Patents Assigned to Midtronics, Inc.
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Patent number: 9966676Abstract: A Kelvin connector adapter for use in connecting a Kelvin connection to a storage battery includes a conducting threaded portion adapted to be received in a threaded connector of the storage battery. A side pad contact is adapted to electrically connect to a side pad of the threaded connector. A first Kelvin connection pad is electrically coupled to the threaded portion and a second Kelvin connection pad is electrically coupled to the side pad contact.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventors: Andrew John Salo, III, Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 9923289Abstract: A clamp for coupling an electronic battery tester to a post of a storage battery. The clamp includes a first metal arm that extends from a first proximal end to a first distal end and a second metal arm that extends from a second proximal end to a second distal end. A first hinge portion on the first metal arm is positioned between the first proximal end and the first distal end. A second hinge portion is positioned on the second metal arm between the second proximal end and the second distal end. A pivot is configured to pivotally couple the first hinge portion to the second hinge portion. A first covering is overmolded on the first metal arm and a second covering is overmolded on the second metal arm.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 9496720Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided in which a radio frequency identification (RIFD) tag is associated with the storage battery and is used in conjunction with a battery test, battery charger, or other battery maintenance. A cable configured to be affixed to the storage battery. The cable is configured to store information and wirelessly communicate the information to a battery tester. A battery maintenance device configured to couple to the battery and to perform battery maintenance on the battery through the cable. The battery maintenance device includes wireless communication circuitry configured to communicate with a memory of the cable.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventors: Stephen J. McShane, Todd J. Stukenberg, Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
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Patent number: 9425487Abstract: A battery monitoring device configured to monitor a storage battery. The battery monitoring device includes Kelvin connectors configured to couple to the terminals of the storage battery. The battery monitoring device is configured to receive data from a second battery monitoring device. Further, the battery monitoring device is configured to measure a parameter of the storage battery. The measured parameter and the data received from the second battery monitoring device are communicated to a receiving station.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 9419311Abstract: A battery maintenance device configured to maintain a storage battery. An electrical connection couples the battery maintenance device to the storage battery. Maintenance circuitry couples to the battery through the electrical connection and performs maintenance on the battery. The maintenance circuitry includes an electrical load configured to draw an electrical current from the battery. The electrical current causes the electrical load to heat. A phase change material is thermally coupled to the load. The phase change material has a specific heat index which has a non-linear relationship to temperature to thereby reduce a rate of change in temperature of the electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2010Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 9335362Abstract: Testing or diagnostics are performed on an electric vehicle. The vehicle 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
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Patent number: 9312575Abstract: A battery testing system includes a battery test module configured to couple to a battery. The battery test module is further configured to measure battery parameters and transmit the measured battery parameters. The battery testing system also includes a portable tablet device configured to receive the transmitted measured battery parameters. The portable tablet device is further configured to determine a battery test result from the measured battery parameters and display the battery test result.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventors: Todd J. Stukenberg, Thomas Kehoe, Slawomir Kielian, Zafer Mertogul
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Patent number: 9274157Abstract: Testing or diagnostics are performed on an electric vehicle. The vehicle 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 9255955Abstract: A vehicle electrical system tester for testing the electrical system of a vehicle is provided. The electrical system has a wiring harness which extends between components of the vehicle and includes a plurality of wires. The vehicle electrical system tester is configured to measure an electrical parameter of at least one of the plurality of wires through a first connection to coupled to a first end of the at least one of the plurality of wires and a second connection coupled to a second end of the at least one of the plurality of wires. An electrical signal is applied between the first and second ends of the at least one of the plurality of wires and the electrical parameter of the at least one of the plurality of wires is responsively measured.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 9244100Abstract: A current clamp has a pair of jaws that are placed around an electrical conductor to measure a parameter (a measurable quantity or distinguishing or notable characteristic) corresponding to the electrical conductor.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventors: Ryan C. Coleman, Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 9229062Abstract: A battery diagnostic system including Kelvin connectors configured to electrically couple to a storage battery. A forcing function source is configured to apply a forcing function signal to the storage battery through the Kelvin connectors. Measurement circuitry calculates an electrical parameter of the storage battery. A memory stores a plurality of electrical parameters for a plurality of storage batteries and each of the plurality of stored electrical parameters is associated with storage battery identifier information which identifies one of the storage batteries of the plurality of storage batteries and time information, which identifies a time the electrical parameter was obtained.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Todd J. Stukenberg
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Patent number: 9201120Abstract: An electronic battery tester, includes test circuitry configured to couple to a battery and measure a parameter of the battery. A manual input is configured to receive an input from an operator. A user output provides an output to the operator. A memory contains programming code, which includes code to output battery test procedure instructions for implementation by the operator. A microprocessor operates in accordance with the programming code to instruct the operator to perform the battery test procedure. The microprocessor further performs a battery test based upon the measured parameter.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Todd J. Stukenberg
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Patent number: 9052366Abstract: An electronic vehicle tester includes a battery tester configured to measure a parameter of a battery of a vehicle. A tire tester is configured to receive a parameter of a tire of the vehicle. A wireless receiver can be configured to receive pressure information from a transmitter associated with a tire of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 9018958Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical parameters for an electrical system measures a first and second parameters of the electrical system between connections to the electrical system. A processor determines a third electrical parameter of the electrical system as a function of the first parameter and the second parameter. Wireless communication is provided between components of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 8963550Abstract: A method that includes affixing a radio frequency identification tag on a storage battery at a battery manufacturing plant. The method also includes storing battery manufacturing information into the radio frequency identification tag at the battery manufacturing plant. The battery manufacturing information includes a battery algorithm suitable for use in testing the storage battery.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
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Patent number: 8958998Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide a battery test output related to a condition of the battery. A memory stores a battery tester address of the battery tester, and communication circuitry transmits the battery test output formatted with the battery tester address on a communication link to a remote location.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 8872517Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery, includes connections configured to couple to terminals of the battery. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the connections and configured to measure a parameter of the battery. An input is configured to receive a battery age input variable. Computation circuitry is configured to provide a test output related to a condition of the battery based upon the measured parameter and the battery age input variable.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventors: John S. Philbrook, Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 8872516Abstract: A cable for connecting to an electronic battery tester, includes a first end configured to couple to a databus of a vehicle and a second end configured to couple to the electronic battery tester. An electrical connection extends between the first end and the second end and is configured to couple the electronic battery tester to the databus of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 8754653Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventors: J. David Vonderhaar, Kevin I. Bertness
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Patent number: 8738309Abstract: A method of repairing a used battery pack from an electric vehicle include removing the battery pack from the vehicle. Battery tests are performed on at least some of the plurality of batteries and a battery test result for each of the batteries tested are obtained and stored in a database. A plurality of replacement batteries are tested and test results for each of the replacement batteries are stored in the database. The battery test results from the database are retrieved and used to create a refurbished battery pack. An apparatus includes a database for storing test results.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness