Abstract: A battery charging station is provided that includes a plurality of charge ports, a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and where each power stage provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, a switching system that is used to couple the output of the power stages to the charging ports, a system monitor that determines current charging station and vehicle conditions, and a controller that controls operation of the switching system in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules and on the basis of the current charging station and vehicle conditions. Current charging station and vehicle conditions may include vehicle arrival time, usage fees, vehicle and/or customer priority information, battery pack SOC, and/or intended departure time.

Abstract: A method of distributing charging power among a plurality of charge ports of a battery charging station is provided, where the battery charging station includes a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, the method comprising the steps of (i) monitoring battery charging station conditions and operating conditions for each charging port; (ii) determining current battery charging station conditions, including current operating conditions for each charging port; (iii) determining power distribution for the battery charging station and the charging ports in response to the current battery charging conditions and in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules; and (iv) coupling the power stages to the charging ports in accordance with the power distribution.

Abstract: A contamination cleaner for a socket of a charging connector used with a charging station for an electric vehicle wherein the charging connector mates to a charging coupler of the electric vehicle during charging includes a housing mechanically configured generally similarly to the charging coupler enabling the housing to mechanically mate to the charging connector; and a cleaning contact, coupled to the housing and complementary to the socket, for engaging the socket and removing surface contaminants from the socket whenever the housing mechanically mates to the charging connector.

Abstract: A vehicle charge inlet integrated into a port assembly surface is provided. The charge inlet includes an inlet housing with a perimeter that is curvilinear, non-cylindrical and shaped so that only a single orientation of a complementary sized and shaped electrical connector may be inserted into the inlet. A plurality of electrical contacts, a latching mechanism and a divider are also integrated into the charge inlet housing, the divider extending from the bottom surface of the inlet housing and configured to fit within a complementary slot of the charge connector, the divider providing further electrical isolation between the electrical contacts. A funneling surface connects the open end of the inlet housing to the port assembly surface.

Abstract: A vehicle charge inlet integrated into a port assembly surface is provided. The charge inlet includes an inlet housing with a perimeter that is curvilinear, non-cylindrical and shaped so that only a single orientation of a complementary sized and shaped electrical connector may be inserted into the inlet. A plurality of electrical contacts, a latching mechanism and a divider are also integrated into the charge inlet housing, the divider extending from the bottom surface of the inlet housing and configured to fit within a complementary slot of the charge connector, the divider providing further electrical isolation between the electrical contacts. A funneling surface connects the open end of the inlet housing to the port assembly surface.

Abstract: A battery charging station is provided that includes a plurality of charge ports, a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and where each power stage provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, a switching system that is used to couple the output of the power stages to the charging ports, a system monitor that determines current charging station and vehicle conditions, and a controller that controls operation of the switching system in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules and on the basis of the current charging station and vehicle conditions. Current charging station and vehicle conditions may include vehicle arrival time, usage fees, vehicle and/or customer priority information, battery pack SOC, and/or intended departure time.

Abstract: A method of distributing charging power among a plurality of charge ports of a battery charging station is provided, where the battery charging station includes a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, the method comprising the steps of (i) monitoring battery charging station conditions and operating conditions for each charging port; (ii) determining current battery charging station conditions, including current operating conditions for each charging port; (iii) determining power distribution for the battery charging station and the charging ports in response to the current battery charging conditions and in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules; and (iv) coupling the power stages to the charging ports in accordance with the power distribution.

Abstract: A contamination cleaner for a socket of a charging connector used with a charging station for an electric vehicle wherein the charging connector mates to a charging coupler of the electric vehicle during charging includes a housing mechanically configured generally similarly to the charging coupler enabling the housing to mechanically mate to the charging connector; and a cleaning contact, coupled to the housing and complementary to the socket, for engaging the socket and removing surface contaminants from the socket whenever the housing mechanically mates to the charging connector.