Patents by Inventor Kevin Bertness

Kevin 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).

  • Publication number: 20050162172
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester and method includes generating battery test data from an electronic battery test. The battery test data is transmitted over a wireless communication medium. In another aspect, a method and apparatus is provided for receiving battery test data from a wireless communication medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Bertness
  • Publication number: 20050077904
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes first and second Kelvin connections configured to couple to the battery. A forcing function applies a time varying signal to the battery through the first and second Kelvin connections. Further, a probe light is configured to couple to at least one of the first and second Kelvin connections. A microprocessor tests the storage battery as a function of a dynamic parameter measured through the first and second Kelvin connections in response to the applied time varying signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Bertness
  • Publication number: 20050075807
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventor: Kevin Bertness
  • Publication number: 20050073314
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery that includes a battery housing with a plurality of electrochemical cells electrically connected to terminals of the battery is provided. The battery tester includes positive and negative connectors that can connect to the battery terminals. The tester also includes a temperature sensor that can measure a temperature of an individual electrochemical cell of the plurality of electrochemical cells. Processing circuitry, which is coupled to the temperature sensor, is configured to test the battery using the positive and negative connectors and to provide an output related to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. The present invention also provides a battery charger with an integrated battery cell temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Bertness, J. David Vonderhaar
  • Publication number: 20050068039
    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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Bertness
  • Publication number: 20050057865
    Abstract: A method of coupling a shunt to a printed circuit board (PCB) of an energy management system is provided. The method includes coupling flexible electrical connectors to the shunt and soldering the flexible electrical connectors to connection points on the PCB of the energy management system. An energy management system that includes a shunt coupled to a printed circuit board using the above method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Balaguru Veloo, Kevin Bertness
  • Publication number: 20050057256
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Bertness
  • Publication number: 20050052187
    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: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventor: Kevin Bertness
  • Publication number: 20050035752
    Abstract: An alternator tester is provided for testing an alternator of a vehicle while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle. A sensor is configured to couple to the vehicle and sense a signal related to operation of the alternator. A memory contains data related to operator instructions for performing an alternator tester of a function of vehicle type. A processor configured to provide an output indication of alternator condition based upon the sensed signal. An extra load or connection can be provided for coupling to the electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Bertness, Alan Melton
  • Publication number: 20050024061
    Abstract: A battery monitor is provided for use with a battery of an automotive vehicle. The battery monitor can provide real time battery condition measurements and can selectively control the charging of the battery through an alternator of the vehicle based upon the measured battery condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Cox, Kevin Bertness
  • Publication number: 20050021475
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery determines a condition of the battery. The condition is a relative condition and is a function of a dynamic parameter of the battery and an empirical input variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Bertness, J. Vonderhaar
  • Publication number: 20050001626
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester is provided for testing storage batteries. Battery test circuitry is configured to couple to the storage battery and measure a condition of the battery. A removable module is configured to couple to the battery tester to add increased functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Kevin Bertness, Stephen McShane
  • Patent number: 5574355
    Abstract: A thermal runaway detection apparatus is provided for use during charging of a battery. The thermal runaway detection apparatus includes circuitry for determining internal resistance (impedance) or conductance (admittance) of the battery under charge. Detection circuitry detects an increase in internal battery conductance or a decrease in internal battery resistance and provides an output. The output is indicative of a thermal runaway condition in the battery. The circuitry can be used to provide feedback which controls charging of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. McShane, Mark Hlavac, Kevin Bertness