Alternator tester with encoded output

• US 6,914,413 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2003
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Troy, Michael E., Bertness, Kevin I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Rajnikant B.
• Application Number:
  US10/656,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20040104728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/139, 320/134, 320/132, 320/137, 324/426, 324/427, 324/430, 324/433, 324/434
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/005 Testing of electric installations on transport means
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 in operation
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3647 for determining the ability of a battery to perform a critical function, e.g. cranking
• 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 31/378 specially adapted for the type of battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/379 for lead-acid batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/386 using test-loads
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3865 related to manufacture, e.g. testing after manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/389 Measuring internal impedance, internal conductance or related variables

Abstract

An alternator tester includes an alternator output measurement circuit configured to measure an electrical output of an alternator. A microprocessor determines a alternator condition as a function of the electrical output. The microprocessor encrypts information and provides an encrypted output which is related to the alternator electrical output. A method includes outputting such encrypted data.

Claims

1. An alternator tester, comprising:

a alternator output measurement circuit configured to measure an electrical output of an alternator;

a motor configured to couple to the alternator and cause the alternator to rotate thereby generating the electrical output;

a microprocessor configured to determine an alternator condition as a function of the electrical output, on the microprocessor further configured to encrypt information and provide an encrypted output which is related to the alternator electrical output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to encrypt date information related to a date of a test and wherein the encrypted output includes date information.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to encrypt time information related to a time of a test and wherein the encrypted output includes time information.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to measure an alternator ripple voltage and wherein the encrypted output includes information related to the alternator ripple voltage.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to encrypt a rating related to the alternator and wherein the encrypted output includes rating information.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor maintains a number of sequence of a test and the encrypted output includes number of sequence information.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to encrypt information which identifies an alternator under test and wherein the encrypted output includes alternator identification information.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to encrypt information related to who performed the test.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the information related to who performed the test comprises information which identifies a dealer or shop.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor is further configured to encrypt temperature information and wherein the encrypted output includes temperature information.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 including a user input and wherein the microprocessor is further configured to encrypt the user input and the encrypted output includes user input information.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the encrypted output comprises a visual display.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the encrypted output comprises a data transmission.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the data transmission comprises an infra red transmission.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the data transmission comprises an RF transmission.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the data transmission comprises a modem link.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the encrypted output comprises an alpha numeric code.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the encrypted output includes the alternator condition.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the motor is controlled by the microprocessor.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 including a load coupled to the alternator electrical output.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the load is controlled by the microprocessor.

22. A method of testing an alternator, comprising:

measuring an alternator electrical output related to operation of the alternator;

determining an alternator condition as a function of the alternator output;

encrypting data related to the alternator output; and

outputting the encrypted data.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the encrypted data includes date information.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the encrypted data includes time information.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein the encrypted data includes the alternator condition.

26. The method of claim 22 including measuring an alternator ripple voltage and wherein the encrypted data includes information related to alternator ripple voltage.

27. The method of claim 22 including encrypting a rating related to the alternator automotive vehicle electrical system and wherein the encrypted data includes alternator rating information.

28. The method of claim 22 including maintaining a number of sequence of a test and wherein the encrypted data includes number of sequence information.

29. The method of claim 22 including encrypting information which identifies an alternator under test and wherein the encrypted data includes alternator identification information.

30. The method of claim 22 wherein the encrypted output includes information related to who performed the test.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the information related to who performed the test comprises information which identifies a dealer or shop.

32. The method of claim 22 including encrypting temperature information and wherein the encrypted data includes temperature information.

33. The method of claim 22 including receiving a user input and encrypting the user input and wherein the encrypted data includes user input information.

34. The method of claim 22 wherein outputting comprises providing a visual display.

35. The method of claim 22 wherein outputting comprises providing a data transmission.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the data transmission comprises an infra red transmission.

37. The method of claim 35 wherein the data transmission comprises an RF transmission.

38. The method of claim 35 wherein the data transmission comprises a modem link.

39. The method of claim 22 wherein the encrypted data comprises an alpha numeric code.

40. The method of claim 22 including rotating the alternator with a motor.

41. The method of claim 40 including controlling operation of the motor.

42. The method of claim 22 including applying a load to the alternator electrical output.

43. The method of claim 42 including controlling the load.