REAL-TIME SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING, LOCATING AND RECHARGING ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN TRANSIT

• US 20120271758A1
• Filed: 03/06/2012
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nation Med
• Original Assignee: Nation Med
• Inventors: JAMMER, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,566,868 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/39
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/006 to power outlets
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/36 Vehicles designed to transport cargo, e.g. trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/72 Charging station selection relying on external data
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/14 Conductive energy transfer
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/57 Charging stations without connection to power networks
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/67 Controlling two or more charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/003 for electricity
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/005 dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles electrical charging as such, B60L50/00
• 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 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

The present invention provides computer-controlled electric battery charging systems and methods for charging a battery of a roaming electric vehicle, the system comprising an electric vehicle comprising at least one battery, a master charger vehicle comprising a master battery module and a control system in communication with the at least one electric vehicle and the master charger vehicle to enable the master charger vehicles to reach the electric vehicle, wherein the master battery module is adapted to charge the at least one battery.

Claims

1. A computer-controlled electric battery charging system for charging a battery of a roaming electric vehicle, the system comprising:

a) an electric vehicle comprising at least one battery of 1.5 to 200 kWh and a charger connector electrically coupled to said at least one battery for enabling charging of said at least one battery, wherein movement of the electric vehicle is powered exclusively by said at least one battery;

b) a master charger vehicle, capable of independent movement, for traveling to the electric vehicle and for charging the at least one battery of the electric vehicle, the master charger vehicle comprising;

i. a master battery module;

ii. an electricity converter module adapted to convert output power from said master battery module to input power suitable for provision to said at least one battery;

iii. a connection and transfer module adapted to connect to said charger connector and to transfer said input power from said electricity converter module to said at least one battery, wherein said connection and transfer module further comprises a fast charging transfer device and wherein said charger connector of said electric car further comprises a fast charging socket, such that said connection and transfer module is adapted to transfer said input power from said electricity converter module to said at least one battery of said electric vehicle through fast charging; and

iv. independent locomotive means for independent motion of said master charger vehicle; and

c) a control system in communication with said at least one electric vehicle and said master charger vehicle to enable said master charger vehicle to reach said electric vehicle, wherein said master battery module is adapted to charge said at least one battery with said at least one battery disposed in said electric vehicle.

2. The computer-controlled electric battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein said electric vehicle is selected from the group consisting of an electric land vehicle, and electric water vehicle and an airborne electric vehicle.

3. The computer-controlled electric battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein said electric land vehicle is selected from the group consisting of an electric motorbike, an electric car, an electric truck, an electric emergency vehicle and an electric army vehicle.

4. The computer-controlled electric battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein said electric water vehicle is selected from the group consisting of an electric boat, an electric yacht, an electric ship, an electric emergency water vehicle and an electric army water vehicle.

5. The computer-controlled electric battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein said master battery module comprises a power rating of 7 to 3000 kWh.

6. The computer-controlled electric battery charging system according to claim 5, wherein said master charger vehicle further comprises at least one of the following:

iv. a control system for controlling the master charger vehicle;

v. a communication display for displaying communications from at least one of said electric vehicle and said control center;

vi. a positioning system; and

vii. a mobile communication device.

7. The computer-controlled electric battery charging system according to claim 1, wherein said control system is constructed and configured to send instructions to said master charger vehicle to go to a position selected from the group consisting of:

a. a current position of said electric vehicle;

b. a future projected position of said electric vehicle along a predetermined route;

c. a future projected position of said electric vehicle, wherein said at least one battery is anticipated to be at least partially depleted; and

d. a future projected position of said electric vehicle, wherein said at least one battery is anticipated to be fully depleted.

8. The charging system of claim 1, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is charged by said master charger vehicle within one hour.

9. The charging system of claim 8, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is charged by said master charger vehicle within 20 minutes.

10. The charging system of claim 9, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is charged by said master charger vehicle within 10 minutes.

11. The charging system of claim 10, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is charged by said master charger vehicle within 5 minutes.

12. The charging system of claim 1, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is discharged to said master charger vehicle within one hour.

13. The charging system of claim 12, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is discharged to said master charger vehicle within 20 minutes.

14. The charging system of claim 13, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is discharged to said master charger vehicle within 10 minutes.

15. The charging system of claim 14, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is discharged to said master charger vehicle within 5 minutes.

16. A computer-controlled electric battery charging system according to claim 1, further comprising a breakdown vehicle.

17. A computer-controlled electric battery charging system according to claim 16, wherein said breakdown vehicle comprises:

a. an on-board master battery module adapted to charge said at least one battery; and

b. an electric vehicle transportation module adapted to convey the electric vehicle onto said transportation module and to transport said electric vehicle to a destination.

18. A computer-controlled electric battery charging system according to claim 17, wherein said breakdown vehicle further comprises:

c. an electricity converter module adapted to convert output power from said master battery module to input power suitable for provision to said at least one battery; and

d. a connection and transfer module adapted to transfer said input power from said electricity converter module to said at least one battery.

19. A computer-controlled electric battery charging system according to claim 18, wherein said breakdown vehicle further comprises at least one of the following:

e. a control system for controlling the master charger vehicle;

f. a communication display for displaying communications from at least one of said electric vehicle and said control center;

g. a positioning system; and

h. a mobile communication device.

20. A method for charging a battery of a roaming electric vehicle, comprising:

a. Providing a system according to claim 1;

b. receiving a communication by said control system from said electric vehicle regarding a status of a battery of 1.5 to 200 kWh of said electric vehicle;

c. determining whether a fast charge or a fast discharge of said battery of said electric vehicle is required by said control system;

d. determining an urgency of said fast charge or fast discharge of said battery of said electric vehicle by said control system;

e. selecting a master charger vehicle from a plurality of master charger vehicles by said control system according to said urgency;

f. sending said master charge vehicle to said electric vehicle according to a communication from said control system; and

g. charging 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, using said master battery module of said master charger vehicle within one hour.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said fast charge is required and wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is charged by said master charger vehicle within 20 minutes.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is charged by said master charger vehicle within 10 minutes.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is charged by said master charger vehicle within 5 minutes.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein said fast discharge is required and wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is discharged to said master charger vehicle within one hour.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is discharged to said master charger vehicle within 20 minutes.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is discharged to said master charger vehicle within 10 minutes.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein 70-100% of said battery, disposed inside said electric vehicle, is discharged to said master charger vehicle within 5 minutes.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein said charging of said battery comprises:

i. feeding output power from said master battery module to an electricity converter module;

ii. converting output power from said master battery module to input power suitable for provision to said at least one battery; and

iii. transferring said input power from said electricity converter module to said at least one battery.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein said master charger vehicle further comprises a standard vehicle having standard vehicle functions and a separate charging module, wherein said separate charging module comprises said master battery module, said electricity converter module adapted to convert output power from said master battery module to input power suitable for provision to said at least one battery, and said connection and transfer module adapted to transfer said input power from said electricity converter module to said at least one battery;

wherein said separate charging module is suitable for retrofitting said standard vehicle.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said separate charging module is suitable for retrofitting the standard vehicle and is independent of the vehicle manufacturer or vehicle model.

31. A computer network system for controlling an electric battery charging system for charging a battery of a roaming electric vehicle, the computer system comprising:

a) a control center comprising;

i. a computer system connected via at least one communication line via a public network to at least one of;

1. a payment center;

2. a stationary electric vehicle service station;

3. an electric vehicle breakdown vehicle;

4. a master battery vehicle;

5. an electric vehicle;

b) said electric vehicle of claim 1, further comprising;

ii. at least one display;

iii. at least one battery control system;

iv. at least one mobile location device; and

v. at least one mobile communication device; and

c) said master charger vehicle of claim 1 further comprising

a. at least one display;

b. at least one master battery control system;

c. at least one mobile location device; and

d. at least one mobile communication device;

wherein said control center is adapted to communicate with said electric vehicle and said master charger vehicle to enable said master charger vehicle to reach said electric vehicle, wherein said master battery module is adapted to charge 70-100% of said at least one battery inside said electric vehicle within one hour.

32. The charging system of claim 1, further comprising a payment system to enable a user of an electric vehicle to pay for charging said at least one battery.

33. The charging system of claim 32, wherein said payment system is further adapted to enable said user to pay for receiving of an electric vehicle to pay for charging said at least one battery.

34. A computer software product for charging a battery of a roaming electric vehicle the product comprising a computer-readable medium in which program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by a computer, cause the computer to:

a) receive a communication from said roaming electric vehicle regarding a status of a battery of said electric vehicle;

b) send one of a master charger vehicle and a breakdown vehicle, each comprising a master battery module to a suitable position associated with said electric vehicle; and

c) charge 70-100% of said battery inside said electric vehicle using said master battery module within one hour.

35. A charging module, suitable for transport to a remote site in need of electrical power and suitable for retrofitting a standard vehicle, the charging module comprising a master battery module;

an electricity converter module adapted to convert output power from said master battery module to input power suitable for providing 1 phase or three phase electricity; and

a connection and transfer module adapted to connect to said charger connector and to transfer said input power from said electricity converter module to said remote site.

36. A computer network system for providing electrical power to a remote site, the computer system comprising:

the charging module of claim 35;

a transport vehicle for transporting the charging module to the remote site;

a control center comprising;

a computer system, at least one communication line for connecting the computer system to the transport vehicle, said at least one communication line comprising a publicly accessible communication network;

wherein the remote site comprises a communication device for communicating with the control center through said publicly accessible communication network and locator means for providing a location of the remote site to the control center, such that the control center communicates the location of the remote site and the need for power of the remote site to the transport vehicle, such that the transport vehicle transports the charging module to the remote site to provide electrical power.