Battery tester that calculates its own reference values

• US 20060125483A1
• Filed: 12/14/2005
• Published: 06/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Midtronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I.
• Granted Patent: US 7,710,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4285 Testing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery tester that is capable of calculating its own reference values is provided. The battery tester includes test circuitry that is configured to obtain dynamic parameter values for batteries, and to compute at least one reference value based on the dynamic parameter values.

Claims

1. A battery tester comprising:

battery test circuitry configured to

(a) obtain dynamic parameter values for batteries; and

(b) compute at least one reference value based on the dynamic parameter values.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a memory configured to store the at least one reference value.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the memory if further configured to store a battery model code associated with the at least one reference value.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one reference value is an average of the dynamic parameter values obtained.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one reference value is an average of the dynamic parameter values obtained that fall within a predetermined range of acceptable values.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one reference value is a highest dynamic parameter value of the dynamic parameter values obtained.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dynamic parameter values are battery conductance values.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery test circuitry is further configured to determine a condition of a storage battery by carrying out a battery test on the storage battery and comparing a test result obtained with the at least one reference value.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the storage battery is a part of a battery string including a plurality of storage batteries and wherein the battery test circuitry is configured to determine if individual storage batteries of the string are out of balance in at least one of voltage and conductance with respect to the rest of the string.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery model code is input into the battery tester using one of a keyboard, a barcode scanner and a radio frequency receiver.

11. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the battery model code and the at least one reference value are included in a database in the memory, and wherein the database is configured to store a plurality of battery model codes and a plurality of reference values.

12. A method of testing a storage battery, the method comprising:

obtaining dynamic parameter values for batteries;

computing at least one reference value based on the dynamic parameter values;

determining a condition of the storage battery by carrying out a battery test on the storage battery and comparing a test result obtained with the at least one reference value.

13. The method of claim 12 and further comprising storing the at least one reference value in a memory.

14. The method of claim 12 and further comprising storing a battery model code associated with the at least one reference value in the memory.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein obtaining dynamic parameter values for batteries comprises obtaining conductance values for batteries.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one reference value is an average of the dynamic parameter values obtained.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one reference value is an average of the dynamic parameter values obtained that fall within a predetermined range of acceptable values.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one reference value is a highest dynamic parameter value of the dynamic parameter values obtained.

19. A battery tester comprising:

means for computing at least one reference value; and

means for storing the at least one reference value.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 and further comprising means for receiving a battery model code associated with the at least one reference value.