Battery testing techniques
First Claim
1. In a system for testing a battery having an internal impedance, improved apparatus for determining and displaying the condition of the battery comprising:
- converter means for generating digital battery parameter values corresponding to parameters of the battery at different points in time;
loading means for placing an electrical load on the battery in response to a load signal;
charging means for charging the battery in response to a charge signal;
display means for indicating the condition of the battery in response to an analysis signal; and
processor means for generating the load signal during part of a first portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery, generating the charge signal during part of a second portion of time following the first portion of time to enable the charging of the battery, generating the load signal during part of a third portion of time following the second portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery, storing a first battery parameter value generated by the converter means during a part of the first portion of time when the load signal is absent and the battery therefore is unloaded, storing a second battery parameter value generated by the converter means during a part of the third portion of time when the load signal is present and the battery therefore is loaded, calculating the condition of the battery based on at least the first and second stored parameter values, and generating an analysis signal, so that the condition of the battery is displayed by the display means.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for testing a battery having an internal impedance by generating digital battery parameter values corresponding to the battery parameters at different points in time by means of current, voltage and temperature measurement circuits and an analog-to-digital converter. An electrical load is periodically placed on the battery and the battery is also charged between loadings in order to provide battery parameter values during different battery conditions. A microprocessor coordinates the testing of the battery and the measuring of the battery parameter values, as well as the calculation of test criteria based on those values in order to quickly and accurately analyze the condition of the battery.
-
Citations
28 Claims
-
1. In a system for testing a battery having an internal impedance, improved apparatus for determining and displaying the condition of the battery comprising:
-
converter means for generating digital battery parameter values corresponding to parameters of the battery at different points in time; loading means for placing an electrical load on the battery in response to a load signal; charging means for charging the battery in response to a charge signal; display means for indicating the condition of the battery in response to an analysis signal; and processor means for generating the load signal during part of a first portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery, generating the charge signal during part of a second portion of time following the first portion of time to enable the charging of the battery, generating the load signal during part of a third portion of time following the second portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery, storing a first battery parameter value generated by the converter means during a part of the first portion of time when the load signal is absent and the battery therefore is unloaded, storing a second battery parameter value generated by the converter means during a part of the third portion of time when the load signal is present and the battery therefore is loaded, calculating the condition of the battery based on at least the first and second stored parameter values, and generating an analysis signal, so that the condition of the battery is displayed by the display means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. In a method for testing a battery having an internal impedance, improved steps for determining and displaying the condition of the battery comprising:
-
generating digital battery parameter values corresponding to parameters of the battery at different points in time; placing an electrical load on the battery in response to a load signal;
charging the battery in response to a charge signal;indicating the condition of the battery in response to an analysis signal; generating the load signal during part of a first portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery; generating the charge signal during part of a second portion of time following the first portion of time to enable the charging of the battery; generating the load signal during part of a third portion of time following the second portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery; storing a first battery parameter value during a part of the first portion of time when the load signal is absent and the battery therefore is unloaded; storing a second battery parameter value during a part of the third portion of time when the load signal is present and the battery therefore is loaded; calculating the condition of the battery based on at least the first and second stored parameter values; and generating an analysis signal, so that the condition of the battery is displayed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification