Electricity: measuring and testing – Electrolyte properties – Using a battery testing device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-30
2001-06-05
Metjahic, Safet (Department: 2858)
Electricity: measuring and testing
Electrolyte properties
Using a battery testing device
C324S426000, C320S135000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06242921
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for testing the battery charging systems of vehicles, such as automotive vehicles and, in particular, to systems for testing alternators while connected to the battery in the vehicle.
A number of devices have been used for testing the quality and quantity of an alternator's output. These devices typically involve loading the battery, while monitoring the alternator output. For this purpose, prior devices have use variable-load carbon piles, single fixed loads and the vehicle's own electrical accessories to increase the load on the charging system. However, each of these prior techniques has disadvantages. Carbon pile loads tend to degrade over time. Single fixed load systems cannot reliably determine the true maximum output of the alternator, because the results obtained from the single fixed load tester will vary greatly depending on the state of the charge of the battery and the size of the alternator under test. The vehicle's own electrical accessories do not create a sufficient load for effective alternator testing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved alternator testing system, which avoids the disadvantages of prior systems while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
An important feature of the invention is the provision of an alternator testing apparatus which is repeatable, consistent and does not degrade over time.
Another feature of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the type set forth, which is of simple and economical construction.
Still another feature of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the type set forth, for testing both the current output and the diode status of an alternator.
Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of a repeatable and consistent method for accurately testing a vehicle alternator.
Certain ones of these and other features of the invention may be attained by providing apparatus for testing a battery charging device while connected to the battery terminals, comprising: a plurality of discrete fixed-resistance loads, a plurality of switching devices respectively connected to the loads for connecting each load across the battery terminals, a controller coupled to the switching devices for automatically operating them in a predetermined sequence for varying the load on the battery, and monitoring circuitry coupled to the controller and to the charging device for monitoring the output of the charging device during loading of the battery.
Other features of the invention may be attained by providing an apparatus of the type set forth controlled by a processor operating under stored program control, for sequentially increasing the load on the alternator and storing the value of the load at which maximum output current from the alternator is achieved.
Still other features may be attained by providing a method for testing a battery charging device while connected to the battery terminals, comprising: connecting discrete fixed-resistance loads and combinations thereof across the battery terminals in a predetermined sequence, and monitoring the output current of the charging device during loading of the battery.
The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.
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Govekar Craig
Thibedeau Dennis G.
Metjahic Safet
Nguyen Vincent Q.
Seyfarth Shaw
Snap-on Tools Company
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