Electric vehicle charging cable and electric vehicle charging station

Abstract

An electric vehicle (EV) charging cable provides an anti-theft and deterrent mechanism and includes: an elongate conductor configurable to provide charging current to an EV; and at least one conduit a

Description

High power electrical cables are typically constructed using copper or aluminium conductors. Copper and aluminium have a high value and therefore electrical cables such as those used in telecoms equipment and railway applications can be the target of theft. Smart Water technology has been applied to such telecoms equipment and railway applications to prevent damage and theft. Painting or spraying Smart Water onto the outside of a cable is effective for cables which are permanently installed and not touched or handled during the service life of the cable, for example, cables used in telecoms installations. Electric vehicle (EV) charger installations also use high power electrical cables. Such high power cables can be used both in the ground, in order to supply an EV Charge equipment with a supply of power and above ground, to connect an EV charging station to an electric vehicle (EV) and dispense electricity to the EV. Cables installed in the ground are difficult to access. However, EV charging cables, such as EV charging or dispensing cables, by their nature are very accessible. EV charger dispensing cable theft can be achieved by sawing or grinding the cables directly from a charger cabinet. The number of EV charging stations is increasing rapidly. By way of example, in 2022, Tesla had 1000 high power chargers in the UK and 17000 in US; Volkswagen is working with Electrify America to install 10000 high power chargers in US and GRIDSERVE has the order of 200 high power chargers in UK. It is desired to provide a mechanism to mitigate EV charging cable theft. BRIEF SUMMARY The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The example embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention. According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments there is provided an electric vehicle charging cable, comprising: an elongate conductor configurable to provide charging current to an electric vehicle; and at least one conduit arranged to extend along the electric vehicle charging cable, the at least one conduit containing a security marker. According to some embodiments, the security marker is identifiable using a corresponding detector capable of discerning identity information encoded by the security marker. According to some embodiments, the security marker comprises a forensic marker component having a specific combination of predetermined characteristics. According to some embodiments, the security marker comprises at least one of: a particulate, a marker composition, a fluid, a gel, a liquid, a particulate suspended in a fluid, a composition dissolved or mixed with a fluid. According to some embodiments, the conduit is at least partially filled with the security marker. According to some embodiments, the conduit is filled with the security marker. According to some embodiments, the conduit is located adjacent the elongate conductor. According to some embodiments, the conduit is arranged to at least partially surround the elongate conductor. According to some embodiments, the conduit is arranged within the elongate conductor. According to some embodiments, the electric vehicle charging cable comprises an outer sheath or housing. According to some embodiments, the elongate conductor and conduit are located within the outer sheath or housing. According to some embodiments, the at least one conduit extends along the entire length of the electric vehicle charging cable. According to some embodiments, the at least one conduit is arranged to contain the security marker and cooling fluid. According to some embodiments, the conduit containing the security marker comprises a pressurised conduit, held at a known pressure. According to some embodiments, the electric vehicle charging cable comprises: a pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure of the pressurised conduit. According to some embodiments, the electric vehicle charging cable comprises: an alert system configured to receive a signal from the pressure sensor. According to some embodiments, the alert system is configured to generate an alarm based upon the received signal from the pressure sensor. According to some embodiments, an alarm is generated if the received signal indicates that the detected pressure has deviated from the known pressure. According to some embodiments, the generated alarm comprises at least one of: an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a signal to capture an image; a notification to a security system. According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments, there is provided an electric vehicle charging station comprising an electric vehicle charging cable as described above. According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments, there is provided a method of providing an electric vehicle charging cable, comprising: configuring an elongate conductor to provide charging current to an electric vehicle; and arranging at least one conduit extending along the electric vehicle charging cable such that it contains a security marker. According to some embodiments, the security marker is identifiable using a corresponding detector capable of discerning identity information encoded by the security marker. According to some embodiments, the security marker may comprise a forensic marker component having a specific combination of predetermined characteristics. According to some embodiments, the security marker comprises at least one of: a particulate, a marker composition, a fluid, a gel, a liquid, a particulate suspended in a fluid, a composition dissolved or mixed with a fluid. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: at least partially filling the conduit with the security marker. According to some embodiments, the method comprises locating the conduit adjacent the elongate conductor. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: arranging the conduit to at least partially surround the elongate conductor. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: arranging the conduit within the elongate conductor. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: providing the electric vehicle charging cable with an outer sheath or housing. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: locating the elongate conductor and conduit within the outer sheath or housing. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: arranging the at least one conduit to extend along the entire length of the electric vehicle charging cable. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: arranging the at least one conduit to contain the security marker and cooling fluid. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: holding the conduit at a known pressure. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: providing a pressure sensor and configuring the pressure sensor to measure the pressure of the pressurised conduit. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: providing an alert system and configuring the alert system to receive a signal from the pressure sensor. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: configuring the alert to generate an alarm based upon the received signal from the pressure sensor. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: generating an alarm if the received signal indicates that the detected pressure has deviated from the known pressure. According to some embodiments, the generated alarm comprises at least one of: an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a signal to capture an image; a notification to a security system. According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided: an electric vehicle charging cable, comprising: an elongate conductor configurable to provide charging current to an electric vehicle; and at least one conduit arranged to be held at a predetermined internal pressure and arranged to extend along the electric vehicle charging cable conduit. Such an electric vehicle charging cable may, in some embodiments, comprise any combination of the features of the electric vehicle charging cable first described above. According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided: an electric vehicle charging station comprising an electric vehicle charging cable comprising: an elongate conductor configurable to provide charging current to an electric vehicle; and at least one conduit arranged to be held at a predetermined internal pressure and arranged to extend along the electric vehicle charging cable conduit. Such an electric vehicle charging station may, in some embodiments, comprise any combination of the features of the electric vehicle charging cable first described above. According to some, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided: a method of providing an electric vehicle charging cable, the method comprising: providing an elongate conductor configurable to provide charging current to an electric vehicle; arranging at least one conduit to extend along the electric vehicle charging cable conduit; and holding the at least one conduit at a predetermined internal pressure. Such an method may, in some embodiments, comprise any combination of the features of the method first described above. Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims. Where an apparatus feature is described as being operable to provide a function, it will be appreciated that this includes an apparatus feature which provides that function or which is adapted or configured to provide that function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before discussing the example embodiments in any more detail, first an overview will be provided. One aspect provides an electric vehicle charging cable, comprising: an elongate conductor configurable to provide charging current to an electric vehicle and at least one conduit arranged to extend along the electric vehicle charging cable, the at least one conduit containing a security marker. One aspect provides an electric vehicle charging station comprising an electric vehicle charging cable, the electric vehicle charging cable, comprising: an elongate conductor configurable to provide charging current to an electric vehicle and at least one conduit arranged to extend along the electric vehicle charging cable, the at least one conduit containing a security marker. Aspects and embodiments provide an anti-theft and deterrent mechanism applicable to high power electrical cables, for example, cables requiring high level of usage and / or handling by an operator or customer. Approaches in accordance with described aspects and embodiments may reduce the number of EV Charger cables stolen or damaged, and therefore save an EV Charger operating company money: in terms of cable replacement, associated labour and loss of revenue while an EV Charger is out of operation. Approaches in accordance with described aspects and embodiments may also mitigate reputational damage that can result from equipment being out of service when visited by a customer. Approaches in accordance with described aspects and embodiments provide an EV charging cable comprising a conduit extending along the charging cable, that conduit containing an identifier or security marker, for example, so-called Smart Water, other identifiable substance. Such a security marker may be identifiable using a corresponding detector capable of discerning identity information encoded by the security marker. The security marker may comprise a forensic marker component having a specific combination of predetermined characteristics. Those characteristics may be unique to the forensic marker and may directly correspond to data provided in a database. The conduit containing a fluid or liquid identifier may be configured, located or arranged such that when the EV charging cable is damaged, for example, by cutting, the security marker, is released from the conduit and, for example, spills onto cutting equipment and / or clothing of a person responsible for damaging the cable and / or container or vehicle used to transport the EV charging cable. Detection of the security marker can increase evidence which may be used to identify and prosecute the person responsible for damaging the EV charging cable. Approaches in accordance with described aspects and embodiments may also be applicable to an EV charging cable comprising one or more conduit, channel or pipe extending along the length of the EV charging cable which contains a security marker. That conduit may comprise the conduit, sheath or housing within which the conductive cable is located. Approaches in accordance with described aspects and embodiments recognise that that EV Charger dispensing cables are, by their very nature, handled by many people: each EV Charger will be used by thousands. Over a whole network millions of customers use EV Charger cables to charge their EV. Provision of a security marker or identifier, such as Smart Water, on an external surface of an EV charging cable, for example by spraying or painting that identifying material onto the outside of the cables, then valid users of the EV charging cable come into in contact with the identifying coating and potentially remove it over time. Furthermore if millions of people are exposed to the Smart Water, then it will render its property as a security I evidence indicator less effective. By providing a security marker or identifier located in a conduit which extends along the electric vehicle charging cable and which is only released if the EV charging cable sustains damage, for example, of a kind which may be expected to occur in the event of theft of the EV charging cable, an effective anti-theft and deterrent mechanism applicable to high power electrical cables may be provided. Approaches in accordance with described aspects and embodiments can be applied to any EV charger cable, irrespective of manufacturer equipment. It will be appreciated that in order to charge EV batteries quickly, electric vehicle chargers are configured to apply high charging currents. In order to be able to supply high charging currents, the charging cables need to be thick in order to be able to transport that charging current. If the charging cable becomes too thick, it becomes too heavy to be handled by a user. If cooling of the cable can be achieved, the thickness of a charging cable can be reduced. In an EV charger deployment, liquid cooling is typically used to minimise the charging cable conductor size. Cooling the conductive part of an EV charging cable can reduce size, weight and cost of an EV Charger cable. EV charge dispensing cables can be cooled using a cooling liquid, such as water or oil. Cooling liquids, which operate to transfer heat away from a conductive element of a charging cable, can be provided such that they flow through internal pipework, for example, one or more conduit or channel provided as part of the charging cable. The pipework for the coolant liquid may be provided inside an outer housing or sheath of an EV charging cable. In use, the coolant liquid operates to cool the metal conductors of the charging cable and allows an overall cable dimension and hence weight to be minimized, thereby making the dispensing cable easier to handle for a user. Approaches in accordance with described aspects and embodiments may add a security marker, for example, so-called “Smart Water” or another identifiable material, for example, particulate matter or liquid, to cooling water, oil or other cooling fluid, in a cooled EV charging cable. Accordingly, if such a charging cable is cut or damaged, the security marker will be released onto cutting equipment and / or clothing of a person attempting EV charging cable theft, thus increasing evidence which may be used to prosecute the perpetrator. Approaches in accordance with described aspects and embodiments may provide a pressure sensor configured to monitor pressure of the identifiable liquid. Accordingly, on detection of a drop in pressure, which would indicate that the cable has been cut, an alert signal may be generated. Such an alert signal may trigger activation of, for example, an audible alarm, a camera configured to capture an image of an EV charger and / or trigger a notification to security services. Activation of such an alarm could draw attention to a perpetrator and potentially reduce likelihood of further damage to an EV charger or adjacent charger equipment. Having provided a general overview of approaches, particular implementations are described in more detail below: In the case that an EV charging cable is water cooled, approaches recognise that it is possible to add so-called Smart Water or a similar unique identifying substance, to the cooling water. Accordingly, if the EV charging cable is cut or sustains other significant damage, the identifiable liquid and cooling water is released and spills onto cutting equipment and / or clothing, so increasing the evidence against a perpetrator. In the case that an EV charging cable is oil cooled, approaches recognise that it is possible to add so-called Smart Water or a similar unique identifying substance, to the cooling oil. Accordingly, if the EV charging cable is cut or sustains other significant damage, the identifiable liquid and cooling oil is released and spills onto cutting equipment and / or clothing, so increasing the evidence against a perpetrator. In the case that an EV charging cable is not cooled using a liquid, approaches recognise that it is possible to add one or more conduit, channel or pipe into an EV charging cable and fill the channels or pipes with Smart Water or a similar unique identifying substance or solution. Such an additional conduit, channel or pipe may be arranged within an EV charging cable sheath or housing, so that it appears to be integrally formed or internal to the EV charging cable. According to such arrangements where a conduit, channel or pipe is provided as part of an EV charging cable, if the EV charging cable is cut or sustains other significant damage, the identifiable liquid released from the conduit, channel or pipe and spills onto cutting equipment and / or clothing, so increasing the evidence against a perpetrator. According to some arrangements, a pressure sensor may be provided and configured to sense pressure internal to a conduit, channel or pipe containing the Smart Water or other identifiable liquid. The pressure sensor may be configured such that on detection of a drop in pressure, an alert signal is generated. The alert signal may be used to trigger an action, for example, an audible or visual alarm. According to some arrangements, a pressure sensor may be provided and configured to sense pressure internal to a conduit, channel or pipe containing the Smart Water or other identifiable liquid. The pressure sensor may be configured such that on detection of a drop in pressure, an alert signal is generated. The alert signal may be used to trigger an action, for example, to communication with one or more security service. Although example embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not 5 particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle charging cable, comprising:an elongate conductor configurable to provide charging current to an electric vehicle; andat least one conduit arranged to extend along the electric vehicle charging cable, the at least one conduit containing a security marker.

2. An electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 1, wherein the security marker is identifiable using a corresponding detector capable of discerning identity information encoded by the security marker.

3. An electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the security marker comprises a forensic marker component having a specific combination of predetermined characteristics.

4. An electric vehicle charging cable according to any preceding claim, wherein the security marker comprises at least one of: a particulate, a marker composition, a fluid, a gel, a liquid, a particulate suspended in a fluid, a composition dissolved or mixed with a fluid.

5. An electric vehicle charging cable according to any preceding claim, wherein the conduit is at least partially filled with the security marker.

6. An electric vehicle charging cable according to any preceding claim, comprising an outer sheath or housing.

7. An electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 6, wherein the elongate conductor and conduit are located within the outer sheath or housing.

8. An electric vehicle charging cable according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one conduit extends along the entire length of the electric vehicle charging cable.

9. An electric vehicle charging cable according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one conduit is arranged to contain the security marker and cooling fluid.

10. An electric vehicle charging cable according to any preceding claim, wherein the conduit containing the security marker comprises a pressurised conduit, held at a known pressure.

11. An electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 10, comprising a pressure sensor configured to measure the pressure of the pressurised conduit.

12. An electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 11, comprising an alert system configured to receive a signal from the pressure sensor.

13. An electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 12, wherein the alert system is configured to generate an alarm based upon the received signal from the pressure sensor.

14. An electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 13, wherein an alarm is generated if the received signal indicates that the detected pressure has deviated from the known pressure.

15. An electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the generated alarm comprises at least one of: an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a signal to capture an image; a notification to a security system.

16. An electric vehicle charging station comprising an electric vehicle charging cable according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A method of providing an electric vehicle charging cable, comprising: configuring an elongate conductor to provide charging current to an electric vehicle; andarranging at least one conduit extending along the electric vehicle charging cable such that it contains a security marker.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the security marker is identifiable using a corresponding detector capable of discerning identity information encoded by the security marker.

19. A method according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the security marker may comprise a forensic marker component having a specific combination of predetermined characteristics.

20. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the security marker comprises at least one of: a particulate, a marker composition, a fluid, a gel, a liquid, a particulate suspended in a fluid, a composition dissolved or mixed with a fluid.

21. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, comprising at least partially filling the conduit with the security marker.

22. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, comprising providing the electric vehicle charging cable with an outer sheath or housing.

23. A method according to claim 22, comprising locating the elongate conductor and conduit within the outer sheath or housing.

24. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 23, comprising arranging the at least one conduit to extend along the entire length of the electric vehicle charging cable.

25. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 24, comprising arranging the at least one conduit to contain the security marker and cooling fluid.

26. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 25, comprising holding the conduit at a known pressure.

27. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 26, comprising providing a pressure sensor and configuring the pressure sensor to measure the pressure of the pressurised conduit.

28. A method according to claim 17, comprising providing an alert system and configuring the alert system to receive a signal from the pressure sensor.

29. A method according to claim 28, comprising configuring the alert to generate an alarm based upon the received signal from the pressure sensor.

30. A method according to claim 29, comprising generating an alarm if the received signal indicates that the detected pressure has deviated from the known pressure.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the generated alarm comprises at least one of: an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a signal to capture an image; a notification to a security system.

32. An electric vehicle charging cable, comprising:an elongate conductor configurable to provide charging current to an electric vehicle; andat least one conduit arranged to be held at a predetermined internal pressure and arranged to extend along the electric vehicle charging cable conduit.

33. An electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 32, further comprising the features of the electric vehicle charging cable according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

34. An electric vehicle charging station comprising an electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 32 or claim 33.

35. A method of providing an electric vehicle charging cable, the method comprising: providing an elongate conductor configurable to provide charging current to an electric vehicle;arranging at least one conduit to extend along the electric vehicle charging cable conduit; and holding the at least one conduit at a predetermined internal pressure.

36. A method of providing an electric vehicle charging cable according to claim 35, further comprising the features of the method according to any one of claims 17 to 31.Application No: GB2317390.9Claims searched: 1-31Examiner: Mr Gareth JohnDate of search: 22 March 2024Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1-8, 10, 16-24 &26 EP 3469604 Bl (PRYSMIA S.p.A.) See especially paragraphs [0016]-[0019], [0035]-[0041], [0047]-[0050], [0064], [0071]; figures 1-6. X 1-8, 10, 16-24 &26 GB 2587027 A (CABLEDNA) See especially page 2, lines 7-24; page 6, lines 8-31; figure 1. X 1-4, 6-8, 16-20 &22-24 EP 2662867 Al (ELAND CABLES LTD.) See especially paragraphs [0007]-[0009], [0011], [0015]; figures 1 &2. X 1,2, 6-8, 16-18 &22-24 US 2021 / 0110950 Al (ROUSSELET et al) See especially paragraphs [0026]-[0030]; figures 1 &2. A - CN 116959799 A (GUANGDONG LINE GIANT CABLE CO. LTD.) See especially paragraph [0019]; figure 3.Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of same category. before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From B60L 0053 / 18 01 / 01 / 2019 HO IB 0007 / 36 01 / 01 / 2006 HO IB 0013 / 34 01 / 01 / 200617