Abstract: The present invention includes a battery pack maintenance device for performing maintenance on battery packs of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (referred herein generally as electric vehicles). In various embodiments, the device includes one or more loads for connecting to a battery pack for use in discharging the battery pack, and/or charging circuitry for use in charging the battery pack. Optional input/output circuitry can be provided for communicating with circuitry of in the battery pack and/or circuitry of the vehicle. A method and device for determining connector configuration is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes a battery pack maintenance device for performing maintenance on battery packs of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (referred herein generally as electric vehicles). In various embodiments, the device includes one or more loads for connecting to a battery pack for use in discharging the battery pack, and/or charging circuitry for use in charging the battery pack. Optional input/output circuitry can be provided for communicating with circuitry of in the battery pack and/or circuitry of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery transportation storage vessel includes a first housing portion configured to securely receive a storage battery of an electric vehicle, a second housing portion arranged to seal the storage battery in the first housing portion, and selectively open whereby the storage battery can be removed from or placed into the first housing portion. A sealing mechanism is configured to seal the first housing portion to the second housing portion. Battery monitoring equipment is configured to couple to the storage battery and perform battery maintenance on the storage battery. A memory configured to store information related to battery maintenance performed on the storage battery.

Abstract: A battery maintenance system includes a first unit comprising a battery maintenance device, a second unit comprising a battery maintenance device, a third unit having a power supply and voltage input-output circuitry configured to couple to a battery and a fourth unit having an operator interface. Each of the first, second, third and fourth units are encased in a housing and include physical connectors that allow the first unit, the second unit, the third unit and the fourth unit to be coupled together in a stacked configuration in a user selectable order.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A battery maintenance system for use in performing battery maintenance on a battery of an electric vehicle including a battery maintenance device and a high voltage connector configured to connect the battery maintenance device to the battery of the electric vehicle. When a fuse door is removed from a fuse block of the connector, a mechanical component in a first position blocks a keying post and prevents a first connector side from coupling with a second connector side of the connector When the fuse door is in place and covering an interior of the fuse block, the fuse door places the mechanical component into a second position to allow the keying post to mate with the second connector side and to activate an electric switch to connect voltages to the fuse block.

Abstract: A battery maintenance device for performing maintenance on a battery pack of an automotive vehicle powered by the battery pack includes communication circuitry configured to retrieve information related to condition of batteries/cells of the battery pack obtained using sensors in the battery pack. Measurement circuitry couples to batteries/cells of the battery pack and obtains measurement information related to a measured condition of batteries/cells of the battery pack. A controller verifies operation of the sensors in the battery pack by comparing the retrieved information with the measurement and provides a comparison output. Output circuitry outputs an indication of a failing sensor in the battery pack based upon the comparison output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing or testing 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 battery test results for each of the batteries tested are obtained. A cradle is configured to receive at least two different types of batteries. The cradle includes connectors to electrically couple circuitry of a battery tester to the battery.

Abstract: A power adapter for an automotive vehicle maintenance device includes a power input connection and a power output connection the is configured to connect to the automotive vehicle maintenance device. The power adapter also included connection circuitry the is configured to connect the power input connection to the power output connection.

Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes a Kelvin connection configured to electrically couple to the storage battery and a microprocessor configured to determine a dynamic parameter of the storage battery. A forcing function source is configured to apply a forcing function signal to the storage battery through the Kelvin connection. A sensor is electrically coupled to the storage battery and configured to sense an electrical response of the storage battery to the applied forcing function signal. A tire tread gauge is arranged to be inserted into a tread of a tire. The tire tread gauge including a visual indicator. An image capture device is configured to capture an image of the tire tread gauge when the tire tread gauge is inserted into the tread of the tire.

Abstract: The present invention includes a battery maintenance device for performing maintenance on battery packs of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (referred herein generally as electric vehicles). In various embodiments, the device includes one or more loads for connecting to a battery pack for use in discharging the battery pack, and/or charging circuitry for use in charging the battery pack. Input/output circuitry can be provided for communicating with circuitry of in the battery pack and/or circuitry of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for charging a first storage battery and a second storage battery electrically connected together in series includes a first Kelvin connection, a second Kelvin connection and a third Kelvin connection coupled to the storage batteries. At least two of the Kelvin connections are configured to charge at least one of the first and second batteries. A charging source configured to selectively couple a charge signal to a storage battery through the Kelvin connections. A switching device selectively couples the charging source and measurement circuitry to at least two of the first, second and third Kelvin connections. A microprocessor selectively controls the switching device, charges the batteries, and measures a parameter of the batteries as a function of the charging signal applied to the batteries.

Abstract: A battery monitoring system, for monitoring condition of a plurality of batteries, includes first and second pluralities of battery testers each coupled to a storage battery stored at a respective first and second storage location The plurality of battery testers including test circuitry configured to test a storage battery and to generate test data, a memory configured to store battery tester identification information, and communication circuitry configured to transmit the test data and the identification information over a wireless communication medium.

Abstract: A battery tester includes a pair of battery clamps, a testing unit, and a pair of holsters. Each battery clamp is configured to connect to a terminal of a battery. The testing unit includes testing circuitry that is connected to the battery clamps, and is configured to perform one or more battery tests on a battery connected to the battery clamps. Each of the holsters is attached to a housing of the testing unit, and is configured to receive and hold one of the battery clamps.

Abstract: The present invention includes a battery pack maintenance device for performing maintenance on battery packs of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (referred herein generally as electric vehicles). In various embodiments, the device includes one or more loads for connecting to a battery pack for use in discharging the battery pack, and/or charging circuitry for use in charging the battery pack. Optional input/output circuitry can be provided for communicating with circuitry of in the battery pack and/or circuitry of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention includes a battery pack maintenance device for performing maintenance on battery packs of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (referred herein generally as electric vehicles). In various embodiments, the device includes one or more loads for connecting to a battery pack for use in discharging the battery pack, and/or charging circuitry for use in charging the battery pack. Optional input/output circuitry can be provided for communicating with circuitry of in the battery pack and/or circuitry of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for balancing charge of a battery in a battery pack includes a plurality of power supplies configured to be selectively coupled to the battery and a plurality of electrical loads configured to be electrically coupled to the battery. Test circuitry is configured to measure an amount of charge of the battery. Control circuitry selectively controls a voltage applied to the battery by the plurality of power supplies and a load applied to the battery by the plurality of electrical loads based upon a measured amount of charge of the battery. A method and apparatus for repairing or testing a used battery pack from an electric vehicle includes optionally removing the battery pack from the vehicle. Batteries within the pack are balanced such that they have similar states of charge. The present invention includes a battery pack maintenance device for performing maintenance on battery packs of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (referred herein generally as electric vehicles).

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a storage battery in an automotive vehicle includes a controllable electrical load configured to electrically couple to the storage battery of the vehicle. A current sensor is configured to electrically connect to a terminal of the battery and measure flow of current through the battery. A controller is arranged to apply an electrical load to the battery using the controllable load and adjust the electrical load while monitoring the electrical current sensed by the current sensor to determine a charge current applied to the battery by an alternator of the vehicle and further configured to perform a test on the battery.

Abstract: A battery tester includes a pair of battery clamps, a testing unit, and a pair of holsters. Each battery clamp is configured to connect to a terminal of a battery. The testing unit includes testing circuitry that is connected to the battery clamps, and is configured to perform one or more battery tests on a battery connected to the battery clamps. Each of the holsters is attached to a housing of the testing unit, and is configured to receive and hold one of the battery clamps.