Battery charging based on cost and life
First Claim
1. A method of charging a battery within an electric vehicle utilizing a battery charging system, the method comprising the steps of:
- continuously determining an instantaneous charging cost rate, wherein said instantaneous charging cost rate is continuously determined as a function of time;
determining a charging schedule that includes at least a first time period and a second time period, wherein said first time period precedes said second time period, and wherein a charging stop time is anticipated to occur within said second time period;
initiating battery charging within said first time period whenever said instantaneous charging cost rate is less than a threshold cost rate;
pausing battery charging within said first time period whenever said instantaneous charging cost rate is greater than said threshold cost rate;
resuming battery charging within said first time period whenever said instantaneous charging cost rate is less than said threshold cost rate;
terminating battery charging within said first time period after said battery reaches a first energy stored level;
initiating battery charging within said second time period regardless of said instantaneous charging cost rate; and
terminating battery charging within said second time period after said battery reaches a second energy stored level, wherein the second energy stored level is higher than the first energy stored level.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a system that includes a battery, an electric vehicle, the battery coupled to the electric vehicle to propel the electric vehicle, and a charging circuit to charge the battery. The embodiment includes a charging cost circuit to estimate a charging cost rate and to turn on the charging circuit. The embodiment also includes a timer circuit to provide a time signal to the charging cost circuit. The embodiment is configured such that the charging cost circuit is to turn on the charging circuit during a first time period in which the charging cost rate is below a first threshold until the battery reaches a first energy stored level, and to turn on the charging circuit during a second time period in which the charging cost rate is above the first threshold.
102 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of charging a battery within an electric vehicle utilizing a battery charging system, the method comprising the steps of:
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continuously determining an instantaneous charging cost rate, wherein said instantaneous charging cost rate is continuously determined as a function of time; determining a charging schedule that includes at least a first time period and a second time period, wherein said first time period precedes said second time period, and wherein a charging stop time is anticipated to occur within said second time period; initiating battery charging within said first time period whenever said instantaneous charging cost rate is less than a threshold cost rate; pausing battery charging within said first time period whenever said instantaneous charging cost rate is greater than said threshold cost rate; resuming battery charging within said first time period whenever said instantaneous charging cost rate is less than said threshold cost rate; terminating battery charging within said first time period after said battery reaches a first energy stored level; initiating battery charging within said second time period regardless of said instantaneous charging cost rate; and terminating battery charging within said second time period after said battery reaches a second energy stored level, wherein the second energy stored level is higher than the first energy stored level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A battery charging system, comprising:
- a battery;
an electric vehicle, the battery coupled to a propulsion motor configured to propel the electric vehicle; a charging circuit to charge the battery; a timer circuit outputting a plurality of timing signals corresponding to at least a first time period and a second time period, wherein said first time period precedes said second time period; a charging cost circuit, wherein said charging cost circuit controls operation of said charging circuit and receives said plurality of timing signals from said timer circuit, wherein said charging cost circuit continuously monitors an instantaneous charging cost rate, wherein said charging cost circuit initiates operation of said charging circuit during said first time period whenever said instantaneous charging cost rate is below a threshold cost rate, pauses operation of said charging circuit during said first time period whenever said instantaneous charging cost rate is above said threshold cost rate, resumes operation of said battery charging circuit during said first time period whenever said instantaneous charging cost rate is less than said threshold cost rate and terminates operation of said charging circuit during said first time period when said battery reaches a first energy stored level, and wherein said charging cost circuit initiates operation of said charging circuit during said second time period regardless of said instantaneous charging cost rate and continues operation of said charging circuit until said battery reaches a second energy stored level or operation is disrupted by a system user, wherein said second energy stored level is greater than said first energy stored level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- a battery;
Specification