HYBRID VEHICLE RECHARGING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION

• US 20100017043A1
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• 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.
• Application Number:
  US12/568,140
• Publication Number:
  US 20100017043A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/291
• 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 method for collecting fees for recharging a 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.

2. The method for collecting fees for recharging a hybrid vehicle of claim 1, 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.

3. The method for collecting fees for recharging a hybrid vehicle of claim 2 further comprising:

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

4. The method for collecting fees for recharging a hybrid vehicle of claim 3, 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.

5. The method for collecting fees for recharging a hybrid vehicle of claim 4, 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.

6. A method of collecting fees for recharging of a vehicle comprising:

associating a vehicle with an account;

receiving a first signal from said vehicle, said first signal including an identification of said vehicle;

verifying said vehicle is associated with said account;

transmitting a second signal, said second signal including an authorization to provide electrical power to said vehicle; and

,

assigning a time period to provide electrical power to said vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising measuring an amount of electrical charge in a battery associated with said vehicle.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising determining said account has sufficient funds to charge said battery.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising transferring funds into said account from a preauthorized financial account.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

determining a demand requirement for a plurality of vehicles coupled to an electrical distribution network; and

,

determining if said electrical distribution network includes sufficient capacity to transfer electrical power to fulfill said demand requirement.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said electrical distribution network includes a base level of electrical demand, and said determination of capacity includes determining if said electrical distribution network includes sufficient capacity to transfer electrical power to fulfill said demand requirement of said plurality of vehicles and said base level.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising scheduling a time period of each of said plurality of vehicles to receive electrical power from said electrical distribution network.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said scheduling is configured to balance said demand requirement of said plurality of vehicles with said base level of electrical demand and said capacity of said local distribution network.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising transmitting a third signal when said vehicle is not associated with an account.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said third signal includes a tariff rate data.