Battery testing and/or charging system with integrated receptacle for booster pack and method of using same

• US 20070210801A1
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Krampitz, Scott, Ribeiro, Durval
• Granted Patent: US 7,915,856 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery testing/charging system includes an execution unit, such as a battery tester/charger, a receptacle configured to receive an external booster pack, and an outlet configured to power the booster pack when the booster pack is connected to the outlet. The receptacle removably receives the booster pack, such that the booster pack can be removed and separately carried when the execution unit is not required. The receptacle may be integrated with the execution unit. Alternatively, the execution unit may be mounted on a cart, and the receptacle integrated with the cart. The cart may also include an accessory storage tray and an output device bracket. The execution unit may receive partial or total power from the booster pack.

Claims

1. A battery testing/charging system, comprising:

an execution unit capable of performing at least one battery-related function;

a receptacle configured to receive an external booster pack; and

an outlet configured to power said booster pack when said booster pack is connected to said outlet.

2. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle removably receives said external booster pack.

3. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, wherein said booster pack comprises a vehicle battery booster pack.

4. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle is integrated with said execution unit.

5. The battery testing/charging system of claim 4, wherein said receptacle comprises a slot in said execution unit and wherein said booster pack is suspendable from said slot via a hanger attached to said booster pack.

6. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, further comprising a cart, wherein said receptacle is integrated with said cart.

7. The battery testing/charging system of claim 6, wherein said receptacle comprises a shaped opening defined by said cart, said shaped opening formed to achieve a friction fit with said booster pack when said booster pack is mounted within said shaped opening.

8. The battery testing/charging system of claim 6, further comprising an accessory storage compartment mounted to said cart.

9. The battery testing/charging system of claim 6, further comprising a bracket mounted to said cart, wherein said bracket is configured to support an output device.

10. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, wherein said outlet is integrated with said execution unit.

11. The battery testing/charging system of claim 10, wherein said outlet comprises a pass-through from a power source attached to said execution unit.

12. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, wherein said execution unit is configured to receive power from said booster pack.

13. The battery testing/charging system of claim 12, wherein said booster pack provides supplemental power to said execution unit.

14. A portable battery testing/charging system, comprising:

means for executing at least one battery-related function;

means for providing power to at least one of said executing means and a vehicle battery;

means for transporting said executing means and said power providing means;

means for removably securing said power providing means to one of said executing means and said transporting means; and

means for charging said power providing means.

15. The modular battery testing/charging system of claim 14, further comprising means for carrying one or more additional components.

16. A method of diagnosing a battery in a vehicle at a location remote from a fixed power supply, the method comprising:

providing an execution unit capable of performing at least one battery-related function;

providing a portable power supply;

mounting the execution unit to a transportation device;

releasably securing the portable power supply to a receptacle integrated into one of the execution unit and the transportation device; and

performing a battery-related function.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

connecting the portable power supply to a power input of the execution unit; and

connecting the execution unit to the battery.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein performing a battery-related function comprises performing a battery-related function using the execution unit under power provided by the portable power supply.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

connecting the execution unit to the fixed power supply;

connecting the portable power supply to an outlet integrated into the execution unit; and

charging the portable power supply from the fixed power supply.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of performing a battery-related function comprises:

connecting the portable power supply to the battery; and

boosting the vehicle battery such that the vehicle may be started.