Methods and systems for charging electric vehicles using solar power

• US 8,120,310 B2
• Filed: 04/17/2009
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Littrell, Nathan Bowman, Wickstead, Kristoffer W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIGGUSH, AARON C
• Application Number:
  US12/425,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20100141201A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 320/104, 320/107, 320/109, 903/903
• US Class Current: 320/104
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/28 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/40 Mobile PV generator systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/32 comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor

Abstract

A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle that includes a charging controller and a battery. The method includes coupling a trailer to the electric vehicle, and electrically coupling a portable solar charging assembly to the charging controller, wherein the solar charging assembly is mounted to the trailer and includes at least one solar panel. The method also includes converting solar energy into electrical energy using the at least one solar panel, and transmitting the electrical energy to the charging controller.

Claims

1. A method for delivering energy to an electric vehicle that includes a charging controller and a first battery, said method comprising:

coupling a trailer to the electric vehicle;

electrically coupling a portable solar charging assembly to the charging controller using a connector extending between the trailer and the electric vehicle, wherein the solar charging assembly is mounted to the trailer such that the charging assembly remains electrically coupled to the charging controller while the electric vehicle is moving, and wherein the solar charging assembly includes at least one solar panel, a second battery configured to deliver electrical energy to the electric vehicle for one of charging the first battery and providing propulsion power to the vehicle, and a processor coupled to the at least one solar panel;

converting solar energy into electrical energy using the at least one solar panel; and

selectably transmitting the electrical energy to one of the charging controller and the second battery.

2. A method for delivering energy in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an angle of incidence of light with respect to the at least one solar panel; and

moving the at least one solar panel as necessary using an actuator to facilitate creating a normal angle of incidence for solar energy gathered by the at least one solar panel.

3. A method for delivering energy in accordance with claim 1, further comprising regulating a rate of energy delivery by the converter to the charging controller.

4. A portable charging system for use with an electric vehicle that includes a charging controller and a first battery coupled to the charging controller, said charging system comprising:

a trailer configured to couple to the electric vehicle; and

a solar charging assembly mounted on said trailer, said solar charging assembly comprising;

a connector extending between said trailer and the electric vehicle, said connector configured to be electrically coupled to the charging controller such that said solar charging assembly remains electrically coupled to the charging controller while the electric vehicle is moving to provide electrical energy for use in charging the first battery;

at least one solar panel configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy;

a processor coupled to said at least one solar panel;

a second battery configured to deliver electrical energy to the electric vehicle for one of charging the first battery and providing propulsion power to the vehicle; and

a converter coupled to said at least one solar panel, said converter configured to receive electrical energy from said at least one solar panel, convert the electrical energy into a form that is suitable for charging the first battery, and selectably deliver the electrical energy to one of the charging controller and said second battery.

5. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said at least one solar panel is moveable to facilitate receiving solar energy at a substantially normal angle of incidence with respect to said at least one solar panel.

6. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a power conditioner coupled to said converter, said power conditioner comprises at least one electrical outlet for powering electrical equipment, said power conditioner is configured to receive the electrical energy from said converter and to condition the electrical energy for use by the electrical equipment.

7. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a regulator configured to regulate a rate of energy delivery by said converter to the charging controller.

8. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said connector is further configured to couple said solar charging assembly to a residential power receptacle to facilitate providing electrical energy to a residence.

9. A portable charging system in accordance with claim 4, further comprising a storage compartment positioned on said trailer with respect to said solar charging assembly.

10. A portable electric vehicle charging system comprising:

a charging controller;

a trailer configured to couple to an electric vehicle, the electric vehicle having a first battery;

a solar charging assembly mounted on said trailer, said solar charging assembly comprising;

a connector extending between said trailer and the electric vehicle, said connector configured to be electrically coupled to said charging controller such that said solar charging assembly remains electrically coupled to said charging controller while the electric vehicle is moving;

at least one solar panel configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy;

a processor coupled to said at least one solar panel;

a second battery configured to deliver electrical energy to the electric vehicle for one of charging the first battery and providing propulsion power to the vehicle; and

a converter coupled to said at least one solar panel, said converter configured to receive electrical energy from said at least one solar panel, convert the electrical energy into a form that is suitable for charging the first battery, and to selectably deliver electrical energy to one of said charging controller for use in charging the first battery and said second battery.

11. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 10, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises:

a sensor configured to detect an angle of incidence of light with respect to said at least one solar panel; and

an actuator configured to position said at least one solar panel, said processor configured to control said actuator to move said at least one solar panel based on a reading of said sensor.

12. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 10, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a power conditioner electrically coupled to said converter, said power conditioner comprises at least one electrical outlet for powering electrical equipment, said power conditioner configured to receive electrical energy from said converter, and to condition the electrical energy for use by the electrical equipment.

13. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 10, wherein said solar charging assembly further comprises a regulator configured to regulate a rate of energy delivery by said converter to said charging controller.

14. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 10, wherein said connector is further configured to coupled said solar charging assembly to a residential power receptacle to facilitate providing electrical energy to a residence.

15. A portable electric vehicle charging system in accordance with claim 10, further comprising a storage compartment positioned on said trailer with respect to said solar charging assembly.