POWER LINE INTERLOCK FOR ELECTRIC CAR

• US 20110048826A1
• Filed: 08/28/2009
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gary Starr
• Original Assignee: Gary Starr
• Inventors: Starr, Gary
• Application Number:
  US12/550,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20110048826A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.51
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/44 Wheel Hub motors, i.e. integrated in the wheel hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/36 of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/00 Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposes; Monitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption methods or circuit arrangements for monitoring or controlling batteries or fuel cells B60L58/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/24 for controlling the temperature of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

Systems and method are disclosed for operating an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle has a power plug adapted to be plugged into a power line; a plurality of hub wheel motors, each hub wheel motor rotating a wheel; a controller coupled to the plurality of hub wheel motors; a charger coupled to the power plug; and a battery coupled to the charger. The vehicle includes a power interlock coupled to the power plug, the controller and the charger, where the power interlock disables the controller if the power plug is plugged into line power and other wise enables the controller to operate at least the motors.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, comprising:

a. a power plug adapted to be plugged into a power line;

b. a plurality of hub wheel motors mounted to the frame, each hub wheel motor rotating a wheel;

c. a controller coupled to the plurality of hub wheel motors;

d. a charger coupled to the power plug;

e. a battery coupled to the charger; and

f. a power interlock coupled to the power plug, the controller and the charger, the power interlock disabling the controller if the power plug is plugged into line power and other wise enabling the controller to operate at least the motors.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the battery comprises a high voltage primary battery.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the battery voltage is 72 volts or more.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, comprising a low voltage secondary battery coupled to the charger.

5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the low voltage secondary battery voltage is 12 volts or less.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the charger comprises a battery temperature sensor to adjust charging rate.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the power interlock comprises a relay.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the relay disconnects a controller circuit if the power plug is plugged into the power line.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the relay enables a controller circuit if the power plug is not plugged into the power line.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the power interlock comprises a switch or a transistor.

11. A method for operating an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle including a power plug adapted to be plugged into a power line;

a plurality of hub wheel motors, each hub wheel motor rotating a wheel;

a controller coupled to the plurality of hub wheel motors;

a charger coupled to the power plug; and

a battery coupled to the charger, the method comprising;

a. providing a power interlock coupled to the power plug, the controller and the charger;

b. disabling the controller if the power plug is plugged into line power and other wise enabling the controller to operate at least the motors.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the battery comprises a high voltage primary battery.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the battery voltage is 72 volts or more.

14. The method of claim 11, comprising a low voltage secondary battery coupled to the charger.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the low voltage secondary battery voltage is 12 volts or less.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the charger comprises a battery temperature sensor to adjust charging rate.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the power interlock comprises a relay.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the relay disconnects a controller circuit if the power plug is plugged into the power line.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the relay enables a controller circuit if the power plug is not plugged into the power line.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the power interlock comprises a switch or a transistor.