HYBRID VEHICLE RECHARGING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION

• US 20100012406A1
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• 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 8,100,206 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.220
• 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 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 a flow of electrical power between said receptacle and said battery.

6. A method of charging a hybrid vehicle comprising:

receiving electrical power at a receptacle coupled to a hybrid vehicle;

measuring an amount of said electrical power transmitted to said receptacle with a meter;

controlling said flow of electrical power to said vehicle with said meter; and

,

storing said electrical power received by said receptacle in a battery.

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

3. The hybrid vehicle of claim 8 wherein said meter further includes a processor responsive to executable instructions, the executable instructions when executed on said 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.

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

5. The hybrid vehicle of claim 10 wherein said executable instructions when executed on said processor determine if said level of charge in said batteries is sufficient for a travel required for a next travel period.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising transmitting a first signal indicating said amount of electrical power measured by said meter.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising receiving a second signal at said meter.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said second signal includes data indicating what time period said meter should permit said flow of electrical power from said receptacle to said battery.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising flowing electrical power from said receptacle to said battery during said time period.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said first signal includes data indicating an account information and an amount of charge contained in said battery.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising determining if said amount of charge contained in said battery is sufficient to meet a charge requirement for said hybrid vehicles next travel day.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising inhibiting said flow of electrical power from said receptacle to said battery when said amount of charge contained in said batter is sufficient to meet a charge requirement for said hybrid vehicles next travel period.