Patents by Inventor Kevin I. Bertness

Kevin I. Bertness has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Battery Pack Maintenance for Electric Vehicle
    Publication number: 20140117997
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • System for automatically gathering battery information
    Patent number: 8704483
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • In-vehicle battery monitor
    Patent number: 8674654
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of monitoring a battery in an automotive vehicle are provided. An output is provided which can be a relative output as a function of minimum and maximum parameters of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a vehicle electrical system
    Patent number: 8674711
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • HYBRID AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERY PACK MAINTENANCE DEVICE
    Publication number: 20140002021
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Electronic battery tester or charger with databus connection
    Patent number: 8513949
    Abstract: Vehicle maintenance circuitry for use with a storage battery, and/or electrical system of a vehicle includes an electrical connector configured to electrically couple to the vehicle. OBD communication circuitry is configured to couple to an OBD databus of a vehicle. The operation of the vehicle maintenance circuitry is a function of communication on the OBD databus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic device
    Patent number: 8493022
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic apparatus includes first and second electrical connections configured to electrically couple to an electrical system of an automotive vehicle which includes a battery. Digital samples are obtained during operation of the vehicle which are related to the system. The digital samples are stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Simplification of inventory management
    Patent number: 8442877
    Abstract: A simplified inventory management method. The method employs a plurality of stock-keeping unit labels, with each of the plurality of stock-keeping unit labels having a same stock-keeping unit number. Individual ones of the plurality of stock-keeping unit labels are utilized to track individual items of a plurality of items. A sale price of individual ones a first set of the plurality of items is different from a sale price of individual ones of a second set of the plurality of items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Integrated tag reader and environment sensor
    Patent number: 8436619
    Abstract: A combined sensing and reading apparatus. The apparatus includes a tag reader and an environment sensor integrated with the tag reader. A battery maintenance tool that includes a tag reader and an environment sensor integrated with the tag reader is also provided. Examples of a battery maintenance tool include a battery tester and a battery charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • BATTERY TESTERS WITH SECONDARY FUNCTIONALITY
    Publication number: 20130090870
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • System for automatically gathering battery information
    Patent number: 8344685
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Battery tester for electric vehicle
    Patent number: 8306690
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Battery testers with secondary functionality
    Patent number: 8237448
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY GATHERING BATTERY INFORMATION
    Publication number: 20120182132
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen J. McShane, Todd J. Stukenberg, Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Storage battery and battery tester
    Patent number: 8203345
    Abstract: A storage battery is provided which has a first and second post for electrically coupling to an electrical system. A test plug is provided for use in coupling the storage battery to an electronic battery tester. In another aspect, a battery tester is provided having a plug configured to couple to a test plug of a storage battery for use in performing an electronic battery test on the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Automotive battery charging system tester
    Patent number: 8198900
    Abstract: An automotive battery charging system tester for testing the charging system of an automotive vehicle includes AC and DC voltage measurement circuits and a microprocessor controlled testing sequence. The microprocessor is used to perform a series of tests and to instruct an operator to perform steps associated with performing those tests. Through the application of various loads at various engine speeds, the tester is capable of identifying faults in the battery charging system including a bad battery, problems in the alternator or associated electronics, and problems in the starting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Michael E. Troy
  • Method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a vehicle electrical system
    Patent number: 8164343
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle electrical system tester is provided for testing an electrical system having wiring which couple a load to a battery. The automotive vehicle electrical system tester is configured to measure an electrical parameter of the wiring and includes a first battery terminal connection configured to couple to a first terminal of the battery. A test connection is configured to couple to a wire of the electrical system which extends between the first terminal of the battery and the load. Test circuitry coupled to the first battery terminal connection and the test connection is configured to draw current from the battery along a path through the wire and to the test connection. The test circuitry measures an electrical parameter of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • BATTERY PACK MAINTENANCE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
    Publication number: 20120079710
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY GATHERING BATTERY INFORMATION
    Publication number: 20120035876
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: MIDTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING A PARAMETER OF A VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120035870
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness