Alternator tester

• US 20050035752A1
• Filed: 06/09/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., Melton, Alan Keith
• Granted Patent: US 7,246,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/120
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 in operation

Abstract

An alternator tester is provided for testing an alternator of a vehicle while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle. A sensor is configured to couple to the vehicle and sense a signal related to operation of the alternator. A memory contains data related to operator instructions for performing an alternator tester of a function of vehicle type. A processor configured to provide an output indication of alternator condition based upon the sensed signal. An extra load or connection can be provided for coupling to the electrical system.

Claims

1. An alternator tester for testing an alternator of a vehicle, while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle, comprising:

sensing circuitry configured to couple to an alternator while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle and configured to sense a signal related to operation of at least one component of the alternator;

a memory containing data related to operator instructions for performing a test on the alternator base on information related to vehicle type; and

a processor configured to determine a condition of the alternator based on the sensed signal.

2. The alternator tester of claim 1 and further comprising at least one auxiliary sensor connector configured to couple the sensing circuitry to an electrical path of the at least one component of the alternator.

3. The alternator tester of claim 2 wherein the electrical path of the at least one component of the alternator comprises at least one of a lamp circuit, a sense circuit, ignition wiring, field wiring, stator wiring, ground wiring and B+wiring of the alternator.

4. The alternator tester of claim 1 wherein the at least one component of the alternator comprises one of a regulator, diode, diode trio, field and stator.

5. The alternator tester of claim 2 wherein the at least one auxiliary sensor connector comprises a universal connector configured to accept Kelvin battery leads and alternator lead adapters.

6. The alternator tester of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to provide an output indicating the condition of the at least one component of the alternator based on the sensed signal.

7. The alternator tester of claim 6 wherein the output comprises a display device.

8. The alternator tester of claim 1 wherein the memory further comprises a database of information that lists replacement parts for each component of the alternator according to the vehicle type.

9. The alternator tester of claim 1 wherein the memory further comprises a database of information that contains replacement parts for each component of the alternator according to an alternator type.

10. The alternator tester of claim 1 and further comprising a user input configured to receive information from an operator related to the vehicle type.

11. The alternator tester of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to couple to a battery tester to determine a condition of a battery coupled to the alternator.

12. The alternator tester of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to select an electrical path from a plurality of electrical paths to couple to the sensing circuitry based on the vehicle type.

13. The alternator tester of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to generate an encrypted code based on the condition of the at least one component of the alternator.

14. The alternator tester of claim 2 wherein the auxiliary sensor connector comprises a voltage regulator configured to test the alternator that has an external regulator.

15. The alternator tester of claim 1 including an electrical load configured to couple to the alternator.

16. The alternator tester of claim 1 wherein the memory contains instructions related to which connector, of a plurality of connectors, should be used by the operator for performing the alternator tests.

17. The alternator tester of claim 1 wherein the memory contains instructions related to the placement of a connector for the test procedure.

18. A method of testing an alternator of a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing sensing circuitry configured to couple to the alternator while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle;

providing instructions to an operator related to connecting at least one component of the alternator to the sensing circuitry;

sensing a signal related to operation of the at least one component; and

determining a condition of the alternator based on the sensed signal.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of connecting comprises connecting an electrical path of the at least one component to the sensing circuitry.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of connecting further comprises connecting the sensing circuitry and the electrical path of the alternator with an auxiliary sensor connector.

21. The method of claim 18 and further comprising suggesting a replacement part for the at least one component based on a vehicle type if the at least one component is approaching failure or has failed.

22. The method of claim 18 and further comprising generating an output indicating the condition of the at least one component of the alternator.

23. The method of claim 18 and further comprising determining a condition of a battery coupled to the alternator.

24. The method of claim 18 and further comprising selecting an electrical path from a plurality of electrical paths to couple to the sensing circuitry based on a vehicle type.

25. The method of claim 18 and further comprising generating an encrypted code based on the condition of the at least one component of the alternator.

26. The method of claim 18 wherein providing instructions comprises retrieving instructions from a memory.

27. The method of claim 18 wherein providing instructions comprises providing instructions based upon information related to vehicle type.

28. The method of claim 18 wherein providing instructions comprises providing instructions based upon information further related to vehicle model.

29. The method of claim 18 wherein providing instructions is based upon information further related to the vehicle year.

30. The method of claim 18 wherein providing instructions is based upon information related to the engine of the vehicle.

31. The method of claim 18 wherein providing instructions is based upon information related to the alternator of the vehicle.

32. The method of claim 18 wherein providing instructions is based upon information related to connecting an electrical load to the alternator for use in determining a condition of the alternator.

33. An alternator tester for testing an alternator of a vehicle while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle, comprising:

a sensor configured to couple to the vehicle and sense a signal related to operation of the alternator;

a memory containing data related to operator instructions for performing an alternator test as a function of information related to vehicle type; and

a processor configured to provide an output indication of alternator condition based upon the sensed signal.

34. An alternator tester for testing an alternator of a vehicle while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle, comprising:

a sensor configured to couple to the vehicle and sense a signal related to operation of the alternator;

an additional sensor or electrical connection;

a processor configured to provide an output indication of alternator condition based upon the sensed signal and the additional sensor or electrical connection.