Automatic battery analyzer

• US 4,193,025 A
• Filed: 12/23/1977
• Issued: 03/11/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
• Original Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
• Inventors: Dougherty, Thomas J., Frailing, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tokar, M.
• Application Number:
  US05/863,925
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 324/29.5, 320/48
• US Class Current: 324/427
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/379 for lead-acid batteries
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/389 Measuring internal impedance, internal conductance or related variables
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 320/12 Precharging analysis, e.g. determining presence of battery

Abstract

Apparatus for automatically testing automotive-type, lead acid storage batteries are disclosed in which three separate tests are made and the results thereof compared to predetermined standards in a specified order to maximize the information obtained about the battery. The three tests measure (1) whether the battery meets its cold cranking rating by drawing a predetermined load current therefrom for a predetermined period of time and determining whether the battery terminal voltage is above a specified level at the end of that period, (2) whether the battery terminal voltage is above another specified level at the end of a predetermined period of time following the completion of the first test, and (3) whether the internal resistance is acceptably low. If the battery passes the first test, it is known to be acceptable. If the battery fails the first test and passes the second test, it is known to be unacceptable. If the battery fails the first and second tests, the third test is performed. If the battery then passes the third test, it is known to be acceptable but to require a recharge, whereas if the battery then fails the third test the acceptability of the battery is then not yet determined and it must be recharged and retested.

Claims

1. Apparatus for determining the acceptability of a storage battery under test and comprising:

first circuit means for coupling to the battery under test and performing a load test on said battery;

second circuit means for coupling to the battery under test and performing a voltage bounce back test on said battery;

third circuit means for coupling to the battery under test and performing a test of an internal circuit parameter of said battery; and

fourth circuit means coupled to said first, second, and third circuit means for controlling the sequence in which the tests of said first, second, and third circuit means are performed and providing a readout responsive to outputs of said first, second, and third testing means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourth circuit means comprises means to provide that said load test is the first of said tests to be performed on the battery under test, said voltage bounce back test is the second of said tests to be performed on the battery under test, and said internal circuit parameter test is the third of said tests to be performed on the battery under test.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fourth circuit means further comprises means to provide a readout that the battery under test is acceptable if said load test is passed.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fourth circuit means further comprises means to prevent the occurrence of said voltage bounce back test and said internal circuit parameter test if said load test is passed.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fourth circuit means further comprises means to provide a readout that the battery under test is unacceptable if said voltage bounce back test is passed.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said fourth circuit means further comprises means to prevent the occurrence of said internal circuit parameter test if said voltage bounce back test is passed.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said fourth circuit means further comprises means to provide a readout that the battery under test should be recharged and retested if said internal circuit parameter test is failed.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said fourth circuit means further comprises means to provide a readout that the battery under test is acceptable but should be recharged if said internal circuit parameter test is passed.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said internal circuit parameter is the internal resistance of the battery under test.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first circuit means further comprises means for maintaining a constant current load on said battery and determining whether the battery terminal voltage is above a first predetermined level at the end of a first predetermined time period following the application of said constant current load to said battery.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second circuit means further comprises means for determining whether the battery terminal voltage is above a second predetermined level at the end of a second predetermined time period following the removal of a load from said battery.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said second circuit means further comprises means for determining whether the battery terminal voltage is above a second predetermined level at the end of a second predetermined time period following the removal of said constant current load from said battery.

13. Apparatus for determining the acceptability of a storage battery under test and comprising:

first circuit means for coupling to the battery under test;

second circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for maintaining a load on said battery and providing an output signal responsive to the battery terminal voltage at the end of a first predetermined time period following the application of said load to said battery;

third circuit means coupled to said first circuit means and providing an output signal responsive to the battery terminal voltage at the end of a second predetermined time period following the removal of said load from said battery;

fourth circuit means coupled to said first circuit means and providing an output signal responsive to the value of an internal circuit parameter of said battery; and

fifth circuit means coupled to said second, third, and fourth circuit means and controlling the sequence in which said output signals are generated and providing a readout indicative of the acceptability of said battery in response to said output signals.

14. Apparatus for determining the acceptability of a battery under test and comprising:

first circuit means for coupling to the battery under test;

second circuit means coupled to said first circuit means for maintaining a constant current load on said battery for a first predetermined period of time and providing a first output signal having a first state when the battery terminal voltage at the end of a first predetermined time period following the application of said constant current load is above a first predetermined level and a second state when the battery terminal voltage at the end of said first predetermined time period following the application of said constant current load is below said first predetermined level;

third circuit means coupled to said first circuit means and providing a second output signal having a first state when the battery terminal voltage at the end of a second predetermined time period following the removal of said constant current load is above a second predetermined level and a second state when the battery terminal voltage at the end of said second predetermined time period following the removal of said constant current load is below said second predetermined level;

fourth circuit means coupled to said first circuit means and providing a third output signal having a first state when an internal circuit parameter is above a third predetermined level and a second state when said internal circuit parameter is below said predetermined level; and

fifth circuit means coupled to said second, third, and fourth circuit means and controlling the sequence in which said output signals are generated and providing a first output indicating that the battery under test is acceptable when said first output signal is in said first state, a second output indicating that the battery under test is unacceptable when said first output signal is in said second state and said second output signal is in said first state, and a third output indicating whether said battery should be retested in response to said third output signal when said first output signal is in said second state and said second output signal is in said second state.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said fifth circuit means further includes means coupled to said second circuit means for disabling operation of said third circuit means and said fourth circuit means when said first output signal is in said first state and means coupled to said third circuit means for disabling operation of said fourth circuit means when said first output signal is in said second state and said second output signal is in said first state.

16. The method of determining the acceptability of an electrical storage battery comprising:

the first step of performing an electrical load test on said battery;

the second step of performing a voltage bounce back test on said battery;

the third step of performing a test responsive to the magnitude of an internal circuit parameter of said battery;

the fourth step of determining from the results of said first, second, and third steps the acceptability of said battery.

17. The method of determining the acceptability of an electrical storage battery comprising:

the first step of placing a load on said battery, determining whether the battery terminal voltage is above a first predetermined level after a first predetermined period of time, and removing said load from said battery;

the second step of determining whether the battery terminal voltage is above a second predetermined level after a second predetermined period of time following the removal of said load from said battery;

the third step of determining whether an internal circuit parameter of said battery is above a third predetermined value;

the fourth step of determining from the results of said first, second, and third steps whether said battery is acceptable.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said first, second, and third steps are performed in the order recited.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said fourth step further comprises the steps of:

generating an indication that the battery under test is acceptable when the battery terminal voltage is above said first predetermined level after said first period of time;

generating an indication that the battery under test is unacceptable when the battery terminal voltage is below said first predetermined level after said first period of time and above said second predetermined level after said second period of time; and

generating an indication that the battery under test should be retested in response to the results of said third step when the battery terminal voltage is below said first predetermined level after said first period of time and below said second predetermined level after said second period of time.