Method and apparatus for testing and charging a power source
First Claim
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1. A method of charging batteries, comprising the steps of:
- entering information corresponding to a vehicle battery to be charged into a battery charger;
performing a first heavy load test on the vehicle battery to determine whether a bounce back voltage is less than or greater than 12.6 volts;
determining a condition of the vehicle battery to determine whether the vehicle battery can be charged based upon the first heavy load test;
determining an optimum charge rate based upon the condition of the vehicle battery;
determining a set charge time for the vehicle battery based upon the first heavy load test; and
charging the vehicle battery for the set charge time at the optimum charge rate if the bounce back voltage is less than 12.6 volts.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A battery tester and charger is provided for safely and efficiently testing and charging partially charged and discharged batteries. Information about the battery to be tested is inputed by the user. A first heavy loaded is applied and the bounce back voltage is used to determine the state of charge of the battery. If the battery is chargeable then a set charge time is determined. If not, then the battery can be discarded.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of charging batteries, comprising the steps of:
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entering information corresponding to a vehicle battery to be charged into a battery charger; performing a first heavy load test on the vehicle battery to determine whether a bounce back voltage is less than or greater than 12.6 volts; determining a condition of the vehicle battery to determine whether the vehicle battery can be charged based upon the first heavy load test; determining an optimum charge rate based upon the condition of the vehicle battery; determining a set charge time for the vehicle battery based upon the first heavy load test; and charging the vehicle battery for the set charge time at the optimum charge rate if the bounce back voltage is less than 12.6 volts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A battery charger, comprising:
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means for entering information corresponding to a vehicle battery to be charged into the battery charger; means for determining a connection between the battery and the battery charger; means for performing a first heavy load test on said battery to determine whether a bounce back voltage is less than or greater than 12.6 volts; means for determining a condition of the battery to determine whether the battery can be charged based upon the first heavy load test; means for determining an optimum charge rate based upon the condition of the battery; means for determining a set charge time for the battery based upon the first heavy load test; and means for charging the battery for the set charge time at the optimum charge rate when the bounce back voltage is less than 12.6 volts. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of charging batteries, comprising the steps of:
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performing a first heavy load test on a vehicle battery to determine whether a bounce back voltage is less than or greater than 12.6 volts; determining a condition of the battery to determine whether the battery can be charged based upon the first heavy load test; determining an optimum charge rate based upon the condition of the battery; determining a set charge time for the battery based upon the first heavy load test; and charging the battery for the set charge time at the optimum charge rate when the bounce back voltage is less than 12.6 volts. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for charging batteries, comprising:
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an input device for entering information corresponding to a vehicle battery to be charged into the battery charger; a microprocessor coupled to the input device, wherein the microprocessor performs a first heavy load test on said battery and determines whether a bounce back voltage is less than or greater than 12.6 volts, to determine a condition of the battery to determine whether the battery can be charged based upon the first heavy load test, the microprocessor additionally determines an optimum charge rate based upon the condition of the battery, the microprocessor additionally determines a set charge time for the battery based upon the first heavy load test; and a charger connected to the processor that charges the battery for the set charge time and charge rate when the bounce back voltage is less than 12.6 volts. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification