Alternator tester
AssigneeMidtronics, Inc.
InventorJames K. Klang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a straightforward diagnostic system and testing procedure that gives relevant data on the performance of the charging system in a battery-based electrical system. The overall method for testing the alternator comprising determining a threshold voltage of the battery-based electrical system, powering the alternator, determining a charging current generated by the alternator, and determining a charging voltage generated by the alternator. In this manner, an apparatus and system capable of rapidly determining whether a vehicle charging system is operating properly are disclosed.
Claims31
An apparatus for testing an alternator in a battery-based electrical system, the apparatus comprising:
- a voltage sensor for adapted for attachment to the battery-based electrical system for measuring voltage of the battery-based electrical system;
- a charging current sensor adapted for attachment to the battery-based electrical system for measuring current charged to the battery-based electrical system;
- a discharging current sensor adapted for attachment to the battery-based electrical system for measuring current discharged from the battery-based electrical system;
- a variable power supply adapted for attachment to the battery-based electrical system for varying the charging conditions of the battery-based electrical system;
- a variable load adapted for attachment to the battery-based electrical system for varying the discharging conditions of the battery-based electrical system;
- and
- a system controller for use in controlling the variable power supply and load and for measuring the current and voltage generated by the alternator under the varying charging and discharging conditions of the battery-based electrical system.
In a battery-based electrical system comprised of a battery and an alternator, a method for testing the alternator comprising:
- activating the battery-based electrical system at a nominal operating load level;
- applying an external charge voltage and an external charge current to the battery-based electrical system;
- adjusting the external charge voltage in steps of predetermined magnitude until the external charge current is reduced to substantially zero;
- removing the external charge voltage and the external charge current from the battery-based electrical system;
- measuring the threshold charging voltage of the battery-based electrical system;
- powering the alternator;
- applying an external discharge load to the battery-based electrical system;
- adjusting the external discharge load in steps of predetermined magnitude until the charging voltage generated by the alternator is less than or equal to the threshold voltage;
- determining the charging current generated by the alternator by measuring the external load current;
- removing the external discharge load from the battery-based electrical system;
- applying an external charge voltage and an external charge current to the battery-based electrical system;
- adjusting the external charge voltage in steps of predetermined magnitude until the external charge current generally stabilizes;
- and
- determining the charging voltage generated by the alternator by measuring the battery-based electrical system voltage.
In a battery-based electrical system comprised of a battery and an alternator powered by an engine of a vehicle, a method for testing the alternator comprising:
- determining a threshold charging voltage of the battery-based electrical system which is representative of a voltage supplied by the alternator which is sufficient to support nominal vehicle electrical system loads without charging the battery;
- powering the alternator;
- determining alternator charging current generated by the alternator representative of current supplied by the alternator during operation of the engine of the vehicle;
- and
- determining alternator charging voltage generated by the alternator representative of a voltage at which the alternator attempts to charge the battery at vanishing current.
An alternator tester for use in connection with a battery-based electrical system comprised of a vehicle battery and an alternator powered by an engine of a vehicle, the alternator tester comprised of a variable power supply and a variable load in communication with a system controller, the system controller having instructions to perform the steps of:
- testing the vehicle battery to determine whether the battery is capable of delivering and accepting adequate charge;
- and
- testing the alternator to determine whether the alternator is capable of delivering acceptable power to the battery-based electrical system of the vehicle and wherein the testing includes controlling the variable power supply and the variable load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.