An overhead EVSE is adapted for mounting to a fixed elevated location, a pole or an overhead track. The EVSE system employs a receptacle having an inside surface which defines a truncated cone having a large diameter first end and a reduced diameter second end. The second end has an opening through which the power cable bi-directionally passes. A drive pulley is employed to drive the cable to an extended and a retracted direction. The drive pulley operation is automatically controlled by a controller. The cable is extendable from a home position to an assist position and is extendable to an extended position for connection with an EV. In a retracted position, the cable is coiled against the receptacle inside surface with the coils having a progressively diminished coil diameter. The overhead EVSE may be mounted to a track. In one embodiment, the overhead EVSE functions as a shuttle displaceable along a track.
B60L 53/30 - Constructional details of charging stations
B65H 75/36 - Cores, formers, supports, or holders for coiled, wound, or folded material, e.g. reels, spindles, bobbins, cop tubes, cans specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material provided for particular purposes, e.g. anchored hoses, power cables without essentially involving the use of a core or former internal to a stored package of material, e.g. with stored material housed within casing or container, or intermittently engaging a plurality of supports as in sinuous or serpentine fashion
G07F 15/00 - Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas, or electricity
A shuttle system employs an overhead track for selectively positioning an overhead EVSE for servicing one of multiple bays of a service facility. The EVSE is mounted to rails of the track system by tandem roller assemblies. The power cord which connects the EVSE to the power supply is coilable by roller assemblies which also slide on a rail and allow the EVSE to be connected to power regardless of the position along the rail.
A cable management system for an overhead EVSE employs a lever-latch on the EV connector. A controller and motor mechanism is employed to lower the connector to an ADA compliant position or a pre-established height which is typically four feet. For an overhead system which employs a shuttle which slides along a track, the connector may then be grasped to pull the shuttle to a selected position along the track. The latch is depressible to extend the service cable to the connector so that the connector may be positioned and connected at the EV inlet. When the connector is unlatched from the EV inlet, the latch may be depressed to retract the connector to the pre-established height or ADA position. The latch requires a force of less than 5 lbs. for activation.
An overhead cable management for charging an electric vehicle employs a reel which receives a cable with an EV connector. A drive assembly employs a bi-positionable clutch and a gear assembly which sequentially engages a drive gear for the reel to unwind the cable from an overhead position to an ADA height, allow the cable and connector to be extended to connect with the EV and to wind the cable until a locked home position is obtained. The cable management is incorporated into an EVSE which is ceiling mounted, or an EVSE which is mounted to a pole or a wall. Numerous modules and features are optionally employed in connection with the operation of the cable management.
A multiple EVSE installation employs a power sharing system for EVSE pairs which share a common circuit breaker. When only one EVSE is connected to an electric vehicle for charging, the connected EVSE is allowed to charge at full capacity. When a second EV connects to the second EVSE of the pair, while the first EVSE is charging, a controller senses the latter event and issues commands to both EVSE units to limit their current so that the rated circuit breaker capacity is not exceeded. The controller continuously monitors the charging of each of the EVSE units and sends commands to adjust the supply of current to each EVSE accordingly.
An overhead cable management for charging an electric vehicle employs a reel which receives a cable with an EV connector. A drive assembly employs a bi-positionable clutch and a gear assembly which sequentially engages a drive gear for the reel to unwind the cable from an overhead position to an ADA height, allow the cable and connector to be extended to connect with the EV and to wind the cable until a locked home position is obtained. The cable management is incorporated into an EVSE which is ceiling mounted, or an EVSE which is mounted to a pole or a wall. Numerous modules and features are optionally employed in connection with the operation of the cable management.
A system for coiling an electrical cable employed for charging an electric vehicle employs a cable management system. The cable management system has a drive assembly which has a drive mode that retracts the cable and release mode which allows for the cable to be extended. The installation employs a drum having a cylindrical sidewall. The drive assembly drives the cable downwardly into a drum so that the cable progressively engages the sidewall to form a vertical coiled configuration. A clutch assembly cooperates with the drive assembly to provide the automatic retracting and extending operations and also locks the vehicle connector at the end of the electrical cable in an extended position as well as a retracted home position.
B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
B60L 3/00 - Electric devices on electrically-propelled vehicles for safety purposesMonitoring operating variables, e.g. speed, deceleration or energy consumption
B60L 3/04 - Cutting-off the power supply under fault conditions
A system for coiling an electrical cable employed for charging an electric vehicle employs a cable management system. The cable management system has a drive assembly which has a drive mode that retracts the cable and release mode which allows for the cable to be extended. The installation employs a drum having a cylindrical sidewall. The drive assembly drives the cable downwardly into a drum so that the cable progressively engages the sidewall to form a vertical coiled configuration. A clutch assembly cooperates with the drive assembly to provide the automatic retracting and extending operations and also locks the vehicle connector at the end of the electrical cable in an extended position as well as a retracted home position.
A multiple EVSE installation employs a power sharing system for EVSE pairs which share a common circuit breaker. When only one EVSE is connected to an electric vehicle for charging, the connected EVSE is allowed to charge at full capacity. When a second EV connects to the second EVSE of the pair, while the first EVSE is charging, a controller senses the latter event and issues commands to both EVSE units to limit their current so that the rated circuit breaker capacity is not exceeded. The controller continuously monitors the charging of each of the EVSE units and sends commands to adjust the supply of current to each EVSE accordingly.
A fuel dispensing installation employs multiple fuel islands with fuel dispensers and multiple fuel/travel lanes. The installation employs a communication/controller system for automatically identifying a vehicle, and upon authorizing the vehicle, allowing fuel to be dispensed to said vehicle, determining the quantity of fuel dispensed to the vehicle and securing the dispenser when the vehicle leaves a detection zone. The detection system employs RFID tags placed at both the driver side and the passenger side of the vehicle. Generally oppositely oriented antennas define a detection zone for each of the lanes. A light indicates whether the vehicle is authorized for receiving fuel.
G08G 1/017 - Detecting movement of traffic to be counted or controlled identifying vehicles
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
G07F 13/00 - Coin-freed apparatus for controlling dispensing of fluids, semiliquids or granular material from reservoirs
An EVSE controller system controls the supply of power to multiple charging stations for charging electric vehicles. A controller is interposed in a power line for controlling the flow of power to each charging station. An authorization station receives input from a vehicle operator for authorizing the supply of power at a given charging station. A vehicle detector is employed to automatically sense the presence of an electric vehicle at the charging station and to automatically terminate power supply to the charging station upon departure of the electric vehicle. Both level 1 and level 2 EVSE are operated by the controller system.
A tester connects with the connector of electrical vehicle service equipment (EVSE). The tester simulates the battery supply of an electric vehicle to test whether the EVSE is properly operating without requiring that the electric vehicle be present. In one embodiment LEDs are employed to indicate whether the EVSE meets specifications. In a second embodiment various measurements of voltage levels and signals are provided to allow for a more detailed analysis of the performance characteristics of the EVSE. Ground fault, proximity sensor, and re-closure tests are also undertaken.
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
G01R 21/00 - Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor
G01R 31/00 - Arrangements for testing electric propertiesArrangements for locating electric faultsArrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
20.
Pedestal mount housing for electric vehicle service equipment
A system for identifying an electric vehicle connected to electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) and which involves RF communication exploits the OBDM of the electric vehicle as well as the auto-CAM system. Power is applied from the EVSE to supply electric power and the flow of current to the battery charger is detected. The VIN and a power-on signal is then transmitted by RF to the EVSE transceiver. Power is removed from the EVSE to the electric vehicle. A VIN and a power-off signal is transmitted to the EVSE and processed to confirm the identity of the connected electric vehicle. Power is then re-applied to the EVSE to charge the battery power supply.
A valet EVSE system employs a plurality of outlet stations which are configured with an electrical outlet and brackets for receiving a portable EVSE unit. The portable EVSE unit is configured to removably mount to the brackets and draw power from the electrical outlet. In one embodiment a given station is adapted to receive and supply power to two portable EVSE units. A housing is provided with a pivoted cover for securing the plug of the EVSE unit with the outlet disposed in the housing.
A service line safety monitor which may be configured as a separate module or incorporated into an EVSE is adapted to monitor the connection with the service line to determine whether there is a defect in the connection. The module preferably employs a current transformer to determine a no-load and a load applied to the EVSE. Comparisons are made to determine whether there is a power loss. In the event of a power loss beyond a safe limit, the monitor disconnects the EVSE from the service line. A warning indicator is also employed.
H02H 3/18 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection responsive to reversal of direct current
24.
Power share system for electric vehicle service equipment
A power share module is employed to sense the power usage of an electric utility at a residence and to selectively provide power to an EVSE for charging an electric vehicle. If the power drawn by the utility such as an electric dryer or a range is above a certain threshold, power is not supplied to the EVSE. When power is less than the threshold, the power sharing module allows power to be supplied to the EVSE.
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
H02J 3/14 - Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks for adjusting voltage in ac networks by changing a characteristic of the network load by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
25.
Power share system for electric vehicle service equipment
A power sharing system employs an easily installed power share module for controlling the operation of an EVSE for charging an electric vehicle. The power module senses the power load of an appliance or of a service line to a remote residential unit and transmits a command signal to the EVSE. The power control module is configurable to transmit an on/off signal to the EVSE or a control level signal to the EVSE for controlling the charging by the EVSE in accordance with the available power due to the load of the appliance or the service line load.
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
H02J 7/02 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries for charging batteries from AC mains by converters
B60L 3/04 - Cutting-off the power supply under fault conditions
B60L 11/18 - using power supplied from primary cells, secondary cells, or fuel cells
H02J 3/14 - Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks for adjusting voltage in ac networks by changing a characteristic of the network load by switching loads on to, or off from, network, e.g. progressively balanced loading
A kiosk has a transaction terminal which is suspended between a pair of uprights. A cover is rotatably positionable between a closed position and an opened position to allow access to said terminal. The cover has a transparent, arcuate hood-like shape. The cover is maintainable in a stable opened position and is automatically returnable to the closed position. A solar array and/or communication equipment may be located above the transaction terminal.
G06F 7/08 - Sorting, i.e. grouping record carriers in numerical or other ordered sequence according to the classification of at least some of the information they carry
27.
Quick pass exit/entrance installation and monitoring method
A quick pass exit/entrance installation and method is particularly adaptable for controlling and monitoring the exit and return of vehicles to and from a secured area. The identification of the driver and the vehicle is automatically determined and the exiting transaction is undertaken while the driver remains seated in the vehicle. The vehicle VIN and the image of the license plate may be automatically obtained at both the exit and entrance lanes. An image of substantially all four sides of the vehicle may be automatically obtained on both exiting and entering the facility. The information is processed and receipts are issued while the driver remains seated in the vehicle.
H04N 9/47 - Colour synchronisation for sequential signals
H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
G07B 15/02 - Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points taking into account a variable factor such as distance or time, e.g. for passenger transport, parking systems or car rental systems
An electric charging system for charging electric vehicles is particularly adapted for use in a parking garage. Parking spaces in the garage are fixed with a charging station so that the vehicles may be charged while they park at the garage. The power cable which connects to charge the vehicle battery is suspended at a height generally above the vehicle and is automatically retractable. Information concerning the power charge is automatically transmitted to the payment station at the exit gate. A point of sale (POS) module is mounted for communication with the power cable. The point of sale (POS) module and the connector are easily accessible and the connector is positionable for ease of connection with the vehicle terminal. A retractor for extending and retracting an overhead power cable employs a drive wheel and a clutch which are electronically controlled.
