Apparatus and method for carrying out diagnostic tests on batteries and for rapidly charging batteries
US6259254A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 26, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 26, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02J7/0069
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system for performing automatic and rapid diagnostic testing and charging of a battery. The diagnostic test unit utilizes a charger combined with a rapidly variable load. After inputting battery characteristics including the cranking rating (CCA or CA) and the temperature of the battery, a diagnostic ramp procedure is utilized to provide an instantaneous current versus voltage analysis to determine the instantaneous cranking value (i.e., the single crank capability at full charge) of the battery being tested. If the instantaneous cranking value of the battery is above a level determined acceptable, a sustained discharge is carried out to tax the capacity of the battery. At the end of the constant current discharge, the current is again to determine a loaded cranking value which simulates the battery power after multiple cranking attempts. If the loaded cranking value is below a desired percentage of the cranking rating, then the battery is put into charge. If a battery cannot be acceptably charged within the time of a given number of diagnostic probes, the battery is deemed to be a bad battery. The charging steps utilized during the diagnostic testing, as well as any c…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.