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Method and apparatus for testing and charging a power sourceMethod and apparatus for testing and charging a power source description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060208696, Method and apparatus for testing and charging a power source. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. patent application entitled, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING AND CHARGING A POWER SOURCE, filed Mar. 26,2002, having a Ser. No. 10/105,420, still pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of battery testers and chargers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and method for rapidly and efficiently testing and charging batteries. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Rechargeable batteries are an important source of clean portable power in a wide variety of electrical applications, including automobiles, boats and electric vehicles. Lead-acid batteries are one form of rechargeable battery that are commonly used to start engines, propel electric vehicles, and to act as non-interruptible sources of back-up power when an external supply of electricity is interrupted. While not particularly energy efficient, because of the weight of lead in comparison to other metals, the technology of lead-acid batteries is mature and, as a result, they are cheap, reliable, and readily produced and thus, continue to constitute a substantial portion of the rechargeable batteries being produced today. [0004] The ability of lead-acid batteries to deliver large amounts of electrical power is well known, particularly when associated with the starting and powering of motor vehicles. Likewise, the need to test and recharge these batteries and the problems associated therewith are also well known. A number of battery testers and chargers have thus been developed. [0005] Most conventional battery chargers are equipped to provide multiple charging rates for charging different size batteries. The multiple charging rates are achieved by varying the charging voltage at the battery terminals, generally by changing the transformer primary/secondary winding ratio. An operator manually selects the rate at which the battery should be charged and also the duration of the charge cycle if the charger is equipped with a timer function. Most conventional chargers do not, however, have an option for selecting the type of battery to be charged (e.g., Gell Cell, Deep Cycle, Flooded Lead Acid, Spiral Wound, etc.) As a result, chargers are typically configured to work for many types of batteries but is not optimal for all or any of these types. [0006] Many faults found in lead-acid batteries and other types of batteries are the result of poor recharging control in conventional chargers. For example, an operator may undercharge or overcharge the battery at a very high rate resulting in the deterioration of the battery. Overcharging a battery wastes energy, reduces the life of the battery, and may permanently damage the battery. In addition, overcharging can accelerate deterioration of the battery condition. [0007] Another drawback of conventional chargers is that they do not provide a mechanism for testing the condition including, for instance, the state of charge of the battery prior to charging. Without testing, operators do not know the current state of charge in a battery, how long and at what rate a particular battery should be charged, whether it is safe to charge the battery, and whether the battery is capable of accepting a charge. [0008] A need still exists therefore for a battery charger that provides optimal charging for different types of batteries, provides improved recharging control, and can test the battery to be charged to determine the condition of the battery before charging. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The foregoing need has been met by the present invention, wherein in one aspect of the invention, a method is provided to analyze and charge a power source or battery. The method includes entering information corresponding to a battery to be charged into a battery charger. A first heavy load test is then performed on the battery to determine whether the battery can be charged and, if so, how it should be charged. Next a set charge time is then determined for the battery being charged. The battery is then charged for the set charge time and a micro-load test is performed on the battery to determine that the presence of surface charge does not influence the results of the heavy load tests. The battery charging is then completed. Furthermore, a second heavy load test or a Sabre Battery test can be performed before the micro-load test. [0010] In another aspect of the invention, a battery charger is provided which includes means for entering information corresponding to a battery to be charged into the battery charger. A means for performing a first heavy load test on the battery is also provided to determine whether the battery can be charged and how it should be charged. Also included is a means for determining a set charge time for the battery and a means for charging the battery for the set charge time. Means are also provided for performing a micro-load test on the battery to determine whether the battery can deliver the required power and to make sure that the presence of surface charge does not influence the results of the heavy load tests. Means are also provided for completing charging of the battery. Furthermore, means for performing a second heavy load test or a Sabre Battery test can be performed before the micro-load test. [0011] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. [0012] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. [0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a portion of the method for testing and charging batteries in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the process for testing and charging partially charged batteries in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the process for testing and charging discharged batteries in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram of the process for applying a load to an open circuit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018] Referring now to the figures, in FIG. 1 there is shown a flowchart of a portion of the method of a preferred embodiment of the present invention for testing and charging batteries. The method, as depicted in FIG. 1, begins by powering up the battery tester/charger 10. The user is then prompted to input data corresponding to a battery to be tested 12. The data corresponding to the battery can include such information as the battery type, the date code for the battery that is assigned when the battery is produced, and/or the size of the battery (measured in cold cranking amps, amp-hours or other selected units). 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