Battery pack charging system with manually maneuvered charge head
First Claim
1. A system for recharging a battery of an electrically powered vehicle, comprising:
- a) a charging head comprising a plurality of charging electrodes, each adapted for selective electrical interconnection with a corresponding, mating charge-receiving electrode in an electrically powered vehicle having a battery to be recharged, each of said charging electrodes being operatively connected to a source of electrical power;
b) a support operatively connected to said charging head and adapted to suspend and facilitate selectively positioning said charging head into a charge transferring relationship with said electrically powered vehicle, wherein said support comprises an overhead suspension system further comprising an apparatus for selectively maneuvering said charge head at least downwardly and laterally, wherein said overhead suspension system comprises a plurality of rigid links collectively comprising at least three swivel connections, each of said at least three swivel connections having a respective axis of rotation, each respective axis of rotation being mutually orthogonal to one another, whereby the overhead suspension support provides at least six degrees of freedom of motion of said charge head; and
c) a charge monitoring system disposed between said charging head and said source of electrical power, said charge monitoring system containing at least one device selected from the list;
an electrical current sensor, an electrical voltage sensor, a rate-of-charge monitor, a temperature monitor, a rate-of-charge controller and means for electrically disconnecting said charging head from said battery responsive to a sensed condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A charging system which is particularly suitable for recharging the batteries of electrically powered motor vehicles using a charge head with multiple contacts that mate with an array of charge receiving electrodes onboard the vehicle being recharged. The charge head is supported from overhead, and may, using a power assisted system, be lowered, into place against the array of charge receiving electrodes onboard the vehicle. Switches may be spaced apart so that, like the grasping elements of the handle, use of both hands is required. The charge head causes breaking of series connections of batteries within the vehicle so that individual batteries may be charged in parallel. A battery temperature monitor is provided. An annunciator locally or remotely signals errors or indicates completion of charge. Payments are accepted near the charge head, thereby allowing for commercial operation.
20 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for recharging a battery of an electrically powered vehicle, comprising:
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a) a charging head comprising a plurality of charging electrodes, each adapted for selective electrical interconnection with a corresponding, mating charge-receiving electrode in an electrically powered vehicle having a battery to be recharged, each of said charging electrodes being operatively connected to a source of electrical power; b) a support operatively connected to said charging head and adapted to suspend and facilitate selectively positioning said charging head into a charge transferring relationship with said electrically powered vehicle, wherein said support comprises an overhead suspension system further comprising an apparatus for selectively maneuvering said charge head at least downwardly and laterally, wherein said overhead suspension system comprises a plurality of rigid links collectively comprising at least three swivel connections, each of said at least three swivel connections having a respective axis of rotation, each respective axis of rotation being mutually orthogonal to one another, whereby the overhead suspension support provides at least six degrees of freedom of motion of said charge head; and c) a charge monitoring system disposed between said charging head and said source of electrical power, said charge monitoring system containing at least one device selected from the list;
an electrical current sensor, an electrical voltage sensor, a rate-of-charge monitor, a temperature monitor, a rate-of-charge controller and means for electrically disconnecting said charging head from said battery responsive to a sensed condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification