Method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a vehicle electrical system
First Claim
1. A vehicle electrical system tester for testing the electrical system of a vehicle, the electrical system having wiring which couples a load to a battery, the vehicle electrical system tester configured to measure an electrical parameter of the wiring and comprising:
- a first battery terminal connection configured to couple to a first terminal of the battery;
a second battery terminal connection configured to couple to a second terminal of the battery;
a test connection configured to couple to a wire of the electrical system which is electrically connected between the first or second terminal of the battery and the load; and
test circuitry coupled to the first and second battery, terminal connections and the test connection, said test circuitry comprising a processor programmed to draw current from the battery along a path through the wire and the test connection and return the current to the battery, measure the electrical parameter of the wire with a sensor coupled to the test connection and responsibly provide an output based upon the electrical parameter and a measurement of a gauge of the wire.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automotive vehicle electrical system tester is provided for testing an electrical system having wiring which couple a load to a battery. The automotive vehicle electrical system tester is configured to measure an electrical parameter of the wiring and includes a first battery terminal connection configured to couple to a first terminal of the battery. A test connection is configured to couple to a wire of the electrical system which extends between the first terminal of the battery and the load. Test circuitry coupled to the first battery terminal connection and the test connection is configured to draw current from the battery along a path through the wire and to the test connection. The test circuitry measures an electrical parameter of the wire.
721 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A vehicle electrical system tester for testing the electrical system of a vehicle, the electrical system having wiring which couples a load to a battery, the vehicle electrical system tester configured to measure an electrical parameter of the wiring and comprising:
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a first battery terminal connection configured to couple to a first terminal of the battery; a second battery terminal connection configured to couple to a second terminal of the battery; a test connection configured to couple to a wire of the electrical system which is electrically connected between the first or second terminal of the battery and the load; and test circuitry coupled to the first and second battery, terminal connections and the test connection, said test circuitry comprising a processor programmed to draw current from the battery along a path through the wire and the test connection and return the current to the battery, measure the electrical parameter of the wire with a sensor coupled to the test connection and responsibly provide an output based upon the electrical parameter and a measurement of a gauge of the wire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of testing wiring an electrical system of a vehicle, the wiring extending between a load and a battery, the method comprising:
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coupling to a first battery terminal of the battery with a first battery terminal connection; coupling to a second battery terminal of the battery with a second battery terminal connection; coupling a test connection to a wire of the vehicle which electrically couples to the load; applying a current through the wire between the battery and the test connection; sensing a voltage drop across the wire between the battery and the test connection; and providing an output based upon the voltage drop and a measurement of a gauge of the wire. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification