Green Energy Concepts, Inc. introduces the Blue DiamondTM High Frequency Charger, which based on its output current, is the smallest and lightest in the industry. The new GECI Blue DiamondTM Charger, manufactured and designed by Bassi, represents a game changer in the industry by applying an original circuit called “ZOCR” (an acronym for Zero-Output-Current-Ripple, patent pending).
The benefit of the “ZOCR” circuit is the complete elimination of the residual ripple on the output current that is generated by the GECI Blue DiamondTM Chargers. This aspect deserves a specific explanation: an ideal battery charger operates like a perfect current source, which generates a controlled DC current that is constant and regulated. In reality, the output current of high frequency chargers isn’t perfectly constant, because it’s affected by a residual oscillation (ripple) at the switching frequency.
The first effect of this ripple is an unwanted rise of the temperature of the battery while it’s being charged, which has negative effects on the useful life, on the water consumption and on the energy efficiency. The second effect is a mechanical vibration of the battery plates that may have the same effect of an ultrasonic cleaner that removes the active material. The “ZOCR” circuit achieves the complete elimination of the high frequency ripple, so at the output of the Blue DiamondTM Charger there is a perfectly controlled DC current, which ensures the best possible quality of the charging process.
Although high frequency (HF) battery chargers have been used in the industry for decades, and existing HF technology based on power components (MOSFETs or IGBTs) has reached maturity. These systems operate like switches that turn on and off thousands of times per second. The main advantage of all high frequency (HF) chargers over the other types of charge technologies is that the magnetic components (transformers, inductors) can be reduced in size, therefore the systems benefit from a substantial miniaturization. Unfortunately, these systems are affected by energy losses that are proportional to the switching frequency; therefore it’s very hard to increase it above a few tenths of kilo-Hertz. The HF chargers designed and built in the last 20 years operate on frequencies in the 15- 50 kHz range. The designers of new Blue DiamondTM technology have been able to increase the operating frequency above 100 kHz, leaving all competitors far behind in the race for higher efficiencies in more light and compact electronics.
The GECI Blue DiamondTM Charger also includes all military grade components with each components encapsulated in military grade varnish. The Blue DiamondTM Charger will work on all AC input voltages in the world.
Another interesting implication is that Blue DiamondTM Chargers initially designed for Lead-Acid batteries, are also suitable for all existing and future Lithium battery types that require very low levels of current ripple. The Blue DiamondTM is available in two versions of the configuration of the digital control: the units can have a state-of-the-art Lead-Acid charging profile, or can be equipped with a specific (CANBUS) that allows the interconnection with a Lithium BMS (Battery Management System).
