Systems and methods for monitoring and storing performance and maintenace data related to an electrical component

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for testing and storage of information related to a component. A data collection device having a memory is fixedly connected to the component. A test device communicates with the data collection device to store test data concerning the component in the data collection device. The test device also performs analysis of the test data and provides information concerning the health and maintenance history of the component. The present invention also provides systems and methods for determining the current drawn or supplied by electrical components connected in parallel in an electrical system. A current sensor located between the electrical components determines the current supply or draw of one of the electrical components, while a current sensor between the electrical components and the remainder of the electrical system determine a cumulative current draw or supply by both the electrical components.

That which is claimed:  
     
         1 . A system for testing and data storage of information related to at least one component of an electrical system, said system comprising: 
 a data collection device fixedly connected to the electrical component, wherein said data collection device includes a memory; and    a test device capable of performing at least a test operation on the electric component, wherein said test device stores information concerning the test operation in the memory of said data collection device, such that information concerning the test operation are resident with the electrical component.    
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrical component is a battery.  
     
     
         3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrical component is an alternator.  
     
     
         4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said test device is a tester.  
     
     
         5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said test device is a charger.  
     
     
         6 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein both said data collection device and test device further include a transceiver for communicating information between said collection and test devices.  
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein said transceivers are RF transceivers.  
     
     
         8 . A system according to  claim 6 , wherein said transceivers are IR transceivers.  
     
     
         9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrical component is a battery and wherein said test device tests a parameter of the electrical component selected from the group consisting of cold cranking amps, reserve charge level, and state of charge.  
     
     
         10 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrical component is an alternator and wherein said test device tests a parameter of the electrical component selected from the group consisting of output voltage versus current, waveform shape of the voltage output, and temperature of the alternator.  
     
     
         11 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said data collection device is an RF-chip.  
     
     
         12 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said data collection device is encased in a housing for protecting said data collection device.  
     
     
         13 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said data collection device is encased in a housing having an adhesive surface connecting said data collection device to the electrical component.  
     
     
         14 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein said housing is positioned on a surface of the electrical component and a lamination is applied over the housing and at least a portion of the surface of the electrical component to thereby secure said housing to said electrical component.  
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 12 , wherein said housing is cylindrical in shape defined by a body extending between circular ends.  
     
     
         16 . A system for testing and data storage of information related to at least one component of an electrical system, wherein said system comprises: 
 a memory device for storing information related to tests performed on said electrical component;    a transceiver in electrical communication with said memory device, wherein said transceiver transmits data stored in said memory device to a test device used to test the said electrical component and for receiving data from the test device for storage in said memory device; and    a housing surrounding said memory device and said transceiver, wherein said housing is fixedly connected to the component, such that information stored in said memory device concerning the component is resident on the component.    
     
     
         17 . A system according to  claim 16 , wherein said housing is cylindrical in shape defined by a body extending between circular ends.  
     
     
         18 . A data collection device for collecting and retaining data related to a component, said device comprising: 
 a memory device for storing information related to tests performed on the component;    a transceiver in electrical communication with said memory device, wherein said transceiver transmits data stored in said memory device to a test device used to test the said component and for receiving data from the test device for storage in said memory device; and    a housing surrounding said memory device and said transceiver, wherein said housing is fixedly connected to the component, such that information stored in said memory device concerning the component is resident on the component.    
     
     
         19 . A system for monitoring electrical components of an electrical system having at least first and second electrical components connected in parallel by a first conductor that connects terminals of the first and second electrical components together and a second conductor connecting a terminal of the first electrical component to a remainder of the electrical system, said system comprising: 
 a first current sensing device connected between the first electrical component and the remainder of the electrical system; and    a second current sensing device connected between the first and second electrical components;    wherein when current flows from the remainder of the electrical system to the first and second electrical components, current sensed by said second current sensing device is equal to the current drawn by the second electrical component and current sensed by said first current sensing device equals the current drawn by both the first and second electrical components, and    wherein when current flows from first and second electrical components to the remainder of the electrical system, current sensed by said second current sensing device is equal to the current supplied by the second electrical component and current sensed by said first current sensing device equals the current supplied by both the first and second electrical components.    
     
     
         20 . A system according to  claim 19  further comprising a processor connected to said first and second current sensors, wherein said processor determines the current drawn and supplied by the first electrical component by subtracting the current sensed by said second current sensor from the current sensed by said first current sensor.  
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein the first and second electrical components are batteries, an said first and second current sensing device detect current drawn and supplied by the batteries.  
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein said first and second current sensing elements are Hall effect sensors.  
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 19 , wherein said first and second current sensing elements are magneto resistive sensors.  
     
     
         24 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein said second current sensing elements comprises: 
 sensing conductors connected to opposed ends of the first conductor connected between the first and second electrical components; and    a voltage meter connected to said sensing conductors for determining a voltage drop across the first conductor,    wherein said processor determines the current in said first conductor based on a known resistance of the conductor and the determined voltage drop across the first conductor.