Uninterruptible power supply modular battery test panel

• US 6,288,549 B1
• Filed: 06/14/2000
• Issued: 09/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
• Original Assignee: Greg Chatelain
• Inventors: Chatelain, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US09/593,909
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426, 324/430, 324/433, 324/434
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/396 Acquisition or processing of data for testing or for monitoring individual cells or groups of cells within a battery

Abstract

A battery bank in an enclosed battery compartment is provided with subsidiary connectors that run from the battery compartment to an external test panel. Subsidiary connectors from each of the batteries connect to test jacks on the test panel so that each battery can be individually tested by an external test device without exposing the operator to danger by opening the battery compartment doors. Besides increased safety, the benefit is a faster, more convenient test process that facilitates greater timeliness in testing and maintenance, an especially important feature in an uninterruptible power supply.

Claims

1. A battery test system for a bank of lead acid batteries having at least two batteries connected together in series with main connectors, said batteries being located inside a closed battery compartment permanently connected to a load bed by said bank of batteries said test system comprising:

a) a separate set of fixed subsidiary connectors on positive and negative terminals of each said battery and permanently affixed in said battery compartment; and

b) a test panel having a plurality of pairs of test connectors, each said pair of test connectors being connected to a different separate one of said sets of subsidiary connectors, said test panel being permanently affixed to said battery compartment

whereby testing of individual batteries is conducted without opening said battery compartment.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said test connectors comprise low voltage jacks adapted for connecting leads to an external voltage tester.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said batteries are rated at substantially 12.5 volts.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said bank of batteries is connected as part of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said test connectors are adapted for directly handling an artificial applied load of up to 50 amps for 10 seconds.