Where a term, phrase, or derivation thereof appears in italics
in this class definition, that term or phrase is defined in the
Glossary, below. Use of such italics may be limited to once per
sentence or paragraph for better readability.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER
This class provides for a method or apparatus for controlled
or regulated charging, discharging, or combined charging and discharging
of one or more voltaic cells, batteries, or capacitors.
SCOPE OF CLASS
This is the residual class for subject matter relating to:
1. a method or apparatus for charging or
electrically rejuvenating (e.g., depolarizing, etc.) a voltaic cell, battery,
or electrical capacitor, wherein
said charging or rejuvenating is accomplished by controlled addition
of electrical energy into the cell, battery, or capacitor;
2. a method or apparatus for discharging a
voltaic cell, battery, or electrical capacitor, wherein discharging
is accomplished by controlled release of electrical energy from
the cell, battery, or capacitor into a nominal electrical load,
and further wherein the voltaic cell, battery, capacitor, or combination
thereof comprises the only source of supply for the load;
3. a method or apparatus for combined charging and discharging,
whether or not the charging and discharging occur simultaneously;
4. a method or apparatus for charging, discharging, or combined
charging and discharging, in combination with subject matter auxiliary
or appurtenant thereto for measuring, testing, signalling or indicating
a charge or related condition of a cell, battery, capacitor, or
operation of a related charge or discharge circuit with respect to
a charging or discharging function or condition; or
5. a cell, battery, or capacitor structurally combined with
a generator or electrical converter, whether or not electrical interconnection
therebetween is recited.
(1)
Note. The term "capacitor" has replaced the archaic term "condenser"
used in previous definition(s) of this class. However, these terms
are to be interpreted herein as being interchangeable and therefor
synonymous in scope and breadth, irrespective of the modern accepted
interpretation of the term "condenser." See Glossary, below.
(2)
Note. This class provides for charging or discharging of a plural battery or capacitor arrangement
(e.g., battery pack, etc.), with or without a controlled generator.
However, charging or discharging of a single battery or
capacitor with a controlled generator is classified elsewhere. See
References to Other Classes, below.
(3)
Note. This class provides for a charging circuit where a cell,
battery, or capacitor forms the only intended useful load for the circuit.
Where a load diverse from a cell, battery, or capacitor to be charged
is recited, or where there is recited an additional circuit having
utility outside of this class, original classification is outside
of this class unless specifically provided for herein.
(4)
Note. A nominal electrical load for receiving discharge energy
may be either a single load or a plural load that functions or appears
as a single load to a discharge circuit. The load must be recited
only by its electrical characteristics (e.g., a D.C. load, a capacitive
load, etc.), and may also be recited as a nominal variable load.
Unless specifically provided for herein, original classification
is outside of this class where: (a) the recited load is identified
by its nonelectrical characteristics or its particular-art purpose
(e.g., electric motor, welding, electrolysis, etc.); (b) plural
loads function or appear to a discharge circuit as other than a single
or merely variable electrical load; or (c) a source, other than
a voltaic cell, battery, capacitor, or combination thereof, is recited
for supplying the load, unless specifically provided for herein
(See (8) Note, below).
(5)
Note. If an electrical load is disclosed as a battery or a
capacitor, then claimed recitation of the load as a "battery," "capacitor," etc.,
is sufficient basis for classification herein. If, however, the
load is recited as an "electric device," an "electric load," a "translation
device," etc., classification is based upon another significant
limitation and not on the basis of the disclosure of the particular
load device, unless there is no appropriate place for the classification
elsewhere.
(6)
Note. If a supply source for a single load is disclosed as
a battery or capacitor and the load is not specified or limited
to a particular art, claimed recitation of the source as a "battery"
or "capacitor" is sufficient basis for classification herein. However,
classification of the same is elsewhere if the claimed recitation
of the load is in general terminology, e.g., "a source," "a source
of emf," "a source of voltage or current," etc., where proper classification
is based upon a limitation other than the claimed source.
(7)
Note. A method or apparatus for manufacturing a battery, capacitor,
or part thereof is classified elsewhere (see References to Other
Classes, below), even if combined with charging or discharging.
However, an apparatus for charging or discharging, per se, is classified
in this class even if an intended use is recited for charging or
discharging, per se, during, or as a subcombination of, a manufacturing
process. This should be contrasted with a method for charging or
discharging which is limited to being incident to manufacture, which
is excluded from this class and controls classification when subject
matter for this class is also claimed.
(8)
Note. Where there is a combination of charging
and discharging recited: (a) there may be one or more sources of
charge energy, which may include one or more cells, batteries, or
capacitors; (b) a cell, battery, or capacitor to be charged may
be the cell, battery, or capacitor to be discharged; (c) a source
of charge energy other than a cell, battery or capacitor (hereinafter
nonbattery source) may supply a load or discharge circuit simultaneously
with a cell, battery, or capacitor to be discharged, except where: (i) the cell, battery or
capacitor to be discharged can supply the load or discharge circuit only when the nonbattery source is connected
to supply the load or discharge circuit; (ii) the nonbattery source can
energize the load or discharge circuit without the
cell, battery, or capacitor to be discharged.
(9)
Note. Where no subclass specifically provides for a method
appropriate for this class, classification is proper in a subclass that
provides for a device to practice the method.
STATEMENT CONCERNING THE SEARCH CLASS NOTES IN REFERENCES
TO OTHER CLASSES, BELOW
Since substantially any electrical system or any special-art
combination in which an electrical system is a part may charge or discharge
a battery or capacitor, whereby said charging or discharging is
inherent in the operation thereof, the following SEARCH CLASS notes
in References to Other Classes, below, are not represented as being
exhaustive of such subject matter.
Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy, for a process involving the use of electrolysis
or wave energy, a product solely disclosed as made by such process,
apparatus for performing such process, or an electrolyte composition for
use in such process.
Prime-Mover Dynamo Plants, for a combination of a prime mover (other than a dynamoelectric
machine) and a dynamoelectric machine which supplies energy to or
absorbs energy from a battery, particularly
subclass 16 and 50 and the subclasses indicating that the dynamoelectric
machine is for starting purposes.
Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,
subclasses 9.1+ for an electrical system for a vehicle, such as
railway car or automobile, which typically include a storage battery
therein; subclass 46 for an electrical system having plural sources,
one of which is a battery connected to the system through an intervening
converter; subclasses 48+ for an electrical system in which
a storage battery floats across another source of current; subclasses
66+ in which a storage battery serves as an emergency or
substitute source of current; subclass 108 for an electrical system
for producing a pulse by use of a capacitor; and subclasses 109+ for
an electrical system that includes a capacitor for a purpose such
as a voltage dropping impedance or a voltage doubler.
Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems, for an electric lamp or discharge device as a load into
which a battery or condenser discharges, particularly
subclasses 33 and 86 through 87 for a battery combination, and appropriate
subclasses for a capacitor combination.
Electricity: Motive Power Systems,
subclass 139 for an electric motor system wherein the motor
is supplied only by a primary or secondary battery and subclasses
440+ for an electric motor system wherein the motor is
supplied by plural sources, one of which might be a primary or secondary
battery.
Oscillators, particularly
subclasses 111+ , 129+, and 143+ for a relaxation
oscillator that utilizes an RC time-constant network to determine
the period of a pulse or oscillation.
Wave Transmission Lines and Networks, particularly
subclasses 175+ for a wave filter for passing electrical energy
of one frequency or range of frequencies, while attenuating electrical
energy of another frequency or range of frequencies.
Illumination, particularly
subclasses 459+ for battery-supplied vehicle lighting and subclasses
157+ for a portable, self-contained, battery-supplied illuminating
device.
Surgery: Light, Thermal, and Electrical Application, for medical application of electric energy to the body,
particularly
subclass 149 for body wear that includes electrodes of dissimilar
materials which form a battery with body perspiration as the electrolyte.
SECTION III - GLOSSARY
BATTERY
A unit source of D.C. voltage consisting of a plurality
of voltaic cells electrically connected in series, parallel, or both,
to increase available voltage or power from a single cell. "Plural batteries" include a combination
or association of two or more structurally dependent, or independent,
battery units.
CAPACITOR
An electrical energy storage device consisting essentially
of two electrically conductive surfaces (e.g., plates, electrodes,
etc.) separated by an insulator or dielectric (e.g., air, paper,
mica glass, plastic, oil, etc.), whereby an electric charge, in
the form of a direct voltage between said conductive surfaces, can
be either stored on said surfaces or released therefrom to a load. "Plural
capacitors" include a combination or association of two or more
structurally dependent, or independent, capacitor units.
CELL
Short for, or used interchangeably with, a voltaic cell only in this class.
CHARGE: BATTERY OR CELL
The act of adding electrical
energy (e.g., supplying current, etc.) into a battery or cell from
a diverse source of electrical energy to increase the amount of
useful and available chemical energy stored in the battery or cell; or,
the amount of chemical energy stored
in a battery or cell that is available for useful conversion to
electrical energy for supplying an electric load.
CHARGE: CAPACITOR
The act of applying an
electric potential across the electrodes or plates of a capacitor
from a diverse source of electrical energy to increase the amount
of useful and available electrical energy stored in the capacitor,
or the amount of energy stored in
a capacitor that is available for release to usefully supply electrical
energy to an electric load.
CHARGING CIRCUIT
The electric circuit or path that extends from a charging source
to a battery, cell, or capacitor to be charged.
CHARGING SOURCE
The immediate source from which electric energy is derived
for addition into a battery, cell, or capacitor, where the polarity
of the source is such as to cause current to flow in opposition
to the normal polarity of the battery, cell, or capacitor, if the
latter is polarized, and may be, for example: (1) a mere charging
circuit; (2) means for collecting atmospheric, parasitic, or other stray
electric charge or currents; (3) means for converting electrical
energy having one or more particular electrical characteristics
into electrical energy having a different characteristic (e.g.,
electrical converters such as a combination alternating current
source and rectifier, where the rectifier is considered to be the
"immediate source"; (4) means for converting energy, other than electrical,
into electric energy (e.g., electrical generator, fuel cell, etc.).
CHARGING SOURCE CONTROL
Any control that effects the flow of energy from a charging
source, including (a) direct control of the charging source itself
or (b) the flow or delivery of energy from the charging source to
a load.
CIRCUIT MAKING AND/OR BREAKING
Fully establishing and/or fully interrupting
the conductivity of an electrical path between two or more points
in an electrical circuit by physical movement of electrically conductive
elements into and out of physical contact with each other.
CONDENSER
An obsolete or out-of-favor term for "capacitor." Although
still used in the automotive field to refer to a capacitor used
across ignition points to prevent arcing, it is interpreted as being
synonymous with "capacitor" in this class, with no implied limitation
to its use.
DEPOLARIZATION
The process of preserving or restoring a primary cell
by partially or completely removing its increased resistance (i.e.,
polarization) as the potential of an electrode changes during electrolysis.
DISCHARGE
The act of removing available electrical energy from storage
in a battery, cell, or capacitor via flow of electric current from
the battery or capacitor to a load.
DISCHARGE CIRCUIT
An electrical device or path which allows flow of electrical
current from a battery or capacitor to an electrical load, especially
that path or device that controls or regulates said flow.
FUEL CELL
An electrochemical generator that uses the reaction of oxygen
and a hydrocarbon fuel, or derivative thereof (e.g., hydrogen, etc.),
to convert chemical energy into electricity. It is distinguishable
from a voltaic cell because of its
use of a hydrocarbon for fuel, and because it can operate continuously
without a voltaic cell"s inherent chemical degradation
of electrodes, as long as fuel and oxygen are available or supplied.
LOAD, LOAD DEVICE, OR LOAD CIRCUIT
Any electrical device for usefully converting or consuming
electrical energy other than those devices which are merely accessory,
auxiliary, or appurtenant to the source and/or the circuit
which supplies electric energy. [An accessory or auxiliary
device is a device used to affect operation, control, or care of
a source and/or supply circuit and may, for example, comprise
a device employed: (i) to test, indicate, or measure a condition
of or in a source or supply circuit, or (ii) to regulate or control
the flow of electric energy from or through the source or supply
circuit.]
PRIMARY CELL OR BATTERY
A cell or battery that cannot have its available
charge usefully increased (i.e., recharged like a secondary
cell) by an electric current passing through it after
having been discharged from a usefully charged condition (i.e., the
chemical reaction is not reversible). (See the definition of Depolarization,
above).
REGULATION
Control of one or more characteristics or conditions whereby
said characteristics or conditions can be maintained at some predetermined
value, or can be varied over a plurality of values.
SECONDARY CELL OR BATTERY
A cell or battery that may have its available charge usefully increased (i.e., recharged)
by an electric current passing through it after having been discharged from a usefully charged condition
(i.e., the chemical reaction is reversible).
VOLTAIC CELL
An elementary unit source of electrical energy stored
as chemical energy, comprising two separated dissimilar electrodes
bridged by an electrolyte, wherein said unit source produces a potential
difference across said electrodes in a chemical reaction involving
said electrodes and electrolyte that converts chemical energy into
electrical energy. [Synonymous with cell,
but distinguished from a fuel cell,
in which the electrodes are not required to be chemically involved
in the primary reaction.]
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter for lowering the resistance of a primary
cell by addition of electrical energy sufficient to remove a polarized
coating from an electrode of the cell or battery.
Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus,
Product and Process,
subclass 52 for activation of an inactive cell and subclasses
96 through 100 for cell support for a removable cell.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter including a charging source having means
for deriving electrical energy from weather-related air flow, light energy,
heat, or from an electrochemical generator in which chemical energy
from the reaction of air or oxygen and a fuel (e.g., hydrocarbons,
etc.) is converted directly into electricity.
This subclass is indented under subclass 101. Subject matter including means for regulating only the flow
of charging current in series between the charging source and the
load (i.e., the means for regulating is absent any means to bypass
charging current around the load).
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein the charging source for charging
a first cell or battery includes a second cell or battery.
This subclass is indented under subclass 103. Subject matter wherein significance is attributed to the
type of battery to be charged, wherein said battery is intended
for use with a conveying device (e.g., automobile, etc.).
(1)
Note. Commonly, the battery being charged is six volts or
a multiple thereof.
This subclass is indented under subclass 104. Subject matter wherein use is made of a charging circuit
between the first battery and the second battery that includes a
pair of conductors, each of which includes an end connector (e.g., alligator
clip, etc.) adapted to be removably connected to a vehicle battery
terminal to supply charging current thereto, the pair of conductors
being commonly referred to as "jumper cables."
Electrical Connectors,
subclass 504 for a connector with a flaccid conductor and with
an additional connector spaced there along adapted to connect a
battery and subclass 624 for plural contacts at the end of a cable
having sheath enclosing insulated conductors.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter including a sensor for determining or recognizing
the general attributes of a cell or battery to be charged (e.g.,
rechargeable vs. nonrechargeable, chemical makeup, charge capacity,
etc.).
(1)
Note. This subclass provides for determining battery size
by means other than merely ascertaining whether the battery physically
fits a charging structure aperture shape or cell holder size.
(2)
Note. The identifying means of this subclass enables a charging
system to proceed with charging or for preventing such an attempt
where, for example, the charging system determines that the cell or
battery is not of a compatible type to be charged by the charging
system.
Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus,
Product and Process,
subclass 1 for a battery with a nonbattery electrical component
electrically connected within the cell casing other than testing
or indicating components, subclass 9 for diverse cells in a support
means and subclass 99 for support for plural cells.
Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus,
Product and Process,
subclass 52 for activation of an inactive cell and subclasses
99 through 100 for support for a plurality of cells and the support
itself.
This subclass is indented under subclass 107. Subject matter wherein the charging circuit includes a transformer
to transfer electrical energy between the charging source and the load
to be charged (e.g., with the primary winding of the transformer
connected to the charging source and the secondary winding of the
transformer connected to the battery).
This subclass is indented under subclass 107. Subject matter including charging structure constructed
and arranged to charge a battery of the type constructed and intended
to provide electrical energy for a vehicle having an electrodynamic
prime mover, whether or not the battery is mounted in the vehicle
or removed therefrom.
This subclass is indented under subclass 107. Subject matter including means structurally adapted to accommodate
-- or structurally adaptable or rearrangeable to accommodate -- for
charging purposes, cells, batteries, or assemblages of plural batteries
(i.e., battery packs) having different physical dimensions.
for a battery characteristic determined for other
than aperture shape or cell holder size of the battery charger,
or for other battery-type determinations other than physical size.
Chemistry: Electrical current Producing Apparatus,
Product and Process,
subclasses 99 through 100for support for a plurality of cells and the support
itself.
This subclass is indented under subclass 107. Subject matter wherein the charger structure includes a
male connector constructed and arranged to connect to a conventional
household alternating-current outlet jack.
This subclass is indented under subclass 107. Subject matter wherein the charger structure is constructed
and arranged to charge or discharge an assemblage of plural batteries.
This subclass is indented under subclass 112. Subject matter further including a supporting structure
for the charger structure, said supporting structure having further
means for supporting the battery pack during charging.
This subclass is indented under subclass 107. Subject matter including means constructed and arranged
to charge a battery or cell in a handheld device.
(1)
Note. The means constructed to charge a battery may be integral
with the handheld device.
This subclass is indented under subclass 114. Subject matter further including a supporting structure
for the charger structure, said supporting structure having further
means for supporting the battery pack during charging.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein plural individual cells or batteries
are recited as being electrically attached to each other in succession
or end-to-end relationship such that a single path is provided for
flow of current.
This subclass is indented under subclass 116. Subject matter wherein the plural individual batteries or
cells are recited as being switchable between a series-connected
relationship and a parallel-connected relationship.
Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,
subclass 10.1 for vehicle mounted systems for an automobile,
subclass 48 for storage battery or accumulator-type source, subclass
66 for a storage battery or accumulator being used as a substitute or
emergency source, and subclass 71 for series-parallel connections
of sources.
This subclass is indented under subclass 116. Subject matter wherein each one of plural serially-connected
batteries or cells is separately charged by use of multiple charging
circuits.
This subclass is indented under subclass 116. Subject matter wherein the total quantity of individual
cells or batteries connected in series is changeable.
Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,
subclass 36 for serially connected load circuits and subclass
41 for sequential or alternating connections of load circuits.
This subclass is indented under subclass 120. Subject matter including means for switching a cell or cells
into or out of serially-connected relationship with another cell
or cells.
This subclass is indented under subclass 120. Subject matter including means for shunting charging current
away from an individual cell in a plurality of serially-connected
cells to another cell or cells when the individual cell is fully
charged.
Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,
subclasses 48+ for storage battery or accumulator-type source,
subclass 53 for load current division, and subclass 77 for series connected
sources.
This subclass is indented under subclass 116. Subject matter wherein a means for converting mechanical
energy into electrical energy is employed as a charging source for
the serially-connected cells or batteries.
DIVERSE CHARGING OR DISCHARGING RATES FOR PLURAL BATTERIES:
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter including the addition (or release) of electrical
energy from multiple batteries at different energy flow per unit
time.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter wherein the positive and negative terminals
of each of a plurality of batteries to be charged or discharged
are electrically connected, respectively, to the positive and negative
terminals of the other batteries.
Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,
subclass 56 for load current control of diverse sources and subclass
66 for accumulator substitute sources.
This subclass is indented under subclass 127. Battery or cell discharging further including addition of
electrical energy into the battery or cell sufficient to increase
the chemical energy of the battery or cell.
This subclass is indented under subclass 128. Subject matter wherein a momentary burst (i.e., pulse)of
stored energy is removed from a battery or cell during the charging
thereof (e.g., as in a discharge pulse between charging pulses).
This subclass is indented under subclass 130. Subject matter wherein all, or substantially all, of the
stored energy in a battery or cell is removed from the battery or
cell in the discharge portion of the cycle (e.g., to condition the
battery or cell for charging, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 130. Subject matter wherein the quantity of energy stored in
the battery or cell is determined within the discharge/charge
cycle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 128. Subject matter wherein a physical characteristic (e.g.,
state of charge, temperature, etc.) of a battery or cell is determined
during charging or discharging thereof.
(1)
Note. Battery or cell monitoring is common to prevent degradation
or destruction of the battery or cell during charging or discharging
(e.g., due to deep discharge, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 135. Subject matter wherein a physical characteristic (e.g.,
state of charge, temperature, etc.) of a battery or cell is determined
during discharge thereof.
(1)
Note. Battery or cell monitoring is common to prevent degradation
or destruction of the battery or cell during charging or discharging
(e.g., due to deep discharge, etc.).
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter including means to add electrical energy
into a battery or cell sufficient to increase the useful and available
chemical energy stored therein.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Subject matter including means to enable use of two or more
diverse charging sources, or means for selectively enabling one
or more diverse charging sources to add electrical energy into a
battery or cell.
(1)
Note. This feature would commonly be used to, for example,
allow a charger to have the flexibility to use charging sources
of different voltages, current (i.e., AC or DC), or availability
for use, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 139. Subject matter including detailed structure of means for
creating direct-current pulses from a direct-current supply.
(1)
Note. The direct-current supply may in turn be derived from
a rectified alternating current source.
This subclass is indented under subclass 139. Subject matter including means for actively varying a characteristic
(e.g., width, amplitude, duty cycle, etc.) of the pulses.
This subclass is indented under subclass 141. Subject matter including means for switching the pulses
on and off based upon the phase of an alternating current source
utilized to supply energy for the pulses (e.g., using silicon controlled
rectifiers, etc.).
This subclass is indented under subclass 142. Subject matter further including means to adjust the phase
control (e.g., SCR conduction, etc.) based upon the voltage of a
battery or cell being charged.
This subclass is indented under subclass 143. Subject matter further including means to adjust the phase
control (e.g., SC conduction, etc.) based upon the temperature of
a battery or cell being charged.
This subclass is indented under subclass 139. Subject matter including control means for starting and
stoppingcharging (or changing the rate of charging) of a battery
or cell at, respectively, different battery or cell voltage levels.
(1)
Note. Typically, a battery-voltage control "window" is used
to prevent instability or oscillation in a charger on/off cycle
or a fast charge/trickle charge cycle.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Subject matter including means for varying the rate of charging
based upon the rate or amount of gas evolution in a battery or cell
during charging.
Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus,
Product, and Process,
subclass 58 for a sealed cell having gas prevention or elimination
means and subclasses 61+ for control means responsive to
battery condition sensing means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Subject matter wherein the peak magnitude of charging current
or battery or cell voltage is determined during charging to indicate
when a state of full charge of the battery or cell is reached.
Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Devices,
Circuits, and Systems, appropriate subclass for signal discriminating,
per se, based upon signal waveshape, amplitude, etc.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Subject matter wherein the integrated magnitude of charging
current or battery or cell voltage is determined during charging
to determine the state of charge of the battery or cell.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Subject matter means to determine, or means responsive to,
the temperature of a battery or cell during charging.
Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus,
Product, and Process,
subclasses 61 and 62 for control means responsive to battery
condition sensing means including temperature control.
This subclass is indented under subclass 150. Subject matter including means to determine the time-rate-of-change
of the magnitude of charging current or battery or cell voltage
to determine the state of charge of the battery or cell.
This subclass is indented under subclass 150. Subject matter including means to measure the magnitude
of charging current or the battery or cell voltage to determine
the state-of-charge of the battery or cell.
Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus,
Product, and Process,
subclasses 61 and 62 for control means responsive to battery
condition sensing means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 155. Subject matter including means to determine the time-rate-of-change
of the magnitude of charging current or battery or cell voltage.
This subclass is indented under subclass 155. Subject matter including means to measure the magnitude
of charging current or the battery or cell voltage to determine
the state-of-charge of the battery or cell.
Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems,
subclass 116 for condition responsive switching systems and
subclass 141 for switch actuation with time delay or retardation means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 158. Subject matter including means to measure the magnitude
of charging current and the magnitude of battery or cell voltage
to determine the state-of-charge of the battery or cell.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Subject matter wherein the quantity of energy added per
unit time (i.e., charge rate) is changed to another charge rate
during a charge to rated capacity.
(1)
Note. The change of charge rate, for purposes of placement
in this subclass, does not include a change of rates from a charging
to rated capacity and a rate employed only for keeping a battery
or cell in a fully charged condition.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Subject matter including means to determine the time-rate-of-change
of the magnitude of charging current or battery or cell voltage
to determine the state-of-charge of the battery or cell.
This subclass is indented under subclass 137. Subject matter including means to measure the magnitude
of charging current or the battery or cell voltage.
This subclass is indented under subclass 163. Subject matter including means to measure the magnitude
of charging current and the magnitude of battery or cell voltage.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Subject matter for increasing or decreasing the amount of
stored electrical energy in a capacitor.
This subclass is indented under subclass 166. Subject matter for charging or discharging a capacitor which,
via a high-capacity storage characteristic (e.g., on the order of
a Farad, etc.), has utility as a battery or cell in terms of energy
storage.
The definitions for FOR 100 through FOR 171 below correspond
to the definitions of the abolished subclasses under Class 320 from
which these collections were formed. See the Foreign Art Collections
in the Class 320 schedule for specific correspondences. [Note: The titles and definitions for indented art
collections include all the details of the one(s) that are hierarchically
superior.]
Foreign art collection in which the battery is of
the primary type; i.e., battery of the type which produces electric
energy as a result of electrochemical action, which action, is not efficiently
reversible and, hence, the battery when discharged cannot be efficiently recharged
by electric current.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
for passing an electric current through the primary battery to thereby improve
its ability and/or its operation as a source of voltage
or current.
Foreign art collection in which there are two or
more batteries, structurally dependent or independent, and (a) in
which means operate to treat at least one battery differently (with respect
to time, mode or character, of treatment) than at least one other
battery, or (b) in which any battery has a circuit controlling element
not included in the circuit of another battery, or (c) in which
all batteries are treated in one relationship at one time and all
are treated in another relationship at another time.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
for connecting the batteries in series, with respect to one another,
at one time and in parallel at another time, or for connecting some
in series and others in parallel at the same time.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
(a) for effectively removing one or more batteries from a charging
circuit and placing the same in a discharging circuit, (b) for effectively
removing one or more other batteries from a discharging circuit
and placing the same in a charging circuit, (c) or both.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
for regulating both (a) the charging circuit or charging source,
and (b) the discharging circuit, simultaneously or otherwise.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
for controlling the charging source and/or the charging
circuit as a result of the operating of, or conditions in, the discharging
circuit.
Foreign art collection in which there are two or
more batteries, structurally dependent or independent, and (a) in
which means operate to treat at least one battery differently (with respect
to time, mode, or character, of treatment) than at least one battery
and/or (b) in which any battery has a circuit controlling element
not included in the circuit of another battery, and/or
in which all of the batteries are connected in one relationship
at one time and all are connected in another relationship at another
time.
Foreign art collection in which means operate to
connect the batteries in series, relative to each other, at one
time and to connect them in parallel at another time, or to connect
some of the batteries in series and others in parallel at the same
time.
Foreign art collection in which means operate to
connect the batteries so that the current which passes through one
battery also passes, in whole or in part, through each of the other
batteries connected in the circuit; while at no time can the current
divide so that part passes through one battery and another part
of the current passes through another battery.
Foreign art collection in which means operate to
charge or discharge the batteries at successive intervals, said
intervals being spaced by other intervals during which the battery
current is substantially zero.
Foreign art collection in which means operate to
charge or discharge a battery at successive intervals of time, said
intervals being spaced by other intervals during which the battery
current is substantially zero.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
to control the polarity of (a) the charging source and/or
charging circuit relative to the battery, or (b) the battery relative to
the discharging circuit and/or the load device.
Foreign art collection in which there are means
for controlling the charging source and additional means for controlling
the circuit extending from the source to the battery.
Foreign art collection in which the means operate
both (a) to regulate and (b) to make or break either the charging
circuit or the discharging circuit.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
for sensing a predetermined cause or condition (e.g., temperature,
time, voltage, et cetera) which sensing means in turn initiate operation
of additional means which perform some control function.
Foreign art collection in which (1) means are provided
for sensing two or more different predetermined conditions and/or
(2) means are provided for sensing a predetermined condition and
there is also provided means for a predetermined length of time after
the sensing means respond to the predetermined condition.
Foreign art collection in which the sensing means
respond upon the occurrence of a predetermined instant of time (e.g.,
8:30 A.M., 5:00 P.M., et cetera), or upon the passage of a predetermined
period of time (e.g., 10 sec., 8 hrs., et cetera).
Foreign art collection in which the sensing means
are responsive to a predetermined voltage magnitude or a predetermined
current magnitude in any circuit.
Foreign art collection in which the sensing means
include an ampere-hour or a watt-hour type of device, which device
is so connected as to measure the energy input or the energy output
of the battery being charged or discharged.
Foreign art collection in which the sensing means
include a pressure responsive device which is so connected as to
respond to the pressure generated by the gas liberated by a battery
being charged or discharged.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
to indicate, signal, measure, and/or test a result, condition,
or circumstance immediately associated with the battery, its charging
source or circuit, or its discharging circuit or load device.
Foreign art collection in which there are two or
more sources of e.m.f., simultaneously connected in series, relative
to each other, in the charging circuit, in bucking and/or boosting
relationship.
Foreign art collection in which the impedance is
of the type in which the impedance to the flow of electric current
therethrough varies with change in physical pressure applied thereto,
and in which means are provided for applying a variable physical
pressure to the impedance.
Foreign art collection in which a unidirectionally
conductive means is connected in series with the charging or the
discharging circuit, said conductive means offering appreciably
more impedance to the flow of current therethrough in one direction
than in the other.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
for substantially establishing and/or interrupting the
conductivity of the battery circuit by relative physical movement of
electrically conductive element into and out of physical contact
with each other.
Foreign art collection in which (a) two or more
sources of supply of different kinds are provided in the charging
circuit even though they receive the same character of treatment or
(b) two or more sources of supply of either the same or different
kinds are provided in the charging circuit where one or more of
such sources are treated differently (with respect to time, mode
or character of treatment) than one or more others of such sources.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
for receiving electric energy of alternating polarity, converting
it into electrical energy of unidirectional polarity and delivering
it to a battery charging circuit.
Foreign art collection in which the rectifying means
are of the type which includes (a) an electric conductor, (b) means
for producing magnetic lines of force, (c) means for producing relative
motion between the conductor and the lines of force in a direction
which extends at an angle to the lines of force, and (d) means for
collecting and/or conducting current from the conductor
to the battery charging circuit.
Foreign art collection in which the rectifying means
include conductive means connected to the charging circuit, which
conductive means offer appreciably less impedance to the flow of
current therethrough in one direction than in the other direction.
Foreign art collection in which the unidirectionally
conductive type of rectifier includes devices having electrodes
spaced apart in a gaseous or a vacuous medium and between which
electrodes the electric current being rectified can be caused to
flow.
Foreign art collection in which the source of supply
for charging a battery comprises means for converting nonelectric
energy into electric energy and for supplying the electric energy
to the charging circuit.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
for connecting the generator to a source of electric energy to start
the motive power means which are used to drive the generator during
charging operation.
Foreign art collection in which the generator is
of the type which comprises an armature or induced conductor, winding
means for producing a magnetic field of force, and means for producing
relative movement between the conductor and the field of force, and
in which means are provided for controlling the circuit of the field
producing winding.
Foreign art collection in which the means for controlling
the circuit of the field winding comprise another magnetic flux
producing winding; said last named winding being operated or treated
differently with respect to time, manner or electrical connection,
or degree of control thereover, than the first named winding means.
Foreign art collection in which one or more of the
field windings are connected or energized so as to produce a magnetomotive force
which opposes the magnetomotive force of one or more of the other
field windings.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
for short-circuiting the impedance, in whole or in part, by conducting
means of negligible resistance which operate to short circuit the
entire impedance in one step, or parts of the impedance in one or
more major steps, i.e., without passing through intermediate and
infinitesimal values of said impedance.
Foreign art collection in which the impedance is
of the type in which the resistance to the flow of current therethrough
varies with change in physical pressure applied thereto, and in
which means are provided for applying a variable physical pressure
to the impedance.
Foreign art collection in which means are provided
for substantially short-circuiting or grounding the terminals of
the armature or generating conductors of the generator.
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