Abstract:
A method and apparatus (200) for repairing or testing a battery pack (102) from an electric vehicle (100) include removing the battery pack (102) from the vehicle (100). Battery tests are performed on at least some of the plurality of batteries (140) and battery test results for each of the batteries (140) tested are obtained. A cradle (350) is configured to receive at least two different types of batteries (140). The cradle (350) includes connectors (360) to electrically couple circuitry (352) of a battery maintenance device (200) to the battery (140).
Abstract:
Testing or diagnostics are performed on an electric vehicle (12). The vehicle (12) is operated and current flow through a system of the vehicle is monitored. A voltage related to the system is also monitored. Diagnostics are provided based upon the monitored voltage and the monitored current.
Abstract:
An electronic battery tester (16) for testing a storage battery (12) provides a test output (11) indicative of condition of the battery. Electronic measurement circuitry (2) provides a measurement output related to a condition of the battery. The battery condition fis determined based upon one or more responses to one or more queries provided to an operator. The responses are used to determine battery type.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is provided for rapidly and safely estimating the high-rate load test voltage of a storage battery utilizing open-circuit voltage (154), temperature (156) and a dynamic parameter (152) such as conductance or resistance. An output indicative of the condition of the battery is provided as a function of the estimated load test voltage (160) of the battery compared to industry standards without the necessity to charge the battery or discharge the battery with high-rate loads using bulky testing equipment.
Abstract:
A device (16) for testing a battery (12) includes circuitry adapted to measure a first conductance of a first portion of a string of cells that makes up the battery. Further circuitry is adapted to measure a second conductance of a second portion of the string of cells that makes up the battery. Comparison circuitry compares the first conductance and the second conductance and provides an output based upon the comparison which is related to a condition of the battery (12).
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for detecting a bad cell in a storage battery (12) having a plurality of cells are provided. Input circuitry (54) electrically couples to first and second terminals (22, 24) of the storage battery (12). Voltage measuring circuitry (70) coupled to the input circuitry provides a voltage output related to a voltage potential between the first and second terminals (22, 24) of the storage battery (12). Conductance measuring circuitry (50, 56, 70) coupled to the input circuitry (54) provides a conductance output related to conductance of the storage battery (12). Voltage and conductance comparison circuitry (56) compares the measured voltage and conductance to references and provides outputs. Output circuitry (56) provides a bad cell output based upon the results of the comparisons.
Abstract:
An apparatus (10) for testing a storage battery (12) in an automotive vehicle (300) includes a controllable electrical load (70) configured to electrically couple to the storage battery (12) of the vehicle (300). A current sensor is configured (304) to electrically connect to a terminal (22) of the battery (12) and measure flow of current through the battery (12). A controller (56) is arranged to apply an electrical load (RE) to the battery (12) using the controllable load (70) and adjust the electrical load (RE) while monitoring the electrical current sensed by the current sensor (70) to determine a charge current applied to the battery (12) by an alternator of the vehicle (300) and further configured to perform a test on the battery (12). A method for testing a storage battery (12) in an automotive vehicle (300) includes connecting a controllable electrical load (70) to the storage battery (12), connecting a current sensor (304) to a connection to a terminal (22) of the battery (12), applying an electrical load (RE) to the battery (12) using the controllable electrical load (70), adjusting the electrical load (RE) while monitoring an output from the current sensor (304) to determine a charge current applied to the battery (12) by an alternator of the vehicle (304), and performing a test on the battery (12).
Abstract:
A battery pack maintenance device (200) for performing maintenance on battery packs (102) of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (100) (referred herein generally as electric vehicles). In various embodiments, the device includes one or more loads (R1-R5) for connecting to a battery pack (102) for use in discharging the battery pack (102), and/or charging circuitry (PS1-PS3) for use in charging the battery pack (102).
Abstract:
An in- vehicle battery sensor (20) includes a sensor configured to couple to a storage battery (12). A memory (40) is configured to store calibration information. An input (42) receives calibration information which is saved in the memory (40). A controller (38) performs a battery test on the storage battery (12) using a sensor output and the stored calibration information.
Abstract:
The present invention includes a battery maintenance device (100) for performing maintenance on battery packs (104) of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (102) (referred herein generally as electric vehicles). In various embodiments, the device includes one or more loads (170) for connecting to a battery pack (104) for use in discharging the battery pack (104), and/or charging circuitry for use in charging the battery pack (104). Input/output circuitry (162) can be provided for communicating with circuitry of in the battery pack (104) and/or circuitry of the vehicle (102).