Abstract: An electrical charging system configured to wirelessly charge an energy storage device, such as a battery. The charging system includes an off-transducer in electrical communication with an alternating power source and electromagnetically coupled to an on-vehicle transducer connected to the energy storage device. A controller adjusts a variable frequency oscillator within the power transmitter, thereby changing the frequency of the sourced electrical power. The charging system further includes a phase detection circuit in communication with the controller and the off-transducer and configured to determine a phase difference between the alternating voltage and the alternating current supplied by the power source. The controller is configured to adjust the variable frequency oscillator based on the phase difference such that the frequency of the sourced electrical power maintains the phase difference within a desired range.

Abstract: An electrical charging system configured to charge a battery includes a power transmitter, an energy coupling arrangement, an electrical signal shaping device including a controller, and an alignment means. The arrangement includes a first inductive coil disposed external to the vehicle and a second inductive coil attached with the vehicle. The alignment means communicates with the vehicle to ensure repeatable vehicle positioning so that the second inductive coil is positioned relative to the first inductive coil so that the second inductive coil receives the energy produced by the power transmitter wirelessly transmitted from the first inductive coil. The energy received by the second inductive coil is electrically shaped by the electrical signal shaping device and further transmitted through the electrical signal shaping device as controlled by the controller to charge the battery. Methods for transmitting energy through the electrical charging system to charge the battery are also presented.

Abstract: An electrical charging system configured to charge a battery includes a power transmitter, an energy coupling arrangement, an electrical signal shaping device including a controller, and an alignment means. The arrangement includes a first inductive coil disposed external to the vehicle and a second inductive coil attached with the vehicle. The alignment means communicates with the vehicle to ensure repeatable vehicle positioning so that the second inductive coil is positioned relative to the first inductive coil so that the second inductive coil receives the energy produced by the power transmitter wirelessly transmitted from the first inductive coil. The energy received by the second inductive coil is electrically shaped by the electrical signal shaping device and further transmitted through the electrical signal shaping device as controlled by the controller to charge the battery. Methods for transmitting energy through the electrical charging system to charge the battery are also presented.

Abstract: An electrical charging system configured to charge a battery includes a power transmitter, an energy coupling arrangement, an electrical signal shaping device including a controller, and an alignment means. The arrangement includes a first inductive coil disposed external to the vehicle and a second inductive coil attached with the vehicle. The alignment means communicates with the vehicle to ensure repeatable vehicle positioning so that the second inductive coil is positioned relative to the first inductive coil so that the second inductive coil receives the energy produced by the power transmitter wirelessly transmitted from the first inductive coil. The energy received by the second inductive coil is electrically shaped by the electrical signal shaping device and further transmitted through the electrical signal shaping device as controlled by the controller to charge the battery. Methods for transmitting energy through the electrical charging system to charge the battery are also presented.

Abstract: A wireless vehicle battery charging system includes an off-vehicle transducer connected to a power source and configured to wirelessly transmit and receive a first alternating current having a first frequency, an on-vehicle transducer configured to wirelessly transmit and receive the first alternating current, and a frequency converting circuit connected to the on-vehicle transducer. The frequency converting circuit is configured to change the first frequency of the first alternating current to a second alternating current having a second frequency. The system further includes a battery within the vehicle and a regenerative braking circuit connected to the frequency converting circuit and the battery. The regenerative braking circuit is configured to rectify the second alternating current to a direct current supplied to the battery and configured to convert the direct current from the battery to the second alternating current supplied to the frequency converting circuit.

Abstract: An electrical charging system configured to wirelessly charge an energy storage device, such as a battery. The charging system includes an off-transducer in electrical communication with an alternating power source and electromagnetically coupled to an on-vehicle transducer connected to the energy storage device. A controller adjusts a variable frequency oscillator within the power transmitter, thereby changing the frequency of the sourced electrical power. The charging system further includes a phase detection circuit in communication with the controller and the off-transducer and configured to determine a phase difference between the alternating voltage and the alternating current supplied by the power source. The controller is configured to adjust the variable frequency oscillator based on the phase difference such that the frequency of the sourced electrical power maintains the phase difference within a desired range.

Abstract: A connector handle for an electric vehicle battery charger is provided. The connector handle includes a latch that is operable to a locked position and an unlocked position. The connector handle also includes an electric circuit configured to provide an enable indication and a disable indication. The connector handle also includes an actuator button moveable to a first position where the latch is in the locked position and the electric circuit provides the enable indication, a second position where the latch is in the locked position and the electric circuit provides the disable indication, and a third position where the latch is in the unlocked position and the electric circuit provides the disable indication.

Abstract: A connector handle for an electric vehicle battery charger is provided. The connector handle includes a latch that is operable to a locked position and an unlocked position. The connector handle also includes an electric circuit configured to provide an enable indication and a disable indication. The connector handle also includes an actuator button moveable to a first position where the latch is in the locked position and the electric circuit provides the enable indication, a second position where the latch is in the locked position and the electric circuit provides the disable indication, and a third position where the latch is in the unlocked position and the electric circuit provides the disable indication.

Abstract: A power safety system (PSS) includes a plurality of thermally-triggered electrical breaking arrangements (TTEBAs). The plurality of TTEBAs are associated with a plurality of electrical devices (EDs) disposed external to the PSS. The PSS further includes a plurality of electrical power connections (EPCs) associated with said plurality of TTEBAs that are configured to respectively electrically connect the PSS to the plurality of EDs. When at least one TTEBA in the plurality of TTEBAs is electrically operative and at least one thermal event occurs that is sufficient to thermally activate the at least one electrically operative TTEBA, at least the EPC associated with the at least one thermally activated TTEBA is electrically broken. A method to protect a human operator of the PSS from a thermal event is also presented. A PSS also extends to a primary and a secondary electrical charging system used to charge a battery of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method to electrically charge an energy storage device (ESD) includes a step of electrically charging the ESD with energy transmitted through a regenerative braking electrical circuit (RBEC) disposed on vehicle by an electrical charging system (ECS) in electrical connection therewith. The ESD may be electrically charged by the ECS or a motor/generator that is also in electrical communication with the RBEC. The method also includes another step of electrically transmitting energy from the ESD through the RBEC and the ECS to supply energy to a power grid disposed external to the vehicle. An ECS for electrically charging an ESD is also presented that includes a first transducer, a second transducer that wirelessly receives energy from the first transducer, a motor/generator, and at least one electrical component which receives energy from the second transducer or energy from the motor/generator to electrically charge the ESD.

Abstract: An electrical charging system (ECS) is used to electrically charge an energy storage device (ESD) using wireless electromagnetic or inductive charging. The ECS includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) electrical circuit, a first transducer, and a plurality of second transducers. The VCO electrical circuit sequentially excites a plurality of coils in a first transducer to select one of a plurality of second transducers in which to transfer energy when the ESD is electrically charged. ECS power efficiency is measured during the excitation of the plurality of coils and used to determine whether the ECS uses the electromagnetic or inductive approach to electrically charge the ESD. The VCO electrical circuit also assists to maintain an optimum ECS power efficiency during electrical charging of the ESD. A method to electrically charge an ESD associated with a first vehicle and an ESD associated with a second vehicle with the ECS is also presented.

Abstract: An electrical charging system (ECS) to electrically charge a battery includes a power transmitter, an energy coupling arrangement, at least one electrical signal shaping device (ESSD) including a controller, and an alignment means. The arrangement includes a first transducer disposed external to the vehicle and a second transducer attached with the vehicle. The alignment means communicates with the vehicle to ensure repeatable vehicle positioning so that the second transducer is positioned relative to the first transducer so that the second transducer receives the energy produced by the power transmitter wirelessly transmitted from the first transducer. The energy received by the second transducer is electrically shaped by the ESSD and further electrically transmitted through the ESSD as controlled by the controller to electrically charge the ESD. Methods to operate and electrically transmit energy through the ECS to electrically charge the EDS are also presented.

Abstract: The handle of a charge coupler includes a mechanical latch that securely mechanically locks the handle to the vehicle passively when the handle is manually attached to the vehicle by a human operator to create an electrical connection between the vehicle and the charger. The handle also has an actuator movable by the operator from a deactivated state to a first and a second position activated state. The mechanical latch operates independently of the state of the actuator when the handle is being manually attached but being mechanically released by the actuator when it is moved to its second activated state. A non-contact electrical switch means associated with the actuator breaks the electrical connection when the actuator is moved to the first position activated state before releasing the mechanical latch at said second activated position.

Abstract: A modular circuit disconnect device for connection in a circuit comprises a housing, a bus bar electrical conductor terminated on each end for connection in a circuit, an electrical conductor separator mechanism that uses kinetic energy to sever the electrical conductor, and an interface to accept a signal that indicates a condition requiring the electrical conductor to be severed. One embodiment utilizes a pyrotechnic device to sever a bus bar after receipt of a signal.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed including a seat cushion and a seat back. The vehicle seat includes a plurality of electronic devices secured to both the seat cushion and the seat back. These electronic devices allow the occupant of the vehicle seat to control the features of the vehicle seat that are electronically modified, i.e., position, orientation, temperature, and the activation of lumbar support and/or massage devices, if any. The vehicle seat also includes a plurality of sensors associated with each of the electronic devices. Each of the sensors determines the condition or status of the electronic device to which the sensor is associated. At least one serial bus connects all of the electronic devices and sensors to a single control unit that receives all of the data from the sensors and, depending on the instructions input by the occupant of the vehicle seat, controls the electronic devices. The control unit can be integrated into the occupant position switch assembly.