Kelvin clamp for electrically coupling to a battery contact

Details Kelvin clamp for electrically coupling to a battery contact Kelvin clamp for electrically coupling to a battery contact

2002-07-29

2003-09-23

Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

Metallic clamp-type connector for storage battery terminal

Spring-actuated or resilient clamp

C439S504000, C439S829000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06623314

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to storage batteries. More specifically, the present invention relates to a Kelvin clamp for electrically coupling to storage batteries.
Storage batteries, such as lead acid storage batteries of the type used in the automotive industry, have existed for many years. However, understanding the nature of such storage batteries, how such storage batteries operate and how to accurately test such batteries has been an ongoing endeavor and has proved quite difficult. Storage batteries consist of a plurality of individual storage cells electrically connected in series. Typically, each cell has a voltage potential of about 2.1 volts. By connecting the cells in series, the voltage of the individual cells are added in a cumulative manner. For example, in a typical automotive storage battery, six storage cells are used to provide a total voltage when the battery is fully charged up to 12.6 volts.
Several techniques have been used to test the condition of storage batteries. These techniques include a voltage test to determine if the battery voltage is below a certain threshold, and a load test that involves discharging a battery using a known load. A more recent technique involves measuring the conductance of the storage batteries. This technique typically involves the use of Kelvin connections for testing equipment. A Kelvin connection is a four point connection technique that allows current to be injected into a battery through a first pair of connectors attached to the battery contacts, while a second pair of connectors is attached to the battery contacts in order to measure the voltage across the posts. Various types of clamps have been designed to couple to the battery terminals and to continue the circuit that includes the Kelvin connection. However, these prior art clamps are complex and costly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A Kelvin clamp for coupling a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor to a battery contact to provide a Kelvin connection to the battery contact is provided. The Kelvin clamp includes a first electrically conductive arm having a first grasping portion that can couple to the battery contact and to the first electrical conductor. Also included is a second arm that has a first electrically conductive piece and a second electrically conductive piece, which are mechanically coupled together and electrically isolated from each other. The first electrically conductive piece has a second grasping portion that can couple to the battery contact. The first electrically conductive piece can also couple to the second electrical conductor. The first electrically conductive arm and the second electrically conductive piece are electrically and mechanically coupled together by a spring mechanism.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2000665 (1935-05-01), Neal
patent: 4620767 (1986-11-01), Woolf
patent: 4934957 (1990-06-01), Bellusci
patent: 5772468 (1998-06-01), Kowalski et al.
patent: 6140797 (2000-10-01), Dunn
patent: 6238253 (2001-05-01), Qualls
“Alligator Clips with Wire Penetrators”J.S. Popper, Inc.product information, downloaded from http://www.jspopper.com/, undated.

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