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Abstract

A method for charging a battery, such as a lithium based battery, which applies different charge pulses and discharge pulses to the battery, takes voltage measurements during those charge pulses, discharge pulses, and rest periods between the charge pulses and discharge pulses, and determines whether to terminate or to continue charging the battery. The full sequence of charge pulses, discharge pulses, and rest periods, includes a plurality of charge pulses (1), separated by rest periods (2) and followed by a rest period (3). This is then followed by a plurality of discharge pulses (4), separated by rest periods (5) and followed by a rest period (6). This is then followed by a plurality of extended charge pulses (7), separated by rest periods (8) and followed by a rest period (9). Then another discharge pulse (10) is applied, followed by a rest period (11). This is followed by a plurality of alternating charge pulses (13) and discharge pulses (12), separated by rest periods (13, 15) and followed by a rest period (16). Then another plurality of discharge pulses (17) is applied, separated by rest periods (18) and followed by a rest period (19). Open circuit voltage measurements taken during the rest periods, loaded circuit voltage measurements taken during the discharge pulses, and charge pulse voltage measurements taken during the charge pulses, are used to determine whether to continue or to terminate the charging of the battery.

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First Claim