THERMAL WALL PLUG SENSING AND CONTROL
First Claim
1. A plug assembly operable for connecting a vehicle cordset used to facilitate powering a vehicle charging system to a wall outlet, the plug assembly comprising:
- a positive connector configured to facilitate carrying current from the wall outlet to the vehicle charging system;
a neutral connector configured to facilitate returning current from the vehicle charging system to the wall outlet;
a ground connector configured to facilitate connecting the vehicle charging system to earth ground; and
a temperature sensor operable to detect a temperature at the wall outlet.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method operable to facilitate thermal wall plug sensing and control may include an ability to control current drawn by a charging system or other load according to a temperature determined at an interface between the charging system and an energy source used to provided energy to the charging system. A temperature sensed with a temperature sensor included in a plug assembly or other housing or cord used to connect the charging system to the energy source may be used to implement the temperature regulated current control.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A plug assembly operable for connecting a vehicle cordset used to facilitate powering a vehicle charging system to a wall outlet, the plug assembly comprising:
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a positive connector configured to facilitate carrying current from the wall outlet to the vehicle charging system; a neutral connector configured to facilitate returning current from the vehicle charging system to the wall outlet; a ground connector configured to facilitate connecting the vehicle charging system to earth ground; and a temperature sensor operable to detect a temperature at the wall outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of facilitate control of a vehicle charging system based on a temperature at an connection exterior to the vehicle used to deliver current to the vehicle charging system, the method comprising:
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determining an first temperature at the connection prior to providing current to the vehicle charging system; determining a first amount of current required of the vehicle charging system to support a charging operation; determining a second temperature at the connection while the first amount of current is being delivered through the connection to the vehicle charging system; and determining whether to allow continued delivery of current through the connection to the vehicle charging system at the first amount in the event a temperature delta between the first and second temperatures is less than a predefined value. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A charging system comprising:
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a controller operable to control a charging system used to electrically charge an storage element; a temperature sensor operable to determine a temperature proximate an interface between the charging system and an energy source, the charging system using energy sourced from the energy source to charge the storage element; and wherein the controller adjusts current drawn by the charging system through the interface based on the temperature. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification