Electronic battery test based upon battery requirements

• US 7,940,052 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2010
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Vonderhaar, J. David, Bertness, Kevin I.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, EDWARD H
• Application Number:
  US12/698,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20100188091A1
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/114, 320/116, 320/132, 320/149, 324/426, 324/427, 324/430, 324/433
• US Class Current: 324/426
• 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 31/3647 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 31/3835 involving only voltage measurements
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00041 in response to measured battery parameters, e.g. voltage, current or temperature profile
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00712 the cycle being controlled or terminated in response to electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/163 with special means for initiating or limiting the excitation current

Abstract

An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.

Claims

1. A method for testing a storage battery for use in a vehicle, comprising:

measuring at least one parameter of the battery;

receiving input data related to battery requirements;

retrieving test criteria from a memory containing a plurality of test criteria associated with battery requirements, the retrieved test criteria selected based upon input data related to battery requirements; and

providing an output related to battery condition as a function of the at least one parameter, the retrieved test criteria and the battery requirements.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the requirements comprise battery service requirements.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the requirements comprise requirements for a particular application.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter comprises a dynamic parameter.

5. The method of claim 1 including applying an electrical load to the storage battery.

6. The method of claim 1 including displaying an equivalent rating of the battery.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CCA rating.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a SAE rating.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a DIN rating.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a IEC rating.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a EN rating.

12. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a CA rating.

13. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a MCA rating.

14. The method of claim 6 wherein the equivalent rating comprises a JIS rating.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the measuring is through a Kelvin connection.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the input data comprises user input data.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the output related to battery condition is based upon a step of comparing.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic conductance.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the parameter comprises dynamic resistance.

20. An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery for use in a vehicle, comprising:

means for measuring at least one parameter of the battery;

means for receiving input data related to battery requirements;

means for retrieving a test criteria from a memory containing a plurality of test criteria associated with battery requirements, the retrieved test criteria selected based upon input data related to battery requirements; and

means for providing an output related to battery condition as a function of the at least one parameter, the retrieved test criteria and the battery requirements.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the requirements comprise battery service requirements.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the requirements comprise requirements for a particular application.