Systems and methods for testing power supplies

• US 9,753,095 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2012
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fedex Supply Chain Logistics & Electronics, Inc. (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fedex Supply Chain Logistics & Electronics, Inc. (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Partee, Jimmie Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Astacio-Oquendo, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US13/434,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20120182039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,986 Days
• Field of Search: 324426-437, 324439-450, 32476201, 32476401, 320137-167, 702 57- 80
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10

Abstract

A system and method for testing a power supply. A selection of one or more power supplies to test is received. A tester is automatically configured to test the one or more power supplies utilizing test parameters associated with the selection. A power-end of each of the one or more power supplies is received in power ports of the tester. An adapter-end of each of the one or more power supplies is received in adapter ports of the tester. The one or more power supplies are automatically tested utilizing test parameters. Performance characteristics of the loop one or more power supplies are measured during testing. Indications are given whether each of the one or more power supplies past the testing.

Claims

1. A method for testing a power plug having an electrical outlet plug on one end for receiving alternating current (AC) power and an adapter on a second end for connecting the power plug to an external power receiving port of a mobile device, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a type of power plug to test, wherein a tester is automatically configured to test the type of power plug utilizing test parameters associated with the selection;

receiving the electrical outlet plug of the power plug in an AC electrical socket on the tester, receiving the adapter of the power plug in an adapter port of the tester, automatically testing the power plug utilizing the test parameters;

measuring performance characteristics of the power plug during testing; and

indicating whether each of the power plug passed the testing.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrical outlet plug is an ungrounded plug with two flat parallel prongs r.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the electrical outlet plug is a grounded plug with two flat parallel prongs and one round pin that is longer than the two flat parallel prongs.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the test parameters include a load that is dynamically configured for application to the type of power plug.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performance characteristics are stored in a database and associated with an identifier for each of the types of power plugs.

6. The method according to claim 1, automatically activating the tester to power the power plug in response to the electrical outlet plug of the power plug and adapter of the power plug being connected to the tester.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adapter of the power plug are connected to an adapter module for connecting to the tester.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein an AC signal provided to the power plug is varied according to the test parameters.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indicating further comprises:

activating one or more LEDs to indicate whether each of the power plug passed or failed the testing.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

automatically deactivating power to the power plug in response to a safety threshold being exceeded.

11. A power supply tester, comprising:

an adaptor port for receiving an adapter of a power plug;

a user interface operable to receive information associated with a type of the power plug for setting test parameters that are associated with the type of the power plug and utilized by the power supply tester;

an AC electrical socket operable to receive an electrical outlet plug of the power plug for providing an alternating current (AC) signal to the power plug;

a power supply for providing the AC signal for the power plug being tested;

a measurement device for measuring performance information of the power plug during testing; and

a display for displaying the performance information to a user indicating whether the power plug passed or failed the testing.

12. The power supply tester according to claim 11, wherein the power supply tester is configured to perform a test on the power plug utilizing test parameters associated with the power plug.

13. The power supply tester according to claim 12, wherein the test parameters specify a load associated with the power plug.

14. The power supply tester according to claim 11, further comprising:

a database for storing the performance information associated with a plurality of power plugs.

15. The power supply tester according to claim 11, wherein the display includes one or more LEDs to indicate whether the power plug passed or failed the testing.

16. The power supply tester according to claim 11, wherein the user interface includes a scanner for reading a label or an identifier associated with the power plug.

18. The power supply tester according to claim 11, further comprising:

a switch in communication with a power generator, wherein the switch is configured to communicate the AC signal to the power plug and an associated testing circuit in response to the electrical outlet plug of the power plug and the adapter of the power plug being connected to the power supply tester; and

a timer in communication with the power supply, the timer operable to deactivate the AC signal to the power plug in response to a time period elapsing from when the power plug began to be tested or in response to detecting a potential failure in one of the power supply tester or the power supply.

17. A power supply tester, comprising:

an adaptor port for receiving an adapter of a power plug;

an AC electrical socket operable to receive an electrical outlet plug of the power plug for providing an alternating current (AC) signal to the power plug;

a power supply for providing the AC signal for the power plug being tested;

a measurement device for measuring performance information of the power plug during testing;

a display for displaying the performance information to a user indicating whether the power plug passed or failed the testing;

a switch in communication with a power generator, wherein the switch is configured to communicate the AC signal to the power plug and an associated testing circuit in response to the electrical outlet plug of the power plug and the adapter of the power plug being connected to the power supply tester; and

a timer in communication with the power supply, the timer operable to deactivate the AC signal to the power plug in response to a time period elapsing from when the power plug began to be tested or in response to detecting a potential failure in one of the power supply tester or the power supply.