Starter zero current test apparatus and method

• US 20070152702A1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Krampitz, Scott, Xia, Weixing
• Granted Patent: US 7,538,571 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/765.10
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/10 Safety devices F02N11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 in operation

Abstract

An alternator and starter tester system having a starter current zero test. The current is measured before and after a solenoid of a starter motor is energized and deenergized to determine if the starter motor should be failed. This allows the operator to quickly determine if the starter motor is stuck on during normal starter motor testing.

Claims

1. An alternator and starter tester for testing a starter motor, comprising:

a software that controls a starter zero test;

a first switch, when closed, allows power to a transformer;

a second switch, when closed, allows power to a solenoid of the starter motor;

a current meter that measures current flowing on a power line; and

a processor that communicates with the software, the first switch, the second switch, the transformer, the solenoid and the current meter.

2. The tester of claim 1, wherein the starter zero test determines if the starter motor fails by monitoring current before the solenoid is energized.

3. The tester of claim 1, wherein the starter zero test determines if the starter motor fails by monitoring current after the solenoid is energized and deenergized.

4. The tester of claim 1, wherein the starter motor fails if current is detected after the first switch is closed and current is supplied to the transformer.

5. The tester of claim 1, wherein the starter motor fails if current is detected after the second switch is closed and the solenoid is energized and deenergized.

6. The tester of claim 4, wherein the starter motor fails if the current is above about 40 amps.

7. The tester of claim 5, wherein the starter motor fails if the current is above about 40 amps.

8. A method of testing a starter motor, comprising:

closing a first switch so that current can flow to a transformer which supplies current to the starter motor;

measuring current with a current meter before a solenoid of the starter motor is energized; and

failing the starter motor if current is detected above a predetermined level.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

closing a second switch to energize the solenoid of the starter motor;

recording test measurements of the starter motor;

deenergizing the solenoid; and

measuring current with the current meter after the solenoid is deenergized to determine if the current is above the predetermined level.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising passing or failing the starter motor based on the recorded test measurements.

11. The claim 8, wherein the predetermined level is about 40 amps.

12. The claim 9, wherein the predetermined level is about 40 amps.

13. An alternator and starter tester system for testing a starter motor, comprising:

a software means that controls a starter zero test;

a first switch means, when closed, allows power to a power transforming means;

a second switch means, when closed, allows power to a solenoid means of the starter motor;

a current measuring means that measures current flowing on a power line; and

a processing means that communicates with the software means, the first switch means, the second switch means, the power transforming means, the solenoid means and the current measuring means.

14. The tester system of claim 13, wherein the starter zero test determines if the starter motor fails by monitoring current before the solenoid means is energized.

15. The tester system of claim 13, wherein the starter zero test determines if the starter motor fails by monitoring current after the solenoid means is energized and deenergized.

16. The tester system of claim 13, wherein the starter motor fails if current is detected after the first switch means is closed and current is supplied to the power transforming means.

17. The tester system of claim 13, wherein the starter motor fails if current is detected after the second switch means is closed and the solenoid means is energized and deenergized.

18. The tester system of claim 16, wherein the starter motor fails if current is above about 40 amps.

19. The tester system of claim 17, wherein the starter motor fails if current is above about 40 amps.

20. The tester system of claim 13 further comprising a memory means for storing the software means.