Methods and systems for charging an energy storage device

• US 8,384,347 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2011
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Thomas, Cecilia Maria, Hooker, John Kenneth, Hall, Scott Jeffrey, Morgan, Shawn Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhanu, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US13/205,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20120133325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 320/106, 320/109, 320/111, 320/113, 320/115
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries

Abstract

A charging device for charging an energy storage device is described. The charging device includes a memory for storing a plurality of state machines and a processing device coupled to the memory. The processing device is configured to select a state machine of the plurality of state machines and to operate the charging device in accordance with the selected state machine.

Claims

1. A charging device for charging an energy storage device, said charging device comprising:

a memory for storing a plurality of state machines, each said state machine including a plurality of different states, wherein a state includes at least one of a connection pending state, a smart meter interface state, a hard fault state, a soft fault state, an alarm state, a ground fault test state, a pilot test state, a pending approval state, a charging state, a lock connector state, an unlock connector state, a return connector state, and an authorization state; and

a processing device coupled to said memory and configured to;

select a state machine of the plurality of state machines, and

operate said charging device in accordance with the selected state machine.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an input interface communicatively coupled to said processing device and configured to receive a charging device selection signal, wherein said processing device is configured to select a state machine based on the charging device selection signal.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said input interface comprises at least one of a switch, a connector configured to receive one of a plurality of wiring harnesses, and a communication device configured to receive the charging device selection signal.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a display device communicatively coupled to said processing device and configured to display information to a user of said charging device.

5. A device in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an authorization device communicatively coupled to said processing device, wherein a first state machine of the plurality of state machines includes an authorization state.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said authorization device comprises at least one of a keypad, a magnetic stripe reader, a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, and a biometrics reader configured to receive authentication information.

7. A device in accordance with claim 6, wherein said processing device is configured to transmit the authentication information to a server positioned external to said charging device for off-site authorization of the user.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein each state machine of said plurality of state machines is configured to monitor at least one condition and transition between states included within said state machine upon satisfaction of the at least one condition.

9. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the energy storage device is included within an electric vehicle.

10. A device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said state machine is configured to test for a ground fault condition, monitor a connection between said charging device and the electric vehicle, and discontinue charging of the electric vehicle upon occurrence of a fault.

11. A device in accordance with claim 9, further comprising a locking mechanism for locking a connection device to said charging device.

12. A device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said state machine is configured to lock said connection device to said charging device, monitor a pilot signal from the electric vehicle, discontinue charging of the electric vehicle upon occurrence of a fault, and unlock said connection device from said charging device.

13. A system for charging an energy storage device, said system comprising:

a memory for storing a plurality of state machines, each said state machine including a plurality of different states, wherein a state includes at least one of a connection pending state, a smart meter interface state, a hard fault state, a soft fault state, an alarm state, a ground fault test state, a pilot test state, a pending approval state, a charging state, a lock connector state, an unlock connector state, a return connector state, and an authorization state; and

a processing device coupled to said memory and configured to;

select a state machine of the plurality of state machines, and

operate said system in accordance with the selected state machine.

14. A system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising an input interface communicatively coupled to said processing device and configured to receive a selection signal, wherein said processing device is configured to select a state machine based on the selection signal.

15. A system in accordance with claim 14, wherein said input interface comprises at least one of a switch, a connector configured to receive one of a plurality of wiring harnesses, and a communication device configured to receive the selection signal.

16. A system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising at least one of a display device and an authorization device communicatively coupled to said processing device, wherein said display device is configured to display information to a user of said system, and wherein a first state machine of the plurality of state machines includes an authorization state dependent upon receipt of authentication information from said authorization device.

17. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein at least one of said display device and said authorization device is positioned remotely from said processing device, said system further comprising a communication device coupled to said processing device and configured to communicate with at least one of said display device and said authorization device.

18. A system in accordance with claim 17, wherein said display device and said authorization device are included within at least one of a kiosk and a cellular communications device.

19. A system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said system further comprises a server positioned remotely from said processing device, said server configured to receive the authentication information from said processing device and to compare the authentication information to stored data for off-site authorization of the user.

20. A system in accordance with claim 13, wherein each state machine of said plurality of state machines is configured to monitor at least one condition and transition between states included within said state machine upon satisfaction of the at least one condition.