EXTENDED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TESTING POWER SUPPLIES

• US 20130049794A1
• Filed: 08/23/2012
• Published: 02/28/2013
• 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, Humphrey, Clark, Bronsard, Martin, Jecz, Mateusz, Straker, Robert F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,400,314 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 multiple power supplies. Multiple power supplies are received including a power-end and an adapter end for connection to a power supply tester. Programmable loads and test parameters are configured for the power supply tester in response to a user selection. The multiple power supplies are automatically tested utilizing the test parameters. Performance characteristics of the multiple power supplies are measured during testing. The performance characteristics of the multiple power supplies are recorded. Results indicating whether each of the multiple power supplies passed the testing are displayed utilizing one or more displays and light emitting diodes.

Claims

11. A power supply tester, comprising:

a plurality of testing modules for testing a plurality of power supplies, the plurality of testing modules include a set of ports for receiving an adapter-end of each of the plurality of power supplies, a port in communication with the set of ports through one of a plurality of testing circuits, and LEDs indicating whether each of the plurality of power supplies passed or failed the testing, wherein the port is operable to receive a power-end of the plurality of power supplies for providing an alternating current (AC) signal to each of the plurality of power supplies, wherein each of the plurality of testing circuits include a programmable load;

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

one or more measurement devices for measuring performance information through the plurality of test circuits during testing of 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.

1. A method for testing a plurality of power supplies, comprising:

receiving the plurality of power supplies including a power-end and an adapter-end of each of the plurality of power supplies for connection to a power supply tester;

configuring a plurality of programmable loads and test parameters of the power supply tester for the plurality of power supplies in response to a user selection;

automatically testing the plurality of power supplies utilizing the test parameters;

measuring performance characteristics of the plurality of power supplies during testing;

recording the performance characteristics of each of the plurality of power supplies; and

displaying results indicating whether each of the plurality of power supplies passed or failed the testing utilizing one or more displays and light emitting diodes of the power supply tester.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the power-end is an AC connector, and the adapter-end is a DC connector, and wherein the power supply tester supports a portion of the plurality of power supplies during testing.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the user selection is received through an interface of the power supply tester, and wherein the power supply tester provides AC power utilizing a programmable power supply.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the power supply tester tests ten or more power supplies of the plurality of power supplies at a time.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the power supply tester is configured to receive an additional ten or more power supplies of the plurality of power supplies during testing of the ten or more power supplies.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the power supply tester is at least two-sided for receiving the ten or more power supplies and the additional ten or more power supplies simultaneously.

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

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adapter-end of each of the plurality of power supplies are connected to one of a plurality of adapters of the power supply tester.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more displays and light emitting diodes display results of the test utilizing a color scheme for a user of the power supply tester.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the recording is performed at least every ten seconds for each of the plurality of power supplies.

12. The power supply tester according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of testing circuits perform the testing utilizing test parameters associated with the plurality of power supplies, wherein the test parameters are utilized to configure the programmable load and the programmable power supply.

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

two or more extensions securing the plurality of testing modules on a first side and a second side of the two or more extensions.

14. The power supply tester according to claim 13, wherein the two or more extensions include ten or more of the plurality of testing modules on the first side and the second side.

15. The power supply tester according to claim 13, wherein the two or more extensions support a wire or body of the plurality of power supply testers.

16. The power supply tester according to claim 13, further comprising:

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

17. The power supply tester according to claim 16, wherein the one or more measurement devices measure the performance information of the plurality of power supplies at least every ten seconds.

18. The power supply tester according to claim 14, wherein performance information is measured by the one or more measurement devices at least every ten seconds for each of the one or more power supplies.

14-1. The power supply tester according to claim 11, further comprising:

a database in communication with the one or more measurement devices for storing the performance information associated with each of the plurality of power supplies.

15-2. The power supply tester according to claim 13, wherein the two or more extensions are hinged for folding into the power supply tester.

16-3. 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.

17-4. 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.

19. A power supply tester, comprising:

a plurality of testing modules for testing a plurality of power supplies, the plurality of testing modules are integrated with hinged extensions of the power supply tester, the plurality of testing modules include a set of ports for receiving an adapter-end of each of the plurality of power supplies, a port in communication with the set of ports through one of a plurality of testing circuits, and LEDs indicating whether each of the plurality of power supplies passed or failed the testing, wherein the port is operable to receive a power-end of the plurality of power supplies for providing an alternating current (AC) signal to each of the plurality of power supplies, and wherein each of the plurality of testing circuits include a programmable load;

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

one or more measurement devices for measuring performance information through the plurality of test circuits during testing of each of the plurality of power supplies;

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.

20. The power supply tester according to claim 19, wherein the hinged extensions include the plurality of testing modules on a left side and a right side of the hinged extensions.

21. The power supply tester according to claim 19, wherein the one or more measurement devices periodically measure the performance information for each of the plurality of power supplies utilizing a plurality of relays connected to the one or more measurement devices and the plurality of testing circuits.

22. The power supply tester according to claim 19, wherein a first portion of the plurality of power supplies connected to the plurality of testing modules of the left side of hinged extensions are tested while a user connects a second portion of the plurality of power supplies to the plurality of testing modules of the right side of the hinged extensions.