Method and apparatus for testing and charging a power source

• US 20030184262A1
• Filed: 03/26/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Makhija, Surender K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,078,879 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/130
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/378 specially adapted for the type of battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]

Abstract

A battery tester/charger is provided for safely and efficiently testing and charging both partially charged and discharged batteries.

Claims

1. A method of charging batteries, comprising the steps of:

entering information corresponding to a battery to be charged into a battery charger;

performing a first heavy load test on said battery to determine whether the battery can be charged and how said battery should be charged;

determining a set charge time for the battery based upon the first heavy load test; and

charging the battery for the set charge time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said information corresponding to said battery includes battery type.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first heavy load test is a Sabre battery test.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein charging the battery in accordance with the determined set charge time further comprises:

determining whether a bounce back voltage is less than 12.6 volts.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein determining whether the bounce back voltage is greater than 12.6 volts further comprises:

measuring the battery cold cranking amps (“

CCA”

) value by applying a micro-load test to the battery; and

determining the condition of the battery based upon said battery CCA value.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein a measured CCA value constitutes that the battery is good and charging is complete.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the measured CCA value is greater than approximately 70% of a rated CCA value.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

performing a second heavy load test on said battery to determine whether the battery accepts charge;

performing a micro load test on said battery to determine the condition of the battery; and

completing charging of said battery.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said second heavy load test comprises:

applying a first heavy load for a first preset time;

waiting a second preset time;

applying a second heavy load for a third preset time; and

determining the condition of the battery.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein a determination that the battery is in good condition further comprises:

measuring a CCA value of the battery by applying a micro-load to the battery; and

determining whether the condition of the battery based upon said battery CCA value.

11. A battery charger, comprising:

means for entering information corresponding to a battery to be charged into the battery charger;

means for performing a first heavy load test on said battery to determine whether the battery can be charged and how said battery should be charged;

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.

12. The battery charger of claim 11 wherein said information corresponding to said battery includes battery type.

13. The battery charger of claim 11 wherein the first heavy load test is a Sabre battery test.

14. The battery charger of claim 11 wherein means for charging the battery in accordance with the determined set charge time further comprises:

means for determining whether a bounce back voltage is less than 12.6 volts.

15. The battery charger of claim method of claim 14 wherein the means for determining whether the bounce back voltage is greater than 12.6 volts further comprises:

means for measuring the battery cold cranking amps (“

CCA”

) value by applying a micro-load test to the battery; and

means for determining the condition of the battery based upon said battery CCA value.

16. The battery charger of claim 15 wherein a measured CCA value constitutes that the battery is good and charging is complete.

17. The battery charger of claim 16 wherein the measured CCA value is greater than approximately 70% of a rated CCA value.

18. The battery charger of claim 11 further comprising:

means for performing a second heavy load test on said battery to determine whether the battery accepts charge;

means for performing a micro load test on said battery to determine the condition of the battery; and

means for completing charging of said battery.

19. The battery charger of claim 18 wherein said second heavy load test comprises:

means for applying a first heavy load for a first preset time;

means for waiting a second preset time;

means for applying a second heavy load for a third preset time; and

means for determining the condition of the battery.

20. The battery charger of claim 18 wherein a determination that the battery is in good condition further comprises:

means for measuring a CCA value of the battery by applying a micro-load to the battery; and

means for determining whether the condition of the battery based upon said battery CCA value.

21. A method of charging batteries, comprising the steps of:

performing a first heavy load test on said 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.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

entering battery information into a battery charger.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

performing a second heavy load test on said battery to determine whether the battery accepts charge.

24. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

performing a second heavy load test on said battery to determine whether the battery accepts charge.

25. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

performing a second heavy load test on said battery to determine whether the battery accepts charge;

performing a micro load test on said battery to determine the condition of the battery; and

completing charging of said battery.

26. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

performing a second heavy load test on said battery to determine whether the battery accepts charge;

performing a micro load test on said battery to determine the condition of the battery; and

completing charging of said battery.