SELF-CONTAINED RENEWABLE BATTERY CHARGER

• US 20140042956A1
• Filed: 08/10/2012
• Published: 02/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beam Global
• Original Assignee: Envision Solar International, Inc.
• Inventors: Wheatley, Desmond, Senatore, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 9,209,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/40 Mobile PV generator systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/32 specially adapted for solar tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A self-contained, portable unit for charging a battery of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The portable unit includes a moveable docking pad that has a generally flat, horizontal base and is formed with a compartment for holding at least one storage battery. The first end of a column is mounted onto the docking pad and oriented to extend upwardly from the docking pad to a second column end. A solar array is affixed to the second end of the column for deployment over the docking pad. The electric current from the solar array is fed to the storage battery using a charge management system. The battery, in turn, is connected to an EV charge station which produces a charging current to charge the battery of an electric vehicle.

Claims

1. A transportable unit for providing a self-contained renewable battery charger which comprises:

a docking pad formed with a compartment for holding at least one storage battery therein;

a column mounted on the docking pad and oriented substantially perpendicular thereto, with the column extending away from the docking pad and terminating at an attachment point;

a substantially flat panel affixed to the attachment point on the column;

an array of photovoltaic modules supported on the panel to convert solar energy from sun light into electrical energy, for transfer of the electrical energy from the photovoltaic modules to the storage battery in the compartment; and

a charging station selectively positioned on the docking pad, and electrically connected with the storage battery in the compartment to establish a source for recharging an external battery.

2. A transportable unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising a charging management system electrically interconnecting the array of photovoltaic modules with the storage battery.

3. A transportable unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising an inverter electrically interconnecting the storage battery with the charging station to selectively convert direct current from the storage battery into an alternating current for the charging station.

4. A transportable unit as recited in claim 1 further comprising a tracking mechanism integrated into the column to interconnect a stationary portion of the column with the panel for moving the panel relative to the docking pad in accordance with a predetermined cycle to maximize the incidence of sunlight on the photovoltaic modules.

5. A transportable unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the docking pad is shaped substantially as a right rectangle with long sides and shorter ends, and wherein the column is located at an end of the docking pad to provide ballast for the unit, with the panel extending over the docking pad from the attachment point on the column to a free end of the panel.

6. A transportable unit as recited in claim 5 further comprising a pivot mechanism to selectively pivot the panel and column relative to the docking pad about a pivot point for lowering and securing the free end of the panel to the docking pad for transport of the unit.

7. A transportable unit as recited in claim 6 further comprising a carriage, wherein the carriage is selectively engaged with the docking pad to facilitate transport of the unit.

8. A transportable unit as recited in claim 1 wherein the external battery is mounted on a vehicle.

9. A transportable unit as recited in claim 8 wherein the docking pad is formed with wheel blocks to stabilize the vehicle on the docking pad.

10. A transportable unit as recited in claim 9 wherein the compartment of the docking pad extends upwardly from a docking pad base to provide for an alignment of the vehicle on the docking pad.

11. A battery charger for charging an electric vehicle, the battery charger comprising:

a moveable docking pad holding at least one storage battery therein;

a column mounted on the docking pad and extending therefrom;

a means for converting solar energy from sun light into electrical energy, said converting means mounted on said column;

a means for transferring the electrical energy from the converting means to the storage battery; and

an electric vehicle charging station electrically connected with the storage battery for delivering a charging current to an electric vehicle battery.

12. A battery charger as recited in claim 11 wherein the converting means produces an alternating current output.

13. A battery charger as recited in claim 12 further comprising an inverter electrically interconnecting the converting means with the storage battery to convert alternating current from the converting means into direct current at the storage battery.

14. A battery charger as recited in claim 11 wherein the converting means produces a direct current output.

15. A battery charger as recited in claim 14 further comprising an inverter electrically interconnecting the storage battery with the electric vehicle charging station to convert direct current from the storage battery into alternating current at the electric vehicle charging station.

16. A method for preparing a self-contained renewable battery charger for charging an electric vehicle battery at a site, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a moveable docking pad holding at least one storage battery therein;

mounting a column onto the moveable docking pad to extend therefrom;

deploying a solar array on the column to convert solar energy from sun light into electrical energy;

electrically connecting the solar array to the storage battery;

electrically connecting a vehicle charging station with the storage battery; and

charging the storage battery with electrical energy from the solar array.

17. A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the step of:

transporting an assembled self-contained renewable battery charger to the site and thereafter using the self-contained renewable battery charger to charge an electric vehicle battery.

18. A method as recited in claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

configuring the solar array into a stowed configuration relative to the moveable docking pad;

transporting an assembled self-contained renewable battery charger to the site; and

reconfiguring the solar array into a deployed configuration relative to the docking pad.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the solar array is located directly above the moveable docking pad in the deployed configuration.

20. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein the transporting step is accomplished using a carriage.