Charging algorithm for lithium batteries

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of provisional application No. 61/222,372, filed on Jul. 1, 2009.

The present invention relates to the field of battery technology; and more particularly to a battery charging algorithm for lithium polymer batteries.

There are two major charging procedures for charging lithium polymer batteries. One method is to charge at a constant current. When a target voltage is reached the current is kept constant until the current which normally decreases, rises to a certain value. Another method of charging is step charging with a constant current. In this method, the current is stopped at time intervals until the target voltage is reached. It has been observed that lithium ion batteries are very sensitive to charge rates, temperatures, thermodynamics and kinetics of all components, electrodes and battery chemistry. A novel method reveals a specific algorithm to efficiently charge lithium batteries by adjusting battery voltage and current output to match the individual chemistry of lithium batteries.

During charge lithium ions leave the structure of the cathode material and ionic movement is assisted by a salt LiPF6 dissolved in EC/DMC solvent. If the charging rate is too high the total capacity achieved is lowered, said lowering depending on the C-rate.

Large format prismatic cells with a capacity of 100 Ah are used to perform a series of experiments. The charge and discharge are performed under different C-rate conditions. During charging, cathode material undergoes different phase transformations and a differential curve is produced. Several peaks can be observed with all data plotted against dV/dt and V, where V represents voltage and t time.

During phase transformations it can be observed that within a particular voltage range the rate of increase in voltage is high and in some areas it is minimal. This phenomenon is introduced to model a charging algorithm wherein the system is designed so that the charging current is varied according to cell voltage within the range of 3 to 4.2V. Using the method, battery cycle life is enhanced and the capacity percentage increases compared to conventional charging procedures. Another feature of this type of charging procedure is that it results in less temperature rise.