Charging systems for electric vehicles
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A charging system for an electric vehicle, comprising:
- a ground-supported charging station including (a) a pair of charging elements, the pair of charging elements including a first charging element extending from a first end to a second end along a first longitudinal axis of the first charging element and a second charging element extending from a third end to a fourth end along a second longitudinal axis of the second charging element, and (b) an electrically insulating member connecting the second end of the first charging element to the third end of the second charging element such that the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis extend along a single straight line; and
a plurality of spaced apart charge receiving elements positioned on a roof of the electric vehicle, wherein each charge receiving element of the plurality of charge receiving elements includes an elongated member that extends along a third longitudinal axis, and wherein the plurality of charge receiving elements are arranged such that the third longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to each other and transverse to the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis, and wherein each charging element of the plurality of charging elements is configured to contact a charge receiving element of the pair of charge receiving elements to charge the electric vehicle.
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Abstract
This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.
47 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A charging system for an electric vehicle, comprising:
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a ground-supported charging station including (a) a pair of charging elements, the pair of charging elements including a first charging element extending from a first end to a second end along a first longitudinal axis of the first charging element and a second charging element extending from a third end to a fourth end along a second longitudinal axis of the second charging element, and (b) an electrically insulating member connecting the second end of the first charging element to the third end of the second charging element such that the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis extend along a single straight line; and a plurality of spaced apart charge receiving elements positioned on a roof of the electric vehicle, wherein each charge receiving element of the plurality of charge receiving elements includes an elongated member that extends along a third longitudinal axis, and wherein the plurality of charge receiving elements are arranged such that the third longitudinal axes are substantially parallel to each other and transverse to the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis, and wherein each charging element of the plurality of charging elements is configured to contact a charge receiving element of the pair of charge receiving elements to charge the electric vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A charging system for an electric vehicle, comprising:
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a ground-supported charging station, the charging station including a pair of charging elements extending along a first longitudinal axis of the pair of charging elements, wherein the pair of charging elements are connected end to end by an electrically insulating member such that the pair of charging elements extend as a single straight line along the first longitudinal axis; and a plurality of spaced apart charge receiving elements positioned on a roof of the electric vehicle, wherein the plurality of charge receiving elements are arranged substantially parallel to each other and transverse to the first longitudinal axis, and wherein each charging element of the pair of charging elements is configured to contact a charge receiving element of the plurality of charge receiving elements to charge the electric vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A charging system for an electric bus, comprising:
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a ground-supported charging station, the charging station including a plurality of linear charging elements, each charging element of the plurality of charging elements extending along a first longitudinal axis of the charging element, wherein the plurality of charging elements are connected end to end by an electrical insulating member and arranged such that the first longitudinal axes extend in a first direction along a single straight line; and a plurality of linear charge receiving elements positioned on a roof of the bus substantially symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bus, each charge receiving element of the plurality of charge receiving elements including a second longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of charge receiving elements are arranged such that the second longitudinal axes extend in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction, wherein (a) the pair of charge receiving elements are electrically connected to an energy storage device of the bus, and (b) each charging element of the plurality of charging elements is configured to contact a charge receiving element of the plurality of charge receiving elements to charge the energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification