Method and apparatus for charging an electric vehicle from a streetlight
First Claim
1. A charging station for an electric vehicle, said charging station comprising:
- a streetlight;
a power source protected by a fuse, said fuse having a current rating,a first circuit connecting said streetlight to said power source, said streetlight drawing a first current through said first circuit, said first current not greater than said current rating when said streetlight is lit;
a second circuit connecting a vehicle to said power source through an outlet, said vehicle drawing a second current through said second circuit when said vehicle is charging;
a relay, said relay having a contact in series with said second circuit, said relay operable to complete said second circuit with said contact to allow charging the vehicle, said relay further operable to break said second circuit with said contact to not allow charging the vehicle;
a third circuit, said third circuit comprising a first detector responsive to one of said first current and said streetlight being lit, said third circuit operatively connected to said relay to break said second circuit when said streetlight is lit;
whereby said outlet is available for charging the vehicle when said streetlight is not lit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Streetlights along streets and in parking lots are often suitably located for a vehicle to park in immediate proximity. An electric vehicle charging system and method allows the power supply previously dedicated to the streetlight to be used for electric vehicle recharging whenever the streetlight is not lit. In some embodiments, if the total of the current drawn by the electric vehicle charging and the lit streetlight is less than the rating of the streetlight power supply, then charging may continue even while the streetlight is lit. Further, if an electric vehicle so charging offers a utility-interactive inverter, then upon demand the electric vehicle may be available to supply power back to the electric grid.
43 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A charging station for an electric vehicle, said charging station comprising:
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a streetlight; a power source protected by a fuse, said fuse having a current rating, a first circuit connecting said streetlight to said power source, said streetlight drawing a first current through said first circuit, said first current not greater than said current rating when said streetlight is lit; a second circuit connecting a vehicle to said power source through an outlet, said vehicle drawing a second current through said second circuit when said vehicle is charging; a relay, said relay having a contact in series with said second circuit, said relay operable to complete said second circuit with said contact to allow charging the vehicle, said relay further operable to break said second circuit with said contact to not allow charging the vehicle; a third circuit, said third circuit comprising a first detector responsive to one of said first current and said streetlight being lit, said third circuit operatively connected to said relay to break said second circuit when said streetlight is lit; whereby said outlet is available for charging the vehicle when said streetlight is not lit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for charging an electric vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a first circuit comprising a power supply and a streetlight, and a second circuit for connecting an electric vehicle to the power supply through a contact of a relay; b) providing at least one detector responsive to at least said streetlight being lit; c) automatically operating said relay to open said contact when said at least one detector indicates said streetlight is lit; whereby said electric vehicle may charge when said streetlight is not lit. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification