Methods and systems for charging an energy storage device

• US 9,054,535 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2012
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Thomas, Cecilia Maria, Hooker, John Kenneth, Hall, Scott Jeffrey, Morgan, Shawn Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhanu, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US13/589,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20130038286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 320/106, 320/109, 320/111, 320/113, 320/115
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries

Abstract

A charging device for charging an energy storage device is described. The charging device includes a memory for storing a plurality of state machines and a processing device coupled to the memory. The processing device is configured to select a state machine of the plurality of state machines and to operate the charging device in accordance with the selected state machine.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a charging device for charging an energy storage device of an electric vehicle, said method comprising:

storing a plurality of state machines, each state machine including a plurality of states, wherein for each state machine of the plurality of state machines, each state of the plurality of states is configured to manage a different action included in a charging cycle for the electric vehicle; and

configuring a charging device controller to select only one state machine of the plurality of state machines at a time and to operate the charging device in accordance with the selected state machine to the exclusion of unselected state machines of the plurality of state machines.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising configuring the charging device controller to determine which of the plurality of state machines to select.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein configuring the charging device controller to determine which of the plurality of state machines to select comprises configuring an input interface to receive a charging device selection signal associated with one state machine of the plurality of state machines.

4. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein configuring the charging device controller to determine which of the plurality of state machines to select comprises analyzing a configuration of the charging device controller.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising configuring a display device to display information to a user of the charging device.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising configuring an authorization device coupled to the charging device controller to receive an authorization signal from a user.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein storing a plurality of state machines comprises, storing a state machine configured to test for a ground fault condition, monitor a connection between the charging device and the electric vehicle, and discontinue charging of the electric vehicle upon occurrence of a fault.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein storing a plurality of state machines comprises, storing a state machine configured to lock a connection device to the charging device, monitor a pilot diode in the electric vehicle, discontinue charging of the electric vehicle upon occurrence of a fault, and unlock the connection device from the charging device.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein a state of the plurality of states includes at least one of a connection pending state, a smart meter interface state, a hard fault state, a soft fault state, an alarm state, a ground fault test state, a pilot test state, a pending approval state, a charging state, a lock connector state, an unlock connector state, a return connector state, and an authorization state.

10. A method for charging an energy storage device of an electric vehicle, said method comprising:

storing a plurality of state machines, each state machine including a plurality of states, wherein for each state machine of the plurality of state machines, each state of the plurality of states is configured to manage a different action included in a charging cycle for the electric vehicle;

configuring a charging device controller to select only one state machine of the plurality of state machines at a time; and

configuring a charging device controller to charge the energy storage device in accordance with the selected state machine to the exclusion of unselected state machines of the plurality of state machines.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein each state machine is configured to provide entry actions and exit actions associated with each state.

12. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein each state machine is configured to provide waiting actions that are executed while waiting to transition out of the state.

13. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein said charging device includes an input interface configured to receive a state machine selection signal.

14. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the predetermined state machine is configured to be selected by a technician upon installation of the charging device.

15. A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the predetermined state machine is configured to be selected by a configuration server coupled to the charging device.

16. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising updating the stored plurality of state machines to configure at least one state machine of the plurality of state machines with new or edited states.

17. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said entry actions comprise requesting authorization from a smart meter connected to the charging device.

18. A method in accordance with claim 11, wherein said entry actions comprise updating a user display based on a current state.

19. A method in accordance with claim 12, wherein said waiting actions comprise waiting for a smart meter connected to the charging device to provide an authorization to proceed with charging.