Apparatus and Method for Testing a Power Source

• US 20100153039A1
• Filed: 02/23/2010
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Sontheimer, Paul, Murphy, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 8,180,584 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/63
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors

Abstract

A method and apparatus for communicating a battery information to a remote device or database. The battery tester and/or charger can communicate with a wired or wireless connection to the remote device. Battery indentifying information, test results and warranty information can be communicated to the remote device or database.

Claims

1. A battery charger and tester, comprising:

a controller that controls a testing function of the battery charger and tester;

a memory in communication with the controller and stores a battery test procedure;

an input device to input a battery identifier information of a battery under test; and

a wireless communication port in communication with controller, the wireless communication port communicates a battery test result to a remote device.

2. The battery charger and tester of claim 1, wherein the battery identifier information is obtained from an information storing device coupled to the battery under test.

3. The battery charger and tester of claim 2, wherein the battery identifier information stored on the information storing device may be updated with the battery test result.

4. The battery charger and tester of claim 1, wherein the remote device contains a database.

5. The battery charger and tester of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication port allows the remote device to access the battery charger and tester.

6. The battery charger and tester of claim 1, wherein the memory stores the battery test result.

7. The battery charger and tester of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication port allows communication to and from the remote device.

8. The battery charger and tester of claim 1, wherein the battery test result include battery identifier information and a condition of the battery based on the battery test result.

9. The battery charger and tester of claim 1, wherein the remote device is a personal computer, a network server or a workstation.

10. The battery charger and tester of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication module communicates the battery identifier information and a battery warranty information.

11. A charging apparatus, comprising:

a power source charger and tester configured to charge and test a power source and provide a power source test result; and

a wireless communication module linked to the power source charger and tester, the wireless communication module communicates information to and receives information from a remote database.

12. The charging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the information is the power source test result.

13. The charging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the information is the power source test result and a power source identifying information.

14. The charging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the information include a power source warranty information.

15. The charging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the power source charger and tester can be updated via the wireless communication module.

16. The charging apparatus of claim 11, wherein a power source identifying information is obtained from an information storing device coupled to the power source.

17. The charging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the information storing device can be updated with the power source test result.

18. The charging apparatus of claim 11, wherein the remote database is stored on a personal computer, a network server or a workstation.

19. A method of testing a battery, comprising the steps of:

coupling a battery tester to the battery to be tested;

inputting a battery identifying information into the battery tester with an input device of the battery tester;

performing a test procedure on the battery with the battery tester;

generating a battery test result from the test procedure; and

communicating the battery test result and the battery identifying information to a remote database.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the inputting step includes retrieving information from an information storing device coupled to the battery.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of updating an information storing device that is coupled to the battery with information relating to the battery test result and a battery warranty.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the communicating step includes communicating to a remote device storing the remote database.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the communicating step includes communicating a battery warranty information.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the test procedures include a heavy load test.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the battery test result is a previous battery test result.