Method and apparatus for charging a battery

• US 6,329,793 B1
• Filed: 05/22/2000
• Issued: 12/11/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., McShane, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TOATLEY, GREGORY J
• Application Number:
  US09/577,421
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 320/132, 320/134, 324/427, 324/430, 324/433
• US Class Current: 320/132
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/367 Software therefor, e.g. for battery testing using modelling or look-up tables
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/374 with means for correcting the measurement for temperature or ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3835 involving only voltage measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/386 using test-loads
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/389 Measuring internal impedance, internal conductance or related variables
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00041 in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007182 in response to battery voltage

Abstract

An apparatus for charging a battery, includes a first electrical connector configured to couple to a positive terminal of the battery and a second electrical connector configured to couple to a negative terminal of the battery. The first and second connectors are used to charge the battery. A microprocessor is configured to test the battery and provide an encrypted output related to the battery test.

Claims

1. An apparatus for charging a storage battery, comprising:

a first positive connector configured to couple to a positive terminal of the battery;

a first negative connector configured to couple to a negative terminal of the battery;

an electrical charging source configured to apply a charge signal to the battery through the first positive and negative connectors to thereby charge the battery;

a microprocessor configured to test the battery, the microprocessor further configured to encrypt data related to the test and thereby provide an encrypted data audit code;

an output coupled to the microprocessor configured to output the encrypted data audit code; and

wherein the encrypted data audit code is provided to reduce falsification of test results and warranty fraud.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the test is a function of a measured dynamic parameter of the battery.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the encrypted data includes a measured dynamic parameter.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 including a second positive connector and a second negative connector, the connectors configured to provide a Kelvin connection to the battery.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data comprises a result of the battery test.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor determines battery conductance.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 including an electrical load configured to apply a load to the battery.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data includes battery voltage.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data includes information related to battery temperature.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data includes information related to geographic location.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data includes information related to a vehicle containing the battery.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 including a user input configured to receive an input from a user.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data includes information related to the battery.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein information related to the battery comprises rated battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the information related to the battery comprises battery type.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the information related to the battery comprises battery serial number.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the information related to the battery comprises battery model.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the information related to the battery comprises date of the manufacture of the battery.

19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the information related to the vehicle comprises the vehicle VIN code.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data includes time information.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data identifies the operator.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the data includes a digital signature.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output comprises a printer output.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output comprises a data transmission circuit.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the data transmission circuit comprises a modem.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor determines battery impedance.

27. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor determines battery resistance.

28. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor determines battery admittance.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first positive and first negative connectors carry a voltage signal and including second positive and second negative connectors which carry a current signal and the battery test is a function of the voltage and current signals.

30. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the charge signal comprises an AC signal.

31. The apparatus of claim 4 including:

voltage measurement circuitry coupled to the first positive electrical connector and first negative electrical connector to responsively provide a measured voltage output related to a voltage between the first positive and first negative connectors; and

the microprocessor responsively provides the dynamic parameter as a function of the measured voltage output.

32. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the charge signal from the charging source is responsive to the battery test to thereby control charging of the battery.

33. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output comprises a non-physical link.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the link comprises an infrared link.

35. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the link comprises a radio frequency link.

36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the link comprises an ultrasonic link.

37. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the encrypted data code includes a sequence code.

38. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the encrypted data code includes information related to a charging sequence performed on the battery.

39. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein charging of the battery is suspended during the battery test.

40. The apparatus of claim 1 including an AC source configured to apply an AC signal to the battery during the battery test.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the AC source comprises a resistive load selectively coupled across the terminals of the battery.

42. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the output comprise a display.

43. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the encrypted output comprises alpha-numeric data.

44. A method of charging a storage battery, comprising:

applying an electrical charge signal from an electrical charge source to the battery;

measuring a parameter of the battery; and

providing an encrypted output audit code as a function of the measured parameter; and

wherein the encrypted output audit code is provided to reduce falsification of test results and warranty fraud.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein the parameter comprises a dynamic parameter.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein the dynamic parameter is measured through a Kelvin connection to the battery.

47. The method of claim 44 including determining a test result as a function of the dynamic parameter and wherein the encrypted output is a function of the test result.

48. The method of claim 44 wherein the data comprises a result of the battery test.

49. The method of claim 45 wherein the dynamic parameter comprises battery conductance.

50. The method of claim 44 including applying an electrical load to the battery.

51. The method of claim 44 wherein the encrypted output includes battery voltage.

52. The method of claim 44 wherein the encrypted output includes information related to battery temperature.

53. The method of claim 44 wherein the encrypted output includes information related to geographic location.

54. The method of claim 44 wherein the encrypted output includes information related to a vehicle containing the battery.

55. The method of claim 44 including receiving an input from a user.

56. The method of claim 44 wherein the encrypted output includes information related to the battery.

57. The method of claim 56 wherein information related to the battery comprises rated battery Cold Cranking Amps (CCA).

58. The method of claim 56 wherein the information related to the battery comprises battery type.

59. The method of claim 56 wherein the information related to the battery comprises battery serial number.

60. The method of claim 56 wherein the information related to the battery comprises battery model.

61. The method of claim 56 wherein the information related to the battery comprises date of the manufacture of the battery.

62. The method of claim 54 wherein the information related to the vehicle comprises the vehicle VIN code.

63. The method of claim 44 wherein the encrypted output includes time information.

64. The method of claim 44 wherein the encrypted output identifies the operator.

65. The method of claim 44 wherein the encrypted output includes a digital signature.

66. The method of claim 44 including printing the encrypted output.

67. The method of claim 44 wherein providing the encrypted output comprises transmitting encrypted data.

68. The method of claim 45 wherein the dynamic parameter comprises battery impedance.

69. The method of claim 45 wherein the dynamic parameter comprises battery resistance.

70. The method of claim 45 wherein the dynamic parameter comprises battery admittance.

71. The method of claim 44 wherein the charge signal comprises an AC signal.

72. The method of claim 44 wherein providing the encrypted output comprises providing the output over a non-physical link.

73. The method of claim 44 wherein the encrypted output includes a sequence code.

74. The method of claim 44 wherein the encrypted output includes information related to a charging sequence performed on the battery.

75. The method of claim 44 wherein applying the electrical charge signal to the battery is suspended during measurement of the battery parameter.

76. The method of claim 44 including applying an AC signal to the battery to measure the parameter.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein applying the AC signal comprises selectively couples a resistive load across terminals of the battery.

78. The method of claim 44 including responsively controlling the charge signal as a function of the measured parameter.