HYBRID VEHICLE RECHARGING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION

• US 20090062967A1
• Filed: 09/05/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Consolidated Edison Company of New York Incorporated (Consolidated Edison Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Consolidated Edison Company of New York Incorporated (Consolidated Edison Incorporated)
• Inventors: Barna, Anthony F., Kressner, A. Arthur, Hoyes, Christopher C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,693,609 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/286
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/305 Communication interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/63 in response to network capacity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/64 Optimising energy costs, e.g. responding to electricity rates
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/68 Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/24 including control of energy storage means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/26 for electrical energy, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/00 Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/10 Controlling the power contribution of each of the prime movers to meet required power demand
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 20/15 Control strategies specially adapted for achieving a particular effect
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/126 : the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 : Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/12 : Billing, invoicing, buying or selling transactions or other related activities, e.g. cost or usage evaluation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/903 : having energy storing means, e.g. battery, capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/907 : Electricity storage, e.g. battery, capacitor

Abstract

A system and method for recharging a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The system includes a controller that schedules the recharging of the vehicles on local electrical distribution networks. The system arranges the schedule to minimize the demand loading on the local distribution network to more efficiently operate power plants providing electrical power to the distribution networks. A system for collecting charges associated with the recharging of plug-in hybrid vehicles is also disclosed providing for prepaid utility accounts.

Claims

1. A system for recharging a hybrid vehicle having a battery, said system comprising:

a meter having a power connection configured to electrically couple to said hybrid vehicle;

a local electrical distribution network electrically coupled to said meter; and

,

a controller associated with said local electrical distribution network and disposed in communication with said local distribution network and said meter, said controller including a processor responsive to executable computer instructions for providing a signal to said meter to allow electrical power to flow to said battery.

2. The system for charging a hybrid vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of hybrid vehicles electrically coupled to said local electrical distribution network, each of said plurality of hybrid vehicles having an associated meter;

wherein said processor is responsive to executable computer instructions for determining the number of hybrid vehicles coupled to said local electrical distribution network.

3. The system for charging a hybrid vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of meters electrically coupled to said local electrical distribution network, each of said plurality of meters having a power connection configured to electrically couple to an associated one of said hybrid vehicle;

wherein said processor is responsive to executable computer instructions for determining the number of said hybrid vehicles coupled to said local electrical distribution network via an associated one of said plurality of meters.

4. The system for charging a hybrid vehicle of claim 1 wherein:

said controller receives data and instructions as inputs and provides data and instructions as outputs;

said data inputs describing, a number of hybrid vehicles that are connected to said local electrical distribution network, the charge state of each of said hybrid vehicles, electrical characteristics of said local electrical distribution network, expected power demand profile of said local electrical distribution network, and electrical power availability from a utility distribution network;

said instruction inputs enabling said controller to determine recharging times based on the number of hybrid vehicles connected to the local electrical distribution network, the expected power demand profile of said local electrical distribution network, and the availability of electrical power to said local electrical distribution network;

said output data describing the number of hybrid vehicles on the local electrical distribution network and aggregated data on expected electrical power requirements to said local electrical distribution network; and

,

said output instructions enabling said meters associated with said plurality of hybrid vehicles to recharge said hybrid vehicles during a defined time period.

5. The system for charging a hybrid vehicle of claim 4 wherein:

said controller is configured to receive data and instructions as inputs and to provide data and instructions as outputs;

said data inputs disposed in a memory in such a manner as to describe a number of hybrid vehicles that are connected to said local electrical distribution network, the charge state of each of said hybrid vehicles, electrical characteristics of said local electrical distribution network, expected power demand profile of said local electrical distribution network, and electrical power availability from said utility distribution network;

said instruction inputs executable by said processor to enable said controller to determine recharging times based on the number of hybrid vehicles connected to the local electrical distribution network, the expected power demand profile of said local electrical distribution network, and the availability of electrical power to said local electrical distribution network;

said output data disposed in said memory in such a manner as to describe the number of hybrid vehicles on the local electrical distribution network and aggregated data on expected electrical power requirements to said local electrical distribution network; and

,

said output instructions executable by said processor to enable said meters associated with said plurality of hybrid vehicles to recharge said hybrid vehicles during a defined time period.

6. The system for charging a plug-in hybrid vehicle of claim 5 wherein each meter associated with said plurality of hybrid vehicles is responsive to data and instructions as inputs and is productive of data as an output;

said meter data input describing electrical demand tariffs;

said meter instruction inputs enabling said meter to control the flow of electrical recharging power to said hybrid vehicle; and

,

said meter data output describing the amount of electrical power consumed in recharging the hybrid vehicle, and the time of day said electrical power was consumed.

7. A hybrid vehicle comprising:

an electric motor;

a battery coupled to said electric motor;

a receptacle configured to receive electrical power from an external energy source, said receptacle being electrically coupled to said battery; and

,

a meter electrically coupled to said battery and said receptacle, said meter configured to control the flow of electrical power between said receptacle and said battery.

8. The hybrid vehicle of claim 7 wherein said meter includes a communications device.

9. The hybrid vehicle of claim 8 wherein said meter further includes a processor responsive to executable instructions, the executable instructions when executed on the processor receive data through said communications device, said data including information on what time period said meter should permit electrical power to flow from said receptacle to said battery.

10. The hybrid vehicle of claim 9 wherein said executable instructions when executed on the processor transmit data through said communications device, said data including account information and information on the level of charge of the batteries.

11. The hybrid vehicle of claim 10 wherein said executable instructions when executed on the processor determine if the charge remaining in said batteries is sufficient for the travel required for the next day.

12. A method for collecting fees or credits such as carbon credits for recharging a hybrid vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a controller containing a plurality of utility accounts, wherein each utility account is associated with a corresponding individual or business entity;

communicating with a meter associated with a hybrid vehicle;

determining if said hybrid vehicle is associated with one of said utility accounts;

authorizing electrical power consumption by said hybrid vehicle at a first tariff rate if said hybrid vehicle is associated with one of said utility accounts; and

,

assigning the hybrid vehicle an approved recharge time period.

13. The method for collecting fees for recharging a hybrid vehicle of claim 12, said method further comprising:

determining the charge level of the hybrid vehicle'"'"'s batteries; and

,

in response to the determined charge level, determining if said utility account has sufficient funds to recharge the hybrid vehicles batteries.

14. The method for collecting fees for recharging a hybrid vehicle of claim 13 further comprising:

replenishing said utility account from a preauthorized financial account associated with said utility account.

15. The method for collecting fees for recharging a hybrid vehicle of claim 14, said method further comprising:

determining demand requirements from a plurality of hybrid vehicles connected to a local electrical distribution network having a base electrical demand; and

determining associated electrical characteristics of said local electrical distribution network, including a maximum power delivery capacity of said local distribution network; and

,

scheduling an approved recharge time period of each of the plurality of hybrid vehicles based on a balancing of said base electrical demand and the associated electrical characteristics of said local electrical distribution network.

16. The method for collecting fees for recharging a hybrid vehicle of claim 15, said method further comprising:

authorizing electrical power consumption by said hybrid vehicle at a second tariff rate if the hybrid vehicle is not associated with one of said utility accounts.

17. A method for recharging a plurality of hybrid vehicles connected to a local utility network, said method comprising:

determining a number of hybrid vehicles connected to said local electrical distribution network;

determining electrical power characteristics of said local electrical distribution network;

determining an off-peak period based on an electrical demand profile for said local electrical distribution network;

scheduling recharge times for each of said plurality of hybrid vehicles, wherein said scheduling is based on a balancing of said electrical power characteristics, said demand profile and the number of said hybrid vehicles; and

,

activating recharging of each of said hybrid vehicles at predetermined times during said off-peak period.

18. The method for recharging a plurality of hybrid vehicles connected to a local electrical distribution network of claim 17 wherein said electrical power characteristics includes a maximum power delivery threshold of said local electrical distribution network.

19. The method for recharging a plurality of hybrid vehicles of claim 18 further comprising:

determining availability of electric power to said local electrical distribution network; and

,

scheduling said recharge times of said hybrid vehicles to maximize the number of vehicles being recharged without exceeding the maximum power delivery threshold of said local electrical distribution network.

20. The method for recharging a plurality of hybrid vehicles of claim 19 further comprising:

determining a base electrical demand for said electrical loads on said local electrical distribution network; and

,

determining a hybrid vehicle demand for the plurality of hybrid vehicles on said local electrical distribution network.

21. The method for recharging a plurality of hybrid vehicles of claim 20 further comprising:

deactivating the recharging of one or more hybrid vehicles if the combination of said base electrical demand and said hybrid vehicle demand exceeds the maximum power delivery threshold of said local electrical distribution network.

22. The method for recharging a plurality of hybrid vehicles of claim 20 further comprising:

deactivating the recharging of one or more hybrid vehicles if the combination of said base electrical demand and said hybrid vehicle demand exceeds the maximum available power from a utility distribution network to said local electrical distribution network.

23. A meter associated with a plug-in hybrid vehicle comprising:

an electrical measuring device;

a communications device;

a processor electrically coupled to said electrical measuring device and said communications device wherein said processor is responsive to executable computer instructions for receiving schedule instructions through said communications device and said processor includes means for connecting and disconnecting electrical power.

24. The meter associated with a plug-in hybrid vehicle of claim 23 wherein said processor is responsive to executable instructions for determining the level of charge in a hybrid vehicle battery;

25. The meter associated with a plug-in hybrid vehicle of claim 24 wherein said processor is responsive to executable instructions for transmitting a signal indicative of the level of charge in the hybrid vehicle battery.