BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM INCLUDING MEANS FOR DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN RECHARGEABLE AND NON-RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES

BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM INCLUDING MEANS FOR DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN RECHARGEABLE AND NON-RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES A battery charging system is provided which distinguishes between primary and secondary batteries by sensing a charging or discharging parameter of a battery placed into the system. A sensing means is included in the system which senses the value of at least One parameter of the battery. The parameter has a value for secondary batteries which is distinctive from its value for primary batteries. In response to an indication from the sensing means that the battery in the system is a primary battery, an enabling means disables charging of the primary battery by the system. The enabling means, in response to an indication from the sensing means that the battery in the system is a secondary battery, enables charging of the secondary battery by the system. One battery parameter which is particularly useful in discriminating between primary and secondary batteries is the low frequency impedance of the battery during charging.