{
  "patent_number": "US 10967755",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Smart Charging for Nickel-Zinc Batteries in Hybrid Power Systems",
  "original_title": "Controlling battery states of charge in systems having separate power sources",
  "summary": "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.",
  "what_it_does": "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).",
  "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'."
  ],
  "filed": "2018-05-14",
  "granted": "2021-04-06",
  "expires": "2038-05-14",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Zincfive Power",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/zincfive-power",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Jeffrey Phillips",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/jeffrey-phillips"
    },
    {
      "name": "Salil Soman",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/salil-soman"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 1,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "automotive",
    "telecommunications",
    "energy"
  ],
  "abstract": "A control system is designed or configured to control the state of charge of a battery or battery pack in a system containing a separate power source, which is separate from the battery or battery pack. In operation, the battery or battery pack is called upon to intermittently provide power for certain functions. The separate power source may be, for example, an AC electrical power source for a UPS or an engine of a vehicle such as a micro hybrid vehicle. The battery may be a nickel zinc aqueous battery. The control system may be designed or configured to implement one or more of the following functions: monitoring the state of charge of the battery or battery pack; directing rapid recharge of the battery or battery pack from the separate power source when the battery or battery pack is not performing its functions; and directing charge to fully charged level or a float charge level, which is different from the fully charged level, in response to operating conditions.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10967755/controlling-battery-states-of-charge-in-systems-having-separate-power-sources",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10967755/controlling-battery-states-of-charge-in-systems-having-separate-power-sources/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US10967755",
  "relatedPatents": [
    {
      "patentNumber": "9168838",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How an EV Charging Station Manages Power from Batteries and the Grid",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9168838/charging-control-system-and-charging-control-method"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "20120091953",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How Electric Cars Adjust Charging Speed to Available Power",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20120091953/ac-current-control-of-mobile-battery-chargers"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "11235681",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "Smart EV Charging to Protect Battery Life During Long Parking",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11235681/curtailing-battery-degradation-of-an-electric-vehicle-during-long-term-parking"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "10186887",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How Batteries Charge Fast in the Cold Without Damage",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10186887/systems-and-methods-for-fast-charging-batteries-at-low-temperatures"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "10700376",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How to Fast-Charge Lithium Batteries Without Damaging Them",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10700376/methods-for-fast-charging-and-detecting-lithium-plating-in-lithium-ion-batteries"
    }
  ]
}