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).

  • Query based electronic battery tester
    Patent number: 7363175
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery provides a test output indicative of a condition of the battery. Electronic measurement circuitry provides a measurement output related to a condition of the battery. The battery condition is determined based upon one or more responses to one or more queries provided to an operator. The responses are used to determine battery type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Wilhelmus H. J. Koster
  • Shunt connection to a PCB of an energy management system employed in an automotive vehicle
    Patent number: 7319304
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Balaguru K. Veloo, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Electronic battery tester with relative test output
    Patent number: 7295936
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, J. David Vonderhaar
  • Alternator tester
    Patent number: 7246015
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Alan Keith Melton
  • Kelvin connector for a battery post
    Patent number: 7198510
    Abstract: A Kelvin connector for coupling to a post of a battery includes a first contact having a surface which at least partially conforms to and is adapted to engage and electrically connect to a surface of the post. The connector also includes a second contact having a surface which at least partially conforms to and is adapted to engage and electrically connect to the surface of the post. An electrical insulator between the first contact and the second contact urges the surface of the first contact and the surface of the second contact against the surface of the post and thereby forms a Kelvin connection to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Method and apparatus for measuring a parameter of a vehicle electrical system
    Patent number: 7154276
    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: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Automotive vehicle electrical system diagnostic device
    Patent number: 7126341
    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: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, William G. Sampson
  • Theft prevention device for automotive vehicle service centers
    Patent number: 7119686
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing theft in automotive vehicle service centers. A transmitter transmits a wireless security signal which defines a perimeter. At least one portable tool for use in automotive vehicle service centers includes a receiver configured to receive a transmitted security signal. Security circuitry is actuated if the tool is outside the perimeter defined by the security signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, J. David Vonderhaar
  • Broad-band low-inductance cables for making Kelvin connections to electrochemical cells and batteries
    Patent number: 7106070
    Abstract: A broad-band technique for reducing the distributed inductance of a four-conductor Kelvin cable is disclosed. A special inductance-canceling cable section is connected in tandem with the cable section contacting the cell/battery. Connections between the two cable sections are transposed such that conductors in each conductor pair of the canceling section connect to current-carrying and voltage-sensing conductors from different conductor pairs in the contacting section. The canceling section thereby exhibits a distributed negative mutual inductance between its current-carrying and voltage-sensing conductors that can effectively cancel the distributed positive mutual inductance introduced by the contacting section. In one embodiment, conductor pairs comprise pairs of insulated wires which may be twisted together. In other disclosed embodiments, conductor pairs comprise shielded coaxial cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Keith S. Champlin
  • Battery test module
    Patent number: 7058525
    Abstract: A storage battery includes a battery housing and a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery housing electrically connected in series to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative terminal of the battery. A first connection is coupled to the positive terminal of the battery and a second connection is coupled to the negative terminal of the battery. A battery test module is mounted to the battery housing and electrically coupled to the positive and negative terminals through the respective first and second Kelvin connection. A display or other output is configured to output battery condition information from the battery test module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Michael Cox, Jamey L. Butteris, Michael J. Fritsch
  • Battery test module
    Patent number: 7039533
    Abstract: A storage battery includes a battery housing and a plurality of electrochemical cells in the battery housing electrically connected to terminals of the battery. A battery test module is mounted to the battery housing and electrically coupled to the terminals through Kelvin connections. A display or other output is configured to output battery condition information from the battery test module. Battery post extensions couple the battery test module to terminals of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Jamey L. Butteris, Michael J. Fritsch
  • Query based electronic battery tester
    Patent number: 7034541
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery provides a test output indicative of a condition of the battery. Electronic measurement circuitry provides a measurement output related to a condition of the battery. The battery condition is determined based upon one or more responses to one or more queries provided to an operator. The responses are used to determine battery type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Wilhelmus H. J. Koster
  • Battery tester upgrade using software key
    Patent number: 7012433
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester, comprising first and second connectors configured to electrically couple to terminals of the battery, a microprocessor configured to test the battery using the first and second connectors, a memory containing a set of locked instructions for the microprocessor, an input configured to receive a software unlocking key, and the microprocessor configured to execute the set of locked instructions in response to the software unlocking key corresponding a predetermined software unlocking key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Clark E. Smith, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Electronic battery tester with network communication
    Patent number: 7003411
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Electronic battery tester with relative test output
    Patent number: 7003410
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, J. David Vonderhaar
  • Electronic battery tester with data bus for removable module
    Patent number: 6998847
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Electronic battery tester with automotive scan tool communication
    Patent number: 6967484
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester includes battery test circuitry configured to couple to a battery. A databus is configured to exchange data with external circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Query based electronic battery tester
    Patent number: 6941234
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery provides a test output indicative of a condition of the battery. Electronic measurement circuitry provides a measurement output related to a condition of the battery. The battery condition is determined based upon one or more responses to one or more queries provided to an operator. The responses are used to determine battery type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Wilhelmus H. J. Koster
  • Electronic battery tester cable
    Patent number: 6933727
    Abstract: A cable for use with an electronic battery tester includes first and second electrical connections configured to couple to terminals of a battery. A memory is configured to store digital data. Electrical terminals are configured to couple the cable to the electronic battery tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Krzysztof Jeziorczak
  • Electronic battery tester with battery failure temperature determination
    Patent number: 6930485
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a storage battery is provided that generates a temperature at which the battery will fail to meet performance criteria. The use of a temperature-based system to rate battery performance provides a clearer understanding to those not skilled in the art of battery testing. The critical failure temperature is obtained using the battery parameters of open circuit voltage, temperature and a dynamic parameter such as conductance or resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, J. David Vonderhaar, Dennis V. Brown, James K. Klang, Albert G. Kimbrough