Importance

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Abstract

Three embodiments of an improved electronic device for testing or monitoring storage batteries that may be only partially charged are disclosed. The device determines the battery's small-signal dynamic conductance in order to provide either a proportional numerical readout, displayed in appropriate battery measuring units, or a corresponding qualitative assessment of the battery's relative condition based upon its dynamic conductance and electrical rating. Without additional user intervention, the device also determines the battery's terminal voltage in an essentially unloaded condition and utilizes this information to automatically correct the measured dynamic conductance. By virtue of this automatic correction, the quantitative or qualitative information displayed to the user conforms with that of a fully-charged battery even though the battery may, in actual fact, be only partially charged. If the battery's state-of-charge is too low for an accurate assessment to be made, no information is displayed. Instead, an indication is made to the user that the battery must be recharged before testing.

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First Claim