FAST CHARGE STATIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN AREAS WITH LIMITED POWER AVAILABILTY

• US 20130221918A1
• Filed: 04/26/2011
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Proterra AG
• Original Assignee: Proterra AG
• Inventors: Hill, Dale, Sarkar, Reuben, Gallegos, Nicky G., Finnern, Michael Alan
• Application Number:
  US13/643,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20130221918A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/18 Buses
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/11 DC charging controlled by the charging station, e.g. mode 4
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/302 Cooling of charging equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/32 by charging in short intervals along the itinerary, e.g. during short stops
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

Systems and methods for charging a vehicle are provided. Electric or hybrid electric vehicles may be charged in areas with limited power availability or in situations where a gradual draw of power from an external energy source is desired. The external energy source may be used to charge a stationary energy storage system at a first rate, and the stationary energy storage system may be used to charge the vehicle energy storage system at a second rate. Preferably, the second rate may be greater than the first rate.

Claims

1. A charging station comprising:

a fast charging interface for electrically connecting with and charging a vehicle energy storage system;

a stationary energy storage system electrically connected to the fast charging interface, and

a slow charger in electrical communication with an external energy source and the stationary energy storage system, wherein the slow charger permits a lower charge rate of the stationary energy storage system from the external energy source than the fast charging interface permits for charging the vehicle energy storage system from the stationary energy source.

2. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the slow charger is also configured to electrically connect the external energy source with the vehicle energy storage system.

3. The charging station of claim 1, wherein the external energy source is a utility or grid.

4. The charging station of claim further comprising a charging station controller that selectively controls the slow charger to permit charging of the stationary energy storage system.

5. The charging station of claim 4, wherein the controller controls the rate of charging of the stationary energy storage system.

6. A method for charging an electric vehicle comprising:

electrically connecting a stationary energy storage system at a charging station with an external energy source;

charging the stationary energy storage system at first rate;

electrically connecting a vehicle energy storage system on a vehicle with the stationary energy storage system; and

charging the vehicle energy storage system at a second rate that is greater than the first rate.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein charging the vehicle energy storage system occurs through a fast charging interface electrically connecting the vehicle energy storage system to the stationary energy storage system alone.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein charging the vehicle energy storage system occurs through a fast charging interface electrically connecting the vehicle energy storage system to the stationary energy storage system and through a slow rate charger electrically connecting the vehicle energy storage system to the external energy source.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein a slow rate charger electrically connects the external energy source to the stationary energy storage system or vehicle energy storage system by connecting to the external energy source via a conventional power receptacle.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising determining the state of charge of the stationary energy storage system.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising charging the stationary energy storage system if the state of charge of the stationary energy storage system is below a threshold charge.

12. A system for charging an electric vehicle comprising:

a vehicle with a vehicle energy storage system;

a charging station with;

a fast charging interface configured to be electrically connected with the vehicle energy storage system;

a stationary energy storage system configured to be electrically connected to the fast charging interface, thereby permitting electrical energy transfer between the stationary energy storage system and the vehicle energy storage system at a first rate;

an external energy source configured to electrically connect to the stationary energy storage system and permit electrical energy transfer at a second rate, wherein the first rate is greater than the second rate.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the electrical energy transfer between the stationary energy storage system and the vehicle energy storage system is charging the vehicle energy storage system;

and wherein the electrical energy transfer between the external energy source and the stationary energy storage system is charging the stationary energy storage. system.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the electrical energy transfer between the stationary energy storage system and the vehicle energy storage system is discharging the vehicle energy storage system;

and wherein the electrical energy transfer between the external energy source and the stationary energy storage system is discharging the stationary energy storage system.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the external energy source is at least one of the following:

utility, grid, or renewable energy source.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the external energy source is in electrical communication with the vehicle energy storage system, thereby permitting electrical energy transfer between the external energy source and the vehicle energy storage system.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the fast charging interface hang over the vehicle.