Battery charging system and method
First Claim
1. An electrical power distribution system for distributing power from a power source to a plurality of loads, comprising:
- a primary power port configured to receive power from the power source;
a plurality of secondary power ports configured to distribute power from the primary power port to the plurality of loads, each secondary power port being characterized by a power rating, wherein the sum of the secondary power port power ratings establishes an aggregate output power rating; and
a system controller circuit configured to regulate the power distributed by at least one secondary power port of the plurality of secondary power ports such that the power received from the power source does not exceed a designated power limit;
wherein the aggregate output power rating can exceed the designated power limit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A charging system for simultaneously charging the batteries of a plurality of battery powered vehicles. The charging includes one or more DC-DC power converters having one or more charging ports configured to plug into the batteries. The DC-DC power converters are each configured to selectively connect to more than one charging port to selectively provide for higher port power levels. The DC-DC power converters connect to an AC rectifier through a DC bus. The AC rectifier connects to an AC power source having a limited power rating. The AC charging system also has a controller that controls the operation of the DC-DC power converters such that the total power draw on the AC rectifier does not exceed the power rating. The system is further configured such that the DC-DC power converters can drain selected batteries to obtain power for charging other batteries, thus allowing for batteries to be cycled.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. An electrical power distribution system for distributing power from a power source to a plurality of loads, comprising:
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a primary power port configured to receive power from the power source;
a plurality of secondary power ports configured to distribute power from the primary power port to the plurality of loads, each secondary power port being characterized by a power rating, wherein the sum of the secondary power port power ratings establishes an aggregate output power rating; and
a system controller circuit configured to regulate the power distributed by at least one secondary power port of the plurality of secondary power ports such that the power received from the power source does not exceed a designated power limit;
wherein the aggregate output power rating can exceed the designated power limit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An rechargeable device system to be recharged with power from a power source, comprising:
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a plurality of loads;
a primary power port configured to receive power from the power source;
a plurality of secondary power ports configured to distribute power from the primary power port to the plurality of loads, each secondary power port being characterized by a power rating, wherein the sum of the secondary power port power ratings establishes an aggregate output power rating; and
a system controller circuit configured to regulate the power distributed by at least one secondary power port of the plurality of secondary power ports such that the power received from the power source does not exceed a designated power limit;
wherein the aggregate output power rating can exceed the designated power limit. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A charging system for charging a plurality of batteries using power from a utility at a power level not exceeding a maximum power level, comprising:
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a plurality of secondary power ports, each secondary power port being configured to electrically connect to at least one of the plurality of batteries;
a utility port configured to electrically connect to the utility, and to provide power from the utility to the plurality of secondary power ports;
a system controller configured to control the power distribution between the utility port and the plurality of secondary power ports, wherein the controller controls the power distribution such that the plurality of batteries are charged using power from the utility at a power level not exceeding the maximum power level; and
a first charging module, wherein the plurality of secondary power ports includes a first secondary power port and a second secondary power port that receive power from the utility port via the first charging module, the first charging module including a first power converter connecting to the first secondary power port, a second power converter connecting to the second secondary power port, a crossover switch switchably connecting the first power converter to the second secondary power port, and a module controller configured to control the operation of the crossover switch and establish the power distribution between the first and second secondary power ports. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A charging system for charging a plurality of batteries using power from a utility at a power level not exceeding a maximum power level, comprising:
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a plurality of secondary power ports, each secondary power port being configured to electrically connect to at least one of the plurality of batteries, wherein the plurality of secondary power ports include a first secondary power port, a second secondary power port, a third secondary power port and a fourth secondary power port;
a utility port configured to electrically connect to the utility, and to provide power from the utility to the plurality of secondary power ports;
a system controller configured to control the power distribution between the utility port and the plurality of secondary power ports, wherein the controller controls the power distribution such that the plurality of batteries are charged using power from the utility at a power level not exceeding the maximum power level;
a distribution bus;
an AC rectifier configured to receive AC power from the utility port and configured to provide DC power to the distribution bus; and
a first charging module and a second charging module, each charging module receiving power from the distribution bus, wherein each charging module includes a first DC-DC power converter, a second DC-DC power converter, a first crossover switch, and a module controller, the first power converter of the first charging module is connected to the first secondary power port, the second power converter of the first charging module is connected to the second secondary power port, the first crossover switch of the first charging module switchably connects the first power converter of the first charging module to the second secondary power port, the first power converter of the second charging module is connected to the third secondary power port, the second power converter of the second charging module is connected to the fourth secondary power port, and the first crossover switch of the second charging module switchably connects the first power converter of the second charging module to the fourth secondary power port.
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Specification