Systems and methods for charging rechargeable energy storage systems of multiple vehicles

Abstract

System (200) for charging one or more rechargeable energy storage systems (102), comprising: a charging current source (224); multiple charging ports (218-222) designed for coupling with one or more rechargeable energy storage systems (102); a switching mechanism designed to selectively couple the charging current source (224) with the multiple charging terminals (218-222); and a charging control system (202) designed to: to generate a charging plan that indicates which of the multiple charging ports (218-222) are coupled to rechargeable energy storage systems (102), to determine one or more charging parameters based on the charging plan, to selectively actuate the switching mechanism based on one or more charging parameters in order to supply electrical power from the charging current source (224) to charging terminals (218-222) coupled to rechargeable energy storage systems (102), to generate an updated charging plan based on a detected change in the status of the multiple charging ports (218-222), indicating which of the multiple charging ports (218-222) have connected rechargeable energy storage systems (102), wherein the detected change includes a change in the connectivity of the multiple charging ports (218-222), and to determine one or more updated charging parameters based on the updated charging schedule and to selectively actuate the switching mechanism based on the one or more updated charging parameters to supply electrical power from the charging current source (224) to the charging terminals (218-222) of the multiple charging terminals (218-222) that feature coupled rechargeable energy storage systems (102), wherein the one or more charging parameters include a charging frequency and / or a charging duty cycle and / or a charging phase of the switching mechanism.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] This disclosure relates to systems and methods for charging rechargeable energy storage systems included in a vehicle. In particular, the systems and methods of this disclosure relate to charging multiple rechargeable energy storage systems using a single charging system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Passenger vehicles often contain electric batteries to power features of the vehicle's electrical and powertrain systems. For example, vehicles typically contain a 12 V lead-acid automotive battery designed to supply electrical power to vehicle starter systems (e.g., a starter motor), lighting systems, and / or ignition systems. In electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles (FC vehicles), and / or hybrid vehicles, a high-voltage (HV) battery system (e.g., a 360 V HV battery system) may be used to power the vehicle's electrical powertrain components (e.g., electric drive motors, etc.). A rechargeable HV energy storage system (RESS) included in a vehicle may also be used to power the vehicle's electrical powertrain components.

[0003] A RESS (Residential Energy Storage System) contained within a vehicle can be recharged by electrically connecting the RESS to a charging port, which is connected to a charging system designed to provide electrical energy to the RESS. With conventional charging systems, only one vehicle can be connected to the charging system at any given time. To charge multiple vehicles simultaneously, multiple charging systems (e.g., multiple charging transformers) may be required. For example, to charge three vehicles containing RESSes simultaneously, three charging stations (e.g., three charging transformers) may be needed.The additional costs and inconveniences associated with multiple charging systems can be a burden for a charging point that wishes to have the capability to charge multiple vehicles simultaneously, thereby limiting the proliferation of such points and the acceptance of vehicles containing RESSe.

[0004] From US patent application 2011 / 0 144 823 A1, a device and a method for sequentially charging multiple electric vehicles are known. US patent application 2010 / 0 217 485 A1 describes a charging control device and a charging control method. US patent application 2012 / 0 277 927 A1 discloses a method and a device for distributing and prioritizing a bundled charge of electric vehicles.

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an improved system and an improved method for charging one or more rechargeable energy storage systems. SUMMARY

[0006] This task is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] Systems and procedures are presented for simultaneously charging multiple RESSs contained in one or more vehicles using a single charging system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Non-restrictive and non-comprehensive embodiments of the disclosure are described, which include various embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the figures, in which: Fig.1 An exemplary system for charging a RESS in a vehicle in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein is illustrated. Fig. 2 An exemplary charging system for the simultaneous charging of several RESSEs contained in several vehicles is illustrated in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Fig. Figure 3 illustrates exemplary charging currents over time supplied to three RESSs by a charging system in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Fig. Four curves illustrate exemplary state-of-charge (SOC) levels over time of three RESSes during a charging period in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. Fig.Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example of a method for charging one or more RESSes in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Below is a detailed description of systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Although several embodiments are described, it is understood that the disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment but instead includes numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. Furthermore, although numerous specific details are disclosed in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, some embodiments may be implemented in practice without some or all of these details. In addition, for the sake of clarity, certain technical material known in the related technical field has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessary obfuscation of the disclosure.

[0010] The embodiments of the disclosure are best understood by reference to the drawings, in which identical parts may be labelled by the same reference numerals. The components of the disclosed embodiments, which are generally described and illustrated here in the figures, can be arranged and constructed in a wide variety of different configurations. Consequently, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the systems and methods of the disclosure is not intended to limit the claimed scope of the disclosure, but merely presents possible embodiments of the disclosure. Furthermore, the steps of a method need not necessarily be carried out in any particular order or even sequentially, nor need the steps be carried out only once, unless otherwise specified.

[0011] The systems and methods disclosed herein enable the simultaneous charging of multiple RESSes contained in one or more vehicles using a single charging system. Each of the multiple RESSes / vehicles can be coupled to a discrete charging port connected to the charging system. In certain embodiments, the RESSes / vehicles can be coupled to the charging ports by connecting a charging connector, which is connected to the charging port, to a power outlet contained in the vehicle (e.g., using an SAE J1772 standard connector or the like). The charging ports can be coupled to a charging control system, which in turn is coupled to a charging system (e.g., a charging transformer system or the like).The charging control system can be designed to selectively supply electrical power from the charging system to the charging ports using a switching mechanism, thereby charging the RESSs that are coupled to the charging ports.

[0012] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary system for charging a RESS 102 in a vehicle 100 in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. The vehicle 100 can be a motor vehicle, a watercraft, an aircraft and / or any other type of vehicle and can include an internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric motor powertrain, a hybrid powertrain, a fuel cell powertrain and / or any other type of powertrain suitable for integrating the systems and methods disclosed herein.

[0013] The vehicle 100 may include a RESS 102, which in certain embodiments may be a rechargeable high-voltage battery system. The RESS 102 may be used to supply power to electrical powertrain components (such as in an electric or hybrid power system). In other embodiments, the RESS 102 may be a low-voltage battery (e.g., a 12 V lead-acid automotive battery) and may be configured to supply electrical energy to a variety of systems of the vehicle 100, including, for example, vehicle starting systems (e.g., a starter motor), lighting systems, ignition systems, and / or the like.

[0014] The RESS 102 can include a control system 104. The control system 104 can be configured to monitor and control specific operations of the RESS 102. For example, the control system 104 can be configured to monitor and control charging and discharging operations of the RESS 102. In certain embodiments, the control system 104 can be communicatively coupled to one or more sensors (e.g., voltage sensors, current sensors, and / or the like, etc.) and / or other systems configured to enable the control system 104 to monitor and control operations of the RESS 102. For example, one or more sensors can provide the control system 104 with information used to estimate a state of charge (SOC), to estimate a resistance, to measure a current, and / or to measure a voltage of the RESS 102 and / or its components.The control system 104 can further be configured to provide information to other systems contained in the vehicle 100 and / or to receive information from them. For example, the battery control system 104 can be communicatively coupled with an in-vehicle computer system 108 and / or an external computer system 110 (for example, via a wireless telecommunications system or the like). In certain embodiments, the control system 104 can be configured, at least partially, to provide information regarding the RESS 102 to a user of the vehicle 100, to the vehicle computer system 108, and / or the external computer system 110. This information can include, for example, RESS state of charge (SOC) information, vehicle operating time information, RESS operating temperature information, and / or any other information regarding the RESS 102.

[0015] The RESS 102 can contain one or more stacks 112 appropriately sized to supply electrical power to the vehicle 100. Each stack 112 can contain one or more subassemblies 114. The subassemblies 114 can comprise one or more battery cells utilizing any suitable battery technology or a combination thereof. Suitable battery technologies may include, for example, lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), lithium-ion polymer, lithium-air, nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad), valve-controlled lead-acid (VRLA) with absorbent glass mat (AGM), nickel-zinc (NiZn), molten salt (e.g., a ZEBRA battery), and / or other suitable battery technologies.

[0016] In certain embodiments, one or more electrical parameters can be supplied to the control system 104, the vehicle computer system 108, and / or the external computer system 110 by one or more (not shown) sensors connected to the RESS 102. In certain embodiments, information supplied by one or more sensors (e.g., electrical parameters) can be used by the control system 104, the vehicle computer system 108, the external computer system 110, and / or any other system to monitor and control operations of the RESS 102, including charging and discharging operations.

[0017] As in Fig.As illustrated in Figure 1, the RESS 102 can be coupled to a charging system 106 to enable charging of the RESS 102. In some embodiments, a charging port (not shown) can be arranged between the RESS 102 and the charging system 106. In certain embodiments, a standard SAE J1772 connector and / or any other suitable connector system can be used to enable coupling of the RESS 102 to the charging system 106. If a vehicle 100 is coupled to a charging port, this means, as used here, that a RESS 102 contained in the vehicle 100 can also be coupled to the charging port.

[0018] The charging system 106 can include charging control electronics 116. In some embodiments, the charging control electronics 116 can be configured to at least partially monitor and control charging operations performed by the charging system 106. In certain embodiments, when the RESS 102 is coupled to the charging system 106, the charging control electronics 116 can be communicatively coupled to the control system 104, the vehicle computer system 108, the external computer system 110, and / or any other system, and it can monitor and control operations of the RESS 102 (e.g., charging and discharging operations) independently or in combination with any other communicatively coupled system.For example, the control system 104 can provide a charge status indication of the RESS 102 to the charging control electronics 116, which can then cause the charging system 106 to terminate charging operations of the RESS 102 when the charge status reaches a threshold level indicating that the RESS 102 is sufficiently charged. Alternatively, the control system 104 can stop drawing power from the charging system 106 when the RESS 102 reaches the threshold level.

[0019] In some embodiments, the charging control electronics 116 can further be configured to selectively supply electrical power from the charging system 106 to the RESS 102. For example, as described below with reference to Fig.2 is discussed in greater detail, in embodiments in which the charging system 106 contains several charging ports designed to be coupled to several RESSs, the charging control electronics 116 use a switching mechanism designed to selectively supply electrical power from the charging system 106 to each of the several RESSs coupled to the several charging ports.

[0020] Fig.Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary charging system 200 for simultaneously charging multiple RESSes contained in several vehicles 204-208, in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. RESSes contained in each vehicle 204-208 can be coupled to an associated charging port 218-222. As illustrated, for example, a RESS contained in vehicle 204 can be coupled to charging port 218, a RESS contained in vehicle 206 can be coupled to charging port 220, and a RESS contained in vehicle 208 can be coupled to charging port 222. Thus, a charging system 200 capable of charging n RESSes would consequently include n charging ports.The RESSEs contained in vehicles 204 - 208 can be coupled to the charging ports 218 - 222, for example, using a SAEJ1772 standard connector and / or any other suitable connector system.

[0021] The charging ports 218-222 can be coupled to a charging current source 224 via a charging control system 202. The charging current source 224 can be configured to supply electrical energy used to charge RESSs contained in the vehicles 204-208. In certain embodiments, the charging current source 224 can include one or more line transformers configured to step up and / or step down electrical power to levels suitable for charging RESSs before the electrical power is supplied to the RESSs during charging operations.

[0022] The charging control system 202 can be configured to monitor and control electrical power supplied by the charging current source 224 during the charging of RESSes connected to any of the charging ports 218-222. The charging control system 202 can include control electronics 210 configured to selectively supply electrical power from the charging current source 224 to each of the multiple RESSes connected to the multiple charging ports. In certain embodiments, the control electronics 210 can be coupled to selectively actuated switches 212-216 configured to selectively couple the charging current source 224 to the charging ports 218-222.For example, switch 212 can be configured to selectively couple the charging current source 224 with the charging terminal 218, switch 214 can be configured to selectively couple the charging current source 224 with the charging terminal 220, and switch 216 can be configured to selectively couple the charging current source 224 with the charging terminal 222. Switches 212–216 can incorporate any suitable switching mechanisms and / or technologies, including IGBTs, MOSFETs, and the like.

[0023] In certain embodiments, when a vehicle (e.g., one of the vehicles 204–208) is connected to any of the charging ports 218–222, an indication can be supplied to the charging control system 202, the control electronics 210, and / or any other suitable system that the vehicle is connected to a specific charging port. For example, when vehicle 204 is connected to charging port 218, an indication can be supplied to the charging control system 202 and / or the control electronics 210 that vehicle 204 is connected to charging port 218. Similarly, when vehicle 206 is connected to charging port 220, an indication can be supplied to the charging control system 202 and / or the control electronics 210 that vehicle 206 is connected to charging port 220.Based on received signals, the charging control system 202 and / or the control electronics 210 can determine how many vehicles are connected to the charging ports 218-222. Furthermore, the charging control system 202 can determine which of the charging ports 218-222 the vehicles are connected to. Based on this information, the charging control system 202 and / or the control electronics 210 can monitor and / or control charging operations performed by the charging system 200.

[0024] The charging control system 202 and / or the control electronics 210 can generate a charging schedule that indicates how many vehicles are connected to the charging ports 218-222 and which charging ports of charging ports 218-222 the vehicles are connected to. In some embodiments, the charging schedule can be implemented as a sequence of bits that indicate which charging ports of charging ports 218-222 the connected vehicles 204-208 have. Set bits of the sequence can indicate which charging ports 218-222 the connected vehicles 204-208 have. For example, if vehicle 204 is connected to charging port 218 and vehicle 208 is connected to charging port 222, the charging schedule can be represented as [1 0 1].Similarly, if vehicle 206 is coupled to charging port 220 and vehicle 208 is coupled to charging port 220, the charging plan can be represented as [0 1 1]. Although embodiments of the charging plan disclosed herein may use a sequence of bits to represent the connectivity of charging ports 218-222, other embodiments may use a state-space representation.

[0025] When a vehicle is connected to and / or disconnected from any of the charging ports 218–222, the charging schedule can be updated. In this way, the charging schedule can be used to determine which of the charging ports 218–222 are connected to vehicles at any given time. Based on the charging schedule, the charging control system 202 and / or the control electronics 210 can monitor and / or control charging operations performed by the charging system 200.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the control electronics 210 can be configured to actuate switches 212-216 based on the charging schedule, so that vehicles connected to charging ports 218-222 are recharged by the charging current source 224. In some embodiments, the control electronics 210 can be configured to actuate switches 212-216 based on one or more charging parameters derived from the charging schedule. For example, if vehicle 204 is connected to charging port 218 and vehicle 208 is connected to charging port 222, the control electronics 210 can actuate switches 212 and 216 such that electrical power is supplied alternately to vehicles 204 and 208 by the charging current source 224. This means that switches 212 and 216 can each be operated in such a way that they have a duty cycle of 50%.In this way, the switches 212 - 214 can be operated by the control electronics so that power provided by the charging current source 224 during a given period is distributed to all vehicles connected to the charging ports 218 - 222 and / or cyclically switched between them.

[0027] The control electronics 210 can further be configured to adjust an actuation frequency of the switches 212 - 216 and an actuation phase of the switches 212 - 216 so that electrical power provided by the charging current source 224 during a given period is distributed to the vehicles (e.g., cyclically switched between them) that are connected to the charging terminals 218 - 222.

[0028] The control electronics 210 can be configured to adjust the actuation frequency, duty cycle, and / or phase of switches 212–216 based on changes to the charging schedule. When a vehicle 204–208 is added to and / or removed from any of the charging ports 218–222, the charging schedule can be updated, and the control electronics 210 can actuate switches 212–216 such that the added and / or removed vehicles 204–208 are charged by the power source 224. For example, if vehicles 204 and 208 are connected to charging ports 218 and 222 respectively, and then vehicle 206 is connected to charging port 220, the control electronics 210 can switch from alternately actuating switches 212 and 216 to cyclically actuating switches 212, 214 and 216, so that all vehicles 204 - 208 are charged by the charging current source 224.In this way, the vehicles 204-208 can be connected to and / or disconnected from the charging ports 218-220, and the control electronics 210 can adjust the actuation of the switches 212-216 based on these changes so that all connected vehicles 204-208 are charged by the charging current source 224. In certain embodiments, when a vehicle is fully charged, the charging schedule can be updated in a manner similar to the situation where a vehicle is removed from the charging system, since the fully charged vehicle does not require further charging by the charging system.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the control electronics 210 can output one or more control signals to the charging terminals 218-222 based on the charging plan, instead of or in addition to actuating the switches 212-216. The control signals can be configured to actuate a charging mechanism contained in the charging terminals 218-222 based on the charging plan. In some embodiments, the control electronics 210 can output one or more control signals to the charging terminals 218-222 so that vehicles connected to the charging terminals 218-222 are recharged by the charging current source 224.For example, if the charging ports 218-222 include an SAEJ1772 connection system, the control electronics 210 can output control pilot signals to the charging ports 218-222 based on the charging plan, so that vehicles connected to the charging ports 218-222 can be recharged by the charging power source 224 in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein.

[0030] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates curves 300-304, which show exemplary charging currents over time supplied to three RESSs by a charging system in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. As above with reference to Fig.As discussed in section 2, control electronics in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, which are included in a charging control system, can be configured to selectively actuate one or more switches such that electrical power provided by a charging current source is alternately switched and / or cyclically switched to one or more RESSes coupled to a charging system (e.g. by adjusting the actuation frequency, duty cycle and / or phase of the switches).

[0031] Each in Fig.Illustrated curve 300-304 shows an example charging current signal supplied to one of three RESSes coupled to a charging system during a charging operation. As illustrated, at any given time, one of the RESSes coupled to the charging system can be supplied with a charging current. Charging currents can be switched cyclically and / or alternately between the RESSes such that all three RESSes are charged by the charging system 100. In this way, multiple RESSes can be charged using a single charging system.

[0032] Fig.Figure 4 illustrates curves 400-404, which show exemplary state-of-charge levels over time of three RESSes during a charging period in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. As discussed above, systems and methods disclosed herein enable multiple RESSes to be charged using a single charging system, which includes a charging control system implementing a switching mechanism. During a first period 406, the three RESSes associated with curves 400-404 can all be charged. That is, during the first period 406, the charging control system can selectively switch a charging current source between the three RESSes. Consequently, the RESSes associated with curves 400-404 can be supplied with similar charging current levels during the first period 406.

[0033] At the end of the first period 406, the RESSes associated with curve 400 may be fully charged. Consequently, at the start of the second period 408, the charging system can stop charging the RESSes associated with curve 400 but continue charging the RESSes associated with curves 402 and 404. This means that during the second period 408, the charging control system can selectively switch a charging current source between the RESSes associated with curves 402 and 404. If only two RESSes need to be charged during the second period 408, higher charging current levels can be delivered to the two RESSes during the second period 408 than were delivered during the first period 406, as illustrated.

[0034] At the end of the second period 408, the RESSes associated with curves 400 and 402 can be fully charged. Consequently, at the start of the third period 410, the charging system can stop charging the RESSes associated with curves 400 and 402, but continue charging the RESS associated with curve 404. This means that during the third period 410, the charging control system can switch the charging power source to charge the RESS associated with curve 404 for the duration of the third period 410. Since only one RESS needs to be charged during the third period 410, it can be charged at a relatively fast rate.

[0035] Fig.Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example of a method 500 for charging one or more RESSes in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the illustrated method 500 can be carried out by using at least part of a charging system, a charging current source, a charging control system, control electronics, one or more selectively actuated switches, and / or one or more charging terminals as disclosed herein. In other embodiments, one or more other suitable systems can be used.

[0036] The method can be initialized at 502. In certain embodiments, the method 500 can be initialized when a charging system is started, although other initialization times are also considered. When the charging system is started, one or more vehicles may already be connected to the charging system. In other circumstances, one or more vehicles may be connected to the charging system after it has been started.

[0037] In 504, a charging control system included in the charging system can determine the number of vehicles connected to the charging system and identify one or more charging ports to which the vehicles are connected. In certain embodiments, this determination can be made, at least in part, based on information transmitted to the charging system by a vehicle and / or any other system when a vehicle connects to a charging port and / or the charging system. The charging control system can further determine which of the charging ports, if any, are not connected to any vehicles.

[0038] Based on the provisions carried out in 504, a charging plan can be generated in 506. The charging plan can indicate how many vehicles are coupled to the charging system and / or which charging ports included in the charging system are connected to vehicles. As discussed above, in some embodiments the charging plan can be implemented as a sequence of bits indicating which charging ports connected to the vehicles have, with set bits in the sequence of bits indicating which charging ports are connected to vehicles.

[0039] In 508, one or more charging parameters can be calculated based on the charging schedule generated in 506. In certain embodiments, the charging parameters can be used by a charging control system and / or control electronics to control a switching mechanism. For example, in certain embodiments, a charging control system and / or control electronics can selectively actuate several switches based on the charging parameters such that electrical power is supplied to vehicles connected to one or more charging terminals, which are connected to one or more of the switches. In certain embodiments, the charging parameters can include an actuation frequency, a duty cycle, and / or a phase of the actuation of the switches.

[0040] In some embodiments where the charging schedule is represented as a sequence of bits, certain charging parameters can be calculated based on this sequence. For example, specific switching periods / frequencies can be determined based on the bit sequence. In a charging system containing three charging ports, exemplary charging schedule bit sequences may be [1 1 1], [1 0 1], and [1 0 0], depending on how many vehicles are connected to the charging ports and which charging ports the vehicles are connected to. Based on this exemplary charging schedule bit sequence, switching frequencies / periods can be determined in accordance with Table 1. Table 1 Charging plan Leap period [1 1 1] period [1 0 1] 2 * period [1 0 0] 3 * period

[0041] As shown in Table 1, if more vehicles are connected to the charging ports, the periods during which the respective switches are activated to connect the vehicles to the charging power source can be shorter. If fewer vehicles are connected to the charging ports (e.g., a charging schedule of [1 0 0]), the periods during which the respective switches are activated to connect the vehicles to the charging power source can be longer.

[0042] In certain embodiments, a phase angle and / or pulse width of charging signals supplied to the vehicles by selectively actuating the switching mechanism can be calculated in accordance with Equation 1: Phase angle = Period Bin2decCon (charging plan) Pulse width = 100 Bin2DecCon (charging plan) where Bin2DecCon(charging plan) is the decimal implementation of the charging plan.

[0043] In the 510 configuration, the switches can be actuated based on the calculated charging parameters. In certain embodiments, the switches can be actuated based on control signals derived from the calculated charging parameters and supplied to the switches by control electronics. By actuating the switches based on the calculated charging parameters, vehicles connected to the charging system can be charged.

[0044] At step 512, it can be determined whether the charging schedule has changed since its original calculation at step 506. For example, if a vehicle has been connected to and / or disconnected from the charging system since the original charging schedule calculation at step 506, the charging schedule may require an update. Additionally, if a vehicle has been fully charged and does not require further charging, the charging schedule can be updated to reflect that the charging vehicle no longer needs charging. If the charging schedule has been changed, the procedure can proceed to step 506, and a new charging schedule can be calculated to reflect the changes. The procedure can then proceed to step 508, where new charging parameters can be calculated based on the new charging schedule, and to step 510, where the switching mechanism can be actuated in accordance with the new charging parameters.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the systems and methods disclosed herein can be implemented, at least in part, using one or more computer systems. For example, certain features and functionalities of the charging system, the charging control system, and the control electronics can be implemented using a computer system. The systems and methods disclosed herein are not inherently limited to any particular computer or other device and can be implemented by a suitable combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware. Software implementations can include one or more computer programs comprising executable code / instructions which, when executed by a processor, can cause the processor to execute a procedure that is defined, at least in part, by the executable instructions.A computer program can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled and interpreted languages, and can be used in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. Furthermore, a computer program can be used to run on one computer or on multiple computers in one location or distributed across multiple locations and connected by a communication network. Software execution forms can be implemented as a computer program product that includes a non-temporary storage medium designed to store computer programs and instructions which, when executed by a processor, are designed to cause the processor to perform a procedure in accordance with the instructions.In certain embodiments, the non-temporary storage medium can take any form capable of storing processor-readable instructions. A non-temporary storage medium can be a compact disc, digital video disc, magnetic tape, Bernoulli drive, magnetic disk, punched card, flash memory, integrated circuits, or any other non-temporary storage device of a digital processing device.

[0046] Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for clarity, it should be noted that certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the underlying principles. Certain features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be configured and / or combined in any suitable configuration or combination. Furthermore, certain systems and / or methods disclosed herein can be used in battery systems not contained in a vehicle (e.g., a backup battery system or the like). It should be noted that there are many alternative ways to implement both the processes and the devices described herein.Consequently, the present embodiments must be understood as illustrations and not as limitations, and the invention may not be restricted to the details given here, but may be modified in the scope and equivalents of the attached claims.

[0047] The foregoing description has been given with reference to various embodiments. However, the person skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, although the systems and methods disclosed herein are discussed in the context of charging multiple RESSs, similar embodiments can also be used to provide power from multiple RESSs in a controlled manner (e.g., for a power supply network). Various operational steps, as well as components for performing operational steps, can be implemented in alternative ways depending on the specific application or taking into account any number of cost functions associated with the operation of the system. Consequently, one or more of the steps can be deleted, modified, or combined with other steps.Furthermore, this disclosure should be regarded as an illustration rather than a limitation, and all such modifications should be included within its scope. Similarly, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with respect to various embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more apparent should not be considered a critical, required, or essential feature or element.

[0048] The terms "includes" and "contains" and any other variations thereof, as used herein, are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, procedure, article, or device comprising a list of elements may contain not only those elements but may also contain other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, procedure, system, article, or device. Furthermore, the terms "coupled," "couple," and any other variations thereof are intended to encompass a physical connection, an electrical connection, a magnetic connection, an optical connection, a communication connection, a functional connection, and / or any other connection.

Claims

[1] A system (200) for charging one or more rechargeable energy storage systems (102), comprising: a charging power source (224); a plurality of charging ports (218-222) configured to couple to the one or more rechargeable energy storage systems (102); a switching mechanism configured to selectively couple the charging power source (224) to the plurality of charging terminals (218-222); and a charging control system (202) configured to: generate a charging plan indicating which charging ports (218-222) of the plurality of charging ports (218-222) are coupled to rechargeable energy storage systems (102), to determine one or more charging parameters based on the charging plan, selectively actuate the switching mechanism based on the one or more charging parameters to deliver electrical power from the charging power source (224) to charging ports (218-222) coupled to rechargeable energy storage systems (102), generate an updated charging plan based on a detected change in the status of the plurality of charging ports (218-222) indicating which charging ports (218-222) of the plurality of charging ports (218-222) have rechargeable energy storage systems (102) coupled thereto, wherein the detected change comprises a change in the connectivity of the plurality of charging ports (218-222), and determine one or more updated charging parameters based on the updated charging schedule; and selectively actuate the switching mechanism based on the one or more updated charging parameters to supply electrical power from the charging power source (224) to the charging ports (218-222) of the plurality of charging ports (218-222) having rechargeable energy storage systems (102) coupled thereto, wherein the one or more charging parameters comprise at least one of a charging frequency, a charging duty cycle, and a charging phase of the switching mechanism. [2] The system (200) of claim 1, wherein the switching mechanism comprises a plurality of switches (212-216), each switch (212-216) of the plurality of switches (212-216) being associated with a charging port (218-222) and being configured to selectively couple the charging current source (224) to the associated charging port (218-222). [3] The system (200) of claim 2, wherein the plurality of switches (212-216) are configured to be selectively actuated based on one or more control signals generated by the charging control system (202). [4] A method (500) for charging one or more rechargeable energy storage systems (102), comprising: receiving an indication that one or more charging ports (218-222) of a plurality of charging ports (218-222) included in a charging system have rechargeable energy storage systems (102) coupled thereto; a recharge plan is generated based on the notification; one or more charging parameters are determined on the basis of the charging plan; a switching mechanism included in the charging system is selectively actuated based on the one or more charging parameters to supply electrical power from a charging power source (224) to charging ports (218-222) coupled to rechargeable energy storage systems (102), an updated charging plan is generated based on a detected change in the status of the plurality of charging ports (218-222) indicating which charging ports (218-222) of the plurality of charging ports (218-222) have rechargeable energy storage systems (102) coupled thereto, wherein the detected change comprises a change in the connectivity of the plurality of charging ports (218-222), and one or more updated charging parameters are determined based on the updated charging schedule, and the switching mechanism is selectively actuated based on the one or more updated charging parameters to supply electrical power from the charging power source (224) to the charging ports (218-222) of the plurality of charging ports (218-222) having rechargeable energy storage systems (102) coupled thereto, wherein the one or more charging parameters comprise at least one of a charging frequency, a charging duty cycle, and a charging phase of the switching mechanism. [5] The method of claim 4, wherein selectively actuating the switching mechanism further comprises generating one or more control signals for selectively actuating the switching mechanism based on the one or more charging parameters to deliver electrical power from a charging power source (224) to charging ports (218-222) coupled to rechargeable energy storage systems (102).

Images