Charging Service Vehicle Network
First Claim
1. A network for providing energy to discharged batteries of electric vehicles (EVs), the network comprising:
- a service vehicle transporting electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment, transporting a first-level controller, and capable of transporting battery modules removably mounted to the service vehicle, wherein the battery modules are configured as a source of electrical energy, the electrical energy transferable to an EV using the EV charging equipment; and
a storage location storing battery modules compatible with the EV charging equipment of the service vehicle, wherein the battery modules are manually exchangeable between the storage location and the service vehicle, such that a removably mounted battery module on the service vehicle is replaced by a battery module stored by a storage location.
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Abstract
Charging service vehicle networks are among the embodiments disclosed herein, including battery module-powered EV charging roadside service vehicles. Battery modules are removably mounted to the service vehicles and manually exchanged within a system of battery module storage locations. Some embodiments provide resupply vehicles for delivering battery modules between storage locations and/or service vehicles, and may be used to exchange battery modules. Controllers are used to reserve battery modules at the storage locations to ensure availability for high priority activities. Some storage locations have charging apparatus to recharge battery modules stored there, and some storage locations are repositionable mobile units. Multiple tiers or levels of system controllers used by service vehicles to control centers are implemented to manage operations and optimize usage of battery modules and charging services across wide areas, including providing additional service vehicles to supply temporary needs for charging services.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A network for providing energy to discharged batteries of electric vehicles (EVs), the network comprising:
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a service vehicle transporting electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment, transporting a first-level controller, and capable of transporting battery modules removably mounted to the service vehicle, wherein the battery modules are configured as a source of electrical energy, the electrical energy transferable to an EV using the EV charging equipment; and a storage location storing battery modules compatible with the EV charging equipment of the service vehicle, wherein the battery modules are manually exchangeable between the storage location and the service vehicle, such that a removably mounted battery module on the service vehicle is replaced by a battery module stored by a storage location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system comprising:
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a first-level controller onboard a service vehicle, the first-level controller providing real-time control and alerts for the service vehicle and charging equipment transported by the service vehicle within an assigned area; a second-level controller at a control center, the second-level controller configured to; communicate with the first-level controller to aggregate real-time control and alert data, and provide optimized service vehicle assignments, schedules, or alerts for one or more service vehicles in a region, the region comprising a plurality of areas assigned to the service vehicles; and a third-level controller at a control center, the third-level controller configured to communicate with the second-level controller to provide charging service management optimization across the region. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification