STORAGE BATTERY TESTING DEVICE

• US 3,743,931 A
• Filed: 08/10/1971
• Issued: 07/03/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John W. Brodhacker
• Original Assignee: John W. Brodhacker
• Inventors: Brodhacker, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rolinec, Rudolph V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Karlsen, Ernest F.
• Application Number:
  US05/170,578
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 324/29.5 340/249 320/48 307/10
• US Class Current: 340/636.16
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/00 Starting of engines by means of electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3647 for determining the ability of a battery to perform a critical function, e.g. cranking
• 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: H01M 50/569 Constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals battery terminal connectors with integrated measuring arrangements G01R31/364
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A testing device for determining the cranking ability of a storage battery under simulated low temperature conditions is described. The device imposes an auxiliary load on the battery during an engine cranking operation at normal temperature. The auxiliary load is approximately equivalent to the combined effect on the battery and engine of low temperature. Battery condition is determined by its ability to crank motor with the additional load.

Claims

1. A device for simulating the cranking ability at a second temperature of a storage battery connected to and used for cranking an internal combustion engine when both battery and engine are at a first temperature, the second temperature being lower than the first temperature, which comprises:

a. a resistive load operatively connectable across the terminals of the battery, the value of the resistive load being such that the voltage of the battery, with both cranking and resistive load, is substantially equal to the voltage of the battery when the battery is cranking the engine alone and both the engine and battery are at the second temperature; and

b. means for operatively connecting the resistive load across the terminals of the battery which comprises;

1. voltage sensing means connected to the battery terminals for sensing a low voltage, and 2. a load relay operatively connected to the low voltage sensing means and to the resistive load.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the means for operatively connecting the load resistance to the battery comprises a low voltage sensing means connected to the battery terminals and a load relay operatively connected to the low voltage sensing means.

3. A device as described in claim 1 in which the means for operatively connecting the load relay to the battery terminals includes a timing means operative to open the load relay after a predetermined time interval.

4. A device as described in claim 1 in which the means for operatively connecting the load resistance to the battery comprises a low voltage relay, the coils of which are operatively connected to the terminals of the battery.

5. A low temperature storage battery cranking load simulator which comprises:

a. a low voltage sensing means connected across the terminals of a storage battery, the storage battery being located within an automobile and electrically connected to the electrical circuits thereof, comprising a starting motor circuit and an ignition circuit;

b. a load resistor connectable by a relay means to the terminals of the storage battery, the resistance of the load resistor having a value such that when the battery at a summer temperature is electrically connected to the starting motor circuit and the ignition circuit and the load resistor is connected to the terminals of the battery, the combined current flow from the battery depresses the battery voltage to a value that simulates the voltage of the battery when the battery and the automobile are at a winter weather temperature;

c. the relay means operatively connected to the low voltage sensing means; and

, d. guaging means for guaging tHe ability of the battery to crank the automobile engine, the arrangement being such that when the automobile and the battery are at a summer temperature and when the automobile starter and the automobile ignition circuits are connected to the battery, a voltage drop occurs therewithin causing the low voltage sensor to connect via the relay the load resistor across the terminals of the battery and thus in turn causing the terminal voltage thereof to substantially simulate the terminal voltage of the battery when the battery is connected to the starter circuit and the ignition circuit and the battery and the automobile are at a winter weather temperature.

6. A low temperature storage battery cranking load simulator as defined in claim 5 in which the guaging means includes a fixed period timing device.

7. A low temperature storage battery cranking load simulator as defined in claim 5 in which the guaging means includes a battery voltage measuring means.

8. A low temperature storage battery cranking load simulator as defined in claim 5 in which the load resistor is a variable resistance.