A grid-integrated charging system for hybrid electric vehicles

Abstract

A grid-integrated charging system (100) for hybrid electric vehicles, wherein the system (100) comprises: a solar photovoltaic (PV) unit (102) configured to generate direct current (DC); a wind turbine (104) configured to generate alternating current (AC); a rectifier (106) connected to the wind turbine (104) to convert alternating current into direct current; a DC-DC boost converter (108) configured to receive direct current from the solar PV unit (102) and the rectifier (106); a battery storage unit (110) connected to the DC-DC boost converter (108) and configured to store direct current and power the DC-DC boost converter (108); and a charging port (112) for electric vehicles, which is connected to the DC-DC boost converter (108) and is configured for direct charging of the electric vehicle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical engineering. In particular, it relates to the field of power electronics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a grid-integrated charging system for hybrid electric vehicles, which is specifically designed to provide an uninterruptible power supply for charging electric vehicles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly being adopted worldwide as environmentally friendly and energy-efficient transportation alternatives due to the growing need to combat pollution, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and adopt sustainable energy solutions. Traditional internal combustion engine vehicles using gasoline or diesel are being rapidly phased out due to their harmful environmental impact, paving the way for electric vehicles as a cleaner mode of transportation.

[0003] The primary power source for electric vehicles is electricity, eliminating the need for fossil fuels. Electric vehicles not only offer environmental benefits but are also cost-effective. Charging an electric vehicle is significantly cheaper than fueling a similarly sized vehicle with gasoline or diesel, the latter often costing around 40% more than the electricity required to charge an electric vehicle for the same driving distance.

[0004] Renewable energy sources (RES) such as solar and wind power offer an environmentally friendly alternative for powering electric vehicle charging systems. Solar and wind energy can be harnessed and stored in batteries to provide uninterrupted power to electric vehicles. Furthermore, excess energy from these sources can be fed back into the power grid, where it can be used to meet AC power demand, contributing to the efficient use of renewable energy.

[0005] The development of modern charging systems that integrate renewable energy sources and intelligent control mechanisms has become an important research area. These systems aim to provide uninterrupted, efficient, and cost-effective charging solutions for electric vehicles while facilitating grid integration for energy optimization.

[0006] One solution, patent US20090287578A1, describes charging stations with payment systems that allow users to pay for charging with credit cards, chip cards, or cash. These stations automatically manage charging sessions, stop when the vehicle is fully charged, and ensure that users only pay for the electricity consumed.

[0007] Another solution, patent US11590857, describes the details of personalized charging solutions by calculating and implementing target charging schemes based on user-defined parameters and the battery's operating state.

[0008] To overcome the above-mentioned limitations, a hybrid charging system for electric vehicles must be developed that ensures uninterrupted supply and promotes sustainability.

[0009] The technical advances disclosed by the present invention overcome the limitations and disadvantages of existing and conventional systems and methods. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a grid-integrated hybrid electric vehicle charging system that provides an uninterruptible power supply for charging electric vehicles, ensuring reliability and convenience. The system incorporates a switched-mode inductor Z-source inverter to boost the battery's AC output voltage, enabling efficient grid integration. Intelligent controllers are employed to optimize the charging process, ensure the correct selection of energy sources, and improve overall system performance. The design and development of a cost-effective hybrid electric vehicle charger aims to implement a solar-wind-battery-powered system for sustainable energy utilization. Furthermore, the system facilitates vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and grid-to-vehicle (G2V) integration, promotes the efficient use of electrical energy, and further improves the EV ecosystem.

[0011] An object of the present invention is a charging system for hybrid electric vehicles that ensures an uninterrupted power supply for charging electric vehicles.

[0012] Another aim of the present invention is the development and implementation of a solar-wind-battery powered hybrid system for sustainable and environmentally friendly charging of electric vehicles.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to incorporate intelligent controls for efficient energy source selection based on availability and demand.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to develop a switched inductor Z-source inverter (SLZSI) for voltage boosting and seamless integration into the AC grid.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to enable bidirectional energy flow through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) and Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V) integration, thereby promoting optimal use of electrical energy, and

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective and reliable hybrid charging system that supports the rapid growth and adoption of electric vehicles.

[0017] The present invention aims to provide a grid-integrated charging system for hybrid electric vehicles, the system comprising a photovoltaic solar (PV) unit for generating direct current (DC); a wind turbine for generating alternating current (AC); a rectifier connected to the wind turbine for converting alternating current to direct current; a DC-DC boost converter configured to receive direct current from the photovoltaic solar unit and the rectifier; a battery storage unit connected to the DC-DC boost converter for storing direct current and supplying power to the DC-DC boost converter; and an electric vehicle charging port connected to the DC-DC boost converter and configured to directly charge the electric vehicle.

[0018] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more detailed description of the invention will be given with reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that these drawings represent only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting its scope. The invention will be described and explained in additional detail and in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0019] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout. Where: Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a grid-integrated charging system for hybrid electric vehicles according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the drawings are shown for convenience and may not necessarily be drawn to scale. For example, the flowcharts illustrate the method by key steps to enhance understanding of aspects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, with respect to device construction, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawing may show only the specific details relevant to understanding embodiments of the present disclosure in order not to clutter the drawings with details that would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art who would benefit from the description herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0021] To facilitate an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and described in specific language. It is to be understood, however, that no limitation on the scope of the invention is intended thereby, since such changes and further modifications of the illustrated system and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

[0022] It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be limiting thereof.

[0023] References in this specification to "one aspect," "another aspect," or similar language mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, occurrences of the phrase "in one embodiment," "in another embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may or may not all refer to the same embodiment.

[0024] The terms "comprises," "comprising," or other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method comprising a list of steps not only includes those steps, but may also include other steps not expressly listed or inherent in such process or method. Likewise, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises..." does not preclude, without further limitation, the existence of other devices or other subsystems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional subsystems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

[0025] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting.

[0026] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Fig.1 shows a block diagram of a grid-integrated charging system (100) for hybrid electric vehicles, the system (100) comprising a photovoltaic solar unit (PV) (102) for generating direct current (DC); a wind turbine (104) for generating alternating current (AC); a rectifier (106) connected to the wind turbine (104) for converting alternating current to direct current; a DC-DC boost converter (108) configured to receive direct current from the photovoltaic solar unit (102) and the rectifier (106); a battery storage unit (110) connected to the DC-DC boost converter (108) and configured to store direct current and provide power to the DC-DC boost converter (108); and an electric vehicle charging port (112) connected to the DC-DC boost converter (108) and configured to directly charge the electric vehicle.

[0028] In one embodiment, the rectifier (106) comprises a three-phase rectifier (106a) for converting alternating current from the wind turbine (104) into direct current.

[0029] In one embodiment, the battery storage unit (110) is configured with a bidirectional converter to enable both charging and discharging of the battery.

[0030] In one embodiment, a switched inductor Z-source inverter (SLZSI) (114) is configured to receive DC power from the battery storage unit (110), convert DC power to AC power, and boost the output voltage.

[0031] In one embodiment, an AC power grid (116) connected to the SLZSI (114) is configured to receive AC power from the SLZSI (114) to supply AC loads.

[0032] In one embodiment, a control unit (118) is configured to monitor the power availability from the solar PV unit (102), the wind turbine (104) and the battery storage unit (110) and to optimize the selection of power sources for charging the electric vehicle or for powering the AC grid (116).

[0033] In the proposed hybrid system, the photovoltaic (PV) system generates direct current (DC), which is fed into a DC-DC boost converter. Simultaneously, the wind turbine generates alternating current (AC), which is converted to DC using a rectifier. This DC output from both sources is then fed to the DC-DC boost converter to stabilize and boost the voltage level, enabling direct charging of electric vehicles.

[0034] A battery storage unit is also included to store excess energy from renewable sources. The stored energy can be used to charge electric vehicles during periods of low or unavailable renewable energy. The battery's DC output is supplied to a SLZSI (switched inductor Z-source inverter), which efficiently converts the DC power to AC power while simultaneously boosting the voltage. This AC power is fed into the single-phase AC grid, ensuring compatibility with the existing grid infrastructure and the ability to supply AC loads.

[0035] The system uses intelligent controls to manage and optimize the selection of energy sources based on their availability and demand, ensuring smooth operation. Furthermore, the system supports vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and grid-to-vehicle (G2V) operations, enabling bidirectional energy flow to maximize electrical energy utilization.

[0036] The use of a switched inductor Z-source inverter (SLZSI) increases system efficiency by directly boosting the voltage and converting it to alternating current, eliminating the need for additional components. This feature ensures cost-effectiveness and reliability while supporting the rapid adoption of electric vehicles.

[0037] In one embodiment, the hybrid charger represents a sustainable and innovative solution to meet the growing demand for reliable and environmentally friendly charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, promote the efficient use of renewable energy, and minimize environmental impact.

[0038] The drawings and the foregoing description provide examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be separated into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of the processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Furthermore, the actions of any flowchart need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all actions necessarily need to be performed. Also, those actions that are not dependent on other actions may be performed in parallel with the other actions. The scope of the embodiments is in no way limited by these specific examples.Numerous variations, whether explicitly stated in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimensions, and use of materials, are possible. The scope of the embodiments is at least as broad as indicated in the following claims.

[0039] Advantages, other benefits, and solutions to problems have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, the advantages, benefits, solutions to problems, and any components that may cause an advantage or solution to occur or become more apparent are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all of the claims. REFERENCES 100 A grid-integrated charging system for hybrid electric vehicles. 102 photovoltaic systems (PV) 104 wind turbines 106 rectifiers 108 DC-DC boost converters 110 battery storage 112 Charging port for electric vehicles 114 Z-Source Switched Inductor Inverters (SLZSI) 116 AC network QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 20090287578A1

[0006] US 11590857

[0007]

Claims

[1] A grid-integrated charging system (100) for hybrid electric vehicles, the system (100) comprising: a solar photovoltaic (PV) unit (102) configured to generate direct current (DC); a wind turbine (104) configured to generate alternating current (AC); a rectifier (106) connected to the wind turbine (104) for converting alternating current into direct current; a DC-DC boost converter (108) configured to receive direct current from the solar PV unit (102) and the rectifier (106); a battery storage unit (110) connected to the DC-DC boost converter (108) and configured to store direct current and supply power to the DC-DC boost converter (108); and an electric vehicle charging port (112) connected to the DC-DC boost converter (108) and configured to directly charge the electric vehicle. [2] The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the rectifier (106) comprises a three-phase rectifier (106a) for converting alternating current from the wind turbine (104) into direct current. [3] The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the battery storage unit (110) is configured with a bidirectional converter to enable both charging and discharging of the battery. [4] The system (100) of claim 1, wherein a switched inductor-Z-source inverter (SLZSI) (114) is configured to receive DC power from the battery storage unit (110), convert DC power to AC power, and boost the output voltage. [5] The system (100) of claim 4, wherein an AC power grid (116) connected to the SLZSI (114) is configured to receive AC power from the SLZSI (114) to supply AC loads. [6] The system (100) of claim 1, wherein a control unit (118) configured to monitor power availability from the solar PV unit (102), the wind turbine (104) and the battery storage unit (110) and to optimize the selection of power sources for charging the electric vehicle or supplying power to the AC grid (116).

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