Battery test module
AssigneeMidtronics, Inc.
InventorsKevin I. Bertness, Michael Cox, Jamey L. Butteris, Michael J. Fritsch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A storage battery includes a battery housing and a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery housing electrically connected in series to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative terminal of the battery. A first connection is coupled to the positive terminal of the battery and a second connection is coupled to the negative terminal of the battery. A battery test module is mounted to the battery housing and electrically coupled to the positive and negative terminals through the respective first and second Kelvin connection. A display or other output is configured to output battery condition information from the battery test module.
Claims93
A storage battery comprising:
- a battery housing;
- a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery housing electrically connected in series to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative terminal of the battery;
- a first Kelvin connection coupled to the positive terminal of the battery;
- a second Kelvin connection coupled to the negative terminal of the battery;
- a battery test module mounted to the battery housing and electrically coupled to the positive and negative terminals through respective first and second Kelvin connections, the battery test module, while mounted to the battery housing, configured to actively test the storage battery by applying a signal to the storage battery through the first Kelvin connection and the second Kelvin connection;
- and
- an output from the battery test module configured to output battery condition information.
A apparatus for testing a storage battery, comprising:
- a first Kelvin connection coupled to a positive terminal of the battery;
- a second Kelvin connection coupled to a negative terminal of the battery;
- a battery test module mounted to the battery housing of the storage battery and electrically coupled to the positive and negative terminals through the respective first and second Kelvin connections, the battery test module, while mounted to the battery housing, configured to actively test the storage battery by applying a signal to the storage battery through the first Kelvin connection and the second Kelvin connection;
- and
- an output from the battery test module configured to output battery condition information.
An auxiliary power system, comprising:
- an auxiliary battery;
- a battery test module electrically coupled to the auxiliary battery through a first Kelvin connection and a second Kelvin connection, the battery test module configured to perform an active battery test on the auxiliary battery, by applying a signal to the auxiliary battery through the first Kelvin connection and the second Kelvin connection, and responsively provide a battery test output;
- and
- an output configured to output results of the battery test output.
A method of testing a battery during assembly of an automotive vehicle containing the battery, comprising:
- coupling a battery test module to the battery through Kelvin connections to positive and negative terminals of the battery;
- performing at least some of the steps required to assemble the automotive vehicle;
- performing an active electronic test on the battery with the battery test module, by applying a signal to the battery through the first Kelvin connection and the second Kelvin connection, while performing at least some of the steps required to assemble the automotive vehicle;
- and
- removing the battery test module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.