Overhead charging systems for electric vehicles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A charging station for an electric vehicle, comprising:
- a charging mount configured to be positioned above a roof of the vehicle;
an positioning bar attached to the charging mount;
a pair of rigid arms rotatably coupled to opposite ends of the positioning bar, wherein each arm of the pair of rigid arms includes a first end coupled to the positioning bar at a pivot and a second end extending downward and away from the positioning bar;
a pair of collector braces to charge the vehicle, wherein each collector brace of the pair of collector braces (a) includes an electrically conductive surface for contact with a different electrode of a pair of electrodes on the roof of the vehicle, and (b) is mechanically connected to the second end of a different rigid arm of the pair of rigid arms.
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Abstract
This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A charging station for an electric vehicle, comprising:
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a charging mount configured to be positioned above a roof of the vehicle; an positioning bar attached to the charging mount; a pair of rigid arms rotatably coupled to opposite ends of the positioning bar, wherein each arm of the pair of rigid arms includes a first end coupled to the positioning bar at a pivot and a second end extending downward and away from the positioning bar; a pair of collector braces to charge the vehicle, wherein each collector brace of the pair of collector braces (a) includes an electrically conductive surface for contact with a different electrode of a pair of electrodes on the roof of the vehicle, and (b) is mechanically connected to the second end of a different rigid arm of the pair of rigid arms. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A charging station for an electric vehicle, comprising:
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a charging mount configured to be positioned above a roof of the vehicle during charging; an elongate positioning bar attached to the charging mount and extending a plane parallel to the roof; a pair of rigid arms, wherein each rigid arm of the pair of rigid arms includes a first end coupled to a different end of the positioning bar at a pivot and a second end extending downward and away from the positioning bar; a pair of collector braces, wherein each collector brace of the pair of collector braces (a) includes an electrically conductive surface for contact with a different electrode of a pair of electrodes on the roof of the vehicle, and (b) is mechanically connected to the second end of a different rigid arm of the pair of rigid arms; and a positioning device configured to move the pair of collector braces towards and away from the roof of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification