Apparatus for testing starters and alternators

• US 4,070,624 A
• Filed: 07/26/1976
• Issued: 01/24/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Generator & Armature Co.
• Original Assignee: American Generator & Armature Co.
• Inventors: Taylor, Clifford
• Primary Examiner(s): Rolinec, Rudolph V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Karlsen, Ernest F.
• Application Number:
  US05/709,001
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 324/158 MG, 322/99, 269/133, 269/217, 269/237, 269/238
• US Class Current: 324/765.01
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/10 Safety devices F02N11/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/34 Testing dynamo-electric machines

Abstract

Test apparatus for electrically and mechanically testing the condition of alternators and starters used in automobiles, trucks and the like. The apparatus, in its preferred form, includes a pair of holding fixtures for securing a starter or alternator during test, the fixtures being configured to allow quick and easy insertion and removal of the unit. Electrical circuitry is connectable to the machine under test by quick connect leads, such as alligator clips, and includes interlocking switch means for allowing starters to be tested in one condition, and alternators in another condition. The electrical circuitry includes indicators for showing the electrical condition of the machine being tested. The apparatus is structured so that a device may be tested with a minimum of effort, allowing a typical test to be completed in less than a minute.

Claims

1. Test apparatus for rotating electrical machinery used in motor vehicle electrical systems comprising in combination, a first fixture for receiving an alternator to be tested, a motor having a drive belt for engaging a drive pulley of the alternator positioned in said fixture, said fixture having manually operable pivoting means for locking said alternator in said fixture and tensioning said belt, a second fixture for receiving a starter to be tested and operable to hold said starter during said test, and electrical circuitry for testing said machinery, electrical leads connected to said circuitry and having terminals thereon for connection to a starter or alternator to be tested, said circuitry including means for connection to a battery for testing said starter, means for energizing the field of said alternator for test, indicators for showing the condition of said machinery under test, and switch means for interlocking said circuitry having a first condition for enabling the testing of alternators while disabling the testing of starters, and a second condition for enabling the testing of starters while disabling the testing of alternators, whereby said rotating electrical machinery may be efficiently inserted, connected, tested and removed providing an indication of the operability thereof, said second fixture comprising a pair of substantially right angle channel sections independently pivoted to form a segmented lower surface enclosed by a pair of upstanding surfaces for receiving said starter, said pivots being located in the respective segments of the lower surface so that positioning a starter in said fixture causes said upstanding surfaces to pivot toward each other thereby to embrace said starter holding the same in position, said pivots being offset from the center of gravity of the associated channel member so that the fixture is automatically biased to an open position when said starter is removed, said alternator being of the type including a mounting flange, said first fixture including a post for slidably receiving said mounting flange and at least one supporting surface for supporting a portion of the alternator case when positioned on said post, said first fixture further including handle means for pivoting said fixture about a center offset from said post whereby said alternator is pivoted to tension said belt and force the case thereof against said supporting surface.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least some of said electrical leads include alligator clips for affording quick connection to said machinery to be tested.