Alternator and starter tester protection apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of protecting an alternator and/or starter tester apparatus, comprising:
- providing a circuit breaker device in the alternator and/or starter tester apparatus;
energizing an alternator;
monitoring electrical current supplied to energize the alternator;
enabling a shut-off switch if excess current is required to energize the alternator prior to triggering the circuit breaker device;
monitoring an electrical voltage across the alternator with a computer processor, wherein the computer processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP);
determining whether the voltage exceeds a maximum limit; and
utilizing the computer processor to control placing a heavy load on an output of the alternator if the voltage exceeds the maximum limit until the voltage is dissipated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An method and apparatus testing an alternator and/or starter assembly including a power source for energizing the alternator and/or starter, a computer processor for monitoring electrical current supplied to energize the alternator and/or starter wherein the computer processor also monitors electrical voltage across the alternator. The invention also includes a first switch coupled to the computer processor which is enabled if excess current is required to energize the alternator; a second switch coupled to the computer processor which is enabled to place a heavy load on an output of the alternator if the voltage exceeds a maximum limit; a third switch coupled to the computer processor which is enabled if the current supplied to energize the starter exceeds a maximum limit.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of protecting an alternator and/or starter tester apparatus, comprising:
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providing a circuit breaker device in the alternator and/or starter tester apparatus; energizing an alternator; monitoring electrical current supplied to energize the alternator; enabling a shut-off switch if excess current is required to energize the alternator prior to triggering the circuit breaker device; monitoring an electrical voltage across the alternator with a computer processor, wherein the computer processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP); determining whether the voltage exceeds a maximum limit; and utilizing the computer processor to control placing a heavy load on an output of the alternator if the voltage exceeds the maximum limit until the voltage is dissipated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of protecting an alternator and/or starter tester apparatus, comprising:
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providing a circuit breaker device in the alternator and/or starter tester apparatus; energizing a starter; monitoring electrical current supplied to energize the starter with a computer processor, wherein the computer processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP); allowing the current to peak initially; and enabling a shut-off switch if the current exceeds a maximum limit with the computer processor prior to triggering the circuit breaker device.
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6. A system for protecting an alternator and/or starter tester apparatus, comprising:
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means for short-circuiting the alternator and/or starter testing apparatus; means for energizing an alternator; means for monitoring electrical current supplied to energize the alternator; means for terminating power if excess current is required to energize the alternator; means for monitoring electrical voltage across the alternator, wherein the means for monitoring electrical voltage comprises a computer processor; means for determining whether the voltage exceeds a maximum limit; and means for placing a heavy load on an output of the alternator if the voltage exceeds the maximum limit until the voltage is dissipated wherein the means for monitoring electrical current comprises the computer processor, wherein the computer processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP); and means for enabling the means for terminating power prior to triggering the short-circuiting means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for protecting an alternator and/or starter tester apparatus, comprising:
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means for energizing a starter; means for monitoring electrical current supplied to energize the starter; means for allowing the current to peak initially; means for terminating power if the current exceeds a maximum limit; means for short-circuiting the alternator and/or starter tester apparatus; and means for enabling the means for terminating power prior to triggering the short-circuiting means, wherein the means for monitoring electrical current comprises a computer processor. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for testing alternators and/or starters comprising:
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a power source for energizing the alternator and/or starter; a circuit breaker device; a computer processor for monitoring electrical current supplied to energize the alternator and/or starter, said computer processor also monitoring electrical voltage across the alternator; a first switch coupled to the computer processor which is enabled if excess current is required to energize the alternator, wherein the first switch is enabled prior to triggering the circuit breaker device; a second switch coupled to the computer processor which is enabled to place a heavy load on an output of the alternator if the voltage exceeds a maximum limit, wherein the heavy load is maintained until the voltage is dissipated; a third switch coupled to the computer processor which is enabled if the current supplied to energize the starter exceeds a maximum limit, wherein the computer processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP).
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Specification