Digital Power Multiport Battery Charging System
First Claim
1. A multiport charging system, comprising;
- a plurality of charging ports, each configured for coupling to a respective battery pack;
a centralized bulk converter electrically coupled with the charging ports and controllable to provide a first output voltage selected to provide a majority of a total charge power required for recharging all battery packs attached to the charging ports;
a plurality of additive power converters, wherein each additive power converter is assigned to an individual charging port and is controllable to provide a second output voltage that, when added to the first output voltage, results in a predetermined charge to the charging port to which it is assigned; and
a control circuit configured to monitor at least the electrical current leaving the charging ports to control at least the second output voltage of the additive power converters to individually control a charging current to the battery packs attached to the charging ports based on an algorithm that optimizes at least one factor selected from customer satisfaction, price of electricity, maximizing charge rate, available capacity from a power source, and battery life.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosed charging system has multiple charging ports emanating from a central digital power transmitter to charge a plurality of battery packs. The system comprises a centralized bulk power converter to produce a first DC voltage and multiple additive power converters. One additive power converter is assigned to each charger port. The output of each charging port is transmitted in digital power format to a receiver local to each battery pack. The receiver converts the digital power to conventional analog DC power for charging the battery packs. The bulk converter provides the majority of the power needed to charge all the battery packs simultaneously, while the additive power converters adjust for the individual characteristics of each battery pack.
58 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A multiport charging system, comprising;
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a plurality of charging ports, each configured for coupling to a respective battery pack; a centralized bulk converter electrically coupled with the charging ports and controllable to provide a first output voltage selected to provide a majority of a total charge power required for recharging all battery packs attached to the charging ports; a plurality of additive power converters, wherein each additive power converter is assigned to an individual charging port and is controllable to provide a second output voltage that, when added to the first output voltage, results in a predetermined charge to the charging port to which it is assigned; and a control circuit configured to monitor at least the electrical current leaving the charging ports to control at least the second output voltage of the additive power converters to individually control a charging current to the battery packs attached to the charging ports based on an algorithm that optimizes at least one factor selected from customer satisfaction, price of electricity, maximizing charge rate, available capacity from a power source, and battery life. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for charging a plurality of battery packs, the method comprising:
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controlling a centralized bulk converter to provide a first output voltage through a plurality of charging ports to respective battery packs coupled with the charging ports, wherein the first output voltage is selected to provide a majority of a total charge power required for recharging all battery packs attached to the charging ports; controlling a plurality of additive power converters, each assigned to an individual charging port, to provide a second output voltage that, when added to the first output voltage, results in a predetermined charge to the charging port to which it is assigned; and operating a control circuit to monitor at least the electrical current leaving the charging ports to control at least the second output voltage of the additive power converters to individually control a charging current to the battery packs attached to the charging ports based on an algorithm that optimizes at least one factor selected from the following factors;
customer satisfaction, price of electricity, maximizing charge rate, available capacity from a power source and battery life. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification