High-Power Electric Vehicle Charging with Pulsed Current from the Grid
This patent describes a system for rapidly charging electric vehicles using high-voltage grid power and a unique 'pulse current' method that can also automatically park the car.
Original patent title: “Charging station system and method”
This patent describes a system for rapidly charging electric vehicles using high-voltage grid power and a unique 'pulse current' method that can also automatically park the car. Owned by Individual with 16 claims and 41 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2038.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a charging station system designed to charge electric vehicles quickly and efficiently. The core idea is a charging station with a controller that connects to a medium-voltage (MV) electrical grid and uses a 'pulse current' method to charge the vehicle's battery (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). Instead of a continuous flow, the controller delivers power in a repeating pattern of high current charges, pauses, and even discharges, all lasting milliseconds (Claim 10). This pattern can be adjusted based on the specific electric vehicle's needs, varying the charge time, discharge time, pause duration, and even the order of these steps (ClaimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → 11, 12, 13). The system can also include features like an in-ground conductive coupler to deliver power to the bottom of the vehicle (Claim 2) and can even auto-park the vehicle precisely over this coupler (Claims 3, 9). For example, a future EV could drive into a parking spot, automatically align itself over a charging pad, and receive a tailored, high-power pulse charge from the MV grid.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover charging stations that connect only to low-voltage electrical grids (e.g., residential or typical commercial power connections).
- Does not cover charging systems that exclusively use a continuous, steady current without any pulse charging capability.
- Does not cover systems where the controller cannot adjust the pulse pattern, such as charge time, discharge time, or pause intervals.
- Does not cover charging methods that do not involve establishing communication between the charging station and the electric vehicle.
- Does not cover systems that only offer constant current charging without also providing a pulse current charging option.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever bit is combining the high-power delivery capability of a medium-voltage electrical grid connection with a sophisticated pulse current charging method. This method, involving specific patterns of charge, pause, and discharge, can be dynamically adjusted based on the vehicle, aiming to optimize charging speed and battery longevity in a way continuous charging might not.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
High-power DC fast charging stations (e.g., Electrify America, Ionity)
Future inductive charging pads for electric vehicles
Automated parking systems integrated with charging infrastructure
Megawatt-scale charging solutions for heavy-duty electric trucks
Why it matters
The bigger picture
As electric vehicles become more common, the need for faster charging is critical. This patent addresses that by connecting directly to the higher-power medium-voltage electrical grid, allowing for up to 1 MW power output (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 5). The pulse current charging method aims to improve charging speed and potentially battery health, which is a key challenge for widespread EV adoption. Such high-power systems are essential for reducing charging times to levels comparable with refueling gasoline cars.
Filed
May 23, 2018
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major players in the electric vehicle charging infrastructure space, such as ABB, Siemens, ChargePoint, EVgo, and Electrify America, are actively developing and deploying high-power charging solutions. Automakers like Tesla, Porsche, and Hyundai are also pushing for faster charging capabilities in their vehicles, often collaborating with these infrastructure providers. The focus on high-power, efficient charging from robust grid connections is a shared goal across the industry.
Market impact
The push for faster electric vehicle charging has driven significant investment in high-power infrastructure. This type of patent contributes to the technological foundation for next-generation charging, enabling charging speeds that reduce range anxiety and make EVs more practical for long-distance travel. It also encourages the development of more intelligent charging systems that can adapt to vehicle needs and integrate seamlessly with advanced grid technologies, potentially influencing future charging standards and designs for both passenger and commercial EVs.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a charging station system designed to charge electric vehicles quickly and efficiently. The core idea is a charging station with a controller that connects to a medium-voltage (MV) electrical grid and uses a 'pulse current' method to charge the vehicle's battery (Claim 1). Instead of a continuous flow, the controller delivers power in a repeating pattern of high current charges, pauses, and even discharges, all lasting milliseconds (Claim 10). This pattern can be adjusted based on the specific electric vehicle's needs, varying the charge time, discharge time, pause duration, and even the order of these steps (Claims 11, 12, 13). The system can also include features like an in-ground conductive coupler to deliver power to the bottom of the vehicle (Claim 2) and can even auto-park the vehicle precisely over this coupler (Claims 3, 9). For example, a future EV could drive into a parking spot, automatically align itself over a charging pad, and receive a tailored, high-power pulse charge from the MV grid.
The clever bit
The clever bit is combining the high-power delivery capability of a medium-voltage electrical grid connection with a sophisticated pulse current charging method. This method, involving specific patterns of charge, pause, and discharge, can be dynamically adjusted based on the vehicle, aiming to optimize charging speed and battery longevity in a way continuous charging might not.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover charging stations that connect only to low-voltage electrical grids (e.g., residential or typical commercial power connections).
- Does not cover charging systems that exclusively use a continuous, steady current without any pulse charging capability.
- Does not cover systems where the controller cannot adjust the pulse pattern, such as charge time, discharge time, or pause intervals.
- Does not cover charging methods that do not involve establishing communication between the charging station and the electric vehicle.
- Does not cover systems that only offer constant current charging without also providing a pulse current charging option.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
32/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
11/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$88K – $281K
Midpoint $176K · 11.6 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
16 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Kruszelnicki, M. High-Power Electric Vehicle Charging with Pulsed Current from the Grid (U.S. Patent No. 20,180,339,601). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20180339601/charging-station-system-and-method
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does High-Power Electric Vehicle Charging with Pulsed Current from the Grid cover?
This patent describes a system for rapidly charging electric vehicles using high-voltage grid power and a unique 'pulse current' method that can also automatically park the car.
Who owns patent US 20180339601?
This patent is owned by Individual.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on May 23, 2038, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 20180339601 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 41 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
As electric vehicles become more common, the need for faster charging is critical. This patent addresses that by connecting directly to the higher-power medium-voltage electrical grid, allowing for up to 1 MW power output (Claim 5). The pulse current charging method aims to improve charging speed and potentially battery health, which is a key challenge for widespread EV adoption. Such high-power systems are essential for reducing charging times to levels comparable with refueling gasoline cars.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover charging stations that connect only to low-voltage electrical grids (e.g., residential or typical commercial power connections).
Same assignee
More from Individual
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