Search Patents
  • Networked Universal Electric Vehicle Charging System
    Publication number: 20130342165
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charging station system has numerous charging nodes, each charging node including a charging station having at least two connector interfaces selected from the group consisting of a Level 1 charging device, a Level 2 charging device, a Tesla charging device, and a Level 3/Fast DC charging device, wherein the plurality of charging nodes are in communication with each other through a network. The charging station has a display device on each charging station with one or more portals for a web-based or consumer-focused content, wherein content is provided by a vendor concentrically located within a predetermined distance to the system, and other content provides the location of other charging nodes. A selection device allows the consumer to select a particular portal, wherein the selection device transmits the selected content to a mobile device associated with the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Bruce Brimacombe
  • NETWORKED UNIVERSAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140028255
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charging station system has numerous charging nodes, each charging node including a charging station having at least two electric vehicle supply equipment selected from the group consisting of a Level 1 charging device, a Level 2 charging device, a TESLA charging device, and a Level 3/Fast DC charging device, wherein the plurality of charging nodes are in communication with each other through a network. A display device is disposed on each charging station, the display device having one or more portals that display a web-based or consumer-focused content, wherein a portion of the content is provided by a vendor that provides a good or service concentrically located within a predetermined distance to the system, and another portion of the content provides the location of adjacent charging nodes to a consumer using the system to charge an electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Bruce Brimacombe
  • CHARGING STATION PROVIDING THERMAL CONDITIONING OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE DURING CHARGING SESSION
    Publication number: 20150306974
    Abstract: A method of thermally conditioning an energy storage of a vehicle while charging includes: receiving, at a charging station, thermal information about the energy storage; supplying, by the charging station, electric energy to the energy storage in a charging session; and providing, by the charging station and based on the thermal information, thermal conditioning of the energy storage during at least part of the charging session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: JOSEPH MARDALL, Christopher H. Van Dyke
  • Charging station providing thermal conditioning of electric vehicle during charging session
    Patent number: 9527403
    Abstract: A method of thermally conditioning an energy storage of a vehicle while charging includes: receiving, at a charging station, thermal information about the energy storage; supplying, by the charging station, electric energy to the energy storage in a charging session; and providing, by the charging station and based on the thermal information, thermal conditioning of the energy storage during at least part of the charging session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Mardall, Christopher H. Van Dyke
  • CLEANING FEATURE FOR ELECTRIC CHARGING CONNECTOR
    Publication number: 20120266914
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hugo Van Dyke, Scott Ira Kohn, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Troy A. Nergaard
  • LOW TEMPERATURE CHARGING OF LI-ION CELLS
    Publication number: 20110012562
    Abstract: A battery cell charging system, including a charger and a controller, for low-temperature (below about zero degrees Celsius) charging a lithium ion battery cell, the battery cell charging system includes: a circuit for charging the battery cell using an adjustable voltage charging-profile to apply a charging voltage and a charging current to the battery cell wherein the adjustable voltage charging-profile having: a non-low-temperature charging stage for charging the battery cell using a charging profile adapted for battery cell temperatures above about zero degrees Celsius; and a low-temperature charging stage with a variable low-temperature stage charging current that decreases responsive to a battery cell temperature falling below zero degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Anil Paryani
  • Cleaning feature for electric charging connector
    Patent number: 8627534
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hugo Van Dyke, Scott Ira Kohn, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Troy A. Nergaard
  • Location Based Charging Control System
    Publication number: 20140347018
    Abstract: A method for automatically charging the battery pack of an electric vehicle in accordance with a set of location sensitive charging instructions is provided. Exemplary location sensitive charging instructions include preset charging schedules and preset charge level limits. Different charging schedules and different charge level limits may be preset for different charging stations and locations, thus allowing the user to preset the charging instructions for each of multiple locations where the user routinely charges their car. Default charging instructions are used at those charging stations and locations where a set of location sensitive charging instructions has not been preset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Brennan Boblett, Nalinichandra Penke, Miriam Vu, Kevin Hsieh, Roy Goldman, Thorsten Hayer
  • Low temperature charging of Li-ion cells
    Patent number: 8552693
    Abstract: A battery cell charging system, including a charger and a controller, for low-temperature (below about zero degrees Celsius) charging a lithium ion battery cell, the battery cell charging system includes: a circuit for charging the battery cell using an adjustable voltage charging-profile to apply a charging voltage and a charging current to the battery cell wherein the adjustable voltage charging-profile having: a non-low-temperature charging stage for charging the battery cell using a charging profile adapted for battery cell temperatures above about zero degrees Celsius; and a low-temperature charging stage with a variable low-temperature stage charging current that decreases responsive to a battery cell temperature falling below zero degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Anil Paryani
  • INTEGRATED INDUCTIVE AND CONDUCTIVE ELECTRICAL CHARGING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20130285602
    Abstract: An apparatus and method efficiently integrating inductive and conductive charging systems, including embodiments directed towards enabling user selection of either, or both, of conductive and inductive charging. Conductive charging and inductive charging both have, in certain contexts or when judged by different criteria, advantages over the other. Systems and methods relying on one or the other would not have as wide-spread value to a user with opportunities to access both types of charging modalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Troy A. Nergaard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
  • Location based charging control of electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9637020
    Abstract: A method for automatically charging the battery pack of an electric vehicle in accordance with a set of location sensitive charging instructions is provided. Exemplary location sensitive charging instructions include preset charging schedules and preset charge level limits. Different charging schedules and different charge level limits may be preset for different charging stations and locations, thus allowing the user to preset the charging instructions for each of multiple locations where the user routinely charges their car. Default charging instructions are used at those charging stations and locations where a set of location sensitive charging instructions has not been preset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Brennan Boblett, Nalinichandra Penke, Miriam Vu, Kevin Hsieh, Roy Goldman, Thorsten Hayer, Scott Ira Kohn
  • SYSTEM FOR BATTERY CHARGING BASED ON COST AND LIFE
    Publication number: 20090216688
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a system that includes a battery, an electric vehicle, the battery coupled to the electric vehicle to propel the electric vehicle, and a charging circuit to charge the battery. The embodiment includes a charging cost circuit to estimate a charging cost rate and to turn on the charging circuit. The embodiment also includes a timer circuit to provide a time signal to the charging cost circuit. The embodiment is configured such that the charging cost circuit is to turn on the charging circuit during a first time period in which the charging cost rate is below a first threshold until the battery reaches a first energy stored level, and to turn on the charging circuit during a second time period in which the charging cost rate is above the first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky
  • METHOD FOR BATTERY CHARGING BASED ON COST AND LIFE
    Publication number: 20090212745
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a system that includes a battery, an electric vehicle, the battery coupled to the electric vehicle to propel the electric vehicle, and a charging circuit to charge the battery. The embodiment includes a charging cost circuit to estimate a charging cost rate and to turn on the charging circuit. The embodiment also includes a timer circuit to provide a time signal to the charging cost circuit. The embodiment is configured such that the charging cost circuit is to turn on the charging circuit during a first time period in which the charging cost rate is below a first threshold until the battery reaches a first energy stored level, and to turn on the charging circuit during a second time period in which the charging cost rate is above the first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky
  • Integrated inductive and conductive electrical charging system
    Patent number: 8933661
    Abstract: An apparatus and method efficiently integrating inductive and conductive charging systems, including embodiments directed towards enabling user selection of either, or both, of conductive and inductive charging. Conductive charging and inductive charging both have, in certain contexts or when judged by different criteria, advantages over the other. Systems and methods relying on one or the other would not have as wide-spread value to a user with opportunities to access both types of charging modalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy A. Nergaard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
  • Method of Operating a Multiport Vehicle Charging System
    Publication number: 20130057210
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Troy Adam Nergaard, Martin Sukup, Kristoffer John Donhowe, Christopher Hugo Van Dyke, Warwick Ka Kui Wong
  • Battery charging time optimization system
    Publication number: 20100138092
    Abstract: A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Ira Kohn
  • Battery charging based on cost and life
    Patent number: 7782021
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a system that includes a battery, an electric vehicle, the battery coupled to the electric vehicle to propel the electric vehicle, and a charging circuit to charge the battery. The embodiment includes a charging cost circuit to estimate a charging cost rate and to turn on the charging circuit. The embodiment also includes a timer circuit to provide a time signal to the charging cost circuit. The embodiment is configured such that the charging cost circuit is to turn on the charging circuit during a first time period in which the charging cost rate is below a first threshold until the battery reaches a first energy stored level, and to turn on the charging circuit during a second time period in which the charging cost rate is above the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky
  • Battery charging time optimization system
    Publication number: 20100072954
    Abstract: A system for optimizing battery pack charging is provided. In this system, during charging the coupling of auxiliary systems (e.g., battery cooling systems) to the external power source are delayed so that the battery pack charge rate may be optimized, limited only by the available power. Once surplus power is available, for example as the requirements of the charging system decrease, the auxiliary system or systems may be coupled to the external power source without degrading the performance of the charging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Ira Kohn, Ernest Matthew Villanueva
  • System for battery charging based on cost and life
    Patent number: 7786704
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a system that includes a battery, an electric vehicle, the battery coupled to the electric vehicle to propel the electric vehicle, and a charging circuit to charge the battery. The embodiment includes a charging cost circuit to estimate a charging cost rate and to turn on the charging circuit. The embodiment also includes a timer circuit to provide a time signal to the charging cost circuit. The embodiment is configured such that the charging cost circuit is to turn on the charging circuit during a first time period in which the charging cost rate is below a first threshold until the battery reaches a first energy stored level, and to turn on the charging circuit during a second time period in which the charging cost rate is above the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt R. Kelty, Eugene M. Berdichevsky
  • CHARGING EFFICIENCY USING VARIABLE ISOLATION
    Publication number: 20120280662
    Abstract: A method for charging an energy storage system (ESS) from an AC line voltage having differing input voltages (e.g., 120Vac or 240Vac), the method includes a) determining which of the AC line voltages is provided for charging the ESS as a charging AC voltage; b) boosting the charging AC voltage to an intermediate voltage responsive to the provided AC line voltage; c) scaling, responsive to the particular one of the AC line voltages, the intermediate voltage to a secondary voltage using a scaling factor; and d) converting the secondary voltage to a charging voltage applied to the ESS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Krauer
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