SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TESTING POWER SUPPLIES

• US 20120182039A1
• Filed: 03/29/2012
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Supply Chain Logistics & Electronics, Inc. (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Logistics & Electronics Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Partee, Jimmie Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,753,095 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/764.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10

Abstract

A system and method for testing a power supply. A selection of one or more power supplies to test is received. A tester is automatically configured to test the one or more power supplies utilizing test parameters associated with the selection. A power-end of each of the one or more power supplies is received in power ports of the tester. An adapter-end of each of the one or more power supplies is received in adapter ports of the tester. The one or more power supplies are automatically tested utilizing test parameters. Performance characteristics of the loop one or more power supplies are measured during testing. Indications are given whether each of the one or more power supplies past the testing.

Claims

1. A method for testing a power supply, comprising:

receiving a selection of one or more power supplies to test, wherein a tester is automatically configured to test the one or more power supplies utilizing test parameters associated with the selection;

receiving a power-end of each of the one or more power supplies in power ports of the tester,

receiving an adapter end of each of the one or more power supplies in adapter ports of the tester,

automatically testing the one or more power supplies utilizing the test parameters;

measuring performance characteristics of the one or more power supplies during testing; and

indicating whether each of the one or more power supplies passed the testing.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection is received utilizing a tactile selection from a user.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection is determined by scanning a label or identifier on at least one of the one or more power supplies.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the test parameters include a load that is dynamically configured for application to the one or more power supplies.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performance characteristics are stored in a database and associated with an identifier for each of the one or more power supplies.

6. The method according to claim 1, automatically activating the tester to power the one or more power supplies in response to the power-end and adapter-end of the one or more power supplies being connected to the tester.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adapter-end of the one or more power supplies are connected to an adapter for connecting to the tester.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein an AC signal provided to the one or more power supplies is varied according to the test parameters.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indicating further comprises:

activating one or more LEDs to indicate whether each of the one or more power supplies passed or failed the testing.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

automatically deactivating power to the one or more power supplies in response to a safety threshold being exceeded.

11. A power supply tester, comprising:

a first plurality of ports for receiving an adapter-end of a plurality of power supplies;

a second plurality of ports in communication with the first plurality of ports through a testing circuit, the second plurality of ports operable to receive a power-end of the plurality of power supplies for providing an alternating current (AC) signal to the plurality of power supplies;

a power supply for providing the AC signal for the plurality of power supplies being tested;

a measurement device for measuring performance information for each of the plurality of power supplies during testing; and

a display for displaying the performance information to a user indicating whether each of the plurality of power supplies passed or failed the testing.

12. The power supply tester according to claim 11, wherein the testing circuit performs the testing utilizing test parameters associated with each of the plurality of power supplies.

13. The power supply tester according to claim 11, wherein the test parameters specify a load associated with each of the plurality of power supplies.

14. The power supply tester according to claim 11, further comprising:

a database for storing the performance information associated with each of the plurality of power supplies.

15. The power supply tester according to claim 12, further comprising:

a user interface for receiving information associated with the plurality of power supplies for setting the test parameters utilized by the testing circuit.

16. The power supply tester according to claim 11, wherein display includes one or more LEDs to indicate whether each of the one or more power supplies passed or failed the testing.

17. A power supply tester, comprising:

a first plurality of ports for receiving an adapter-end of a plurality of power supplies;

a second plurality of ports for receiving a power-end of the plurality of power supplies for receiving an AC signal;

a power generator for providing the AC signal for the plurality of power supplies being tested through the second plurality of ports;

a plurality of testing circuits for testing the plurality of power supplies utilizing test parameters;

a measurement device for measuring performance information for each of the plurality of power supplies during testing;

a database for storing the performance information associated with each of the plurality of power supplies; and

a display for displaying the performance information to a user indicating whether each of the plurality of power supplies passed or failed the testing.

18. The power supply tester according to claim 17, further comprising:

a user interface for receiving an identifier associated with each of the plurality of power supplies for selecting the test parameters utilized by the plurality of testing circuits.

19. The power supply tester according to claim 18, wherein the user interface includes a scanner for reading a label or the identifier of one or more of the plurality of power supplies.

20. The power supply tester according to claim 17, further comprising:

a switch in communication with the power generator, the switch is configured to communicate the AC signal to one of the plurality of power supplies and an associated testing circuit in response to the power-end and adapter-end of the one of the plurality of power supplies being connected to the one of the first and second plurality of ports; and

a timer in communication with the power supply, the timer operable to deactivate the AC signal to the charger in response to a time period elapsing from when the charger began to be tested or in response to detecting a potential failure in the power supply tester or the power supply.