ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER FOR TESTING STORAGE BATTERY

• US 20120041697A1
• Filed: 08/09/2011
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Franklin Grid Solutions, LLC (EBW, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Stukenberg, Todd J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,201,120 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/63
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/386 using test-loads
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/388 involving voltage measurements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An electronic battery tester, includes test circuitry configured to couple to a battery and measure a parameter of the battery. A manual input is configured to receive an input from an operator. A user output provides an output to the operator. A memory contains programming code, which includes code to output battery test procedure instructions for implementation by the operator. A microprocessor operates in accordance with the programming code to instruct the operator to perform the battery test procedure. The microprocessor further performs a battery test based upon the measured parameter.

Claims

1. An electronic battery tester, comprising:

test circuitry configured to couple to a battery and measure a parameter of the battery;

a manual input configured to receive an input from an operator;

a user output configured to provide an output to the operator;

a memory containing programming code, the programming code including programming code to output on the user output battery test procedure instructions for implementation by the operator; and

a microprocessor which operates in accordance with the programming code to thereby instruct the operator to perform the battery test procedure and perform a battery test based upon the measured parameter;

wherein the battery test procedure output by the microprocessor changes as a function of the battery being tested.

2. The electronic battery tester of claim 1 wherein the memory includes a plurality of battery test procedure instructions.

3. The electronic battery tester of claim 2 wherein one of the plurality of test procedure instructions is selected based upon a battery being tested.

4. The electronic battery tester of claim 1 including a communication link configured to communicate with a remote location.

5. The electronic battery tester of claim 4 wherein the remote location includes battery test procedure instructions which are stored in the memory.

6. The electronic battery tester of claim 1 wherein the battery test procedure instructions include operator instructions and measurements, test procedures and criteria.

7. The electronic battery tester of claim 1 wherein the test procedure instructions include instructing the operator to perform a visual inspection of the battery.

8. The electronic battery tester of claim 1 wherein the test procedure instructions include instructing the operator to test electrical connections to the battery.

9. The electronic battery tester of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor selects a programming code based upon an operator input.

10. A method of testing a storage battery, comprising:

providing an electronic battery tester;

providing battery test procedure instructions to an operator using an output of the electronic battery tester, the battery test procedure instructions instructing the operator to perform a selected test procedure on the battery and stored in a memory;

selecting the selected test procedure based upon the battery under test.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the memory includes a plurality of battery test procedure instructions.

12. The method of claim 10 including providing a communication link configured to communicate with a remote location.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the remote location includes the battery test procedure instructions.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the battery test procedure instructions include operator instructions and measurements, test procedures and criteria.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the test procedure instructions include instructing the operator to perform a visual inspection of the battery.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the test procedure instructions include instructing the operator to test electrical connections to the battery.

17. The method of claim 10 including selecting the selected test procedures based upon an operator input.