Abstract: A system including one or more processors is provided. The one or more processors can determine, responsive to an arrival of an electric vehicle at a dispenser of a plurality of dispensers coupled with a power module of a power cabinet, a status of each of the plurality of dispensers. The one or more processors can generate a schedule to control the plurality of dispensers based at least in part on the status of each of the plurality of dispensers. The one or more processors can provide the schedule to the power cabinet to cause the power cabinet to control the power module to deliver power to one of the plurality of dispensers in accordance with the schedule.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses and methods for performing vehicle-to-vehicle and/or vehicle-to-load charging. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a multi-function DC power unit and an interface unit configured to perform battery recharging between a donor battery-powered device and a receiver battery-powered device. The interface unit is configured to removably receive the multi-function DC power unit.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative charging systems, electrical dispensers, dispenser chains, methods of charging a vehicle, and methods of providing charging power to a vehicle. A charging system includes a power cabinet having at least one direct current (DC) power module. The charging system also includes at least one dispenser chain, each dispenser chain being electrically couplable to a respective DC power module. Each dispenser chain includes dispensers that are electrically couplable with each other in series and that are configured to dispense electrical power, each of the dispensers being controllable such that electrical power is dispensable by only one dispenser in its dispenser chain at a time.

Abstract: A system includes a computer processor configured to receive a vehicle identifier and a charging power dispenser identifier from a vehicle coupled to a specific charging power dispenser of a charging power dispenser chain. The system also includes a control program being configured to run on the computer processor, the control program being configured to determine a time to deliver power to the vehicle and an amount of power to deliver to the vehicle, the control program being further configured to send to a communication hub of a power cabinet electrically coupled to the charging power dispenser chain the time to deliver power to the vehicle, the amount of power to deliver to the vehicle, the vehicle identifier, and the charging power dispenser identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a dual active bridge converter are disclosed herein. An environmental condition associated with an electric charger for an electric vehicle may be determined, where the electric charger comprises a dual active bridge converter. Based on the environmental condition associated with the electric charger, the dual active bridge converter may be caused to enter a heat generation mode that causes the dual active bridge converter to generate heat to ameliorate the environmental condition associated with the electric charger.

Abstract: A charge coupler adapted to be coupled to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle, the charge coupler including: a housing including a first portion adapted to be disposed around a first plurality of contacts and a second portion adapted to be disposed around a second plurality of contacts; a conductive member disposed between the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing; and a control system coupled to the conductive member and operable for sensing a break in the conductive member indicating damage to one or more of the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing or that the second portion of the housing is detached from the first portion of the housing. Optionally, the conductive member includes a conductive loop disposed around an inner periphery of the housing, the first plurality of contacts, and the second plurality of contacts.

Abstract: A low-voltage distribution board and a direct current fast charging (DCFC) system including the low-voltage distribution board are provided. The DCFC system includes a power supply and a plurality of loads connected by a serial bus. The low-voltage distribution board includes a first input connector configured to receive power from the first power supply, and a first plurality of output connectors configured to be connected to the first plurality of loads. The low-voltage distribution board further includes a first current distribution circuit configured to provide, through the first plurality of output connectors, the received power from the first power supply to the first plurality of loads, and an identification (ID) assignment circuit configured to provide, through the first plurality of output connectors, different ID values to each of the first plurality of loads.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that provide for receiving a notification of a vehicle to be charged by a charging station having a plurality of chargers. Information identifying a first one of the plurality of chargers may be communicated to the vehicle in response to the notification. Example systems for charging vehicles via a plurality of chargers may include a processor configured to receive a notification of a vehicle approaching a charging station comprising the plurality of chargers. The processor may also be configured to determine a first one of the plurality of chargers for charging the vehicle. The system may also include a first visual identifier located at a first one of the plurality of chargers. The processor may be configured to activate the selective visual identifier to communicate the first one of the plurality of chargers to the vehicle.

Abstract: A charging dispenser includes a direct current (DC) electrical power input, a DC electrical power pass through output, and a DC electrical power charging output. The charging dispenser also includes a switching unit coupled to the DC electrical power input, the DC electrical power pass through output, and the DC electrical power charging output. Further, the charging dispenser includes a controller configured to provide control signals to the switching unit, the switching unit being configured, responsive to the control signals, to selectively electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser and to selectively electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for releasably attaching a charging interface (that is coupled to an overhead cable) to a lower surface, thereby helping contribute to limiting unintended movement of the charging interface. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a releasable coupling. An upper interface is configured to secure a first end of the releasable coupling to an implement at an end of an overhead cable that extends downwardly from an overhead body. A lower interface is configured to releasably secure a second end of the releasable coupling to a lower surface. The lower interface is configured to release the second end of the releasable coupling responsive to a strain on the lower interface in excess of a release threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and methods to switchably provide electric power to a battery system and an external system, such as another battery system, from a single charging system or other source of electric power. In an illustrative embodiment, a charging input coupling couplable to an electric power source; a charging output coupling; a battery system coupling couplable to a rechargeable battery system; and an electric switching device electrically couplable to the charging input coupling, the charging output coupling, and the battery system coupling, and configured to selectively operate in an operating mode including at least one of a first mode and a second mode, wherein: in the first mode, the electric switching device directs the electric power to a the battery system coupling, and in the second mode, the electric switching device directs the electric power to the charging output coupling.

Abstract: A direct current fast charge (DCFC) system and associated method that lower standby power dramatically when the DCFC system is not in operation, and that provide a reset capability for communication needs. The DCFC system utilizes an appropriate load disconnection switch and an associated control and communication circuit, timer circuit, and automatic turn on system. This improves the reliability of the electronics by removing voltage stress during the standby mode. The DCFC system prevents energy waste, and therefore provides a “green” alternative to conventional DCFC systems.

Abstract: A charging system includes a plurality of power charging cabinets, each power charging cabinet being configured with a plurality of electrical power outputs. The charging system also includes at least one power dispenser chain coupled to at least one of the plurality of electrical power outputs, each of the power dispenser chains having more than one addressable power dispenser electrically coupled thereto and each of the power dispensers being configured to be addressed based on a vehicle identifier of a vehicle coupled to an addressed power dispenser, each of the power dispensers also having a controller configured to control electrical power delivery to a destination chosen from a charging power output of the power dispenser and to another power dispenser in the power dispenser chain. The charging system further includes a central control system configured to communicate with controllers of the power dispensers of the at least one power dispenser chain.

Abstract: An automated vehicle battery preconditioning system and method that receive battery state-of-charge and battery preconditioning time information from a vehicle battery management system of each of a plurality of vehicles and battery charging time and charging power information from a battery charger management system and, based on the information, generate a battery charging schedule and a battery preconditioning schedule for the plurality of vehicles; direct the battery charger management system to charge a battery of each of the plurality of vehicles according to the battery charging schedule; and direct the vehicle battery management system of each of the plurality of vehicles to precondition the associated battery according to the battery preconditioning schedule.

Abstract: A charging station includes an alternating current (AC) electrical power input and at least one direct current (DC) electrical power module coupled to the AC electrical power input. The charging station also includes at least one station output having a vehicle DC electrical power output, a communications output, and a dispenser DC electrical power output, the dispenser DC electrical power output being configured to be coupled to at least one dispenser. The charging station further includes a communications hub including at least one communications network connection, the communications hub being configured to receive information relating to an amount of DC electrical power to be delivered to a particular dispenser coupled to the charging station.

Abstract: A charging dispenser includes a direct current (DC) electrical power input, a DC electrical power pass through output, and a DC electrical power charging output. The charging dispenser also includes a switching unit coupled to the DC electrical power input, the DC electrical power pass through output, and the DC electrical power charging output. Further, the charging dispenser includes a controller configured to provide control signals to the switching unit, the switching unit being configured, responsive to the control signals, to selectively electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser and to selectively electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser.

Abstract: A charge coupler adapted to be coupled to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle, the charge coupler including: a housing including a first portion adapted to be disposed around a first plurality of contacts and a second portion adapted to be disposed around a second plurality of contacts; a conductive member disposed between the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing; and a control system coupled to the conductive member and operable for sensing a break in the conductive member indicating damage to one or more of the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing or that the second portion of the housing is detached from the first portion of the housing. Optionally, the conductive member includes a conductive loop disposed around an inner periphery of the housing, the first plurality of contacts, and the second plurality of contacts.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for releas ably attaching a charging interface (that is coupled to an overhead cable) to a lower surface, thereby helping contribute to limiting unintended movement of the charging interface. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a releasable coupling. An upper interface is configured to secure a first end of the releasable coupling to an implement at an end of an overhead cable that extends downwardly from an overhead body. A lower interface is configured to releasably secure a second end of the releasable coupling to a lower surface. The lower interface is configured to release the second end of the releasable coupling responsive to a strain on the lower interface in excess of a release threshold.

Abstract: A charging dispenser includes a direct current (DC) electrical power input, a DC electrical power pass through output, and a DC electrical power charging output. The charging dispenser also includes a switching unit coupled to the DC electrical power input, the DC electrical power pass through output, and the DC electrical power charging output. Further, the charging dispenser includes a controller configured to provide control signals to the switching unit, the switching unit being configured, responsive to the control signals, to selectively electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser and to selectively electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses and methods for performing vehicle-to-vehicle and/or vehicle-to-load charging. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a multi-function DC power unit and an interface unit configured to perform battery recharging between a donor battery-powered device and a receiver battery-powered device. The interface unit is configured to removably receive the multi-function DC power unit.