Electronic battery tester
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for testing a battery comprising:
- a first Kelvin connection configured to electrically couple to a positive terminal of the battery;
a second Kelvin connection configured to electrically couple to a negative terminal of the battery;
a signal source configured to apply a signal pulse to the battery through the Kelvin connections;
a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage related to a voltage across the battery; and
a microprocessor configured to calculate a quiescent operating voltage of the battery and determine a condition of the battery based upon the signal pulse and the quiescent operating voltage of the battery, the quiescent operating voltage a function of voltage measured by the voltage sensor.
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Abstract
A microprocessor couples to a voltage sensor through an analog to digital converter. The voltage sensor is adapted to be coupled across terminals of a battery. A small current source is also provided and adapted to be coupled across the terminal to the battery. The current source is momentarily applied to the battery and the resulting change in voltage is monitored using the microprocessor. The microprocessor calculates battery conductance based upon the magnitude of the differential current and the change in voltage and thereby determines the condition of the battery.
428 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for testing a battery comprising:
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a first Kelvin connection configured to electrically couple to a positive terminal of the battery;
a second Kelvin connection configured to electrically couple to a negative terminal of the battery;
a signal source configured to apply a signal pulse to the battery through the Kelvin connections;
a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage related to a voltage across the battery; and
a microprocessor configured to calculate a quiescent operating voltage of the battery and determine a condition of the battery based upon the signal pulse and the quiescent operating voltage of the battery, the quiescent operating voltage a function of voltage measured by the voltage sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of testing a battery, comprising:
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applying a signal pulse from a signal source to a battery through first and second Kelvin connections coupled to respective positive and negative terminals of the battery;
sensing a voltage across the battery through the Kelvin connections;
determining a quiescent operating voltage of the battery based upon the sensed voltage; and
determining a condition of the battery based upon the signal pulse and the quiescent operating voltage of the battery. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification