Method and apparatus for charging a plurality of electric vehicles
First Claim
1. An electric vehicle charging system receiving power from a power source and charging batteries of a plurality of vehicles, the system comprising:
- a power source converter connectable to the power source to receive electrical power and for converting the electrical power to a selected voltage potential;
a distribution bus for carrying the selected voltage potential;
a plurality of vehicle connecting stations connected to the distribution bus wherein each vehicle connecting station comprises;
a station power converter having input terminals connected to the distribution bus for receiving electrical power from the power source converter at the selected voltage potential, and a coupler connectable to a vehicle battery; and
a station controller operably connected to the station power converter to control electrical power flow to the vehicle battery; and
means for measuring a temperature of the power source converter and allowing the power source converter to exceed a steady-state rating as a function of temperature of the power source converter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for charging batteries of a plurality of vehicles includes a power source converter connectable to a power source to receive electrical power and for converting the electrical power to a selected voltage potential that is distributed on a distribution bus. A plurality of vehicle connecting stations are connected to the distribution bus. Each vehicle connecting station includes a station power converter for receiving electrical power from the power source converter for charging the battery and a station controller to control electrical power flow to the vehicle battery.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An electric vehicle charging system receiving power from a power source and charging batteries of a plurality of vehicles, the system comprising:
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a power source converter connectable to the power source to receive electrical power and for converting the electrical power to a selected voltage potential; a distribution bus for carrying the selected voltage potential; a plurality of vehicle connecting stations connected to the distribution bus wherein each vehicle connecting station comprises; a station power converter having input terminals connected to the distribution bus for receiving electrical power from the power source converter at the selected voltage potential, and a coupler connectable to a vehicle battery; and a station controller operably connected to the station power converter to control electrical power flow to the vehicle battery; and means for measuring a temperature of the power source converter and allowing the power source converter to exceed a steady-state rating as a function of temperature of the power source converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of charging batteries of a plurality of vehicles from a power source, the method comprising:
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converting electrical power with a power source converter from the power source to a selected voltage potential; measuring a temperature of the power source converter; distributing the selected voltage potential to a plurality of vehicle connecting stations wherein each vehicle connecting station includes a coupler connected to a vehicle battery; and controlling individually the rate of charge for each vehicle battery as a function of the temperature of the power source and allowing the power source converter to exceed a steady-state rating. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An electric vehicle charging system for charging batteries of a plurality of electric vehicles from a power source, the electric vehicle charging system comprising:
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a power source converter connectable to the power source to receive electrical power and for converting the electrical power to a DC voltage potential; a distribution bus for carrying the DC voltage potential; a first vehicle connecting station connected to the distribution bus and having an inductive power coupler for charging a battery of a first vehicle; and a second vehicle connecting station connected to the distribution bus and comprising a power converter for converting the DC voltage potential to an AC voltage potential;
a rectifier connected to the power converter for receiving and rectifying the AC voltage potential; and
a DC power coupler connected to the rectifier and connectable to the battery.
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21. An electric vehicle charging system for charging a battery of an electric vehicle from a power source, the electric vehicle charging system comprising:
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a power source converter connectable to the power source to receive electrical power and for converting the electrical power to a selected voltage potential; a vehicle connecting station for receiving the selected voltage potential and providing charge to the battery; a temperature sensor for providing an output signal indicative of an operating temperature of the power source converter; and a controller receiving the output signal and controlling a rate of charge provided by the vehicle connecting station as a function of the output signal, wherein the controller allows the power source converter to exceed a steady-state rating as a function of the output signal.
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22. An electric vehicle charging system for charging a battery of an electric vehicle from a power source, the electric vehicle charging system comprising:
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a power source converter connectable to the power source to receive electrical power and for converting the electrical power to a selected voltage potential; a vehicle connecting station for receiving the selected voltage potential and providing charge to the battery; a signal line from the power source, wherein the signal line carries a signal indicative of the power to be received from the power source; and a controller receiving the signal and controlling the power provided by the vehicle connecting station as a function of the signal. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of charging a battery of a vehicle from a power source, the method comprising:
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converting electrical power with a power source converter from the power source to a selected voltage potential; receiving a signal from the power source indicative of the power to be converted; distributing the selected voltage potential to a vehicle connecting station wherein the vehicle connecting station includes a coupler connected to a vehicle battery; and controlling the power delivered to the vehicle battery as a function of the signal. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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30. An electric vehicle charging system for charging a battery of an electric vehicle from a power source, the electric vehicle charging system comprising:
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a power source converter connectable to the power source to receive electrical power and for converting the electrical power to a DC voltage potential; a distribution bus for carrying the DC voltage potential; a vehicle connecting station comprising; a power converter for converting the DC voltage potential to an AC voltage potential; a rectifier connected to the power converter for receiving and rectifying the AC voltage potential; and a DC power coupler connected to the rectifier and connectable to the battery. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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Specification