Definition

Where a term, phrase, or derivation thereof appears in italics in this class definition, that term or phrase is defined in the Glossary, below. Use of such italics may be limited to once per sentence or paragraph for better readability.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER

This class provides for a method or apparatus for controlled or regulated charging, discharging, or combined charging and discharging of one or more voltaic cells, batteries, or capacitors.

SCOPE OF CLASS

This is the residual class for subject matter relating to:

1. a method or apparatus for charging or electrically rejuvenating (e.g., depolarizing, etc.) a voltaic cell, battery, or electrical capacitor, wherein said charging or rejuvenating is accomplished by controlled addition of electrical energy into the cell, battery, or capacitor;

2. a method or apparatus for discharging a voltaic cell, battery, or electrical capacitor, wherein discharging is accomplished by controlled release of electrical energy from the cell, battery, or capacitor into a nominal electrical load, and further wherein the voltaic cell, battery, capacitor, or combination thereof comprises the only source of supply for the load;

3. a method or apparatus for combined charging and discharging, whether or not the charging and discharging occur simultaneously;

4. a method or apparatus for charging, discharging, or combined charging and discharging, in combination with subject matter auxiliary or appurtenant thereto for measuring, testing, signalling or indicating a charge or related condition of a cell, battery, capacitor, or operation of a related charge or discharge circuit with respect to a charging or discharging function or condition; or

5. a cell, battery, or capacitor structurally combined with a generator or electrical converter, whether or not electrical interconnection therebetween is recited.

(1) Note. The term "capacitor" has replaced the archaic term "condenser" used in previous definition(s) of this class. However, these terms are to be interpreted herein as being interchangeable and therefor synonymous in scope and breadth, irrespective of the modern accepted interpretation of the term "condenser." See Glossary, below. (2) Note. This class provides for charging or discharging of a plural battery or capacitor arrangement (e.g., battery pack, etc.), with or without a controlled generator. However, charging or discharging of a single battery or capacitor with a controlled generator is classified elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. (3) Note. This class provides for a charging circuit where a cell, battery, or capacitor forms the only intended useful load for the circuit. Where a load diverse from a cell, battery, or capacitor to be charged is recited, or where there is recited an additional circuit having utility outside of this class, original classification is outside of this class unless specifically provided for herein. (4) Note. A nominal electrical load for receiving discharge energy may be either a single load or a plural load that functions or appears as a single load to a discharge circuit. The load must be recited only by its electrical characteristics (e.g., a D.C. load, a capacitive load, etc.), and may also be recited as a nominal variable load. Unless specifically provided for herein, original classification is outside of this class where: (a) the recited load is identified by its nonelectrical characteristics or its particular-art purpose (e.g., electric motor, welding, electrolysis, etc.); (b) plural loads function or appear to a discharge circuit as other than a single or merely variable electrical load; or (c) a source, other than a voltaic cell, battery, capacitor, or combination thereof, is recited for supplying the load, unless specifically provided for herein (See (8) Note, below). (5) Note. If an electrical load is disclosed as a battery or a capacitor, then claimed recitation of the load as a "battery," "capacitor," etc., is sufficient basis for classification herein. If, however, the load is recited as an "electric device," an "electric load," a "translation device," etc., classification is based upon another significant limitation and not on the basis of the disclosure of the particular load device, unless there is no appropriate place for the classification elsewhere. (6) Note. If a supply source for a single load is disclosed as a battery or capacitor and the load is not specified or limited to a particular art, claimed recitation of the source as a "battery" or "capacitor" is sufficient basis for classification herein. However, classification of the same is elsewhere if the claimed recitation of the load is in general terminology, e.g., "a source," "a source of emf," "a source of voltage or current," etc., where proper classification is based upon a limitation other than the claimed source. (7) Note. A method or apparatus for manufacturing a battery, capacitor, or part thereof is classified elsewhere (see References to Other Classes, below), even if combined with charging or discharging. However, an apparatus for charging or discharging, per se, is classified in this class even if an intended use is recited for charging or discharging, per se, during, or as a subcombination of, a manufacturing process. This should be contrasted with a method for charging or discharging which is limited to being incident to manufacture, which is excluded from this class and controls classification when subject matter for this class is also claimed. (8) Note. Where there is a combination of charging and discharging recited: (a) there may be one or more sources of charge energy, which may include one or more cells, batteries, or capacitors; (b) a cell, battery, or capacitor to be charged may be the cell, battery, or capacitor to be discharged; (c) a source of charge energy other than a cell, battery or capacitor (hereinafter nonbattery source) may supply a load or discharge circuit simultaneously with a cell, battery, or capacitor to be discharged, except where: (i) the cell, battery or capacitor to be discharged can supply the load or discharge circuit only when the nonbattery source is connected to supply the load or discharge circuit; (ii) the nonbattery source can energize the load or discharge circuit without the cell, battery, or capacitor to be discharged. (9) Note. Where no subclass specifically provides for a method appropriate for this class, classification is proper in a subclass that provides for a device to practice the method. STATEMENT CONCERNING THE SEARCH CLASS NOTES IN REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES, BELOW Since substantially any electrical system or any special-art combination in which an electrical system is a part may charge or discharge a battery or capacitor, whereby said charging or discharging is inherent in the operation thereof, the following SEARCH CLASS notes in References to Other Classes, below, are not represented as being exhaustive of such subject matter.