Battery clamp connection detection method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A testing apparatus comprising:
- a clamp attached to a conductor for attaching the conductor to an object, the clamp having an isolated portion;
a first sensor connected to the clamp and configured to detect a voltage associated with the isolated portion of the clamp; and
a second sensor configured to detect a voltage associated with the conductor at point located distally from the clamp, wherein the voltage detected by the first sensor and the voltage detected by the second sensor are compared.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for testing a battery connection is provided. The apparatus includes a clamp attached to a conductor for attaching the conductor to an object, a first sensor configured to detect a voltage associated with the clamp, and a second sensor configured to detect a voltage associated with the conductor at a point located distally from the clamp, the voltage detected by the first sensor and the voltage detected by the second sensor are compared. A method for testing a connection includes sensing a first voltage in a cable carrying current to at least one of two and from a connection, sensing a second voltage associated with the connection, comparing the first and second voltages, determining whether the connection is acceptable or not acceptable based on the compared voltages.
142 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A testing apparatus comprising:
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a clamp attached to a conductor for attaching the conductor to an object, the clamp having an isolated portion;
a first sensor connected to the clamp and configured to detect a voltage associated with the isolated portion of the clamp; and
a second sensor configured to detect a voltage associated with the conductor at point located distally from the clamp, wherein the voltage detected by the first sensor and the voltage detected by the second sensor are compared. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A testing apparatus comprising:
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means for clamping a conducting means to an object, the means for clamping having an isolated portion;
a first sensing means connected with the clamping means for detecting a voltage associated with the isolated portion of the clamping means; and
a second sensing means for detecting a voltage associated with the conducting means at point located distally from the clamping means, wherein the voltage detected by the first sensing means and the voltage detected by the second sensing means are compared. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for testing a connection comprising:
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sensing a first voltage in a cable carrying current at least one of to and from a connection by taking the first voltage measurement from an isolated portion of a clamp;
sensing a second voltage associated with the connection;
comparing the first and second voltages;
determining whether the connection is acceptable or not acceptable based on predetermined parameters. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
determining a resistance associated with the cable;
determining a current associated with the cable;
determining a voltage drop caused by the resistance associated with the cable;
subtracting the voltage drop from a difference associated with the sensed voltages; and
calculating a resistance associated with the connection by dividing a remaining difference in the sensed voltages by the current.
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18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
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determining a resistance associated with the connection by determining a resistance associated with the cable; and
subtracting the resistance associated with the cable from a second resistance determined by determining a current associated with the cable and dividing a difference associated with the sensed voltages by the current.
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19. The method of claim 15, further comprising signaling to an operator that the connection is at least one of acceptable and not acceptable.
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20. The method of claim 15, wherein the method is applied to at least one of a positive and negative portion of a DC circuit.
Specification