Systems and methods for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station
First Claim
1. A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, wherein (a) the electric vehicle includes a plurality of spaced apart charge-receiving electrodes positioned on a roof such that each charge-receiving electrode of the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes extend along a direction of travel of the electric vehicle, and (b) the charging station includes a plurality of spaced apart charging electrodes configured to engage with the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes of the electric vehicle, comprising:
- transmitting data between the electric vehicle and the charging station as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station;
positioning the electric vehicle using at least a portion of the data such that the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes of the electric vehicle is positioned below the plurality of charging electrodes of the charging station;
decreasing a gap between the plurality of charging electrodes and the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes to contact each charging electrode of the plurality of charging electrodes with a charge-receiving electrode of the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes; and
activating current flow from the charging station to the electric vehicle for charging.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, wherein (a) the electric vehicle includes a plurality of spaced apart charge-receiving electrodes positioned on a roof such that each charge-receiving electrode of the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes extend along a direction of travel of the electric vehicle, and (b) the charging station includes a plurality of spaced apart charging electrodes configured to engage with the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes of the electric vehicle, comprising:
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transmitting data between the electric vehicle and the charging station as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station; positioning the electric vehicle using at least a portion of the data such that the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes of the electric vehicle is positioned below the plurality of charging electrodes of the charging station; decreasing a gap between the plurality of charging electrodes and the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes to contact each charging electrode of the plurality of charging electrodes with a charge-receiving electrode of the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes; and activating current flow from the charging station to the electric vehicle for charging. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, wherein (a) the electric vehicle includes a plurality of spaced apart charge-receiving electrodes positioned on a roof such that each charge-receiving electrode of the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes extend along a direction of travel of the electric vehicle, and (b) the charging station includes a charge head having a plurality of spaced apart charging electrodes configured to engage with the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes of the electric vehicle, comprising:
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identifying the electric vehicle as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station; exchanging data between the electric vehicle and the charging station as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station; positioning the electric vehicle such that the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes of the electric vehicle is positioned below the charge head of the charging station; decreasing a gap between the charge head and the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes; contacting each charging electrode of the plurality of charging electrodes with a charge-receiving electrode of the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes; and activating current flow from the charging station to the electric vehicle for charging. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station, wherein (a) the electric vehicle includes a plurality of spaced apart charge-receiving electrodes positioned on a roof such that each charge-receiving electrode of the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes extends along a direction of travel of the electric vehicle, and (b) the charging station includes a charge head having a plurality of spaced apart charging electrodes configured to engage with the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes of the electric vehicle, comprising:
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exchanging data between the electric vehicle and the charging station as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station; using one or more sensors positioned on the charging station or the electric vehicle to align the electric vehicle with the charging station as the electric vehicle approaches the charging station; positioning the electric vehicle such that the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes of the electric vehicle is positioned below the charge head of the charging station; decreasing a gap between the charge head and the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes; electrically connecting each charging electrode of the plurality of charging electrodes with a charge-receiving electrode of the plurality of charge-receiving electrodes; and charging the electric vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification