ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER

• US 20100013489A1
• Filed: 07/07/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin I. Bertness, Vonderhaar J. David
• Original Assignee: Kevin I. Bertness, Vonderhaar J. David
• Inventors: Bertness, Kevin I., Vonderhaar, J. David
• Granted Patent: US 8,754,653 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. An electronic battery tester for use in testing a battery pack formed by a plurality of storage batteries, comprising:

a dynamic parameter measurement circuitry configured to measure dynamic parameter of batteries;

a memory containing programming instructions;

an output configured to provide instructions to an operator; and

a microprocessor configured to operate in accordance with instructions stored in the memory and perform a battery test on a battery of the battery pack, the microprocessor configured to instruct the operator to disconnect the battery from the battery pack to thereby isolate the battery.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including an electrical load and wherein the battery test is further a function of a load test.

5. An electronic battery tester for use in testing a battery pack formed by a plurality of storage batteries, comprising:

dynamic measurement circuitry configured to measure a dynamic parameter of the battery pack; and

a microprocessor configured to compensate the measured dynamic parameter of the battery pack based upon errors introduced the dynamic parameter measurement due to cables between batteries of the battery pack.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 including a memory configured to store compensation data.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the compensation is based on configuration of batteries in the battery pack.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the compensation comprises multiplier.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the dynamic parameter comprises conductance.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the compensation data is stored in a look-up table.

11. An electronic battery tester for use in testing a battery pack formed by a plurality of storage batteries, comprising:

dynamic measurement circuitry configured to measure a dynamic parameter of the battery pack; and

a microprocessor configured to determine condition of the battery pack based upon the measure dynamic parameter, the microprocessor further configured to prompt an apparatus to measure voltage drop across cables in the pack.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the microprocessor determines cable condition based upon the measured voltage drop.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the microprocessor determines connection condition based upon the measured voltage drop.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the microprocessor determines condition of the strap based upon the dynamic parameter of the strap.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the dynamic parameter of the strap comprises dynamic conductance.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 including a memory configured to store the measured dynamic parameter of the strap.

14. An electronic battery tester for use in testing a battery pack formed by a plurality of storage batteries, comprising:

dynamic measurement circuitry configured to measure a dynamic parameter of the battery pack; and

a microprocessor configured to determine battery condition based upon the measured dynamic parameter and the dynamic parameter measurement circuitry further configure to measure a dynamic parameter of a strap of the battery pack.