| CPC H02J 7/007182 (2020.01) [H02J 7/0047 (2013.01)] | 14 Claims |
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1. A method for automated battery charging in a battery charging system (BCS), comprising:
providing the BCS with a plurality of output charging voltages using a voltage selection circuit comprising a transformer and a switch connected between a first secondary winding and a second secondary winding of the transformer, wherein
a connection between a first terminal of the first secondary winding and a first output terminal of the BCS is absent of any switches,
a connection between a first terminal of the second secondary winding and a second output terminal of the BCS is absent of any switches, and
the switch comprising (i) a first terminal connected to a second terminal of the first secondary winding, (ii) a second terminal connection to a second terminal of the second secondary windings, (iii) a third terminal connected to the second output terminal of the BCS, (iv) configured to selectively create and break a connection between the first secondary winding and the second output terminal of the BCS, and (v) configured to selectively create and break a serial connection between the first and second secondary windings of the transformer;
measuring an output voltage of a battery which has been connected to the BCS;
determining based on the measuring, an output voltage type of the battery from a plurality of output voltage types, and a condition of the battery for accepting a charge;
based on the determining, performing at least one automated operation selected from the group of
initiating a charge cycle for the battery by automatically setting an output charging voltage of the BCS in accordance with the output voltage type which has been determined, and closing a power switch to connect an output circuit of the BCS to the battery; and
indicating that the battery is not in condition for accepting a charge;
wherein the plurality of output voltage types correspond to output charging voltage values in an approximate range from V to nV, where n is an integer greater than 1;
wherein the output charging voltage is automatically set by controlling the switch of the voltage selection circuit to (1) break the serial connection between the first and second secondary windings and create the connection between the second terminal of the first secondary winding of the transformer and the second output terminal of the voltage selection circuit or (2) create the serial connection between the first and second secondary windings such that the first and second secondary windings are connected in a serial arrangement between the first and second output terminals of the voltage selection circuit and break the connection between the second terminal of the first secondary winding of the transformer and the second output terminal of the voltage selection circuit.
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