado para generar el voltaje de impulso positivo y un generador de impulso negativo configurado para generar el voltaje de impulso negativo.
4
El generador de impulsos de batería de 15 sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque el generador de impulso comprende un conmutador inversor alternativo, caracterizado porque el conmutador inversor alternativo procesa alternativamente el voltaje de impulso en un voltaje de impulso pasante y un 20 voltaje de impulso invertido, en donde el voltaje de impulso pasante es uno del voltaje de impulso positivo y el voltaje de impulso negativo y el voltaje de impulso invertido es el otro del voltaje de impulso positivo y el voltaje de impulso negativo. 25 5. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque el controlador de voltaje de impulso positivo y el controlador de voltaje de impulso negativo cada uno comprende:un conformado de impulso;y un generador de sincronización, en donde el conformador de impulso y el generador de sincronización se configuran para convertir un voltaje de impulso en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso. 6. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado además porque comprende: un amplificador de voltaje positivo configurado para amplificar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo;y un amplificador de voltaje negativo configurado para amplificar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo. 7. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque el tiempo de subida del borde delantero y el tiempo de subida del borde de ajuste se encuentran aproximadamente un tercio del tiempo de relajación. 8. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque la amplitud de impulso positivo y la amplitud de impulso negativo son cada una mayor que un voltaje de la batería. 9. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 8, caracterizado porque la amplitud de impulso positivo y la amplitud de impulso negativo cada una tiene por lo menos dos veces el voltaje de la batería. 10. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 9, caracterizado porque la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso tiene una frecuencia de ciclo de impulso de manera que un ancho de impulso de por lo menos un impulso de voltaje positivo y un ancho de impulso de por lo menos un impulso de voltaje negativo no se solapan. 11. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque el ancho de impulso de por lo menos un impulso de voltaje positivo y un ancho de impulso de por lo menos un impulso de voltaje negativo exceden cada uno el tiempo de relajación. 12. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque comprende adicionalmente: un controlador;y un dispositivo de medición configurado para medir un voltaje de la batería, en donde: el controlador se configura para identificar un estado de la batería utilizando el voltaje de la batería;y el controlador se configura para activar el generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar basado en el estado de la batería. 13. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque la batería es cualquiera de una batería de plomo ácido y una batería sin plomo ácido. 14. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado además porque comprende un amplificador de voltaje configurado para amplificar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso. 15. El generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de conformidad con la reivindicación 14, caracterizado porque el generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar se integra con la batería. 16. Un método para tratar una pluralidad de baterías de un paquete de batería, cada batería que tiene un generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar, caracterizado porque comprende controlar los generadores de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar de manera que no más de uno de los generadores de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar aplica una sobretensión en cualquier momento, en donde la el generador de impulsos de batería de sobretensión bipolar comprende: un generador de impulso configurado para producir un voltaje de impulso positivo y un voltaje de impulso negativo;un controlador de voltaje de impulso positivo configurado para convertir el voltaje de impulso positivo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo;un controlador de voltaje de impulso negativo configurado para convertir el voltaje de impulso negativo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo;un distribuidor de voltaje de impulso configurado para fusionar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo y la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso y aplicar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso a través de las terminales de una batería;un amplificador de voltaje positivo configurado para amplificar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo;y un amplificador de voltaje negativo configurado para amplificar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo, en donde la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo comprende un borde delantero y una amplitud de impulso positivo y la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo que tiene un borde trasero y una amplitud de impulso negativo, en donde el tiempo de subida del borde delantero y un tiempo de subida del borde trasero son cada uno menor que un tiempo de relajación de una solución electrolítica de la pluralidad de baterías. 17. Un método caracterizado porque comprende: proporcionar una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo que tiene un impulso positivo simple y una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo que tiene un impulso negativo simple;y aplicar en la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo y la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo alternativamente a través de las terminales de una batería, en donde la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo comprende un borde delantero y una amplitud de impulso positivo y la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo que tiene un borde trasero y una amplitud de impulso negativo, en donde el tiempo de subida del borde delantero y un tiempo de subida del borde trasero son cada uno menor que un tiempo de relajación de una solución electrolítica de la batería. 18. El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 17, caracterizado porque adicíonalmente fusionar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo y la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso antes de aplicarse a través de las terminales de la batería. 19. El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 17, caracterizado porque aplicar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo y la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo alternativamente atraviesa las terminales de una batería de plomo ácido y una batería sin plomo ácido. 20. Un método caracterizado porque comprende: producir un voltaje de impulso positivo y un voltaje de impulso negativo;convertir el voltaje de impulso positivo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo y el voltaje de impulso negativo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo;fusionar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo y la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso;y aplicar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso a través de las terminales de una batería, en donde la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso comprende por lo menos un impulso de voltaje positivo que tiene un borde delantero y una amplitud de impulso positivo seguido por al menos un impulso de voltaje negativo que tiene un borde trasero y una amplitud de impulso negativo, en donde el tiempo de subida del borde delantero y un tiempo de subida del borde trasero son cada uno menor que un tiempo de relajación de una solución electrolítica de la batería. 21. El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 20, caracterizado porque comprende adicionalmente amplificar por lo menos uno de la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo, la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo, y la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso. 22. El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 20, caracterizado porque producir un voltaje de impulso positivo y un voltaje de impulso negativo comprende: generar un voltaje de impulso;y procesar el voltaje de impulso, alternativamente, en un voltaje de impulso pasante y un voltaje de impulso invertido, en donde el voltaje de impulso pasante es cualquiera de un voltaje de impulso positivo y el voltaje de impulso negativo, y el voltaje de impulso invertido es el otro del voltaje de impulso positivo y el voltaje de impulso negativo. 23. El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 20, caracterizado porque convertir el voltaje de impulso positivo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo y el voltaje de impulso negativo en una forma de onda de voltaje de impulso negativo comprende: Conformar el voltaje de impulso positivo y el voltaje de .impulso negativo respectivamente en una forma de voltaje de impulso positivo y una forma de voltaje de impulso
5
5 negativo;y Sincronizar una distribución de la forma de voltaje de impulso positivo y una distribución de la forma de voltaje de impulso negativo respectivamente en la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso positivo y la forma de onda de voltaje de
6
10 impulso negativo. 24. El método de conformidad con la reivindicación 20, caracterizado porque aplicar la forma de onda de voltaje de impulso a través de las terminales de uno de la batería de plomo ácido y uno de la batería sin plomo ácido.

Independent claims6

128 paragraphs in 2 sections, as filed

(54) Title: BIPOLAR OVERVOLTAGE BATTERY PUSH BUTTON AND METHOD.

(54) Title: BIPOLAR OVERVOLTAGE BATTERY PULSER AND METHOD.

(57) Summary

A bipolar overvoltage battery pulsator and method are provided that apply a positive impulse voltage and a negative impulse voltage alternately across the terminals of a battery. The purpose of the bipolar overvoltage battery push button and method is to increase the life cycle and capacity of storage batteries, such as lead-acid batteries. The rise times for the leading edges of the positive pulses and for the trailing edges of the negative pulses are short compared to the ionic relaxation time in the electrochemical solution. The alternation between positive and negative pulses gives each new pulse an equal starting condition without performing any memory effect that can somehow result if the last applied pulse had the same polarity, reducing the degree of overvoltage that can be applied to the battery and lower the highest usable pulse cycling frequencies that could be achieved without experiencing pulse overlap. The shape, type, and timing of the pulses can be adjusted to create overvoltage pulses that have high duration and amplitude.

(57) Abstract

A bipolar overvoltage battery pulser and method are provided that apply a positive pulse voltage and a negative pulse voltage alternately across the terminaáis of a battery. The object of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulser and method is to increase the cycle lifetime and capacity of storage batteries, such as lead acid batteries. The rise times for the leading edges of the positive pulses and for the trailing edges of the negative pulses are short compared to the ionic relaxation time in the electrochemical solution. Alternating between the positive and negative pulses gives each new pulse an equal starting condition without realizing any memory effect that otherwise may result if the last applied pulse was of the same polarity, which reduces the extent of overvoltage that may be applied to the battery and decrease the highest useable pulse cycling frequencies that could be achieved without experiencing pulse overlapping. The shape, type and timing of the pulses may be adjusted to create overvoltage pulses having high duration and amplitude.

BIPOLAR OVERVOLTAGE BATTERY PUSH BUTTON AND METHOD

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bipolar overvoltage battery 5 pulse generator and method of increasing the life cycle and capacity of a battery.

A rechargeable battery is an electrochemical cell that stores energy, delivering that energy upon discharge of current based on demand from the electrical device. A rechargeable battery can be recharged by forcing an electric current through the battery in a direction opposite to that of. the download.

A commonly detected problem with rechargeable batteries is a loss in battery power capacity over subsequent recharge cycles that results in a reduced amount of time from battery use to the next recharge cycle. For example, a loss in the ability to fully maintain a battery's power capacity may result after a charge cycle followed by a period of use when the battery is not fully discharged. The loss in the ability to fully maintain the load capacity can become troublesome when there are repeated cycles of surface discharge followed by a charge cycle. To reduce the degree of loss to substantially maintain the full power capacity of a battery in addition to preventing a rapid deterioration in the available power capacity after a charge cycle, manufacturers recommend subjecting a rechargeable battery to a deep discharge before to recharge the battery.

While there are many phenomena that may contribute to this potential loss of the battery to fully maintain the charging capacity, it is known that a deterioration in the possibility of an active component to regenerate at either or both of the anode and cathode may be a contributing factor. . For example, decreased capacity of lead acid batteries has been reported to be associated with a progressive change in the nature of the cathode and anode active materials, which also contributes to a reduction in battery life. as well as in the loss of the possibility of the battery to maintain its capacity. The initial state of the cathode and anode surface structure is porous allowing a greater amount of active material to be exposed to the surrounding battery electrolyte. As the battery undergoes multiple discharge and charge cycles, the surface structure of the cathode and anode progressively become increasingly defined by adding crystalline structures that reduce the overall surface contact of the active material with the battery electrolytic solution.

Attempts have been made in the prior art to reduce these effects on a battery to improve battery charge cycles including ensuring that the battery is fully discharged before recharging the battery to a recommended operating level. Other battery charges in the prior art control the charging pattern and, in some cases, may include a slight discharge sequence throughout the battery charging period. For example, US Patent No. 5,633,574 for Sage describes a charging sequence for a battery that includes repeatedly applying a sequence that includes 1000 milliseconds of charge, 2 milliseconds of no charge, 5 milliseconds of discharge, and 10 milliseconds of no charge can reduce the degree of loss in the possibility for the battery to fully maintain the charging capacity. US Patent No. 5,998,968 to Pittman et al., Describes applying a discharge, charge, and rest period of a battery in a predetermined charging sequence until the battery is fully charged. US Patent No. 5,777,453 to Imanaga represents yet another charging sequence strategy whereby voltage pulses are periodically applied to a battery followed by a period of rest when no voltage is applied during the charging sequence.

Repeated losses in the battery's ability to fully maintain charge capacity over multiple charge cycles can also contribute to an overall reduction in battery life. That is, it is known that a loss in the probability of the battery to maintain its capacity is not completely irreversible and can accumulate over the life of the battery resulting in an overall reduction in battery life.

During a charge cycle, the attraction ion electrodes or plates - negative ions for the positive plate and positive ions for the negative plate - both of which prevent further transfer of ions to the plates. As the battery charges, an increased impedance develops resulting in an increased resistance for the battery to charge. Eventually, with the completion of charging and removal of any overvoltages, a balance will develop at the anode and cathode so that the ion transfer rate of the electrodes equals the transfer rate of the same types of ions away from the electrodes .

The Boltzmann equations, represented by equation 1, and Nernst, represented by equation 2, describe the thermodynamic equilibrium (the steady state) that developed in an electrochemical system in terms of the ratio of ion density in the electrochemical solution in volume, DI know, in response to the density of the same types of ions present in the surface layer of the electrode, DI/ in relation to the power difference, (VI knowVI), which exists between the electrochemical solution and the electrode and their mutual dependence on such relation DI know/ DI. See, for example, Christian Gerthsen and Helmut Vogel: Gerthsen Physics, 19 ed., Springer Verlag, Berlin and New

York.

where:

g = charge of an electron, Coulomb k = Boltzmann constant, Joule / Kelvin T = absolute temperature, Kelvin

DI know/ DI = ratio of the ionic density of the electrochemical solution to the ionic density of the surface layer at the equilibrium electrode (VI know - VI) = power difference between the electrochemical solution and the electrode in equilibrium, volts

Under equilibrium conditions, the system is stable, that is, the formation, growth or dissolution or phase transition does not occur. In equilibrium, the flow of any ionic species in the surface layer on the electrode will be compensated by the flow of an equal number of the same ionic species of the surface layer on the electrode into the electrochemical solution.

In all chemical systems there is a tendency to change the state of equilibrium. See for example, James E. Brady: General Chemistry - Principles and Structure, John Wiley & Sons, New York. If an existing equilibrium is disturbed, for example, by imposing a change in electrode power, then the ratio of the ionic density of the electrochemical solution to the ionic density of the surface layer on the electrode will change until a new equilibrium condition is achieved. Relaxation time is defined as the amount of time required for the system to reach a new equilibrium condition. The relaxation time constant, which characterizes the change in ratio of ionic densities against time, is defined by the specific dielectric constant divided by the specific electrical conductivity, both are properties of the electrolytic solution.

Favorable conditions for phase transitions, that is, for ions from the electrolytic solution that are discharged to the electrode surface, arise when the solution becomes supersaturated and the system departs from its equilibrium condition. For example, supersaturation occurs when the power V¡¡ of the ions in the electrochemical solution is greater than the equilibrium Potential VI on the electrode, as, is represented by equation (3).

(Vs - VI)> 0 (3)

There are two possibilities to address this oversaturation condition. One possibility is to impose a power on electrode Vm which is more negative or less than the electrode power at equilibrium VI while the power of the electrochemical solution is maintained at its equilibrium power as represented by equation (4).

(VI know - Vm)> 0 (4)

The difference between the electrode power at equilibrium and the electrode power under the circumstances as described above is known as electrochemical overpower or electrochemical overvoltage as represented by equation (5).

(VI - Vra)> 0 (5)

Another possibility to address the oversaturation condition is by imposing a power V on the electrochemical solution.s which is greater than the power of the electrochemical solution at equilibrium VI know by maintaining the power at the electrode Vm at its balancing power VI.

Thus, the circumstances of the overvoltage condition are represented in equation (3).

The two quantities, the oversaturation condition and the overvoltage, can be considered as measurements for the deviation of the stable thermodynamic equilibrium test. However, just the fact that the system oversaturates and overvoltage exists does not necessarily create a phase transition. Instead, these conditions increase the probability that a phase transition may occur. See, for example, Alexander Milchev: Electrocrystallization-Foundations of Nucleation and Growth, Kluwer Academic Publishers, New York.

There is a need in the art for an apparatus and method that operates to reduce loss of battery capacity to store energy over time and to increase overall battery life throughout the battery's operating cycle, is say, even outside the period when the battery has been charged.

The present invention relates to devices and methods for increasing the life cycle and capacity of a battery. Without intending to be bound by theory, a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator and the techniques of the invention maintain the capacity of a battery and extend the operating life of the battery.

In one aspect, the invention provides a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator including a pulse generator that produces a positive pulse voltage and a negative pulse voltage, a positive pulse voltage controller that converts the positive pulse voltage in a positive impulse voltage waveform, a negative impulse voltage controller that converts the negative impulse voltage into a negative impulse voltage waveform, and an impulse voltage distributor that fuses the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform into a impulse voltage waveform that is applied across the terminals of a battery.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pulse generator of a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator is configured in a microcontroller. In another embodiment of the invention, a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator pulse generator has a positive pulse generator that generates the positive pulse voltage and a negative pulse generator that generates the negative pulse voltage. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the pulse generator has an alternate reversing switch where the pulse generator generates a pulse voltage, the reciprocating switch alternately processes the pulse voltage into a passing pulse voltage and a voltage impulse reversed, and the pass impulse voltage is either of a positive impulse voltage and the negative impulse voltage while the inverted impulse voltage is the other of the positive impulse voltage and the negative impulse voltage.

In one embodiment of the invention, the positive pulse voltage controller and negative pulse voltage controller of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator each have a pulse former and a timing generator wherein the pulse former and The timing generator is configured to convert an impulse voltage into an impulse voltage waveform.

In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, a positive voltage amplifier and a negative voltage amplifier amplify the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform, respectively. In certain other embodiments of the invention, a voltage amplifier amplifies the impulse voltage waveform.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pulse voltage waveform of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator has at least one positive voltage pulse defined by a leading edge and a positive pulse width followed by at least one pulse of negative voltage defined by a trailing edge and an inverted or negative pulse width. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the leading edge rise time of at least one positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge rise time of at least one negative voltage pulse are each less than a relaxation time of a battery electrolytic solution. Specifically, the leading edge rise time and the leading edge rise time can be approximately one third of the relaxation time.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the positive pulse width of at least one positive voltage pulse and the negative pulse width of at least one negative voltage pulse are greater than a battery voltage, for example, at least minus about twice the battery voltage.

In one embodiment of the invention, a pulse cycle frequency of the pulse voltage waveform is such that a pulse width of at least one positive voltage pulse and a pulse width of at least one pulse of negative voltage does not overlap. In another embodiment of the invention, both the pulse width of at least one positive voltage pulse and one pulse width of at least one negative voltage pulse exceed the relaxation time.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator further comprises a controller and a measurement device that measures the battery voltage. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the controller identifies a state of the battery using the battery voltage and activities of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator based on the state of the battery.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bipolar overvoltage battery is for treating a lead acid battery. In another embodiment of the invention, the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator · can handle other types of batteries (ie, lead-acid batteries).

In certain embodiments of the invention, the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the invention is directly integrated into the battery.

Another aspect of the invention provides methods of treating a battery. In an embodiment of the invention, the method of treating a battery includes the step of using a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the invention to increase a battery life cycle and a possibility of the battery to maintain capacity. .

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method of treating a plurality of batteries with each battery of the plurality of batteries having a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the invention includes the step of controlling each of the generators of bipolar overvoltage battery pulses so that no more than one of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulses applies an overvoltage at any one time.

In an embodiment of the invention, a method of treating a battery comprises the steps of providing a positive impulse voltage waveform having a single positive impulse and a negative impulse voltage waveform having a negative or inverted impulse. simple, and apply the positive impulse voltage waveform and negative impulse voltage waveform alternately across the terminals of a battery. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the method of treating the battery may further comprise the step of merging the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform before applying the waveforms through battery terminals.

In another embodiment of the invention, the simple positive pulse is defined by a leading edge and a positive pulse width and the negative or reversed pulse is defined by a trailing edge and a negative pulse width. In certain embodiments of the invention, a leading edge rise time and a trailing edge rise time are each less than a relaxation time of a battery electrolytic solution.

In one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises the steps of producing a positive impulse voltage and a negative impulse voltage, converting the positive impulse voltage to a positive impulse voltage waveform, and the negative impulse voltage to a negative impulse voltage waveform, merge the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform into one impulse voltage waveform, and applying the impulse voltage waveform across the terminals of a battery.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method may further include the step of amplifying the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform, or, in another embodiment of the invention, amplifying the waveform pulse voltage that includes the fused positive pulse voltage waveform and negative pulse voltage waveform.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the method producing step comprises the steps of generating an impulse voltage and processing the impulse voltage, alternatively, into a forward impulse voltage and an inverted impulse voltage, where the impulse voltage Through is one of a positive impulse voltage and the negative impulse voltage, and the inverted impulse voltage is the other of a positive impulse voltage and the negative impulse voltage.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the method conversion step comprises the steps of shaping the positive pulse voltage and negative pulse voltage, respectively, in a positive impulse voltage form and a negative impulse voltage form and synchronize a distribution of the positive impulse voltage form and a distribution of the negative pulse voltage form respectively in the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform.

Other aspects and modalities will be apparent with the revision of the following description taken together with the attached drawings. However, the invention is particularly indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Therefore, having described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily scale drawings, and where:

FIGURE 1 is a graphical representation comparing an exemplary overvoltage pulse cycle imposed across the terminals of a battery in accordance with the present invention for the ratio of ion densities in an electrochemical cell;

FIGURE 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention;

FIGURE 3A illustrates an electrical circuit diagram depicting an embodiment of a microcontroller of a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention;

FIGURE 3B illustrates an electrical circuit diagram depicting one embodiment of a voltage controller of a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention;

FIGURE 3C illustrates an electrical circuit diagram depicting an embodiment of a voltage amplifier and impulse voltage distributor of a bipolar overvoltage battery impulse generator of the present invention;

FIGURE 3D illustrates an electrical circuit diagram depicting an embodiment of a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention comprising a microcontroller, a voltage controller, and a voltage amplifier;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment showing a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention integrated with a battery;

FIGURE 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the invention having a plurality of bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generators integrated with a corresponding number of batteries;

FIGURE 6 is a graphical representation showing the discharge time for a battery that has been processed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention versus the discharge time for a battery that has not been processed; and FIGURE 7 is a graphical representation of discharge times versus the number of charge / discharge cycles for a battery that has been processed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention compared to discharge times versus the number of charge cycles. charge / discharge for a battery that has not been processed.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Preferred embodiments of the invention can be described, although this invention can, however, be performed in many different ways and should not be construed as limited for the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided to make this description rigorous and complete, and to fully reflect the scope of the invention for those skilled in the art. The embodiments of the invention will not be interpreted in any way as limiting the invention. Similar numbers refer to similar items at all times.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms one, one, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, a battery is called includes a plurality of batteries.

It will be understood that relative terms, such as preceding or followed by or the like, can be used herein to describe the relationship of the element to another element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that the relative terms are intended to encompass different element orientations, in addition to the element orientation as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that such terms can be used to describe the relative positions of the element or elements of the invention and are not intended, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, to be limiting.

Modalities of the present invention are described herein with reference to various perspectives, including perspective views that are schematic representations of the idealized embodiments of the present invention. As a person having ordinary experience in the art, to which this invention pertains, you will appreciate variations of or modifications to the shapes as illustrated in the Figures that are expected in the practice of the invention. Such variations and / or modifications may be the result of manufacturing techniques, design considerations, and the like, and such variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention and to be further set forth in the claims that follow. The articles of the present invention and their respective components illustrated in the figures are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of the component of an article and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Although specific terms are used herein, they are only used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. All terms, including technical and scientific terms, as used herein, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains unless the term is otherwise defined. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, are to be construed as having a meaning as commonly understood by a person with ordinary experience in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, are to be construed as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning and the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure. Such commonly used terms will not be construed in an idealized or overly formal sense unless the description herein expressly defines otherwise.

The invention described herein relates to a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator. The bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator is generally comprised of a pulse generator that produces a positive pulse voltage and a negative pulse voltage, a pulse voltage controller that converts the positive pulse voltage to a negative pulse voltage in a positive impulse voltage waveform and a negative impulse voltage waveform, an impulse voltage distributor that merges into the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform into an impulse voltage waveform that is applied across the terminals of a battery, and Optionally, an amplifier, which can amplify the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform or the impulse voltage waveform.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pulse generator can be configured in a microcontroller. In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse generator comprises a positive pulse generator and a negative pulse generator. In other embodiments of the invention, the pulse generator may comprise an alternate reversing switch that alternately processes a pulse voltage at the positive pulse voltage and the negative pulse voltage. Without intending to be limiting, the inventive device is particularly useful for increasing a battery life cycle and improving the ability of the battery to maintain capacity.

If the voltage impulses are imposed through the electrodes of a battery cell, a change in power will be experienced between the electrochemical solution and the electrodes. In all chemical systems, for example, without pretending to be limiting, a lead acid battery, there is a tendency to switch to the equilibrium state.

If an existing equilibrium is disturbed, for example, by imposing a change in power on the electrode, then the ratio of the ion density of the electrochemical solution to an ion density of the surface layer on the electrode will change until a new condition of balance is achieved. Relaxation time is defined as the amount of time required for the system to reach a new equilibrium condition. The relaxation time constant, which characterizes the change in ratio of ionic densities against time, is defined by the specific dielectric constant divided by the specific electrical conductivity, both are properties of the electrolytic solution.

A positive voltage pulse that is imposed through an electrochemical system, a type A pulse, is defined by the pulse rise time, which refers to the amount of time required for the starting edge of the voltage pulse to transition from approximately the time when the impulse begins to rise to approximately the time when the maximum peak of the impulse is reached.

If the rise time of the Type A pulse is less than the relaxation time of the electrochemical system, then an overvoltage condition is imposed on the electrochemical system, then the ion density ratio will change to a new value during the relaxation time based on the recently imposed potential difference according to Boltzmann's distribution law of equation (1). A positive voltage pulse that causes an overvoltage in an electrochemical system will cause the ratio of the ion density of the electrochemical solution to the ion density of the surface layer on the electrode to increase until such a positive voltage pulse is removed, allowing the electrochemical system return or relax back to its original equilibrium state.

Therefore, an overvoltage condition can also be imposed by using a negative voltage pulse, or a type B pulse, which has a reverse polarity to that of the type A pulse of the positive voltage pulse. Over time, as the type B pulse applies, the ratio of the ionic densities will decrease, but after the type B pulse is terminated, the ratio of the ionic densities will relax again to the compliance value with the Boltzmann distribution of according to equation (1). The rise time for a negative voltage pulse refers to the amount of time required for the trailing edge of the voltage pulse to transition from approximately the time when the trailing edge of the impulse begins to change to approximately the time when the impulse no longer applies. If the rise time of the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse is less than the relaxation time of the system, then an overvoltage condition is imposed on the electrochemical system.

It has been found that if similar positive voltage pulses, or type A pulses, at a high frequency are imposed on an electrochemical system, one followed by the other, then less overvoltage of the second pulse is achieved as a result of the impossibility of the ratio of the ionic density of the electrochemical solution to the ionic density of the surface layer to return to its equilibrium state. It has been further discovered that this memory effect can be avoided by including a negative voltage pulse, type B pulse, between the two positive voltage pulses, type A pulses, all of which are applied alternately through the electrodes of a battery.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, a Type B boost application works to restore the effect caused by the Type A boost, and vice versa, preventing this memory effect from taking place. It has also been found that through the wait time or relaxation time after a pulse is terminated, the frequency of the type A pulse and the type B pulse, except without pulse overlap, can also be increased while also having a favorable effect. by lengthening the time in which the electrochemical system is in an unbalanced state.

The faster rise times of the leading edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse will increase the degree of overvoltage that can be applied to the battery. Overvoltage applied to the battery will also allow the electrochemical system to experience an unbalanced state of higher frequency pulses that result in longer pulse times.

Under equilibrium conditions nothing happens - that is, there is no net effect of the change to the electrochemical system. Changes can be invoked in the electrochemical system to disrupt balance by imposing surge impulse between the electrode and the cloud of ions surrounding the electrode. This results in a period of overvoltage with an increased electric field strength acting on the ion cloud, which, in increased number and energy, will draw the electrodes. At the same time, the diffusion force, or the resulting extraction ions away from the electrode, is weaker than the electrical force.

Through higher speed and energy, ions with attached ions that have opposite polarity will lose these attached ions resulting in an increase in their own speed and energy. High-energy ions, for example a positive hydrogen ion H2+ of a divided water molecule can penetrate through any crystalline structures which can develop in the negative electrode. In a non-limiting example, in a lead acid battery, the positive hydrogen ion can penetrate any crystalline PbSÜ4 layer of lead sulfate that may have formed on the negative electrode, and dissolve the crystalline layer by forming H2SO4 sulfuric acid thus recharging the electrochemical solution while leaving pure lead in the electrode.

In another non-limiting example, a negative oxide ion from a divided water molecule will help build PbO crystals again2 lead dioxide in the positive electrode. Without pretending to be bound by theory, less energy is required to build even larger existing crystals; therefore, a more homogeneous one with a higher number of lead dioxide crystals will be experienced on the positive electrode. In fact, under the circumstances imposed by the invention, the birth rate of new crystals increases proportionally more in relation to the value of the imposed overvoltage.

FIGURE 1 is a graphical representation comparing an overvoltage impulse cycle imposed across the terminals of a battery for the ratio of ion densities in an electrochemical cell. Solid line 10 represents the battery voltage, curve 12 represents the ratio of ionic densities, and overvoltage indicates 14, 16, 18 imposed on the electrochemical cell. The rise times of the positive voltage pulse and negative voltage pulse are represented by Tr, while the relaxation time constant is represented by Tc.

In a lead acid battery, for example, the growth of lead sulfate crystals on the negative electrode and the reduced number of lead dioxide crystals on the positive electrode can result in a reduction in overall battery life. . Also, it has been further discovered that a reduction in memory effect increases the chance of overvoltage and the application of amplitude of an overvoltage pulse will also result in an increase in overall battery life. Repeatedly applying a positive voltage impulse through the electrodes of a battery, which imposes an overvoltage condition on the battery, followed by applying a negative voltage impulse through the electrodes of a battery, which imposes a similar overvoltage condition to counteract the effects of the previous overvoltage condition, The memory effect experienced by the battery is reduced and an increase in the life cycle of the battery and a possibility for the battery to maintain its capacity is realized. In certain embodiments of the invention, the battery life can be increased by a factor between 1.7 and 2.2 - as shown by the increase in life cycles in FIGURE 7. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the method of the present invention such as that implemented through the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention increases the battery life cycle to approximately 10% in Comparison with a similar battery where the present invention has not been applied. In a further embodiment, a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention increases the life of a battery to approximately 50%. In a further embodiment, a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention increases the life of a battery to approximately 70%. In a further embodiment, a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention increases the life of a battery to approximately 120%. In a further embodiment, a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention increases the life of a battery to approximately 200%. In a further embodiment, a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention increases the life of a battery to approximately 250%.

In other embodiments of the invention, the method of the present invention such as that implemented through a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention maintains the capacity of a battery at least approximately 10% greater than the retained capacity. of a similar battery where the invention does not apply. In a further embodiment, a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention maintains the capacity of a battery at least approximately 50% greater than the retained capacity of a similar battery where the invention does not apply. In a further embodiment, a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention maintains the capacity of a battery at least approximately 100% greater than the retained capacity of a similar battery where the invention does not apply. In a further embodiment, a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention maintains the capacity of a battery at least approximately 150% greater than the retained capacity of a similar battery where the invention does not apply.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the pulse cycle to increase the battery life cycle and / or allow the battery to maintain capacity can be invoked by a device or apparatus known herein as a battery pulse generator. bipolar overvoltage. FIGURE 2 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator 1. In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator 1 comprises a pulse generator 20 to produce a positive pulse voltage and a negative pulse voltage. In this exemplary embodiment represented by FIGURE 2, the pulse generator 20 is configured into a microcontroller 22, the microcontroller additionally comprising an analog to digital converter 24 (AD), voltage monitoring 26, and logic 28 on / off of control. Optionally, a status LED 30 can indicate the status of microcontroller 22 and / or pulse generator 20.

FIGURE 3A illustrates an electrical circuit diagram depicting an embodiment of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator 1 having a microcontroller 22 implementing the pulse generator 20. Microcontroller 22, in this exemplary embodiment, is an 8-bit microcontroller based on the RISC architecture. Microcontroller 22 may include any number of features necessary to support the ability to configure and implement pulse generator 20, which includes, without limitation, CPU; work records; nonvolatile memory segments that may include, but are not necessarily limited to, flash program memory,

EEPROM, and input / output buffers; synchronizer / counter; oscillator; ADC channels; serial interface; ADC conversion, and switches. The digital supply voltage VCC for the microcontroller 22 is provided by a 5 volt supply source 100 and a supply inductor 102. The supply voltage from the analog to digital converter 24 for the analog ADCC converter is provided by a 5 volt supply source 104, which may be the same supply source as the 5 volt supply source 100 or a source of different 5 volt supply, and a secondary inductor 106. Reset input 108 is provided on Port C PC6. Positive pulse voltage 110 occurs at PB1 of microcontroller 22 while negative pulse voltage 112 occurs at PB2 of microcontroller 22,

In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse generator 20 can produce a positive pulse voltage and a negative pulse voltage through an electrical circuit arrangement. Any electrical circuit arrangement known in the art to produce an impulse voltage can be used to generate a positive impulse voltage and a negative impulse voltage.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a pulse generator generates a pulse voltage and an alternate reversing switch alternately processes the pulse voltage into a forward pulse voltage and an inverted pulse voltage. The pass impulse voltage is any of a positive impulse voltage and negative impulse voltage, while the inverted impulse voltage is the other of the positive impulse voltage and the negative impulse voltage.

Also as shown in FIGURE 2, a positive pulse voltage controller 32 converts the positive pulse voltage to a positive pulse voltage waveform 34. Similarly, a negative pulse voltage controller 36 converts the negative pulse voltage to a negative pulse voltage waveform 38. Positive pulse voltage waveform 34 and negative pulse voltage waveform 38 are generally defined by a pulse cycle frequency, a pulse width, a pulse amplitude, a drive edge rise time of the positive impulse, and a rise time of the negative impulse trailing edge, respectively.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the positive pulse voltage controller 32 and negative pulse voltage controller 36 each form and provide the time necessary for positive pulse voltage waveform 34 and waveform 38 of negative impulse voltage, respectively. In an embodiment of the invention, either or both of the positive pulse voltage controller 32 and negative pulse voltage controller 36 comprise a pulse former and a timing generator (not shown). The pulse shaper and timing generator are configured to convert a pulse voltage into a pulse voltage waveform.

FIGURE 3B illustrates an electrical circuit diagram depicting an embodiment of a pulse voltage controller 120 of a bipolar surge battery pulse generator 1, wherein the positive pulse voltage controller 32 and the voltage controller 36 Negative impulse is performed on an integrated circuit 122. Positive voltage pulse 110 and negative voltage pulse 112 are respectively input to the HIN High Level Controller Logic Input and LIN Low Level Controller Logic Input of the integrated circuit 122. Integrated circuit 122 is supplied by a 12-volt supply source 124 whose current is restricted by resistor 126. An auto-lift circuit comprising a diode 128 and a auto-lift capacitor 130 is used to supply the high-voltage section of the integrated circuit 122. A reference 132 float voltage is provided by circuit 122 integrated into the output of the OUT pin. The positive impulse voltage waveform 134 and negative impulse voltage waveform 136 are produced from the integrated circuit 22 at the output of the high level side controller HVG and one or

LVG low level controller output, respectively. The rise times of the high level and low level side controller outputs can be controlled by the load capacitance.

In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the positive impulse voltage controller and negative impulse voltage controller can be made in separate configurations, such as, for example, through separate integrated circuits.

As further shown in FIGURE 2, the positive pulse voltage waveform and negative pulse voltage waveform can be amplified using a positive voltage amplifier 40 and negative voltage amplifier 42, both of which are supplied by a power supply 44. For example, the power supply voltage should be sufficient to allow the amplitude voltages of the positive pulse voltage waveform and negative pulse voltage waveform to exceed the battery voltage.

The positive pulse voltage waveform 46 and negative pulse voltage waveform 48, the signals of which have been amplified, are fused into a pulse voltage waveform 52 by a pulse voltage distributor 50 or a impulse voltage distributor circuit. The impulse voltage distributor 50 applies the impulse voltage waveform 52, representing a combination of the positive impulse voltage waveform 46 and the negative impulse voltage waveform 48, across the terminals of a battery 54.

FIGURE 3C illustrates an electrical circuit diagram depicting an embodiment of the positive voltage amplifier 40, negative voltage amplifier 42, and impulse voltage distributor 50 of a bipolar overvoltage battery impulse generator representing one phase 140 of output from an exemplary bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator.

In another embodiment of the invention, instead of amplifying the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform, the impulse voltage waveform 52 can amplify itself (not shown). In yet another embodiment of the invention, the positive pulse voltage controller 32 and negative pulse voltage controller 36 are configured to provide the necessary voltage amplification of the positive pulse voltage waveform and the negative pulse voltage, and no additional amplification is necessary.

FIGURE 3D illustrates an electrical circuit diagram representing an embodiment of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the present invention comprising a microcontroller 22 providing a positive pulse voltage and negative pulse voltage for a voltage controller 120. impulse. The impulse voltage controller 120 then provides a positive impulse voltage waveform and a negative impulse voltage waveform to an output phase 140 of the bipolar overvoltage battery impulse generator. The combined and amplified impulse voltage waveforms of the output phase 140 are applied across the terminals of a battery.

According to FIGURE 1, the rise times of the positive voltage pulse and negative voltage pulse as applied across the terminals of a battery are represented by Tr. The relaxation time constant, which defines the time required for the ratio of ionic densities to relax again to an equilibrium state, is represented by Tc. The pulse width of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and negative voltage pulse waveform is represented by Tw. The time between the drive edge of the positive pulse and the drive edge of the negative pulse is defined as Tto-b. The period, is reciprocal of the pulse cycle frequency, is represented by Tto.to. Positive pulse voltage controller 32 and negative pulse voltage controller 36 are configured to produce a positive pulse voltage waveform 34 and a negative pulse voltage waveform 38 where the edge rise time The positive pulse drive time and the negative pulse trailing edge rise time are shorter than the relaxation time constant of the electrochemical cell. In certain embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be at a maximum of 3/4 of the relaxation time constant. In another embodiment of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be at a maximum of 1/2 of the relaxation time constant. In a further embodiment of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be a maximum of 1/3 of the relaxation time constant. In certain embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be at a maximum of 1/4 of the relaxation time constant. In certain embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be a maximum of 1/8 of the relaxation time constant. In certain embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be a maximum of 1/10 of the relaxation time constant. In other embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are different, although each is configured to be less than the relaxation time constant.

In other embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the positive pulse drive edge and the rise time of the negative pulse trailing edge are shorter than the relaxation time of the electrochemical cell. In certain embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be a maximum of 1/2 the relaxation time. In another embodiment of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be a maximum of 1/3 of the relaxation time. In further embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be a maximum of 1/4 of the relaxation time. In certain other embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be a maximum of 1/8 of the relaxation time. In still other embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are configured to be a maximum of 1/10 of the relaxation time. In other embodiments of the invention, the rise time of the drive edge of the positive voltage pulse and the trailing edge of the negative voltage pulse are different, although each is configured to be less than the relaxation time.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pulse cycle frequency is maximized and yet should not be so high as to allow the pulses of the positive pulse voltage waveform and the negative pulse voltage waveform to overlap. . In certain embodiments of the invention, the pulse cycle frequency varies from about 30 kHz to about 100 kHz, determining a period from about 10 microseconds to about 35 microseconds.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pulse duration exceeds the relaxation time. According to an embodiment of the invention, the pulse duration is at least 5 times the relaxation time. In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse duration is at least 10 times the relaxation time. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the pulse duration is at least 20 times the relaxation time. In still yet another embodiment of the invention, the pulse duration is at least 30 times the relaxation time. In a further embodiment of the invention, the pulse duration is at least 40 times the relaxation time. In a further embodiment of the invention, the pulse duration is at least 50 times the relaxation time. In a further embodiment of the invention, the pulse duration is at least about 100 times the relaxation time.

The time between the drive edge of the positive pulse and the drive edge of the negative pulse is part of the embodiment of the invention, drive edge of the fraction of the period. In a the amount of time between the positive pulse and the negative pulse drive edge is selected such that there is no overlap between the pulses of the positive pulse voltage waveform and the negative pulse voltage waveform. According to an embodiment of the invention, the time between the positive pulse drive edge and the negative pulse drive edge is at least 1/4 of the period. In another embodiment of the invention, the time between the drive edge of the positive pulse and the drive edge of the negative pulse is at least 1/3 of the period. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the time between the positive pulse drive edge and the negative pulse drive edge is at least 1/2 of the period. In still yet another embodiment of the invention, the time between the positive pulse drive edge and the negative pulse drive edge is at least 3/4 of the period.

In order to achieve an overvoltage, the pulse amplitudes of the impulses of the positive voltage impulse waveform and the negative voltage impulse waveform must exceed the battery voltage. In one embodiment of the invention, the pulse amplitude of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform is at least about 10% greater than the battery voltage.

In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse amplitude of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform is at least about 20% greater. In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse amplitude of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform is at least about 50% greater. In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse amplitude of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform is at least about 100% greater. In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse amplitude of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform is. at least approximately 150% higher. In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse amplitude of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform is at least about 200% greater.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the pulse amplitude of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform is in the range of about 75% to about 125% greater than the battery voltage. In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse amplitude of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform is in the range of about 80% to about 120% greater than the battery voltage. In another embodiment of the invention, the pulse amplitude of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform is in the range of about 90% to about 100% greater than the battery voltage. In still other embodiments of the invention, the pulse amplitude of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform is approximately twice that of the battery voltage.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the pulse amplitudes of the pulses of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform are not the same. In still other embodiments of the invention, the pulse durations and pulse amplitudes of the positive voltage pulse waveform and the negative voltage pulse waveform are each adjusted allowing the greatest possible measure of overvoltage to be applied to battery and / or the largest increase in battery life cycle.

In one embodiment of the invention, a measurement device provides the battery voltage and provides the measurement feedback to a controller that is configured to reset the pulse amplitudes of the positive voltage pulse waveform pulses and shape. Negative voltage pulse waveform provided by the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator to achieve a desired amount of overvoltage or a desired range of overvoltage.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator may include a controller and a measurement device, which provides a measurement of the battery voltage. The battery voltage measurement can be used by the controller to identify and determine a battery status. For example, when the battery voltage is below a certain value, the controller can be logically configured to identify that the battery is in a state of charge. If the battery voltage exceeds a certain value, the controller can be logically configured to identify that the battery is in a full state. Other status identifications can be configured based not only on the battery voltage, but also the direction and / or rate of change of the battery voltage. Other measurements can also be incorporated into the status determination, such as, for example, a battery temperature. The controller can be configured to enable or disable the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator based on battery status, as identified by the controller based on battery voltage and / or other measurements.

The bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator may be a standalone device that does not directly integrate with a specific battery. In other embodiments of the invention, the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator can be integrated into a battery. FIGURE 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention showing a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator integrated with a battery. This exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrates a bipolar battery overvoltage pulse generator 1 that is designed to fit within the structure of a lead acid battery 200. The bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator 1 is isolated from the electrolyte of the lead acid battery 200, for example, with the use of a barrier such as a plastic alloy. In this exemplary embodiment, the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator is internally connected to positive battery terminal 202 and negative battery terminal 204.

Although this exemplary embodiment demonstrates a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator 1 that integrates with a lead acid battery 200, the use of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator 1 is not limited to this type of battery alone. Instead, the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator can be used with and / or can be integrated with other types of rechargeable batteries as well. In an embodiment of the invention, the method and device of the invention can treat a lead acid battery.

The phenomena with which the device and the method of the invention can be useful for treating other types of batteries, other than lead acid batteries, where these batteries are characterized in such a way that they can make an improvement in the degree of the capacity of battery that they were able to maintain and an improvement in the overall life of the battery by the application of the device and method of the invention. Of course, the boost specifications, as well as other parameters associated with the device and method of the invention for these other types of battery can be adapted to the material properties that are specified for those other types of battery. Therefore, in another embodiment of the invention, the method and device of the invention can treat other types of battery (for example, a battery without lead acid). Non-limiting examples of the types of lead-free batteries in which the method and device of the invention can be used include a lithium ion battery, a

<td>drums</td><td>of</td><td>polymer</td><td>of</td><td>lithium,</td><td>a</td><td>battery of</td><td>sulfate</td>

<td>lithium,</td><td>a</td><td>drums</td><td>of</td><td>titanium</td><td>of</td><td>lithium a</td><td>battery of</td>

<td>phosphate</td><td>of</td><td>iron of</td><td colspan="2">lithium a</td><td colspan="2">lithium battery</td><td>rechargeable</td>

thin film, one nickel metal hydride battery, one nickel-cadmium battery, one nickel-zinc battery, one nickel-iron battery, one nickel-hydrogen battery, one rechargeable alkaline battery, one silver oxide battery, one battery sodium sulfide, a vanadium redox battery, and any other type of rechargeable battery that is known or later invented for which the invention applies.

FIGURE 5 is an embodiment of the invention, as illustrated by a block diagram, showing how a plurality of bipolar surge voltage battery pulse generators can be integrated with a corresponding number of batteries in a single or a battery pack. Each of the batteries, 320, 322, 324, 326 in the battery pack 310 has a corresponding bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator 310, 312, 314, 316. The batteries 320, 322, 324, 326 in the battery pack 310 are recharged by a charger 330. The bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generators 310, 312, 314, 316 are equipped with a 340 controller. The 340 controller cycles to through activation and then deactivation of each of the pulse generators 310,

312, 314, 316 of bipolar overvoltage battery over its operating period of batteries 320, 322, 324, 326 to ensure that a high terminal voltage is not experienced by having more than one pulse generator 310, 312, 314, 316 bipolar overvoltage battery in operation at any time.

Another aspect of the invention includes a method of increasing a battery life cycle and / or allowing the battery to maintain its capacity. An embodiment of the invention includes a method of treating a battery with the use of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the invention.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a method of treating a plurality of batteries in the battery pack, each battery having a bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generator of the invention, comprising controlling the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generators of so that no more than one of the bipolar overvoltage battery pulse generators applies an overvoltage at any one time.

An embodiment of the invention involves a method including providing a positive impulse voltage waveform and a negative impulse voltage waveform, and applying a positive impulse voltage waveform and a voltage impulse waveform of alternatively negative impulse through the terminals of a battery. Pursuant to this embodiment, the method further includes merging the positive pulse voltage waveform and negative pulse voltage waveform into a pulse voltage waveform before applying the fused waveforms across the battery terminals. In certain embodiments of the invention, the positive impulse voltage waveform of has a positive impulse voltage and the negative impulse voltage waveform has a negative impulse voltage.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises amplifying the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the method comprises amplifying the impulse voltage waveform in addition to or as an alternative to amplifying the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform.

In another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises producing an impulse voltage. Additionally in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, a pulse voltage may comprise any or a combination of the positive pulse voltage and a negative pulse voltage.

In another embodiment of the invention, producing an impulse voltage comprises generating an impulse voltage and processing the impulse voltage, alternatively, into a forward impulse voltage and an inverted impulse voltage, where the through impulse voltage is one of the positive impulse voltage and negative impulse voltage, and inverted impulse voltage is the other of positive impulse voltage and negative impulse voltage.

In another embodiment of the invention, producing an impulse voltage comprises conforming the positive impulse voltage and negative impulse voltage, respectively, into a positive impulse voltage form and a negative impulse voltage form and synchronizing a distribution of the positive impulse voltage form and a negative impulse voltage form distribution, respectively, in the positive impulse voltage waveform and the negative impulse voltage waveform.

FIGURE 6 provides a graphical representation showing the discharge time for a lead acid battery that has been processed in accordance with the methods and / or device of the invention 400 against the discharge time for a non-lead acid battery. 410 has been processed. As the graph illustrates, the amount of discharge time for a lead acid battery has been extended by more than about 150% when using the method and / or device of the invention, effectively resulting in increased battery capacity.

FIGURE 7 provides a graphical representation of the discharge time versus the number of charge / discharge cycles for a lead acid battery that has been processed in accordance with the method and / or device of the invention 420 compared to the discharge times. versus the number of charge / discharge cycles for a 430 unprocessed lead acid battery. The graph shows that the general life of the lead acid battery treated in accordance with the method and / or device of the invention has been extended by a factor of between about 1.7 and about 2.2 compared to the lead acid battery that has not been treaty.

Although these tests show that a device and method of the invention are effective in increasing the life cycle and improving the capacity retention of a lead acid battery, the theory surrounding the fundamentals of the invention can also be applied to other batteries. lead free, non-limiting examples of which have been provided herein.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to the mind of someone skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the descriptions herein and the accompanying drawings. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that changes can be made to the modalities described herein without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. Therefore, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Contents2

45 members in 29 offices

This recordMember, by publication datePriority claim19 more offices are in the list below

Priority claims2

Priority claims
Document	Office	Kind	Date
77419010	United States of America	A	2010-05-05
2011002250	European Patent Office (EPO)	W	2011-05-05

Members45

Family members, oldest first
Document	Office	Kind
CA2798478A1	Canada	A1	2011-11-10
US2011273143A1	United States of America	A1	2011-11-10
WO2011138038A2	World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	A2	2011-11-10
WO2011138038A3	World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	A3	2012-06-07
SG185392A1	Singapore	A1	2012-12-28
AP2012006596A0	African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)	A0	2012-12-31
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IL222730D0	Israel	D0	2012-12-31
AU2011250189A1	Australia	A1	2013-01-10
EP2567445A2	European Patent Office (EPO)	A2	2013-03-13
CN103026576A	China	A	2013-04-03
MX2012012806AThis record	Mexico	A	2013-04-19
US8436587B2	United States of America	B2	2013-05-07
EA201291120A1	Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO)	A1	2013-05-30
KR20130064074A	Republic of Korea	A	2013-06-17
JP2013526257A	Japan	A	2013-06-20
ZA201208924B	South Africa	B	2013-07-31
MA34430B1	Morocco	B1	2013-08-01
US2013221931A1	United States of America	A1	2013-08-29
AU2011250189B2	Australia	B2	2013-09-12
CA2798478C	Canada	C	2013-10-15
IL222730A	Israel	A	2014-02-27
TN2012000522A1	Tunisia	A1	2014-04-01
NZ604046A	New Zealand	A	2014-04-30
US8716982B2	United States of America	B2	2014-05-06
KR101415156B1	Republic of Korea	B1	2014-07-07
CN103026576B	China	B	2014-11-26
AP3527A	African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)	A	2016-01-11
MY157463A	Malaysia	A	2016-06-15
JP5965390B2	Japan	B2	2016-08-03
BR112012028312A2	Brazil	A2	2016-11-01
EP2567445B1	European Patent Office (EPO)	B1	2016-11-09
PT2567445T	Portugal	T	2017-01-20
DK2567445T3	Denmark	T3	2017-02-20
SI2567445T1	Slovenia	T1	2017-02-28
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PL2567445T3	Poland	T3	2017-04-28
UA114278C2	Ukraine	C2	2017-05-25
EA026817B1	Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO)	B1	2017-05-31
ES2614951T3	Spain	T3	2017-06-02
RS55698B1	Serbia	B1	2017-07-31
HUE032250T2	Hungary	T2	2017-09-28
BR112012028312B1	Brazil	B1	2020-04-28
BR112012028312B8	Brazil	B8	2022-08-16

Bipolar overvoltage battery pulser and method.

Abstract

Term

BIPOLAR OVERVOLTAGE BATTERY PUSH BUTTON AND METHOD

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Priority claims2

Members45

Events

Numbers

Titles2

Classification