Smart Charging for Nickel-Zinc Batteries in Hybrid Power Systems
This patent describes a method for precisely controlling the charge of aqueous nickel-zinc batteries in systems like hybrid vehicles or uninterruptible power supplies, using a separate main power source to switch between full and lower 'float' charge states.
Original patent title: “Controlling battery states of charge in systems having separate power sources”
This patent describes a method for precisely controlling the charge of aqueous nickel-zinc batteries in systems like hybrid vehicles or uninterruptible power supplies, using a separate main power source to switch between full and lower 'float' charge states. Granted to Zincfive Power in 2021 with 22 claims and 1 forward citation, and it is expected to expire in 2038.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → a method for managing the charge of aqueous nickel-zinc batteries within a battery pack that works alongside another main power source. The system first checks if the battery's charge level is below a specific point for a 'full charge mode' (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1a). If it is, the system applies a 'first voltage' from the separate power source to charge the battery to its fully charged state (Claim 1b). After reaching full charge, the system switches to a 'float charge mode,' applying a 'second voltage' that is lower than the first voltage, to maintain the battery at a slightly reduced 'float charged state' (Claim 1c). This float state has a lower charge level than the fully charged state. This process repeats as needed, for example, after a vehicle's engine uses the battery for 'cold cranking' (Claim 8) or when an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides backup power (Claim 11).
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover battery management systems for battery chemistries other than aqueous nickel-zinc batteries.
- Does not cover charging methods that do not utilize a distinct 'separate power source' to provide the charge.
- Does not cover systems that do not employ both a 'full charge mode' and a separate 'float charge mode' with different voltages.
- Does not cover charging where the 'float charged state' is maintained at a level equal to or higher than the 'fully charged state'.
- Does not cover charging methods where the voltage applied during 'float charge mode' is not lower than the voltage applied during 'full charge mode'.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the specific, two-stage charging method tailored for aqueous nickel-zinc batteries, using distinct full and float charge voltages from a separate power source. This aims to maximize battery life and efficiency by preventing overcharging while ensuring the battery is always ready for intermittent power demands.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) for data centers
Micro-hybrid vehicles with start-stop systems
Backup power systems for telecommunications equipment
Auxiliary power systems in electric vehicles
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Aqueous nickel-zinc batteries offer advantages like safety and environmental benefits compared to traditional lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries in certain applications. This patent focuses on optimizing their lifespan and performance through precise charge control. This is crucial for their successful adoption in demanding environments such as data centers, telecommunications infrastructure, and automotive systems where reliability and longevity are key.
Filed
May 14, 2018
Granted
April 6, 2021
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Zincfive Power Inc., the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is a primary developer and manufacturer of nickel-zinc battery solutions. They focus on providing high-power, safe, and sustainable battery technology for applications like data centers, critical infrastructure, and specialized vehicles. Their products directly implement and build upon the principles of efficient nickel-zinc battery management described in this patent.
Market impact
This patent helps to solidify the technical foundation for aqueous nickel-zinc batteries, enabling their more effective deployment in niche but growing markets. By providing a specific method for optimizing battery lifespan and performance, it supports the adoption of this chemistry as a viable alternative to lead-acid and lithium-ion, particularly where safety, environmental considerations, and specific power delivery characteristics are paramount for applications like UPS and hybrid vehicles.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent claims a method for managing the charge of aqueous nickel-zinc batteries within a battery pack that works alongside another main power source. The system first checks if the battery's charge level is below a specific point for a 'full charge mode' (Claim 1a). If it is, the system applies a 'first voltage' from the separate power source to charge the battery to its fully charged state (Claim 1b). After reaching full charge, the system switches to a 'float charge mode,' applying a 'second voltage' that is lower than the first voltage, to maintain the battery at a slightly reduced 'float charged state' (Claim 1c). This float state has a lower charge level than the fully charged state. This process repeats as needed, for example, after a vehicle's engine uses the battery for 'cold cranking' (Claim 8) or when an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides backup power (Claim 11).
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the specific, two-stage charging method tailored for aqueous nickel-zinc batteries, using distinct full and float charge voltages from a separate power source. This aims to maximize battery life and efficiency by preventing overcharging while ensuring the battery is always ready for intermittent power demands.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover battery management systems for battery chemistries other than aqueous nickel-zinc batteries.
- Does not cover charging methods that do not utilize a distinct 'separate power source' to provide the charge.
- Does not cover systems that do not employ both a 'full charge mode' and a separate 'float charge mode' with different voltages.
- Does not cover charging where the 'float charged state' is maintained at a level equal to or higher than the 'fully charged state'.
- Does not cover charging methods where the voltage applied during 'float charge mode' is not lower than the voltage applied during 'full charge mode'.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
15/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
10/20
Granted 5–10 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$44K – $140K
Midpoint $88K · 11.7 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
22 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Phillips, J., & Soman, S. (2021). Smart Charging for Nickel-Zinc Batteries in Hybrid Power Systems (U.S. Patent No. 10,967,755). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10967755/controlling-battery-states-of-charge-in-systems-having-separate-power-sources
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Smart Charging for Nickel-Zinc Batteries in Hybrid Power Systems cover?
This patent describes a method for precisely controlling the charge of aqueous nickel-zinc batteries in systems like hybrid vehicles or uninterruptible power supplies, using a separate main power source to switch between full and lower 'float' charge states.
Who owns patent US 10967755?
Zincfive Power owns this patent, granted in 2021.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on May 14, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 10967755 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Aqueous nickel-zinc batteries offer advantages like safety and environmental benefits compared to traditional lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries in certain applications. This patent focuses on optimizing their lifespan and performance through precise charge control. This is crucial for their successful adoption in demanding environments such as data centers, telecommunications infrastructure, and automotive systems where reliability and longevity are key.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover battery management systems for battery chemistries other than aqueous nickel-zinc batteries.
Patent monitoring