Systems and methods for testing power supplies

• US 10,634,731 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2019
• Issued: 04/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Supply Chain Logistics & Electronics, Inc. (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Supply Chain Logistics & Electronics, Inc. (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Partee, Jimmie Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Astacio-Oquendo, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US16/408,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20190265311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 355 Days
• Field of Search: 326426-437, 326439-450, 32676201, 32676401
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10

Abstract

A system and method for testing a power supply. A selection of one or more power supplies to test is received. A tester is automatically configured to test the one or more power supplies utilizing test parameters associated with the selection. A power-end of each of the one or more power supplies is received in power ports of the tester. An adapter-end of each of the one or more power supplies is received in adapter ports of the tester. The one or more power supplies are automatically tested utilizing test parameters. Performance characteristics of the loop one or more power supplies are measured during testing. Indications are given whether each of the one or more power supplies past the testing.

Claims

1. A method for testing a charger, the method comprising:

receiving a charger at a charger tester, wherein the charger tester is configurable to test a plurality of charger types utilizing test parameters associated with each of the plurality of charger types, wherein the test parameters include a load that is dynamically configured for application to a charger type of the charger;

testing the charger utilizing the test parameters;

measuring performance characteristics of the charger during testing; and

indicating a result of the testing.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the charger at the charger tester comprises:

receiving a power-end of the charger in a power port of the charger tester; and

receiving an adapter end of the charger in an adapter port of the charger tester.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising activating the charger tester to power the charger in response to the power-end of the charger and the adapter end of the charger connecting to the charger tester.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the power-end of the charger is an ungrounded plug with two flat parallel prongs.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the power-end of the charger is a grounded plug with two flat parallel prongs and one round pin that is longer than the two flat parallel prongs.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising receiving information from a user interface of the charger tester associated with the charger type of the charger to set the test parameters that are associated with the charger type.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the user interface includes a scanner for reading a label or an identifier associated with the charger.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performance characteristics are stored in a database and associated with an identifier for each of the plurality of charger types.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein an adapter end of the charger is connected to an adapter module that connects to the tester.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein an AC signal provided to the charger is varied according to the test parameters.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein indicating the result of the testing comprises:

activating one or more LEDs to indicate whether the charger passed the testing.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

deactivating power to the charger in response to a safety threshold being exceeded.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the charger tester comprises:

an adaptor port operable to receive an adapter of the charger;

a power port operable to receive a power-end of the charger, wherein the power port provides an alternating current (AC) signal to the charger;

a power supply operable to provide the AC signal to the power port;

a measurement device operable to perform the measuring performance characteristics of the charger during testing; and

a visual indicator operable to display the performance information to a user indicating whether the charger passed the testing.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the charger tester further comprises:

a database for storing the performance information associated with a plurality of chargers.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the charger tester further comprises:

a user interface operable to receive information associated with a charger type of the charger to set test parameters that are associated with the charger type and used by the power supply tester.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the user interface includes a scanner for reading a label or an identifier associated with the charger.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the visual indicator includes one or more LEDs that indicate whether the charger passed the testing.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the charger tester comprises:

a first port operable to receive an adapter of a charger;

a second port operable to receive a power-end of the charger, the second port configured to provide an alternating current (AC) signal to the charger;

a power supply operable to provide the AC signal to the second port;

a measurement device operable to measure performance information of the charger during testing;

a display for displaying the performance information to a user indicating whether the charger passed the testing.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the charger tester further comprises:

a switch in communication with a power generator, wherein the switch is configured to communicate the AC signal to the charger and an associated testing circuit in response to the power-end of the charger-and the adapter of the charger connecting to the charger tester; and

a timer in communication with the power supply, the timer operable to deactivate the AC signal to the charger in response to a time period elapsing from when the charger began to be tested.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the charger tester further comprises a database for storing the performance information associated with a plurality of chargers.