US4884033A — Diagnostic test apparatus for electrical system o…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 174 words

A diagnostic test circuit for monitoring the magnitude of electrical parameters existing between an electrical driver and an electrical load comprising, in combination: (a) visual indicator means connected to a point adjacent the electrical driver, said indicator means providing a visual signal when the voltage at the point of connection lies within a predetermined range, with respect to electrical ground, (b) additional visual indicator means, separate from the first, connected to a point adjacent the electrical load, said additional indicator means providing a visual signal when the voltage at its point of connection lies within a predetermined range, with respect to electrical ground, and (c) a third visual indicator means, connected between said electrical driver and said electrical load, said third indicator means providing a visual signal in response to current flowing between said driver and said load, (d) said third visual indicator means having a positive temperature coefficient of impedance whereby it presents a relatively low electrical impedance when experiencing relatively low current flow, and a higher impedance upon experiencing increased current flow.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 174 words

A diagnostic test circuit for monitoring the magnitude of electrical parameters existing between an electrical driver and an electrical load comprising, in combination: (a) visual indicator means connected to a point adjacent the electrical driver, said indicator means providing a visual signal when the voltage at the point of connection lies within a predetermined range, with respect to electrical ground, (b) additional visual indicator means, separate from the first, connected to a point adjacent the electrical load, said additional indicator means providing a visual signal when the voltage at its point of connection lies within a predetermined range, with respect to electrical ground, and (c) a third visual indicator means, connected between said electrical driver and said electrical load, said third indicator means providing a visual signal in response to current flowing between said driver and said load, (d) said third visual indicator means having a positive temperature coefficient of impedance whereby it presents a relatively low electrical impedance when experiencing relatively low current flow, and a higher impedance upon experiencing increased current flow.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 86 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said electrical driver supplies output voltages lying in the range between electrical ground and nominal plus 12 volts, and (b) said test circuit comprising means providing a source of substantially constant voltage lying within said range, (c) said first-mentioned visual indicator means being electrically connected to said source of constant voltage, whereby it responds to the difference between the voltage at its point of connection adjacent the electrical driver and the said source of constant voltage.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 86 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said electrical driver supplies output voltages lying in the range between electrical ground and nominal plus 12 volts, and (b) said test circuit comprising means providing a source of substantially constant voltage lying within said range, (c) said additional visual indicator means being electrically connected to said source of constant voltage, whereby it responds to the difference between the voltage at its point of connection adjacent the electrical load and the said source of constant voltage.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 147 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said electrical driver produces output voltages lying in the range between electrical ground and nominal plus 12 volts, (b) said test circuit comprising means providing two sources of substantially constant voltage lying within said range, (c) said first-mentioned visual indicator means being electrically connected to one of said sources of constant voltage whereby it responds to the difference between the voltage at its point of connection adjacent the electrical driver and the said one source of constant voltage, (d) said additional visual indicator means being electrically connected to the other of said sources of constant voltage whereby it responds to the difference between the voltage at its point of connection adjacent the electrical load and the said other source of constant voltage, (e) said sources supplying voltages that differ from one another by at least several volts.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 48 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said test circuit comprises means providing a source of substantially constant voltage, (b) said first-mentioned visual indicator means comprising a light-emitting diode having electrical connection means extending between said electrical driver and said source of substantially constant voltage.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 48 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said test circuit comprises means providing a source of substantially constant voltage, (b) said additional visual indicator means comprising a light-emitting diode having electrical connection means extending between said electrical load and said source of substantially constant voltage.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said third visual indicator means comprises an incandescent lamp.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7, wherein: (a) said incandescent lamp has a nominal voltage rating of 6 volts.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The invention as set forth in claim 7, wherein: (a) said incandescent lamp has a nominal voltage rating of 12 volts.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

The invention as set forth in claim 2, wherein: (a) said source provides an output voltage of substantially 8 volts.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The invention as set forth in claim 3, wherein: (a) said source supplies an output voltage of substantially 5 volts.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 37 words

The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: (a) said first-mentioned and said additional visual indicator means comprise a pair of light-emitting diodes, (b) said light-emitting diodes each having a resistor connected in series with it.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 176 words

A test circuit for monitoring the magnitude of electrical parameters existing between a power supply and a module intended to be powered thereby, comprising in combination: (a) visual indicator means connected to a point adjacent the power supply, said indicator means providing a visual signal when the voltage at the point of connection lies within a predetermined range with respect to electrical ground, (b) additional visual indicator means, separate from the first, connected to a point adjacent the module, said additional indicator means providing a visual signal when the voltage at its point of connection lies within a predetermined range with respect to electrical ground, and (c) a third visual indicator means, connected between said power supply and said module, said third indicator means providing a visual signal in response to current flowing between said power supply and said module, (d) said third visual indicator means having a positive temperature coefficient of impedance, whereby it presents a relatively low electrical impedance when experiencing relatively low current flow, and a higher impedance upon experiencing increased current flow.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 176 words

A test circuit for monitoring the magnitude of electrical parameters existing between a power supply and a module intended to be powered thereby, comprising in combination: (a) visual indicator means connected to a point adjacent the power supply, said indicator means providing a visual signal when the voltage at the point of connection lies within a predetermined range with respect to electrical ground, (b) additional visual indicator means, separate from the first, connected to a point adjacent the module, said additional indicator means providing a visual signal when the voltage at its point of connection lies within a predetermined range with respect to electrical ground, and (c) a third visual indicator means, connected between said power supply and said module, said third indicator means providing a visual signal in response to current flowing between said power supply and said module, (d) said third visual indicator means having a positive temperature coefficient of impedance, whereby it presents a relatively low electrical impedance when experiencing relatively low current flow, and a higher impedance upon experiencing increased current flow.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 64 words

The invention as set forth in claim 13, wherein: (a) said test circuit comprises means providing a source of substantially constant voltage, (b) said first-mentioned visual indicator means having electrical connecting means extending to said source of constant voltage, whereby it responds to the difference between the voltage at its point of connection adjacent the power supply and the said source of constant voltage.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 63 words

The invention as set forth in claim 13, wherein: (a) said test circuit comprises means providing a source of substantially constant voltage, (b) said additional visual indicator means having electrical connecting means extending to said source of constant voltage, whereby it responds to the difference between the voltage at its point of connection adjacent the module and the said source of constant voltage.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 134 words

The invention as set forth in claim 13, wherein: (a) said test circuit comprises means providing two sources of substantially constant voltage, between zero and nominal plus 12 volts, (b) said first-mentioned visual indicator means having electrical connecting means extending to one of said sources of constant voltage whereby it responds to the difference between the voltage at its point of connection adjacent the power supply and the said one source of constant voltage, (c) said additional visual indicator means having electrical connecting means extending to the other of said sources of constant voltage whereby it responds to the difference between the voltage at its point of connection adjacent the module and the said other source of constant voltage, (d) said sources supplying different potentials lying between electrical ground and nominal plus 12 volts.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 48 words

The invention as set forth in claim 13, wherein: (a) said test circuit comprises means providing a source of substantially constant voltage, (b) said first-mentioned visual indicator means comprising a light-emitting diode having electrical connecting means extending between said power supply and said source of substantially constant voltage.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 47 words

The invention as set forth in claim 13, wherein: (a) said test circuit comprises means providing a source of substantially constant voltage, (b) said additional visual indicator means comprising a light-emitting diode having electrical connecting means extending between said module and said source of substantially constant voltage.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1992-11-27	1993-05-29	1993-11-28	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1996-11-27	1997-05-29	1997-11-28	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2000-11-27	2001-05-29	2001-11-28	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Diagnostic test apparatus for electrical system of automotive vehicle

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