METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CHARGING ELECTRIC VEHICLES USING SOLAR POWER

• US 20100141201A1
• Filed: 04/17/2009
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Wickstead, Kristoffer W., Littrell, Nathan Bowman
• Granted Patent: US 8,120,310 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/28 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/40 Mobile PV generator systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/32 comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor

Abstract

A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle that includes a charging controller and a battery. The method includes coupling a trailer to the electric vehicle, and electrically coupling a portable solar charging assembly to the charging controller, wherein the solar charging assembly is mounted to the trailer and includes at least one solar panel. The method also includes converting solar energy into electrical energy using the at least one solar panel, and transmitting the electrical energy to the charging controller.

Claims

1. A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle that includes a charging controller and a battery, said method comprising:

coupling a trailer to the electric vehicle;

electrically coupling a portable solar charging assembly to the charging controller, wherein the solar charging assembly is mounted to the trailer, and wherein the solar charging assembly includes at least one solar panel;

converting solar energy into electrical energy using the at least one solar panel; and

transmitting the electrical energy to the charging controller.

2. A method for delivering energy in accordance with claim 1, wherein converting solar energy into electrical energy comprises:

converting electrical energy into a form that is suitable for charging the electric vehicle battery using a converter that is coupled to the at least one solar panel; and

storing the electrical energy using a backup battery mounted to the trailer.

3. A method for delivering energy in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an angle of incidence of light with respect to the at least one solar panel; and

moving the at least one solar panel as necessary using an actuator to facilitate creating a normal angle of incidence for solar energy gathered by the at least one solar panel.

4. A method for delivering energy in accordance with claim 1, further comprising regulating a rate of energy delivery by the converter to the charging controller.

5. A portable charging system for use with an electric vehicle that includes a charging controller and an electric vehicle battery coupled to the charging controller, said charging system comprising:

a trailer configured to couple to the electric vehicle; and

a solar charging assembly mounted on said trailer, said solar charging assembly electrically coupled to the charging controller to provide electrical energy for use in charging the electric vehicle battery, said solar charging assembly comprising;

at least one solar panel configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy; and

a converter coupled to said at least one solar panel, said converter configured to receive electrical energy from said at least one solar panel, convert the electrical energy into a form that is suitable for charging the electric vehicle battery, and deliver the electrical energy to the charging controller.

6. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said at least one solar panel is moveable to facilitate receiving solar energy at a substantially normal angle of incidence with respect to said at least one solar panel.

7. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a power conditioner coupled to said converter, said power conditioner comprises at least one electrical outlet for powering electrical equipment, said power conditioner is configured to receive the electrical energy from said converter and to condition the electrical energy for use by the electrical equipment.

8. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a regulator configured to regulate a rate of energy delivery by said converter to the charging controller.

9. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a backup battery electrically coupled to said converter, said backup battery is configured to receive and to store electrical energy from said converter.

10. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a connector configured to electrically couple said solar charging assembly to the charging controller.

11. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 10, wherein said connector is further configured to couple said solar charging assembly to a residential power receptacle to facilitate providing electrical energy to a residence.

12. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 5, further comprising a storage compartment positioned on said trailer with respect to said solar charging assembly.

13. A portable electric vehicle charging system comprising:

a charging controller;

a trailer configured to couple to the electric vehicle;

a solar charging assembly mounted on said trailer, said solar charging assembly electrically coupled to said charging controller, said solar charging assembly comprising;

at least one solar panel configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy; and

a converter coupled to said at least one solar panel, said converter configured to receive electrical energy from said at least one solar panel, convert the electrical energy into a form that is suitable for charging an electric vehicle battery, and to deliver electrical energy to said charging controller for use in charging the electric vehicle battery.

14. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises:

a sensor configured to detect an angle of incidence of light with respect to said at least one solar panel;

an actuator configured to position said at least one solar panel; and

a controller coupled to said sensor and to said actuator, said controller configured to control said actuator to move said at least one solar panel based on a reading of said sensor.

15. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a power conditioner electrically coupled to said converter, said power conditioner comprises at least one electrical outlet for powering electrical equipment, said power conditioner configured to receive electrical energy from said converter, and to condition the electrical energy for use by the electrical equipment.

16. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a regulator configured to regulate a rate of energy delivery by said converter to said charging controller.

17. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a backup battery electrically coupled to said converter, said backup battery configured to receive and to store electrical energy from said converter.

18. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a connector configured to electrically couple said solar charging assembly to said charging controller.

19. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 18, wherein said connector is further configured to coupled said solar charging assembly to a residential power receptacle to facilitate providing electrical energy to a residence.

20. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising a storage compartment positioned on said trailer with respect to said solar charging assembly.