WO2011151844A2

WO2011151844A2 - Charging power outpost for an electric powered/hybrid vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2011151844A2
Application number: PCT/IN2011/000375
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anil Ananthakrishna
Original assignee: Anil Ananthakrishna
Priority date: 2010-06-02
Filing date: 2011-06-02
Publication date: 2011-12-08
Also published as: WO2011151844A3

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and apparatus for charging batteries of vehicles. In one embodiment, a system includes a charging power outpost having an energy power source for providing electric power to charge batteries of a vehicle, and a charger configured for dynamically converting the electric power from the electric power source as per requirement of the vehicle. The charging power outpost also includes a plug-in connector for replenishing charge of the batteries using the converted electric power supplied by the charger and an energy metering unit for recording amount of electric power consumed to replenish the charge of the batteries. The system also includes a remote server coupled to the charging power outpost for receiving amount of electric power consumed by the batteries and charging a user of the vehicle based on the amount of electric power consumed from the charging power outpost for a particular time interval.

Description

CHARGING POWER OUTPOST FOR AN ELECTRIC POWERED/HYBRID

VEHICLE

RELATED APPLICATION

Benefit is claimed to India Provisional Application No. 1511 /CHE/2010, entitled "CHARGING POWER OUTPOST FOR AN ELECTRIC POWERED/ HYBRID VEHICLE" by ANIL ANANTHKRISHNA, filed on June 02, 2010, which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a charging system, and more particularly relates to charging batteries of vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With concerns over pollution rising, there has been greater interest in use of electric powered vehicles for passenger transportation. While limitations such as charging capacity and vehicle speed had previously made large scale implementation of electric vehicles unworkable, advances in technologies such as storage cell design, braking regeneration, and motor efficiency have made electric vehicles a viable alternative to vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. However, one major limitation to the full scale implementation of electric vehicle fleets remains: providing a safe, effective means for recharging the storage devices of electric vehicles.

For example, power storage capacity of an electric vehicle has been improved to the point where electric vehicles now have ranges similar to that of combustion engine powered vehicles. However, while the fuel cell of a combustion engine (i.e. gas tank) can be refuelled at locations like service stations in ten minutes or less, "refueling" an electric storage cell may take several hours. Therefore, it is more likely that consumers may perform the bulk of their recharging needs overnight while the vehicle is parked in their garage or during the work day while the vehicle is parked in the parking lot at work. For example, a conventional battery charger needs anywhere between 6-10 hours to charge a battery of the electric powered/hybrid vehicle. However, this may restrict the user from charging the vehicle anywhere and anytime due to long charging time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a system view illustrating a battery charging system for charging batteries in a vehicle using a charging power outpost, according to one embodiment.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating various components of the charging power outpost for charging the batteries of the vehicle, according to one embodiment.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a rapid charger employed in the charging power outpost such as those shown in Figure 1, according to one embodiment. Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating various components of the energy power source of Figure 1 for providing electric power to charge the batteries of the vehicle, according to one embodiment.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and apparatus for charging batteries of vehicles. The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, applications, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

Figure 1 is a system view illustrating a battery charging system 100 for charging batteries 1 18 in a vehicle 116 using a charging power outpost 102, according to one embodiment. The system 100 includes the charging power outpost 102 and a remote server communicatively coupled to the charging power outpost 102. The charging power outpost 102 includes an energy power source 104, a power converter/charger 106, an energy metering system 108 and a plug-in connector 110. The remote server 112 includes a data logging module 1 1 .

Consider that a user of a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle 116) having batteries 118 and plug 120 wishes to instantaneously charge the batteries 118 (e.g., in low battery condition) using the charging power outpost 102 located at places such as dealer outlets and authorized booking outlets, service stations, and the like. The vehicle 116 may be a hybrid vehicle, pure electric vehicle, mass transport vehicle, utility vehicle, and other types of automobiles. At the charging power outpost 102, the vendor may insert the plug-in connector 1 10 into the plug 120 of the vehicle 116 such that the vehicle credentials are gathered by the plug-in connector 110. The plug-in connector 110 consists of a multi-pin plug/socket housing where connection is established between the vehicle 16 and the charging power outpost 102 for transfer of power and data from the vehicle 1 16 to the charging power outpost 102. The credentials may include user code, vehicle registration information, chemistry of the batteries 1 18, charge level of the batteries 118, configuration of the batteries 1 18 and so on. Based on the credentials, the vehicle 1 16 is authenticated and the plug-in connector 1 10 is activated to replenish charge of the batteries 1 18 upon successful authentication. In replenishing the charge, the energy power source 104 provides electric power to a power converter/charger 106. The electric power source 04 may be a grid power source or stationary batteries storing large amount of electric energy in chemical form. The power converter/inverter 106 then converts/inverts electric power as per requirement of the vehicle 116 based on the credentials of the vehicle 1 16. It can be noted that a variety are charger/converter may be deployed in the charging power outpost to facilitate conversion/inversion of electric power based on the type of power source 104 and battery configuration. In case of grid power source, the grid based charger or power inverter is used to charge the batteries 118. In case the energy power source is stationary batteries, a rapid charger may be used to charge the batteries 1 18. The electric power as desired is then provided to the plug-in connector 110 by the power converter/charger 106 via the energy metering unit 108. As the plug- in connector 110 replenishes the charge of the batteries 118, the energy metering unit 108 records the amount of energy consumed to replenish the charge in the batteries 1 18. When the batteries 118 reach a desired level of charge, the plug-in connector 110 is deactivated. It can be noted that, the charging power outpost 102 is capable of recharging the batteries 1 18 up to 80% in approximately 10-15 minutes or less depending on the state of charge associated with the batteries 1 18. Upon charging the batteries, the amount of energy consumed to by the batteries of the vehicle 1 18 is communicated to the data logging module 1 14. In one embodiment, the remote server 112 receives the amount of energy consumed, location of the charging power outpost 102, time period for charging the batteries 118, and vehicle credentials from the charging power outpost 112 via a communication channel such as GPRS. The data logging module 1 14 then calculates amount to be paid by the user of the vehicle 1 16 towards charging the batteries 1 18 and communicates the same to the user. Alternatively, the amount of energy consumed and amount to be paid to the vendor is displayed instantaneously to the user on a display associated with the energy metering unit 108 (not shown). Figure 2 is a block diagram 200 illustrating various components of the charging power outpost 102 for charging the batteries 118 of the vehicle 116, according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the charging power outpost 102 consist of a master control unit 202, the energy source 104, the power converter/charger 106, the energy metering system 108, the plug-in connector 1 10, a safety management system 204, and a pressure and temperature monitoring unit 206. The charging power outpost 102 includes an intelligent system for energy distribution and power management, secure plug points with monitoring of power consumed and data on consumer.

The master control unit 202 is a computing, event management and communication system. The master control unit 202 controls all the subsystems of the charging power outpost 102. The master control unit 202 also recognizes chemistry of batteries 118 under charge and establishes communication for instructions to requisite subsystems for varying charging algorithms predefined in the master control unit 202.

The master control unit 202 then communicates to the remote server 1 12 which includes data logging module 1 14 for storing the credentials associated with the vehicle 1 16 and for displaying the amount to be paid by the user of the vehicle 118 towards charging of the batteries 118. The vehicle 116 can be equipped with communication channels like GPRS and RFID to retrieve the vehicle 1 16 and battery related information. The master control unit 202 also receives instructions from a main frame computer for any new algorithms to be included and requisite instructions for acceptance/rejections for the vehicle's traction battery charging operation.

The safety management system 204 ensures safety by monitoring parameters such as temperature of various blocks, fuel cell, fuel pumps and also checks on the human interface device such as power cord from the charging power outpost 102 to the vehicle's charge port and/or form the vehicle 116 to the charging power outpost 102. The safety management system 204 is built with microcontrollers, limit switches, infrared sensors and electronics.

The pressure and temperature monitoring unit 206 is a pressure/temperature monitoring system that measures and monitors temperature of various components of the charging power outpost 102 like energy power source, power electronics, heat sinks, etc. The pressure and temperature monitoring unit 206 is in real time communication with the safety management system and transfers data to the safety management system. If any abnormalities found in temperature, the safety management system 204 communicates to the master control unit 202 for requisite action. The monitoring unit 206 is built with microcontrollers, signal conditioning circuits and temperature sensors.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a rapid charger 300 employed in the charging power outpost 102 such as those shown in Figure 1 , according to one embodiment. It is appreciated that the rapid charger 300 is an exemplary embodiment of the charger 106 of Figure 1. The rapid charger 300 provides direct battery charging of the vehicle 116 bypassing on-board charger of the vehicle 1 16 for quickly recharge the batteries 118. The rapid charger 300 uses intelligent AC-DC and DC-DC conversion techniques for replenishing charge of the batteries 118.

In one embodiment, the rapid charger 300 converts electric power stored in stationery batteries as per the requirement of the vehicle 116 and delivers the same to the vehicle's batteries 118 via a high frequency DC-DC converter 315. Alternatively, the rapid charger 300 includes a high frequency AC-DC converter 310 for converting grid power suitably to charge the batteries 118. It can be noted that the input source of power is selected by communicating with the master control unit 202. Such selection of power/energy source is desirable to optimize utilization of grid power (e.g., grid power is cheaper at night due to lesser demand for the same). The rapid charger 300 is capable of charging single or multi-chemistry batteries. Moreover, the rapid charger 300 communicates to the master control unit 202 for receiving instructions associated with the type of vehicle 1 16, charging algorithm to be implemented and amount of power that needs to be dumped into vehicle's batteries 1 18. The feedback, control and communication unit 305 provides signals to the charger 106 to control charging power real time domain. The filters 320 are meant for removing electrical noise from the converted electric signal. Figure 4 is a block diagram 400 illustrating the energy power source 104 for providing electric power to charge the batteries 118 of the vehicle 116, according to one embodiment. As described above, the energy power source 104 includes stationery batteries 405, and a grid power source 410. The stationery batteries 405 are configured for storing energy generated by a fuel cell or from grid power. The stored energy is thereafter utilized for recharging of batteries 1 16 of the vehicle 1 16. The stationery batteries 405 are constantly charged using a fuel cell battery charger 415 and a grid power charger 420.

The fuel cell battery charger 415 is inbuilt with microcontrollers, fuel cells, fuel tank, control valves, actuators, sensors, pressure regulators and pumps, and power converters. The fuel cell battery charger 415 converts stored energy in hydrogen or hydrocarbons to electricity. The electricity generated by the fuel cell is converted to required power levels to charge the stationery batteries 405 by the fuel cell battery charger 415. The fuel cell battery charger 415 constantly monitors the level of charge in the stationery batteries 405 and constantly replenishes charge of the stationery batteries 415. The fuel cell battery charger 415 is governed by the master control unit 202.

The grid based battery charger 420 is a standby system which acts as backup on failure/malfunction of the fuel cell battery charger 415. This system is inbuilt with microcontrollers and electronic devices that convert grid power from the grid power source 410 to suitable electric power as required for replenishing charge of the stationery batteries 405. On failure of the fuel cell battery charger 415, the master control unit 202 instructs the grid based battery charger 420 to take over the functions of the fuel cell battery charger 415. The grid power source 420 can also provide electric power to the charge 106 to charge the batteries 118. In an exemplary implementation, the grid power source 420 is used as a main source of electric power and alternatively, the electric power from the stationery batteries 405 is used to charge the batteries 118 by the charger 106.

It will be recognized that the above described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that, the invention is not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but it is rather to be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A charging power outpost comprising:

an energy power source configured for providing electric power to charge one or more batteries of a vehicle;

at least one charger configured for dynamically converting the electric power from the electric power source as per requirement of the vehicle;

at least one plug-in connector configured for replenishing charge of the one or more batteries using the converted electric power supplied by the at least one charger; and

an energy metering unit configured for recording amount of electric power consumed to replenish the charge of the one or more batteries.

2. The charging power outpost of claim 1 , wherein the energy power source is selected from the group consisting of grid power source, and stationary batteries.

3. The charging power outpost of claim 2, further comprising at least one of a fuel cell based charger and a grid based charger for recharging the stationery batteries.

4. The charging power outpost of claim 1 , wherein the at least one charger is selected from the group consisting of a rapid battery charger, a grid charger, and a power inverter.

5. The charging power outpost of claim 1 , further comprising a display unit configured for displaying amount of electric power consumed by the vehicle to replenish the charge of the one or more batteries.

6. The charging power outpost of claim 1 , further comprising:

a master control unit configured for authenticating the vehicle based on credentials associated with the vehicle and for activating the at least one plug-in connector for replenishing charge of the one or more batteries upon successful authentication.

7. The charging power outpost of claim 6, wherein the credentials are obtained from the vehicle by the master control unit via the at least one plug-in connector.

8. The charging power outpost of claim 7, wherein the credentials comprises charge level of the one or more batteries, chemistry of the one or more batteries, vehicle registration information, and user code associated with the vehicle.

9. The charging power outpost of claim 6, wherein the master control unit is further configured for monitoring operational parameters associated with at least one of the energy power source, the at least one charger, the at least one plug-in connector, and the energy metering unit.

10. The charging power outpost of claim 6, wherein the master control unit is further configured for communicating the amount of energy consumed by the one or more batteries of the vehicle to a remote server via a wireless communication channel.

11. The charging power outpost of claim 1 , further comprising at least one temperature and pressure monitoring unit for monitoring at least one of temperature and pressure associated with the energy power source, the at least one plug-in connector, the at least one rapid charger, and the energy metering unit.

12. The charging power outpost of claim 1 , further comprising a safety management system configured for monitoring safety parameters associated with at least one of the energy power source, the at least one charger, the at least one plug-in connector, and the energy metering unit.

13. The charging power outpost of claim 1 , wherein the at least one charger is a high frequency switch mode fast charger.

14. A system comprising:

at least one charging power outpost comprising:

an energy metering unit configured for recording amount of electric power consumed to replenish the charge of the one or more batteries; and

a remote server wirelessly coupled to the at least one charging power outpost configured for receiving amount of electric power consumed by the one or more batteries and charging a user of the vehicle based on the amount of electric power consumed from the at least one charging power outpost for a particular time interval.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the energy power source is selected from the group consisting of grid power source, and stationary batteries.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising at least one of a fuel cell based charger and a grid based charger for recharging the stationery batteries.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one charger is selected from the group consisting of a rapid battery charger, a grid charger, and a power inverter.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the charging power outpost comprises a display unit configured for displaying amount of electric power consumed by the one or more batteries.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the charging power outpost comprises a master control unit configured for authenticating the vehicle based on credentials associated with the vehicle and for activating the at least one plug-in connector for replenishing charge of the one or more batteries upon successful authentication.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the credentials are obtained from the vehicle by the master control unit via the at least one plug-in connector.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the credentials comprises charge level of the one or more batteries, chemistry of the one or more batteries, vehicle registration information, and user code associated with the vehicle.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the master control unit is further configured for monitoring operational parameters associated with at least one of the energy power source, the at least one charger, the at least one plug-in connector, and the energy metering unit.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein the master control unit is further configured for communicating the amount of energy consumed by the one or more batteries of the vehicle to the remote server via a wireless communication channel.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the charging power outpost comprises at least one temperature and pressure monitoring unit for monitoring at least one of temperature and pressure associated with the energy power source, the at least one plug-in connector, the at least one rapid charger, and the energy metering unit.

25. The system of claim 14, wherein the charging power outpost comprises a safety management system configured for monitoring safety parameters associated with at least one of the energy power source, the at least one charger, the at least one plug-in connector, and the energy metering unit.