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Side-facing vehicle charging system

  • US 9,718,367 B2
  • Filed: 08/29/2013
  • Issued: 08/01/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A charging system for an electric bus, comprising:

  • (a) the electric bus including a side-facing charging interface positioned proximate a roof of the bus, the charging interface including;

    a housing having an opening facing towards a side of the bus; and

    a plurality of charge-receiving electrodes positioned in the housing, wherein the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes are moveable with respect to the side of the bus;

    (b) a charging station, the charging station including;

    a charge head attached to a stationary surface of the charging station at a pivot, wherein the charge head is rotatable about the pivot; and

    a plurality of charging electrodes positioned in the charge head; and

    (c) a control system configured to detect the bus approaching the charging station, and based at least on the detection;

    rotate the charge head about the pivot to align the plurality of charging electrodes with the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes; and

    automatically decrease a distance between the charge head and the housing to engage the plurality of charging electrodes with the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes.

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