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).

  • Publication number: 20180113171
    Abstract: An electrical load assembly is provided for use by an electronic battery tester used to perform an electronic battery test on a storage battery. The electrical assembly comprises a load wire providing an electrical load resistance and a housing which at least partially encloses the load wire. An airflow passageway is provided in the housing adjacent the load wire. Electrical terminals connected to the load wire are configured to connect to the electronic battery tester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 9923289
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Publication number: 20170373410
    Abstract: A clamp for providing an electrical connection to a battery includes a first arm, a second arm, a joint member, a first pivotable connection, and a second pivotable connection. The first arm includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an electrically conductive member at the distal end. The second arm includes a proximal end and a distal end. The first pivotable connection is between the joint member and the first arm, and defines a first axis, about which the first arm rotates relative to the joint member. The second pivotable connection is between the joint member and the second arm, and defines a second axis, about which the second arm rotates relative to the joint member. The first and second axes are displaced from each other in a direction that is perpendicular to the first axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Luba Lipkin, Andrew John Salo, III, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Publication number: 20170093056
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew J. Salo, III, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 9496720
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. McShane, Todd J. Stukenberg, Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook
  • Publication number: 20160253852
    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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Patent number: 9425487
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 9419311
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Publication number: 20160216335
    Abstract: An alternator tester is configured to test an alternator of a vehicle, the alternator of the type which electrically couples to the vehicle through an alternator connector. The alternator tester includes alternator test circuitry and an alternator test connector or adapter configured to electrically connect the test circuitry to the alternator connector. A vehicle connector is configured to electrically connect the test circuitry to the vehicle through the alternator connector. The test circuitry is configured to interact with the alternator through the alternator test connector and thereby test operation of the alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Publication number: 20160171799
    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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Publication number: 20160154044
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 9335362
    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: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Patent number: 9274157
    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: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 9255955
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 9244100
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Coleman, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Publication number: 20160011271
    Abstract: A maintenance system for use with an electrical system of an automotive vehicle includes an electronic battery tester configured to test a battery of the automotive vehicle. The electronic battery tester includes tracking circuitry carried therein. A base station is configured to receive the electronic battery tester and includes a microprocessor configured to detect positioning of the electronic battery tester in the base station using the battery tester tracking circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Publication number: 20150200470
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 9052366
    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: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 9018958
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 8963550
    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: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, John S. Philbrook