Charging Control in an Electric Vehicle
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A battery bank for a vehicle, comprising:
- at least three battery cells, each said battery cell having a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal;
a battery terminal reconfiguration device, including a first connection part that connects said terminals of said battery cells into a series connection in a first mode which provides an additive connection of voltages of said battery cells, and connects said cells of said battery into a parallel connection in a second mode which provides a connection of said voltages of said battery cells that is substantially the same as at least one of said battery cells; and
a control for said reconfiguration device.
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Abstract
A charging system for a vehicle rearranges the bank of battery cells between a series connection for delivering voltage to a load, e.g. a motor; and a parallel connection for being charged. The battery bank can thus be charged by a 12 volt battery charger. The charger can be a plug in charger, or can be a solar cell. For example, the solar cell can be moved to cover a windshield or other surface of the vehicle whenever the vehicle is shut down.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A battery bank for a vehicle, comprising:
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at least three battery cells, each said battery cell having a positive battery terminal and a negative battery terminal; a battery terminal reconfiguration device, including a first connection part that connects said terminals of said battery cells into a series connection in a first mode which provides an additive connection of voltages of said battery cells, and connects said cells of said battery into a parallel connection in a second mode which provides a connection of said voltages of said battery cells that is substantially the same as at least one of said battery cells; and a control for said reconfiguration device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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in an automobile, operating in a first mode where a plurality of batteries, including a battery bank with at least three batteries, are connected in series, and the series connected batteries produces a voltage substantially equivalent to an arithmetical sum of the battery voltages, and said arithmetical sum of battery voltages is connected to power an electrically-drivable part on the vehicle; during a second, charging mode, reconfiguring the batteries into a parallel connection, where all of said plurality of batteries are connected in parallel, and charging the batteries using a charger that has an output voltage that is substantially equal to an output voltage of any of said batteries, to charge said parallel connection of said batteries. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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first arranging an array of battery cells in an electric driven automobile, to a first electrical connection between the cells during operating of the vehicle, in which power is drawn from said cells; and second arranging said battery cells in a second different electrical connection between the cells during charging mode of the vehicle in which power is not being drawn from said cells. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A system, comprising:
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an automobile housing; a connection to a plurality of batteries housed within the automobile housing; and a charging system for said batteries, wherein said charging system includes at least one solar cell; and
a moving part for said solar cell, which moves the solar cell into a different position depending on a condition of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An electrically operated vehicle comprising:
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at least one movable solar cell; and an actuator, which moves said solar cell between a first stowed position where it is not in use, and a second position where said solar cell covers at least one window of the vehicle when in use.
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Specification