APPARATUS FOR TESTING ALTERNATORS AND VOLTAGE REGULATORS

• US 3,745,456 A
• Filed: 04/24/1972
• Issued: 07/10/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ronald D. Kahler
• Original Assignee: Ronald D. Kahler
• Inventors: Kahler, Ronald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Krawczewicz, Stanley T.
• Application Number:
  US05/246,559
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 324/73R,51
• US Class Current: 324/378
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/34 Testing dynamo-electric machines

Abstract

An apparatus for testing alternators, voltage regulators and their component parts in an electrical system has a plurality of couplings adapted for connection to the output, field and auxiliary terminals of an alternator and to the field and armature terminals of a voltage regulator and to ground. The couplings are adapted to be connected with a voltage metering circuit and an amperage metering circuit through circuit means preferably including multiple contact switching means for connecting the various couplings with the metering circuits to conduct the desired test. In another embodiment, means is provided for testing the amperage draw by glow plugs in diesel engines.

Claims

1. Apparatus for testing voltage regulators and alternators in an electrical system, comprising:

coupling means comprising first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth couplings adapted for connection respectively to the output, auxiliary, and field terminals of an alternator, and the armature and field terminals of a voltage regulator, and to a ground;

a voltage metering circuit having means for indicating voltage;

a first circuit means including means for alternately connecting said voltage metering circuit respectively between said first and sixth couplings and between said second and sixth couplings;

an amperage metering circuit having means for indicating amperage;

a second circuit means including means for connecting said amperage metering circuit between said first and third couplings; and

a third circuit means including means for interconnecting said third coupling with the fourth coupling, means for interconnecting said second coupling with the fifth coupling, and means for interconnecting said second coupling with the third coupling.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein a rectifier diode is connected in said first circuit means between said second coupling and the voltage metering circuit.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first circuit means includes first and second pairs of normally open contacts in a first multiple contact switching means for connecting said voltage metering circuit respectively between said first and sixth couplings and between said first and sixth couplings and between said second and sixth couplings;

and said second circuit means includes a third pair of normally open contacts in said first multiple contact switching means for connecting said amperage metering circuit between said first and third couplings.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said third circuit means includes first, second and third pairs of normally open contacts in a second multiple contact switching means for interconnecting respectively said third and fourth couplings, said second and fifth couplings, and said second and third couplings.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claiM 1, including a seventh coupling adapted for connection to the ground terminal of an alternator and an eighth coupling adapted for connection to the ground terminal of a voltage regulator, and means for attaching said seventh and eighth couplings to a common ground.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the second, third and seventh couplings are provided with connector plugs for connection with cooperating connecting plugs attached to leads from corresponding terminals of an alternator;

and similar connector plugs are provided for the fourth, fifth, and eighth couplings for connection with cooperating connector plugs attached to leads from corresponding terminals of a voltage regulator.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said amperage metering circuit includes variable resistance means.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein a ninth coupling is provided for connection to a glow plug in a diesel engine, said ninth and first couplings being attached to respective opposite ends of said amperage metering circuit.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for connecting the third and fourth couplings and said means for connecting the second and fifth couplings are adapted to function simultaneously with each other in the third circuit means.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said voltage metering circuit includes a voltmeter capable of measuring voltages from 0 to 25 volts, and said amperage metering circuit includes an ammeter capable of measuring amperages from 0 to 10 amperes.