US4423379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Battery testing techniques
Assignee: Snap On Inc
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Filing: 1981-03-31
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Granted: 1983-12-27
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Expires: 2001-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for testing a battery having an internal impedance by generating digital battery parameter values corresponding to the battery parameters at different points in time by means of current, voltage and temperature measurement circuits and an analog-to-digital converter. An electrical load is periodically placed on the battery and the battery is also charged between loadings in order to provide battery parameter values during different battery conditions. A microprocessor coordinates the testing of the battery and the measuring of the battery parameter values, as well as the calculation of test criteria based on those values in order to quickly and accurately analyze the condition of the battery.
Inventors
- 👤 William R. Jacobs
- 👤 Richard A. Karlin
- 👤 Peter K. Sun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/36; G01R31/374; G01R31/367; G01R31/385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
In a system for testing a battery having an internal impedance, improved apparatus for determining and displaying the condition of the battery comprising: converter means for generating digital battery parameter values corresponding to parameters of the battery at different points in time; loading means for placing an electrical load on the battery in response to a load signal; charging means for charging the battery in response to a charge signal; display means for indicating the condition of the battery in response to an analysis signal; and processor means for generating the load signal during part of a first portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery, generating the charge signal during part of a second portion of time following the first portion of time to enable the charging of the battery, generating the load signal during part of a third portion of time following the second portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery, storing a first battery parameter value generated by the converter means during a part of the first portion of time when the load signal is absent and the battery therefore is unloaded, storing a second battery parameter value generated by the converter means during a part of the third portion of time when the load signal is present and the battery therefore is loaded, calculating the condition of the battery based on at least the first and second stored parameter values, and generating an analysis signal, so that the condition of the battery is displayed by the display means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
In a system for testing a battery having an internal impedance, improved apparatus for determining and displaying the condition of the battery comprising: converter means for generating digital battery parameter values corresponding to parameters of the battery at different points in time; loading means for placing an electrical load on the battery in response to a load signal; charging means for charging the battery in response to a charge signal; display means for indicating the condition of the battery in response to an analysis signal; and processor means for generating the load signal during part of a first portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery, generating the charge signal during part of a second portion of time following the first portion of time to enable the charging of the battery, generating the load signal during part of a third portion of time following the second portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery, storing a first battery parameter value generated by the converter means during a part of the first portion of time when the load signal is absent and the battery therefore is unloaded, storing a second battery parameter value generated by the converter means during a part of the third portion of time when the load signal is present and the battery therefore is loaded, calculating the condition of the battery based on at least the first and second stored parameter values, and generating an analysis signal, so that the condition of the battery is displayed by the display means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery parameter values are battery voltage values.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
216 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processor means comprises means for storing an initial battery voltage value during a predetermined first time period within the first portion of time when the battery is unloaded, generating the load signal to place the load on the battery during a predetermined second time period within the first portion of time so that surface charge is removed from the battery, enabling the removal of the load from the battery during a predetermined third time period within the first portion of time, storing a charge-removed battery voltage value sensed during the third time period, generating the charge signal to enable the charging of the battery during said second portion of time, generating the load signal to place the load on the battery during a predetermined fourth time period within the third portion of time, storing a plurality of battery discharging voltage values sensed during the fourth time period, enabling the removal of the load from the battery during a predetermined fifth time period within the third portion of time, storing a terminated voltage battery value sensed during the fifth time period, and calculating the condition of the battery based at least in part on some of the stored values, so that the condition of the battery is accurately determined.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processor means comprises means for causing the second predetermined time period to be proportional to the cold-crank rating of the battery.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processor means comprises means for storing at least one battery discharging current value sensed during the fourth time period and calculating the internal resistance of the battery based at least in part on at least one of the battery discharging voltage values, terminated voltage value and discharging current value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processor means comprises means for calculating the percent of charge of the battery based at least in part on the chargeremoved battery voltage value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processor means comprises means for calculating the condition of the battery based at least in part on the charge-removed voltage value and the initial battery voltage value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the processor means comprises means for calculating the condition of the battery based at least in part on the charge-removed voltage value and the internal resistance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the processor means comprises means for calculating the condition of the battery based at least in part on the charge-removed battery voltage value and at least one of the battery discharging voltage values.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the processor means further comprises means for storing a battery charging voltage value sensed during the second portion of time and calculating the condition of the battery further based on the battery charging voltage value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processor means comprises means for storing at least one battery discharging current value sensed during the fourth time period, calculating the internal resistance of the battery based at least in part on the battery discharging voltage value, terminated voltage value and discharging current value, and calculating the condition of the battery further based on the internal resistance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processor means further comprises means for calculating the condition of the battery further based on the terminated battery voltage value.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processor means comprises means for calculating the condition of the battery further based on the charge acceptance of the battery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the battery parameter values include battery temperature and wherein at least the charge-removed battery voltage is corrected for variations in battery temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a method for testing a battery having an internal impedance, improved steps for determining and displaying the condition of the battery comprising: generating digital battery parameter values corresponding to parameters of the battery at different points in time; placing an electrical load on the battery in response to a load signal; charging the battery in response to a charge signal; indicating the condition of the battery in response to an analysis signal; generating the load signal during part of a first portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery; generating the charge signal during part of a second portion of time following the first portion of time to enable the charging of the battery; generating the load signal during part of a third portion of time following the second portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery; storing a first battery parameter value during a part of the first portion of time when the load signal is absent and the battery therefore is unloaded; storing a second battery parameter value during a part of the third portion of time when the load signal is present and the battery therefore is loaded; calculating the condition of the battery based on at least the first and second stored parameter values; and generating an analysis signal, so that the condition of the battery is displayed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
223 words
In a method for testing a battery having an internal impedance, improved steps for determining and displaying the condition of the battery comprising: generating digital battery parameter values corresponding to parameters of the battery at different points in time; placing an electrical load on the battery in response to a load signal; charging the battery in response to a charge signal; indicating the condition of the battery in response to an analysis signal; generating the load signal during part of a first portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery; generating the charge signal during part of a second portion of time following the first portion of time to enable the charging of the battery; generating the load signal during part of a third portion of time following the second portion of time thereby electrically loading the battery; storing a first battery parameter value during a part of the first portion of time when the load signal is absent and the battery therefore is unloaded; storing a second battery parameter value during a part of the third portion of time when the load signal is present and the battery therefore is loaded; calculating the condition of the battery based on at least the first and second stored parameter values; and generating an analysis signal, so that the condition of the battery is displayed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the battery parameter values are battery voltage values.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
216 words
A method, as claimed in claim 16, and further comprising the steps of: storing an initial battery voltage value during a predetermined first time period within the first portion of time when the battery is unloaded; generating the load signal to place the load on the battery during a predetermined second time period within the first portion of time so that surface charge is removed from the battery; enabling the removal of the load from the battery during a predetermined third time period within the first portion of time; storing a charge-removed battery voltage value sensed during the third time period; generating the charge signal to enable the charging of the battery during said second portion of time; generating the load signal to place the load on the battery during a predetermined fourth time period within the third portion of time; storing a plurality of battery discharging voltage values sensed during the fourth time period; enabling the removal of the load from the battery during a predetermined fifth time period within the third portion of time; storing a terminated voltage battery value sensed during the fifth time period; and calculating the condition of the battery based at least in part on some of the stored values, so that the condition of the battery is accurately determined.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method, as claimed in claim 17, and further comprising the step of causing the predetermined second time period to be proportional to the cold-crank rating of the battery.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method, as claimed in claim 17, and further comprising the steps of: storing at least one battery discharging current value sensed during the fourth time period; and calculating the internal resistance of the battery based at least in part on at least one of the battery discharging voltage values, terminated voltage value and discharging current value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method, as claimed in claim 17, and further comprising the step of calculating the percent of charge of the battery based at least in part on the charge-removed battery voltage value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method, as claimed in claim 17, and further comprising the step of calculating the condition of the battery based at least in part on the charge-removed battery voltage value and the inital battery voltage value.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method, as claimed in claim 19, and further comprising the step of calculating the condition of the battery based at least in part on the charge-removed battery voltage value and the internal resistance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method, as claimed in claim 17, and further comprising the step of calculating the condition of the battery based at least in part on the charge-removed battery voltage value and at least one of the battery discharging voltage values.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method, as claimed in claim 23, and further comprising the steps of: storing a battery charging voltage value sensed during the second portion of time; and calculating the condition of the battery further based on the battery charging voltage value.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method, as claimed in claim 24, and further comprising the steps of: storing at least one battery discharging current value sensed during the fourth time period; calculating the internal resistance of the battery based at least in part on the battery discharging voltage value, terminated voltage value and discharging current value; and calculating the condition of the battery further based on the internal resistance.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method, as claimed in claim 24, and further comprising the step of: calculating the condition of the battery further based on the terminated voltage value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method, as claimed in claim 24, and further comprising the step of calculating the condition of the battery further based on the charge acceptance of the battery.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method, as claimed in claim 17, wherein the battery parameter values include battery temperature and wherein at least the charge-removed battery voltage is corrected for variations in battery temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-12-26 | 1987-06-27 | 1987-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-26 | 1991-06-27 | 1991-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-26 | 1995-06-27 | 1995-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |