Battery testing and/or charging system with integrated receptacle and pass-through power for booster pack and method of using same

• US 7,915,856 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Krampitz, Scott, Ribeiro, Durval
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US11/454,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20070210801A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,744 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/107, 320/109, 320/111, 320/113, 320/128, 320/137, 320/138, 320/103, 324/426
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/385 Arrangements for measuring battery or accumulator variables for monitoring G01R31/382
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery testing/charging system includes an execution unit, such as a battery tester/charger, a receptacle configured to receive an external booster pack, and an outlet configured to power the booster pack when the booster pack is connected to the outlet. The receptacle removably receives the booster pack, such that the booster pack can be removed and separately carried when the execution unit is not required. The receptacle may be integrated with the execution unit. Alternatively, the execution unit may be mounted on a cart, and the receptacle integrated with the cart. The cart may also include an accessory storage tray and an output device bracket. The execution unit may receive partial or total power from the booster pack.

Claims

1. A battery testing/charging system, comprising:

an execution unit capable of performing at least one battery-related function;

a receptacle configured to receive an external booster pack;

a first outlet integrated and positioned on an outside surface of the execution unit, the first outlet configured to power said booster pack when said booster pack is connected to said first outlet;

a second outlet integrated and positioned on the outside surface of the execution unit, the second outlet configured to be directly coupled to and receive power from said booster pack when said booster pack is connected to said second outlet and;

a cart, wherein said receptacle is integrated with said cart,

wherein said execution unit is configured to receive power from said booster pack, and

wherein said booster pack provides supplemental power to said execution unit.

2. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle removably receives said external booster pack.

3. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, wherein said booster pack comprises a vehicle battery booster pack.

4. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle is integrated with said execution unit.

5. The battery testing/charging system of claim 4, wherein said receptacle comprises a slot in said execution unit and wherein said booster pack is suspendable from said slot via a hanger attached to said booster pack.

6. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises a shaped opening defined by said cart, said shaped opening formed to achieve a friction fit with said booster pack when said booster pack is mounted within said shaped opening.

7. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, further comprising an accessory storage compartment mounted to said cart.

8. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, further comprising a bracket mounted to said cart, wherein said bracket is configured to support an output device.

9. The battery testing/charging system of claim 1, wherein said second outlet comprises a pass-through from a power source attached to said execution unit.

10. A portable battery testing/charging system, comprising:

means for executing configured to execute at least one battery-related function;

means for providing power configured to provide power to at least one of said executing means and a vehicle battery;

means for transporting configured to transport said executing means and said power providing means;

means for removably securing configured to secure said power providing means to one of said executing means and said transporting means;

means for charging integrated and positioned on an outside surface of the executing means, the charging means configured to charge said power providing means when said power providing means is connected to said charging means;

means for discharging integrated and positioned on the outside surface of the executing means, the discharging means configured be directly coupled to and to provide power from said power providing means when said power providing means is connected to said discharging means; and

means for moving the testing/charging system, wherein said means for providing power is integrated with said means for moving the testing/charging system,

wherein said means for executing is configured to receive power from said vehicle battery, and

wherein said vehicle battery provides supplemental power to said means for executing.

11. The modular battery testing/charging system of claim 10, further comprising means for carrying one or more additional components.

12. A method of diagnosing a battery in a vehicle at a location remote from a fixed power supply, the method comprising:

providing an execution unit capable of performing at least one battery-related function and first and second outlets integrated and positioned on an outside surface of the execution unit;

providing a portable power supply; and

providing supplement power from the portable power supply to the execution unit;

mounting the execution unit to a transportation device;

releasably securing the portable power supply to a receptacle integrated into one of the execution unit and the transportation device, the portable power supply being connected to the first outlet and directly coupled to the second outlet; and

performing a battery-related function.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

connecting the portable power supply to a power input of the execution unit; and

connecting the execution unit to the battery.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein performing a battery-related function comprises performing a battery-related function using the execution unit under power provided by the portable power supply.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

connecting the execution unit to the fixed power supply;

connecting the portable power supply to an outlet integrated into the execution unit; and

charging the portable power supply from the fixed power supply.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of performing a battery-related function comprises:

connecting the portable power supply to the battery; and

boosting the vehicle battery such that the vehicle may be started.