Apparatus and method for testing and indicating battery charge and functionality
US6121753A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S320/18
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for rapidly testing a battery includes a conditioning resistor and a depressible momentary type switch interposed in series between the conditioning resistor and the battery terminals, such that the closing of the switch allows current flow through the conditioning resistor in approximately the full amount the battery can generate when fully charged. In parallel with the conditioning resistor are a number of sets of voltage dividers and comparators working in conjunction with each other to compare a divided down battery voltage with a fixed voltage reference. Each comparator has an associated indicator light such that all the indicator lights will light up if the battery is at full capacity, but less than all the indicator lights will light up if the battery is at less than full capacity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.