Patents Assigned to Proterra Inc.
  • Patent number: 9809122
    Abstract: A charging station for charging an electric vehicle may include a charge head movably attached to a charge head assembly and at least one head landing switch including a lever and a contact element. A first end of the lever may be rotatably coupled to the charge head and an opposite second end of the lever may be rotatably coupled to the contact element. At least a bottom surface of the contact element may be positioned below the bottom surface of the charge head such that the contact element can contact the roof of the electric vehicle before the bottom surface of the charge head can contact the roof. And, a width of the contact element may be greater than a width of the seam on the charging interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Seamus T. McGrath, Ryan P. Watts
  • Patent number: 9776520
    Abstract: A method for aligning a vehicle at a charging station may include determining the distance between each sensor of the plurality of sensors and a target surface of the charging station. The method may further include aligning the vehicle at the charging station using the determined distance data, and charging the electric vehicle at the charging station. The method may further include using the determined distances to align the side of the vehicle substantially parallel to the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventor: Keyur M Shah
  • Patent number: 9764653
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Michael Alan Finnern, Michael Walker
  • Patent number: 9764658
    Abstract: A control unit of an electric vehicle receives a signal indicative of an operator desired torque and sends a signal to the traction motor to output a value of torque that is the algebraic sum of the operator desired torque and a torque modification factor calculated by the control unit. The control unit calculates the torque modification factor from an efficiency map of the motor which indicates the efficiency of the motor as a function of its output torque and rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventor: Seneca Andrew Schepmann
  • Publication number: 20170217334
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Dale HILL, Michael WALKER, Joshua GOLDMAN, John HORTH
  • Patent number: 9718367
    Abstract: A vehicle charging system comprises a plurality of retractable conductor bars in a housing of a vehicle. The plurality of conductor bars includes a positive conductor bar and a negative conductor bar. Individual conductor bars of the plurality are electrically isolated from one another. The vehicle charging system further comprises a charging system having a receiver mounted on a support structure. The receiver comprises a plurality of electrical contact members in electrical communication with a power source. The receiver is configured to bring individual conductor bars of the plurality in contact with the electrical contact members for charging an energy storage device of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Seamus McGrath, Keyur Shah, Marc Gottschalk, Michael C. Walker
  • Publication number: 20170190256
    Abstract: A method for controlling the charging of one or more electric vehicles at one or more charging stations in a geographic locality includes determining if the charging event of an electric vehicle of the one or more electric vehicles increases a demand billing rate. The demand billing rate may be a cost per unit of energy in the locality. The method also includes charging the electric vehicle at the charging event such that the demand billing rate is not increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Seamus T. McGRATH, JUSTIN ALLEN, KEVIN ERTEL
  • Publication number: 20170182898
    Abstract: A charging station for charging an electric vehicle may include a charge head movably attached to a charge head assembly and at least one head landing switch including a lever and a contact element. A first end of the lever may be rotatably coupled to the charge head and an opposite second end of the lever may be rotatably coupled to the contact element. At least a bottom surface of the contact element may be positioned below the bottom surface of the charge head such that the contact element can contact the roof of the electric vehicle before the bottom surface of the charge head can contact the roof. And, a width of the contact element may be greater than a width of the seam on the charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Seamus T. McGrath, Ryan P. WATTS
  • Publication number: 20170182912
    Abstract: A method of docking an electric vehicle at a charging station may include identifying the vehicle as it approaches the charging station and transmitting a distance parameter from the charging station to the vehicle. The distance parameter may be a measure of distance. The method may also include determining a desired speed of the vehicle based on the distance parameter using an algorithm in the vehicle, and controlling the vehicle to attain the determined desired speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Simonini, Keyur Shah
  • Publication number: 20170187077
    Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a container having a lid and a plurality of battery cells housed in the container. Each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells may include a pair of tabs to electrically connect to the battery cell, a printed circuit board housed in the container, and a pair of contact elements. The printed circuit board may include circuitry adapted to monitor at least one battery cell. And, each contact element may be attached to the printed circuit board and configured to separably contact a tab of the at least one battery cell to electrically connect the at least one battery cell to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. McCARTNEY, Michael C. WALKER
  • Publication number: 20170166062
    Abstract: A heavy-duty electric vehicle having a pneumatic brake may include at least one electric motor configured to propel the vehicle, and a battery system configured to provide power to the at least one electric motor. The battery system may be configured to be recharged by regenerative braking of the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a braking system. The braking system may be configured to (a) apply substantially only regenerative braking to slow the vehicle during initial slowdown and (b) subsequently apply both regenerative braking and pneumatic braking after the initial slowdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: MATTHEW SIMONINI, SAMUEL SHARTZER
  • Patent number: 9680139
    Abstract: The invention provides for a high occupancy or heavy-duty vehicle with a battery propulsion power source, which may include lithium titanate batteries. The vehicle may be all-battery or may be a hybrid, and may have a composite body. The vehicle battery system may be housed within the floor of the vehicle and may have different groupings and arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Hill, Michael Walker, Shaun Onorato, Donald Morris, Stephen Misencik, John Winkel
  • Patent number: 9669719
    Abstract: A method of charging an electric vehicle at a charging station includes electrically connecting the charging station to the vehicle. The charging station may be configured to charge the vehicle using a charging station charge protocol and the vehicle may be configured to receive the charge using a vehicle charge protocol. The vehicle receives a signal indicative of the charging station charge protocol and selects the vehicle charge protocol based on this signal. The vehicle is then charged using the selected vehicle charge protocol. While selecting, the vehicle may select one charge protocol from multiple charge protocols supported by the vehicle to match the charging station charge protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Gerber, Seamus T. McGrath, Roger A. Innes, Timothy J. McCartney, Keyur M. Shah
  • Patent number: 9550428
    Abstract: A charging station for an electric vehicle having a charging blade may include a charge head configured to electrically connect with a charging blade of a vehicle to charge the vehicle, the charge head extending from a front end to a rear end along a longitudinal axis that extends along a direction of travel of the vehicle. The charge head may include a first housing and a second housing, wherein the first and second housings are (a) symmetrically positioned about the longitudinal axis and (b) separated by a channel that extends from the front end to the rear end of the charge head, the channel being dimensioned to position the charging blade therein. The charge head may further include one or more charging brushes located in each of the first housing and the second housing, wherein each of the one or more charging brushes in each housing is configured to extend into the channel towards the other housing to contact the charging blade positioned in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin William Ertel
  • Patent number: 9522603
    Abstract: A charging station for an electric vehicle may include a charge head configured to engage with the charging blade of the vehicle to transfer power. The charge head may include a housing with a central cavity extending along its longitudinal axis and a plurality of electrode holders. Each electrode holder may include an electrode configured to transform from an extended configuration when the charging blade is not positioned in the central cavity to a retracted configuration when the charging blade is positioned in the central cavity. In its extended configuration, the electrode may extend into the central cavity from a side wall of the housing, and in the retracted configuration, at least a portion of the electrode may retract into the housing. Each electrode may also include a plurality of springs configured to bias the electrode in the extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventor: Justin Aaron Allen
  • Publication number: 20160362014
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Dale HILL, Michael WALKER, Joshua GOLDMAN, John HORTH
  • Patent number: 9496735
    Abstract: The invention provides for an energy storage system that has a first plurality of battery cells that each are capable of a first C-rate. The plurality of battery cells can be charged at an equivalent rate on a kWh/minute basis as a second plurality of battery cells that each are capable of second C-rate, with the second C-rate being higher than the first C-rate. The first plurality of battery cells may have an energy storage capacity which is approximately twice the energy storage capacity for the second plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Seamus McGrath, Michael Alan Finnern
  • Patent number: 9496730
    Abstract: A battery management system includes several subsystem blocks, an Energy Storage Master unit, and several battery pack systems. The Energy Storage Master may interface with the Vehicle Master Controller by way of CAN or other communication method to an External Charger. Each battery module within a battery pack may include a Local Module Unit which may communicate with a Pack Master. The Pack Master may communicate with and may be controlled by the Energy Storage Master. Thus, there is a processor to monitor groups of battery cells, a second processor to collect further information about the cell groups, and a third module that takes high-level information from each cell group processor to process and pass on to other vehicle controllers or charger controllers. An integrated BMS may enable cell monitoring, temperature monitoring, cell balancing, string current monitoring, and charger control integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Nicky G. Gallegos, Michael Walker
  • Publication number: 20160311336
    Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Donald MORRIS, Dale HILL, John HORTH, Reuben SARKAR, Teresa J. ABBOTT, William Joseph Lord REEVES, Ryan Thomas WIENS
  • Publication number: 20160311335
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben SARKAR, Michael Alan FINNERN, Michael WALKER