Method and apparatus for testing a vehicle charge storage system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for testing a charge storage system in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
- a measurement circuit for measuring a terminal voltage of a battery in the vehicle, said circuit providing an output which varies in linear relation to the terminal voltage of the battery within an expected range of voltages, wherein said output is provided only when the terminal voltage of the battery exceeds a threshold level;
a display circuit for indicating at least one charge storage system operating condition based on the terminal voltage of the battery, said display circuit being electrically connected to the output of the measurement circuit; and
means for electrically connecting said measurement circuit to the battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for accurately measuring charge storage system operating conditions in a vehicle. A measurement circuit produces an electrical response at an output which varies linearly with voltage levels measured via a remote connection to the battery terminals. The circuit is calibrated to provide that electrical levels are produced at the output only over a voltage range above a specified voltage level at the battery terminals in order to improve the resolution in detecting these levels using a standard electrical level detector such an ammeter or voltmeter. The measurement circuit is connected to a display circuit for indicating at least one charge storage system operating condition based on the terminal voltage of the battery. Alternatively, the measurement circuit may be connected to a display circuit for indicating the specific gravity of the battery based on the terminal voltage of the battery.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for testing a charge storage system in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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a measurement circuit for measuring a terminal voltage of a battery in the vehicle, said circuit providing an output which varies in linear relation to the terminal voltage of the battery within an expected range of voltages, wherein said output is provided only when the terminal voltage of the battery exceeds a threshold level; a display circuit for indicating at least one charge storage system operating condition based on the terminal voltage of the battery, said display circuit being electrically connected to the output of the measurement circuit; and means for electrically connecting said measurement circuit to the battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for testing a specific gravity of a battery in a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:
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a measurement circuit for measuring a terminal voltage of a battery in the vehicle, said circuit providing an output which varies in linear relation to the terminal voltage of the battery within an expected range of voltages, wherein said output is provided only when the terminal voltage of the battery exceeds a threshold level; a display circuit for indicating the specific gravity of the battery based on the terminal voltage of the battery, said display circuit being electrically connected to the output of the measurement circuit; and means for electrically connecting said measurement circuit to the battery. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for testing a charge storage system in a vehicle, said method comprising:
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electrically connecting a test meter to a battery in the vehicle, wherein said test meter includes a display having at least one scale for displaying at least one charge storage system operating condition, and a measuring circuit which provides an output that varies in linear relation to a terminal voltage of the battery within an expected range of voltages, wherein said output is provided only when the terminal voltage of the battery exceeds a threshold level; measuring the terminal voltage of the battery using said test meter; determining at least one charge storage system operating condition based on the terminal voltage of the battery; and displaying said at least one charge storage system operating condition on said at least one scale.
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Specification