Systems and methods for modular testing of chargers

• US 8,988,098 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2010
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fedex Supply Chain Logistics & Electronics, Inc. (FedEx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ATC Logistics & Electronics Incorporated (FedEx Corporation)
• Inventors: Partee, Jimmie Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Huy Q
• Assistant Examiner(s): Astacio-Oquendo, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US12/761,003
• Publication Number:
  US 20110254582A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,804 Days
• Field of Search: 324426-437, 324439-450, 324/762.01, 324/764.01, 324/771, 320137-167, 320/132, 702 57- 80
• US Class Current: 324/764.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10

Abstract

A system and method for testing a charger. A power-end of a charger is received in a power port of a charger tester. An adapter module is received in an adapter port, the adapter module being connected to an adapter-end of the charger. The charger tester is automatically activated to power the charger through the power port in response to the adapter module being received by the adapter port. Performance characteristics of the charger are measured. The performance characteristics of the charger are displayed to a user to indicate functionality of the charger.

Claims

1. A method for testing a charger, comprising:

receiving a power-end of a charger in a power port of a charger tester;

receiving an adapter module in an adapter port, wherein the adapter port is configured to receive a plurality of adapter modules, and wherein the adapter module is connected to an adapter-end of the charger;

receiving a load module in a load port of the charger tester, the load module and the adapter module selected based on the charger being tested, the load module selected based on a rated load of a device to be used with the charger, and the adapter module selected based on an adapter end of the charger being tested;

automatically activating the charger tester to power the charger through the power port in response to the adapter module being received by the adapter port;

measuring performance characteristics of the charger utilizing the charger tester; and

displaying the performance characteristics of the charger to a user utilizing the charger tester to indicate functionality of the charger.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

deactivating power to the charger in response to a time period elapsing from when the charger began to be powered.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the deactivating is performed by a bi-metallic switch disengaging power to the charger in response to the bi-metallic switch disengaging from a circuit.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performance characteristics include a visual indicator operable to indicate whether the charger is functional or nonfunctional.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the performance characteristics includes a voltage and a current drawn by the charger test when driving the load module.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adapter port and the load port are respectively operable to interchangeably receive each of a plurality of adapter modules and each of a plurality of load modules for testing each of a plurality of chargers.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

automatically deactivating power to the charger by activating a safety switch in response to a safety threshold being exceeded.

8. A method for testing a charger, comprising:

receiving a power-end of a charger in a power port of a charger tester;

receiving power from an external power source for powering the charger tester for testing the charger;

receiving an adapter module in an adapter port, wherein the adapter port is configured to receive a plurality of adapter modules, and wherein the adapter module is connected to an adapter-end of the charger;

receiving a load module in a load port of the charger tester, the load module and the adapter module selected based on the charger being tested, the load module selected based on a rated load of a device to be used with the charger, and the adapter module selected based on an adapter end of the charger being tested;

measuring performance characteristics of the charger utilizing the charger tester; and

displaying the performance characteristics of the charger to a user utilizing the charger tester to indicate functionality of the charger.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the performance characteristics includes at least a voltage and a current drawn by the charger test when driving the load module.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:

deactivating power to the charger in response to a time period elapsing from when the charger began to be powered.