ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM RECHARGING STATION FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
First Claim
1. An electric vehicle recharger, comprising:
- at least one electrical distribution system enclosure located external to electric vehicles;
an electric vehicle charging connector, having at least first and second power phases, for electrical connection with a charging outlet of an electric vehicle, the connector coupled to one of the at least one enclosures;
a circuit interrupter in one of the at least one enclosures, having line terminals for connection to respective at least first and second phases of an electrical distribution system;
a contactor relay in one of the at least one enclosures, having respective at least first and second phases coupled to the respective circuit interrupter and electric vehicle charging connector phases and separable contacts for each phase, for selective connection and disconnection of electric power from the electrical distribution system to the charging connector; and
a recharger controller coupled to the contactor relay, for causing selective separation and closing of the separable contacts, so that electrical power is transferred to the electric vehicle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electric vehicle recharging station that can be readily incorporated into existing building electrical distribution systems during retrofit or new construction. The system has at least one enclosure and a vehicle charging connector. A circuit interrupter has line terminals for connection to respective first and second phases of the distribution system. A contactor relay has first and second phases coupled to the respective circuit interrupter and electric vehicle charging connector phases and separable contacts for each phase, for selective connection of electric power to the charging connector. A recharger controller is coupled to the contactor, for causing selective separation and closing of the separable contacts, so that electrical power is transferred to the electric vehicle. The recharging station system may also incorporate electric rate metering functions as well as communication capability from the controller to a remote controller. A human machine interface may be coupled to the controller.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An electric vehicle recharger, comprising:
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at least one electrical distribution system enclosure located external to electric vehicles; an electric vehicle charging connector, having at least first and second power phases, for electrical connection with a charging outlet of an electric vehicle, the connector coupled to one of the at least one enclosures; a circuit interrupter in one of the at least one enclosures, having line terminals for connection to respective at least first and second phases of an electrical distribution system; a contactor relay in one of the at least one enclosures, having respective at least first and second phases coupled to the respective circuit interrupter and electric vehicle charging connector phases and separable contacts for each phase, for selective connection and disconnection of electric power from the electrical distribution system to the charging connector; and a recharger controller coupled to the contactor relay, for causing selective separation and closing of the separable contacts, so that electrical power is transferred to the electric vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electric vehicle recharger, comprising:
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an electrical distribution system enclosure located external to electric vehicles; an electric vehicle charging connector, having first and second power phases, for electrical connection with a charging outlet of an electric vehicle, the connector coupled to the enclosure; a circuit interrupter in the enclosure, having line lugs for connection to respective first and second phases of an electrical distribution system; a contactor relay in the enclosure, having respective first and second phases coupled to the respective circuit interrupter and electric vehicle charging connector phases and separable contacts for each phase, for selective connection and disconnection of electric power from the electrical distribution system to the charging connector; and a recharger controller coupled to the contactor, for causing selective separation and closing of the separable contacts, so that electrical power is transferred to the electric vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for charging an electrical vehicle having a charging outlet, comprising:
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providing an electric vehicle recharger, having; an electrical distribution system enclosure located external to electric vehicles; an electric vehicle charging connector, coupled to the enclosure, having at least first and second power phases; a circuit interrupter in the enclosure, having line lugs for connection to respective at least first and second phases of an electrical distribution system; a contactor relay in the enclosure, having respective at least first and second phases coupled to the respective circuit interrupter and electric vehicle charging connector phases and separable contacts for each phase; and a recharger controller coupled to the contactor relay, for causing selective separation and closing of the separable contacts; causing the recharger controller to separate the contactor separable contacts; connecting the charging connector to the vehicle charging outlet; and causing the recharger controller to close the contactor separable contacts, so that electrical power is transferred to the electric vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for charging an electrical vehicle having a charging outlet, comprising:
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providing an electric vehicle recharger, having; an electrical distribution system enclosure located external to electric vehicles; an electric vehicle charging connector, coupled to the enclosure, having at least first and second power phases; a contactor relay in the enclosure, having respective at least first and second phases coupled to the electric vehicle charging connector phases and separable contacts for each phase; and a recharger controller coupled to the contactor relay, for causing selective separation and closing of the separable contacts; causing the recharger controller to separate the contactor separable contacts; connecting the charging connector to the vehicle charging outlet; and causing the recharger controller to close the contactor separable contacts, so that electrical power is transferred to the electric vehicle.
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Specification