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.

What it 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.

What it doesn't 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.

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.

Why it matters

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.

Real-world examples

• 1.High-power DC fast charging stations (e.g., Electrify America, Ionity)
• 2.Future inductive charging pads for electric vehicles
• 3.Automated parking systems integrated with charging infrastructure
• 4.Megawatt-scale charging solutions for heavy-duty electric trucks