Battery Rejuvenation via Alternating Pulse and Equalizing Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Lead acid batteries suffer from lead sulphate deposition on electrical plates due to under-charging or over-discharging, leading to increased internal impedance, reduced capacity, and shortened lifespan, with existing methods failing to effectively rejuvenate weak batteries.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that alternates between equalizing and reconditioning the battery using a high instantaneous rising pulse current and intermittent equalizing voltage to dissolve lead sulphate deposition, restore electrolyte distribution, and equalize internal cells, with a battery rejuvenation apparatus comprising a pulse width modification controller, switching modules, and a feedback module to manage the rejuvenation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional charging pulses are applied to de-sulphate lead acid batteries, then some lead sulphate can be dissolved, but weak batteries under severe sulphation conditions cannot be effectively rejuvenated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverejuvenation effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability to weak batteries
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic alternation between equalizing mode and reconditioning mode. The equalizing mode applies high voltage to dissolve lead sulphate deposition, while the reconditioning mode applies high instantaneous rising pulse current to redistribute electrolyte and prevent crystallization. This periodic switching between two distinct charging modes enables effective rejuvenation of severely sulphated batteries that conventional single-mode charging cannot handle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes charging parameters by switching between two modes: equalizing mode with high voltage (above floating charging voltage) and reconditioning mode with high instantaneous rising pulse current. This parameter variation allows the system to address different stages of sulphation effectively, transforming the charging approach from static to adaptive based on battery condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high instantaneous rising pulse current is applied to dissolve lead sulphate deposition, then deposition can be effectively removed, but battery temperature may increase excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelead sulphate dissolutionVSAvoidbattery temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent alternates between equalizing mode (which generates heat through high voltage application) and reconditioning mode (which generates heat through high instantaneous current). By periodically switching between these modes rather than applying continuous high energy input, the system dissipates heat between cycles and prevents excessive temperature buildup while maintaining effective lead sulphate dissolution over the complete rejuvenation cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If lead sulphate deposition accumulates on electrical plates, then battery capacity decreases and internal impedance increases, but conventional charging methods fail to restore battery performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacity restorationVSAvoidcharging method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a two-mode periodic charging system that alternates between equalizing mode for dissolving lead sulphate deposition and reconditioning mode for redistributing electrolyte and preventing crystallization. This structured periodic approach restores battery capacity by systematically addressing both the deposition problem and the electrolyte distribution problem, achieving results that simpler conventional methods cannot accomplish.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively dissolves lead sulphate deposition, restores electrolyte distribution, and equalizes internal cells, thereby rejuvenating weak lead acid batteries and extending their lifespan by maintaining the chemical reactions and preventing damage.

Implementation Method 1

during recharging process, the lead sulphate will be restored to lead and sulfuric acid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction:

Implementation Method 2

bring the electrolyte fluid to a well-distributed and fully-restored state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 3

the internal cells may not be in equalizing state, and a weak or poor-conditioned cell among the internal cells will generate its own voltage level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical potential:

Data Source

PatentEP2124312B1Battery rejuvenation method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2014.10.01 SHENZHEN PRIME LOGIC TECH CO LTD
  • EP2124312B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2124312B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2124312B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention provides a battery rejuvenation method for rejuvenating a battery, which firstly pre-charges the battery for a short period of time and judges the battery condition by comparing the battery voltage to a preset reference voltage value, and then alternately performs an equalizing mode operation and a reconditioning operation to rejuvenate the battery until the battery voltage is not higher than the reference voltage value. The operations in equalizing mode and reconditioning mode could enhance the rejuvenating results by each other, which is not only dissolve the lead sulphate crystal, but also bring the electrolyte fluid to a well-distributed and fully-restored state. The present invention also provides a battery rejuvenation apparatus for rejuvenating a battery.