Battery Charger and Power Reduction System and Method

The invention is a Shunt-type, lithium-ion battery charging device with a power dissipation/power reduction method. The method controls the amount of power being sent to each battery by the battery charger, by monitoring the batteries level of charge during charging, and by reducing the magnitude of the charging current accordingly for each battery. It has the ability to charge Lithium-ion batteries in series while still maintaining control of the individual cells. Research has shown that the demand for lithium-ion batteries is increasing dramatically as electric-car technology improves and prices drop. Benefits Reduces the likelihood of overcharging, shortened battery life cycles, and extreme heat generation Saves both cost and space Precise control Control of individual cells in multiple series Potential Applications Battery Management Systems Battery Modeling Alternative Energy Vehicles Satellites