Abstract: A charging device for use with a power storage device includes a housing, a power conduit configured to deliver current to the power storage device, and a cable reel assembly coupled to the housing and to the power conduit. The cable reel assembly is configured to permit extension of a portion of said power conduit from said housing and to retract the portion of said power conduit into said housing.

Abstract: A charging device for use with an electric vehicle including a power storage device. The charging device includes a power conduit configured to electrically couple the power storage device to the charging device. The charging device includes a first protection device configured to electrically isolate the charging device from the power storage device if a current flowing through the power conduit exceeds a current limit. The charging device also includes a controller configured to control the current flowing through the power conduit if the current flowing through the power conduit causes an integration threshold to be exceeded, wherein the integration threshold is representative of a predetermined amount of current that is enabled to flow through the power conduit over a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun configured to generate a plasma plume, at least one capacitor configured to store electrical energy, and a trigger circuit communicatively coupled to the plasma gun and the capacitor. The trigger circuit is configured to transmit a first signal to the capacitor to cause the capacitor to transmit a first portion of the electrical energy to the plasma gun. The trigger circuit is also configured to transmit a second signal to the plasma gun to cause the plasma gun to generate the plasma plume using the first portion of the electrical energy.

Abstract: A device for controlling an electrical current includes control circuitry, a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch in communication with the control circuitry, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current, a Hybrid Arcless Limiting Technology (HALT) arc suppression circuit disposed in electrical communication with the MEMS switch to receive a transfer of electrical energy from the MEMS switch in response to the MEMS switch changing state from closed to open, the HALT arc suppression circuit including a capacitive portion, and a variable resistance arranged in parallel electrical communication with the capacitive portion of the HALT arc suppression circuit, the variable resistance to dissipate a portion of the transferred electrical energy.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun, at least one capacitor communicatively coupled to the plasma gun, and a monitoring circuit communicatively coupled to the at least one capacitor. The capacitor is configured to store electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to the plasma gun. The monitoring circuit is configured to measure a charge property of the at least one capacitor, determine a charge status of the at least one capacitor based on the measured charge property, and output at least one signal indicative of the charge status.

Abstract: A charging device for a power storage device includes a power conduit configured to deliver current to the power storage device and a detection system configured to be coupled to the power conduit. The detection system includes a current control device coupled to the power conduit and configured to control the current delivered to the power storage device. The detection system also includes a test conductor, a current sensor coupled to the test conductor, and a controller coupled to the current sensor by the test conductor. The current sensor is arranged to detect an amount of current within the test conductor and configured to generate a current measurement signal representative of the current detected. The controller is configured to generate a test signal, transmit the test signal through the test conductor, receive the current measurement signal, and determine a status of the detection system based on the current measurement signal.

Abstract: Charging devices and methods for charging electrically powered vehicles are disclosed. One example charging device includes a processor configured to at least partially control a state voltage and a detection circuit coupled to the processor. The detection circuit includes an energy storage device and a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is configured to be charged by the state voltage. The discharge circuit is configured to discharge said energy storage device in response to a discharge command from said processor. The processor is configured to determine a charging state associated with the electrically powered vehicle based on a voltage across said energy storage device.

Abstract: A capacitor charge control assembly for use with a circuit protection device that includes at least one activation capacitor, including at least one input device configured to receive first and second user inputs, and a linkage assembly coupled to the at least one input device such that the at least one input device is movable between a first position and an opposite second position. The control assembly also includes at least one switch coupled to the at least one input device and configured to generate one of a first signal and a second signal, wherein the first signal is based on the first user input and the second signal is based on the second user input, and wherein the first signal causes the at least one activation capacitor to discharge stored energy and the second signal causes the at least one activation capacitor to store energy.

Abstract: Charging devices and methods for charging electrically powered vehicles are disclosed. One example charging device includes a processor configured to at least partially control a state voltage and a detection circuit coupled to the processor. The detection circuit includes an energy storage device and a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is configured to be charged by the state voltage. The discharge circuit is configured to discharge said energy storage device in response to a discharge command from said processor. The processor is configured to determine a charging state associated with the electrically powered vehicle based on a voltage across said energy storage device.

Abstract: A charging device for use with an electric vehicle having a power storage device includes a current control device configured to selectively enable current to be received from an electrical distribution device and supplied to the power storage device. The charging device also includes a processor coupled to the current control device. The processor is configured to determine a first amount of current available to be at least one of received from the electrical distribution device and supplied by the charging device, and control the current control device to enable a second amount of current to be at least one of received from the electrical distribution device and supplied to the power storage device if the second amount of current does not exceed the first amount of current determined to be available.

Abstract: A charging device for charging an energy storage device is described. The charging device includes a memory for storing a plurality of state machines and a processing device coupled to the memory. The processing device is configured to select a state machine of the plurality of state machines and to operate the charging device in accordance with the selected state machine.

Abstract: A charging device for charging an energy storage device is described. The charging device includes a memory for storing a plurality of state machines and a processing device coupled to the memory. The processing device is configured to select a state machine of the plurality of state machines and to operate the charging device in accordance with the selected state machine.

Abstract: An over current protection system includes a current sensing member configured and disposed to output an electrical rate of change signal that is indicative of a rate of change of an electrical current being in excess of a predetermined value, at least one micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) device operatively connected to the current sensing member, and a controller electrically coupled to each of the current sensing member and the at least one MEMS device. The controller is configured and disposed to open the at least one MEMS device in response the electrical rate of change signal.

Abstract: A switching system includes a plurality of diodes forming a diode bridge, and a micro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch array closely coupled to the plurality of diodes. The MEMS switch array is electrically connected in an (M×N) array. The (M×N) array includes a first MEMS switch leg electrically connected in parallel with a second MEMS switch leg. The first MEMS switch leg includes a first plurality of MEMS dies electrically connected in series, and the second MEMS switch leg includes a second plurality of MEMS dies electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A hub for use with a circuit protection system includes a first input port configured to communicatively couple to at least one sensor device, wherein the at least one sensor device includes a light source and at least one light sensor. The hub also includes a first output port configured to communicatively couple to at least one controller, and a processor communicatively coupled to the first input port and to the first output port. The processor is configured to receive a sensor status signal from the at least one light sensor via the first input port in response to a test pulse emitted by the light source, and transmit a hub status signal to the at least one controller via the first output port based at least in part on the sensor status signal.

Abstract: A switching system includes a plurality of diodes forming a diode bridge, and a micro-mechanical system (MEMS) switch array closely coupled to the plurality of diodes. The MEMS switch array is electrically connected in an (M×N) array. The (M×N) array includes a first MEMS switch leg electrically connected in parallel with a second MEMS switch leg. The first MEMS switch leg includes a first plurality of MEMS dies electrically connected in series, and the second MEMS switch leg includes a second plurality of MEMS dies electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun configured to generate a plasma plume, at least one capacitor configured to store electrical energy, and a trigger circuit communicatively coupled to the plasma gun and the capacitor. The trigger circuit is configured to transmit a first signal to the capacitor to cause the capacitor to transmit a first portion of the electrical energy to the plasma gun. The trigger circuit is also configured to transmit a second signal to the plasma gun to cause the plasma gun to generate the plasma plume using the first portion of the electrical energy.

Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun, at least one capacitor communicatively coupled to the plasma gun, and a monitoring circuit communicatively coupled to the at least one capacitor. The capacitor is configured to store electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to the plasma gun. The monitoring circuit is configured to measure a charge property of the at least one capacitor, determine a charge status of the at least one capacitor based on the measured charge property, and output at least one signal indicative of the charge status.

Abstract: A charging device for charging an energy storage device is described. The charging device includes a memory for storing a plurality of state machines and a processing device coupled to the memory. The processing device is configured to select a state machine of the plurality of state machines and to operate the charging device in accordance with the selected state machine.

Abstract: A device for controlling an electrical current includes control circuitry, a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch in communication with the control circuitry, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current, a Hybrid Arcless Limiting Technology (HALT) arc suppression circuit disposed in electrical communication with the MEMS switch to receive a transfer of electrical energy from the MEMS switch in response to the MEMS switch changing state from closed to open, the HALT arc suppression circuit including a capacitive portion, and a variable resistance arranged in parallel electrical communication with the capacitive portion of the HALT arc suppression circuit, the variable resistance to dissipate a portion of the transferred electrical energy.