Abstract: A vehicle charging cable is disclosed configured to charge a vehicle battery on a vehicle from a utility power source, the cable comprising: a vehicle connector and a control module. The vehicle connector is connected to a power cable configured to supply power for charging the vehicle battery. The vehicle connector is configured to connect to a charging port on the vehicle. The control module is connected to the power cable. The control module is configured to receive utility data from the utility power source and to receive vehicle data from the vehicle, and to adjust the power supplied to the vehicle battery based on the utility data and the vehicle data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a functional high-voltage interlock system. The apparatus includes an enclosure, a high-voltage terminal, a low-voltage circuit, and a control circuit. The enclosure includes an access point that may be breached. The high-voltage terminal is disposed at least partially within the enclosure, is accessible by breaching the high-voltage access point, and is configured to be energized from a high-voltage electrical power source. The low-voltage circuit is disposed within the enclosure, and is coupled to selectively receive a low-voltage electrical signal. The control circuit is coupled to, and is configured to supply the low-voltage electrical signal to, the low-voltage circuit only when the high-voltage access point is not breached. The control circuit implements a first function and a disparate second function.

Abstract: A charging system of the present invention is connectable to a power grid having a monitoring device. The monitoring device monitors the power delivered to a plurality of loads and determines a power factor and a power factor correction value associated with the loads. The power factor correction value indicates the difference between the power factor and unity. The charging system includes an electrical device, a charger in communication with the electrical device, a charging controller, a power factor correction circuit, a communication device, and a controller. The communication device of the charger receives a data signal from the monitoring device indicative of the power factor correction value associated with the plurality of loads. The power factor correction circuit is configured to communicate an input current to and from the power grid, which adjusts the power factor of the associated loads to about unity.

Abstract: A charging system of the present invention is connectable to a power grid having a monitoring device. The monitoring device monitors the power delivered to a plurality of loads and determines a power factor and a power factor correction value associated with the loads. The power factor correction value indicates the difference between the power factor and unity. The charging system includes an electrical device, a charger in communication with the electrical device, a charging controller, a power factor correction circuit, a communication device, and a controller. The communication device of the charger receives a data signal from the monitoring device indicative of the power factor correction value associated with the plurality of loads. The power factor correction circuit is configured to communicate an input current to and from the power grid, which adjusts the power factor of the associated loads to about unity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a functional high-voltage interlock system. The apparatus includes an enclosure, a high-voltage terminal, a low-voltage circuit, and a control circuit. The enclosure includes an access point that may be breached. The high-voltage terminal is disposed at least partially within the enclosure, is accessible by breaching the high-voltage access point, and is configured to be energized from a high-voltage electrical power source. The low-voltage circuit is disposed within the enclosure, and is coupled to selectively receive a low-voltage electrical signal. The control circuit is coupled to, and is configured to supply the low-voltage electrical signal to, the low-voltage circuit only when the high-voltage access point is not breached. The control circuit implements a first function and a disparate second function.

Abstract: A vehicle charging cable is disclosed configured to charge a vehicle battery on a vehicle from a utility power source, the cable comprising: a vehicle connector and a control module. The vehicle connector is connected to a power cable configured to supply power for charging the vehicle battery. The vehicle connector is configured to connect to a charging port on the vehicle. The control module is connected to the power cable. The control module is configured to receive utility data from the utility power source and to receive vehicle data from the vehicle, and to adjust the power supplied to the vehicle battery based on the utility data and the vehicle data.

Abstract: A method for communicating between a battery charger and a battery control unit in a hybrid vehicle includes the steps of forming a first message with at least a renewable energy storage system (RESS) command and a command security measure for the RESS command, transmitting the first message from the battery control unit to the battery charger, forming a second message in response to the first message with at least an RESS response and a response security measure for the RESS response, and transmitting the second message from the battery charger to the battery control unit.

Abstract: A connection monitoring system and method for a vehicle high voltage energy storage system is disclosed. The method performs a check, at initial connection of the high voltage energy storage system, to insure that the vehicle high voltage wiring system is fully connected and without short circuits prior to allowing full current to the vehicle and normal vehicle operation. The method switches in a resistor to limit current flow between the high voltage energy storage system and the vehicle high voltage wiring, and measures the voltage and a voltage rise time across the resistor. The voltage and the voltage rise time across the resistor are used to determine if a short circuit is present, and if so the high voltage energy storage system is disconnected to protect the vehicle and its users.

Abstract: A connection monitoring system and method for a vehicle high voltage energy storage system is disclosed. The method performs a check, at initial connection of the high voltage energy storage system, to insure that the vehicle high voltage wiring system is fully connected and without short circuits prior to allowing full current to the vehicle and normal vehicle operation. The method switches in a resistor to limit current flow between the high voltage energy storage system and the vehicle high voltage wiring, and measures the voltage and a voltage rise time across the resistor. The voltage and the voltage rise time across the resistor are used to determine if a short circuit is present, and if so the high voltage energy storage system is disconnected to protect the vehicle and its users.