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).

  • Apparatus and method for protecting a battery from overdischarge
    Patent number: 6888468
    Abstract: A battery discharge indicator for protecting a storage battery is provided. The battery discharge indicator includes a positive connector that can couple to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative connector that can couple to a negative terminal of the battery. Also included, is a voltage sensor that couples to the battery via the positive connector and the negative connector and senses a battery terminal voltage. A microprocessor, coupled to the voltage sensor, provides a first alarm signal if a magnitude of the battery terminal voltage is below a first threshold for a first interval of time and if the magnitude of the battery terminal voltage is below a second threshold for a second interval of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Method and apparatus for auditing a battery test
    Patent number: 6885195
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for auditing condition of a storage battery performs a battery test on the storage battery to obtain a test result. Subjective information pertaining to the battery is obtained. An audit code is generated based on the battery test result and the subjective information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Electronic battery tester with network communication
    Patent number: 6871151
    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: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • In-vehicle battery monitor
    Patent number: 6850037
    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: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Electronic battery tester
    Publication number: 20040263176
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: J. David Vonderhaar, Kevin I. Bertness
  • Apparatus and method for counteracting self discharge in a storage battery
    Publication number: 20040251876
    Abstract: A system for counteracting self-discharge in a storage battery is provided. The system includes a charge supply battery that provides a supply voltage. The system also includes a DC-DC converter circuit that has an input that electrically couples to the charge supply battery and an output that electrically couples to terminals of the storage battery. The DC-DC converter circuit provides a charging voltage at the output that has a magnitude greater than a magnitude of the supply voltage. The storage battery is a carbon battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Automotive battery charging system tester
    Publication number: 20040232918
    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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Michael E. Troy
  • Electronic battery tester
    Patent number: 6806716
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester includes a calibration interface. A microprocessor is configured to calibrate the battery tester by coupling to a calibrator through the calibration interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Jamey Butteris
  • Charge control system for a vehicle battery
    Patent number: 6805090
    Abstract: A system for controlling charging of a battery of a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. The system includes an input that receives an engine shutdown signal indicative that the engine will be shut down during an idle period to thereby conserve fuel. An engine shutdown delay delays shutdown of the engine for a shutdown delay period in response to the engine shutdown signal. Charge boost circuitry increases a charge signal applied to the battery of the vehicle during the engine shutdown delay period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, James K. Klang, Michael Cox
  • Electronic battery tester with battery failure temperature determination
    Patent number: 6801040
    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: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, J. David Vonderhaar, Dennis V. Brown, James K. Klang
  • Electronic battery tester
    Publication number: 20040189308
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester connectable to a battery through any one of multiple cables. The tester includes an input that can couple to any one of the multiple cables. Also included is a memory that contains multiple calibration values, each calibration value corresponds to a different one of the multiple cables. Test circuitry, which is coupled to the input and to the memory, detects which one of the multiple cables is coupled to the input, and tests the battery as a function of one of the multiple calibration values that corresponds to the detected one of the multiple cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Clark E. Smith, Roger S. Knopf
  • Electronic battery tester cable
    Publication number: 20040189309
    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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Krzysztof Jeziorczak
  • ELECTRONIC BATTERY TESTER
    Publication number: 20040183540
    Abstract: An electronic battery tester includes a calibration interface. A microprocessor is configured to calibrate the battery tester by coupling to a calibrator through the calibration interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Jamey Butteris
  • Battery test module
    Patent number: 6795782
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Jamey L. Butteris, Michael J. Fritsch
  • Battery charger with booster pack
    Patent number: 6788025
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying energy to a vehicle battery is provided. The apparatus includes a positive connector that couples to a positive terminal of the vehicle battery and a negative connector that couples to a negative terminal of the vehicle battery. A battery charger applies a charge signal to the vehicle battery through the positive and negative connectors to thereby charge the vehicle battery. A jump-start booster pack, coupled to the battery charger, can optionally provide starting energy to the vehicle battery through the positive and negative connectors. The booster pack can be charged by the charge signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, J. David Vonderhaar
  • Query based electronic battery tester
    Publication number: 20040145371
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane, Wilhelmus H. J. Koster
  • Apparatus and method for protecting a battery from overdischarge
    Publication number: 20040140904
    Abstract: A battery discharge indicator for protecting a storage battery is provided. The battery discharge indicator includes a positive connector that can couple to a positive terminal of the battery and a negative connector that can couple to a negative terminal of the battery. Also included, is a voltage sensor that couples to the battery via the positive connector and the negative connector and senses a battery terminal voltage. A microprocessor, coupled to the voltage sensor, provides a first alarm signal if a magnitude of the battery terminal voltage is below a first threshold for a first interval of time and if the magnitude of the battery terminal voltage is below a second threshold for a second interval of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Battery tester configured to receive a removable digital module
    Patent number: 6759849
    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: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane
  • Alternator tester with encoded output
    Publication number: 20040104728
    Abstract: An alternator tester includes an alternator output measurement circuit configured to measure an electrical output of an alternator. A microprocessor determines a alternator condition as a function of the electrical output. The microprocessor encrypts information and provides an encrypted output which is related to the alternator electrical output. A method includes outputting such encrypted data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin I. Bertness, Michael E. Troy
  • Battery tester upgrade using software key
    Publication number: 20040051532
    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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Clark E. Smith, Kevin I. Bertness, Stephen J. McShane