Patent Application
20130103191
The present invention relates to exchanging energy with electric vehicles. Electric vehicles may comprise road vehicles such as cars or motorcycles, vehicles for indoor use or use on sites, such as (fork lift) trucks, and even vehicles for transport on water, on railroad tracks or in air.
As a result of environmental awareness and limited organic fuel sources, interest in electric vehicles, i.e. vehicles comprising an electric engine for providing driving force, is growing. Electric vehicles have clear advantages, in high power efficiency when compared to vehicles with combustion engines, and they cause no polluting emission at their place of use. However, the radius of action may be limited in specific cases, and charging their batteries may—dependent on circumstances—be time consuming. Moreover, a lack of standardisation holds the placement of charging stations. Also, the treatment of batteries, especially charging and discharging circumstances, have a large impact on their cycle-life, and charging stations are usually not fit to cooperate with various batteries. Several solutions have been proposed to (partly) solve the above mentioned problems, but none of them to a satisfactory extend. It is therefore a goal of the present invention to provide a system, device and method for exchanging energy with an electric device, that is beneficial with respect to the prior art, or at least forms a useful alternative thereto.
The invention therefore provides a system for exchanging energy with an electric vehicle, in particular with a battery thereof, comprising at least an energy exchange station, a data processing device, and a configuration device.
The at least one energy exchange station comprises at least one port for exchanging energy with an energy source, at least one port for exchanging energy with a vehicle, at least one port for data communication with the vehicle, and at least one port for data communication with a data processing device.
The data processing device comprises at least one port for data communication with the energy exchange station, at least one port for data communication with at least one configuration device. In certain cases, these ports may be one and the same port, for example an internet connection of the data processing device.
The at least one configuration device comprises at least one port for exchanging data with the data processing device; and means, such as a user interface, for editing configuration details.
A port of the energy exchange station for exchanging energy with an energy source may comprise any kind of coupling that allows transfer of (electric) energy, such as a conductive coupler like a connector, a magnetic coupler or the like. The at least one port for exchanging energy with a vehicle may be an electric connection formed by (power) cables or for example a magnetic connection for inductive power transfer. The at least one port for data communication with the vehicle may be a connection for a communication line, a wireless data exchange means, or even an unidirectional communication means such as an RFID or barcode or magnetic code reader. The at least one port for data communication with a data processing device may be an internet connection, or a (dedicated) (phone) line, or other communication means.
The energy source may be a public or private power grid, a clean or renewable energy source like a wind energy source, solar panels, gravitational energy, energy delivered by an energy converter such as a heat exchanger, a battery, such as a pre-charged battery or even a battery from a vehicle different from the vehicle to be charged, for example to obtain a constant load of a grid. Exchanging power may be uni- or bidirectional, i.e. the use of the system may be restricted to charging batteries from it while delivering energy (back) to the energy source, or to charge a battery of a first vehicle from a battery of a second vehicle, or to discharge a battery for any reason, such as maintenance.
The communication port may be any means to transfer data, such as an internet connection, a telephone or telefax line, a VPN connection or a dedicated communication line, which may either be wired or wireless, or just a single or a few data lines for exchanging simple commands represented by binary values of the data lines, for example a start/stop signal. The communication can take place continuously or at predetermined intervals.
The data processing device maybe a dedicated computer device such as a PC or a (web) server, but also a group of interlinked computer devices, such as a computer network, wherein a plurality of computers may be used to increase computing power, to increase fidelity of the device, or to enable cloud computing. The data processing device may be coupled to or form part of any data network such as the internet or a private network such as a VPN. The database may be comprised by the same physical device or by a separate device at a remote location, and it may also be embodied by multiple databases, which may for example be split in a battery profile database and a configuration detail database.
In an embodiment, the system comprises memory means, for storing at least the configuration details and/or the battery profiles. Further data that may for example be stored are ID's and/or details regarding the grid, batteries, users, vehicles, chargers and power exchange stations.
The memory means may be embodied by RAM or by a (central) database, and can be located at the configuration device, at the data processing device or form a separate entity.
The use of a central database offers the advantage that data can be updated efficiently, and that various users of the system can make use of them. The system becomes especially beneficial as the number of battery profiles stored in the database increases.
Data to be stored in memory or in the database are for example momentary and historical values of charge currents, voltages, temperatures (battery and environment), charge profiles, type of vehicle connected to charger, grid load, grid limits, cell voltages, charge times, account data of users, state of health of the battery, vehicle configuration (nominal range, data connection speed, nominal capacity of battery etc), energy meter data from a charge station, or energy division (distribution) data from a charge station.
The use of a distributed architecture has the advantage of potentially being more reliable.
The configuration device may for instance be a computer at a remote location, for example located at an end-users control centre. It may communicate with the data processing device via an internet connection or a telephone line or a wireless connection, or communication may take place by a website, hosting an application for editing configuration details, reading logged measurements, settings, profiles, statistical data etc., or sorting data, computing reports and/or graphs. Use of the configuration device may be restricted to specific users of which a user management takes place at the data processing device or the database. The configuration may be suitable for human users, but it may also be automated, and suitable for automatically changing settings in the database based on inputs from for example other databases or datastreams. For that purpose, an application programming interface (API) may be provided by the data configuration device.
In an embodiment, the energy exchange station is configured to provide vehicle information to the data processing device, regarding a vehicle coupled to the port for exchanging energy with a vehicle. Vehicle information may comprise vehicle identification data, data describing a technical configuration of the vehicle (such as the type of battery used or the battery or vehicle management system used), or instantaneous data, such as the temperature of the vehicle, the state of charge of the battery, or data measured and/or generated before, during use of the vehicle, in particular regarding charging and uncharging the battery.
The vehicle information provided may thus comprise battery information, which can either be registered during use of the vehicle by a registration unit in the vehicle or during energy exchange by the energy exchange station, or, for completing or editing the battery profiles in the database.
In case no vehicle information is present, the energy exchange station may be configured to perform a test on the vehicle or a battery thereof. Important characteristics like a battery voltage, an internal battery resistance, or a charge curve may be determined, for example by sending a DC pulse train to the battery. By applying an AC power on the vehicle, the characteristics of its internal charger may be determined. Information thus determined could be made available to third parties, or be used by the charge station to provide optimal charge service.
Based on this the vehicle information and/or configuration details and/or battery profiles from the database, the data processing device can provide optimised energy exchange settings to the energy exchange station. Optimisation may be done on various criteria, which may be predetermined by a user and stored in the configuration data, or on information, data or defaults stored in the database, in the energy exchange station, or even in a battery management system of the vehicle. Information obtained from charge and discharge characteristics obtained during tests, or obtained from measurements on other vehicles may be stored in the database and used to calculate the optimised energy exchange settings by the data processing device.
For example, energy exchange settings are optimised according to at least one parameter related to the battery or the vehicle, such as the type of battery or an actual energy status of the battery, a battery temperature, an intended battery lifetime (e.g. expressed in the number of charge and/or discharge cycles), a desired available power, or an available or desired charge-time or radius of action (driving range).
Besides information from a specific battery energy needs to be exchanged with, the energy exchange settings for a certain vehicle may be optimised based on at least a parameter related to a second vehicle, coupled to a second port for energy exchange of the energy exchange station, or at least a parameter related to at least a second vehicle, coupled with a second port for energy exchange of the energy exchange station, or at least a parameter related to the power source.
In an advantageous embodiment, the system is configured to, in particular real-time, updating the energy exchange settings by the data processing device in response to a change of a parameter related to said battery or a change of a parameter related to the energy source, and updating the energy exchange between the energy exchange station and a vehicle coupled to an energy exchange port thereof accordingly.
Specific benefits can be obtained with the system according to the invention by configuring it to the specific needs or wants of a specific customer. This is for instance enabled by the API's provided to access the data processing device and/or the configuration device. In the following, this will be explained into more detail with the aid of several non-limiting examples.
When a power source formed by a grid has less power available than the demand of several vehicles, the grid power can be distributed over the charging outputs, for example according to priority of the vehicles to drive away. This priority can be entered in the system by a user application which connects to the configuration device or to the data processing device through an API. This application of the system can be an advanced fleet management software system or a simple user interface where the user can enter how much time he has before he has to drive off again. The available grid power can be known to a pre-programmed setting in the data processing device, or through a API which interacts with the software of a grid provider (smart-grid). Upon changes entered or occurred at any place in the system, the energy exchange settings are dynamically changed (optimised) in real time. The distribution of the power from the grid to the vehicles can be proportional or disproportional, and can take place simultaneously, or subsequently, by giving a vehicle with more urgency priority during charging.
The system (in particular the data processing device, or the configuration device) can interact through an API between billing and payment applications which run at the computers of utilities or other energy providers. As such the system can limit the amount of charging power at a specific charging socket based on the type of subscription a user has for energy delivery. A premium subscription may for instance mean that a vehicle can receive 50 kW charging power and be charged very fast, whereas a basic subscription can mean that the user can only receive 20 kW and charge much slower.
If a system has multiple energy exchange ports for vehicles (outlets), and one energy exchange port for a power source, such as an AC input, the system can calculate the power distribution over the outlets. As such one needs only 1 officially certified AC energy consumption meter at the input and still know how much energy went to each outlet.
The system can optimise the charging profile based on a battery life requirement. A general rule is that the faster charging is applied, the higher potential impact on battery life occurs. Through a user application entering data into the system through an API on the data processing device or a configuration device, the system obtains information about the battery life requirement for a certain customer. Based on this requirement, the charge profile and speed are adjusted once a customer connects the vehicle to the system. The system makes a trade-off between the battery life requirement and the available time to get the battery fully charged.
The system slows charging down or speeds charging up based on the current price of electricity, for example when different tariffs are applied during different times of the day, or when peak level agreements have been made. Charging may even be cancelled when a predetermined threshold tariff is exceeded.
The system has an interface for installation partners which provides information about the functioning of the system. If something goes wrong it sends an error code to the local installation partner via an API so the local installer knows which equipment to bring to do a repair. Such an API could also provide possibility for testing and for reconfiguring the equipment form a remote location.
When a new charge profile (battery profile to base the energy exchange settings on) is determined for a certain battery type it is stored in the database. As soon as a battery of that type is recognized at one of the energy exchange stations the updated charge profile will be send from the data processing device to the energy exchange station, and the charging process will be optimized.
The system generally relies on the data communication ports and interconnections therein, for example internet connections. If the internet connection of the system is not working the charging will continue according to all the current settings. If a new vehicle is connected all settings will be changed to default profiles.
If an energy exchange station has multiple outputs and a user disconnects a vehicle earlier than expected, the system can re-distribute the total power over the charge connections according to decision rules such as operational schedule, etc, to create a new optimal situation considering all parameters known to the system at that point in time.
The system can adjust the settings based on future situations, if it knows through a fleet management connection that a new vehicle will arrive at an energy exchange station within 10 minutes, it can speed up charging at one or more ports to make sure that a port is available at the time the vehicle arrives.
Local grid operators may manage local electricity shortage per area, per transformer station or for a whole site at each given point in time. Also even nationwide, for the whole of Europe or the world. This could be implemented through the use of domains and sub domains like in the internet structure. The system also takes into account the presence of local storage (batteries or else) in the grid or even in the charging facility and optimise based on these parameters.
Maximum reliability is created for the charging of the fleet owner: if one system does not work anymore the network can know and can direct the vehicles via a fleet management API to the right energy exchange station (for example just a charger) and optimise the whole situation based on the new situation with one or more chargers not functioning. The same can hold for the situation where a charger can still work but only at reduced power.
The system optimises the charging based on a fixed charge time. An energy exchange stations owner can set the fastest possible charge time at a predetermined amount, such as 20 minutes, to encourage users to make use of other services he offers, i.e. to drink coffee, eat a snack, etc. The energy exchange station may provide a warranty that charging will take 20 minutes and encourage users to make use of the other services offered in the meantime.
The system gives a user the ability to buy green power, or to select a provider of power.
The system transfers data from the onboard vehicle computer or an onboard data storage device through the data communication port of the energy exchange station, and sends it through the charger via the internet to the data processing device.
The server sends data to the vehicle through the data communication port, such as: enhanced operation profiles, user messages, settings, service and maintenance information, or to change the operating DOD (Depth of Discharge) window in the battery, or change the way the actual DOD window relates to the graphical representation on user interfaces. Also the system could change the settings in the onboard charger based on new insights. The system can also upload a new piece of software to the vehicle which handles the link between representation of the battery capacity on the user interface and the actual SOC (State-Of-Charge) of the battery. To influence the DOD window in the battery, the algorithm which defines the link between actual SOC and represented SOC may be replaceable too.
The charging system is equipped with an advertisement display. Because the system knows exactly how long the car will stay at the charging system a API can be offered that enables advertisers to change the commercial on the display based on the time the car will stay at the charger.
The hardware is onboard, but the whole way the battery is operated: balancing algorithms, balancing speed, state-of-health algorithms, state-of-charge algorithms can be updated every day from the remote server based on new insights.
The power conversion device which is part of the energy exchange station is totally or partially inside the vehicle. As soon as the car connects to the offboard charge connection, the offboard components tell the onboard components how to transfer the energy based on the same offboard architecture as mentioned in other examples.
When charging starts the system can perform several measurement charge pulses to determine the state-of-health of the battery: The system sends all kinds of pulses into the battery and monitors the response. Based on this the server can predict how healthy the battery is or the system can find out other parameters about the battery.
The system can work dynamically with multiple charging standards or communication protocols: if a vehicle is connected it detects what kind of protocol or connection is on the other side, it then asks the server about what the communication protocol is and the charger implements this and starts charging. In this way the system can work with multiple standards also with standards which will be developed in the future.
The energy exchange station may comprise at least one electric power converter, for exchanging energy between the at least one port for energy exchange with an energy source and the at least one port for energy exchange with the vehicle, according to the provided energy exchange settings. Since energy sources may be AC (most grids are for example) or DC (solar panels or batteries for example), and batteries are operated on DC, but onboard chargers may be present, that require AC, the electric power converter may be any of an AC-AC converter, an AC-DC converter, a DC-AC-converter or a DC-DC converter. The device may be dedicated to performing one of said conversions, or configurable or programmable to perform different ones thereof.
In a further embodiment, the energy exchange station comprises a plurality of electric power converters, for exchanging energy with a plurality of possible vehicles via the plurality of ports for exchanging energy with a plurality of vehicles, according to various energy exchange settings.
When more than one vehicle is present, the data processing device determines the energy exchange settings for every vehicle, and the energy exchange station exchanges energy with the vehicles coupled to the various ports, each energy exchange taking place according to the corresponding energy exchange settings.
To enable this, the energy exchange station comprises a connection matrix, for changeably coupling the energy converters with ports for exchanging energy with vehicles. Such a matrix consists of controllable switches, allowing to connect the ports to the outputs of the electric power converters. Furthermore, changeable physical connector for enabling energy exchange with various vehicles may be required, as well as changeable physical connectors for data communication, and/or a configuration to communicate according to various protocols, for enabling data communication with various vehicles manufactured according to different standards. In yet another embodiment, an energy exchange station is equipped with different connectors, attached to different ports, like a conventional gasoline filling station is equipped with dispensers for various fuel types.
Since most electric vehicles are equipped nowadays with battery management systems and/or vehicle management systems, the port for data communication of the energy exchange is preferably configured to enable data exchange with a battery management system or a vehicle management system. These systems may comprise data regarding energy exchange setting, which can be used by the energy exchange station. It may also be possible that the vehicle comprises a data processing device, for example a control system of the charger, that is equipped to communicate data obtained from the battery management system or from the vehicle management system.
In particular, the following embodiments may form part of the invention.
An embodiment wherein the energy exchange station communicates with a charge communication device. Such a device may be realised in hardware or software or a combination thereof, and may, but is not necessarily situated on board. This device in turn communicates with devices associated with the at least one battery (e.g. Battery Management System) and/or devices associated with the vehicle (e.g. Vehicle Management System).
In another embodiment the station communicates with a charge communication device. This device in turn communicates with devices associated with the vehicle (e.g. Vehicle Management System) which in turn communicates with devices associated with the at least one battery (e.g. Battery Management System).
In yet another embodiment the station communicates with devices associated with the at least one battery (e.g. Battery Management System).
In a further embodiment the station communicates with devices associated with the vehicle (e.g. Vehicle Management System) which in turn communicates with devices associated with the at least one battery (e.g. Battery Management System).
In an even further embodiment the station communicates with devices associated with the at least one vehicle (e.g. Battery Management System). The Devices associated with the battery contains software to correctly and optimally function with the station.
Based on specific information from the battery management system or the vehicle management system, regarding the temperature of (part of) the battery, special energy exchange patterns may be applied to influence the temperature of the battery. For example, an AC current or PWM (pulse width modulation) may be used to increase the temperature of the battery before or during charging or using it. If detailed information is available about (temperatures of) different cells of the battery, and these cells can be allocated separately, the energy exchange station may even be able to compensate for temperature differences along the battery, for instance caused by part of the battery that has been exposed to sunlight.
Besides vehicle or battery information, information from or regarding the power source may be useful to determine the energy exchange settings upon. In case of a grid as an energy source, arrangements may be made about the peak levels consumed, or the costs during specific intervals of time. In case of wind energy sources or solar panels, weather forecasts may play a role in determining the energy exchange settings. It is also possible that the use of multiple energy sources is comprised in the energy exchange settings, based on these forecasts and/or peak expectations at energy source side and/or at vehicle or battery side.
The energy exchange station may further be coupled or form part of a data communication network for servicing, wherein it sends alerts when it has detected that it needs maintenance, or that defects or malfunctioning have taken place.
The configuration device may serve as a link to incorporate external influences, such as expected energy peak levels (both at energy source and vehicle side), financial arrangements with for example power companies, or even logistic considerations with respect to various vehicles, for example from one fleet owner.
The configuration device may be coupled with information systems from third parties, and based on information exchanged with these systems, store data, such as data relating to energy peak values or energy prices regarding the energy exchange from the at least one power source in the database, for calculation of energy exchange profiles based thereon by the data processing device. It may also be possible to couple the configuration device to a metering device, for example from an energy source, to monitor the energy that has been exchanged, and to base (changes in) the configuration thereon.
The energy exchange station may further be configured to exchange data between the respective data communication ports of the vehicle and the data processing device and/or the configuration device, without making use of this data itself. Information is tunneled this way between the vehicle and the data processing unit and/or the configuration device. This could be used to exchange information such as software or firmware updates, traffic information, travel registrations and the like. This way it is also possible to send information from a configuration device to a vehicle. The tunneled information can in particular be encoded or encrypted, to protect it from being intercepted by third parties.
The system may comprise more than one configuration device, which may communicate with the data processing device, but also directly with other configuration devices. For example both a (grid) power company and a fleet owner have separate configuration devices, which communicate peak level tariffs and/or price levels.
The invention will now be elucidated with reference to the following figures, wherein:
a-h show a schematic overview of the system according to the present invention.
a-f show particular embodiments of an energy exchange station according to the invention.
a shows a general layout 1 of a charge station according to the present invention. The system comprises an energy exchange station 2, a data processing device 3, and a configuration device 12. The energy exchange station comprises a port for exchanging energy 7 with an energy source, a port for exchanging energy 4 with a vehicle, a port for data communication 6 with the vehicle, and a port for data communication 5 with a data processing device 3. The data processing device 3 comprises a port for data communication 5 with the energy exchange station 2, a port for data communication 8 with at least one configuration devices 12 and 15 through an API 13, and a database 10, for storing 9 at least configuration details and battery profiles. The configuration devices 12 and 15 comprise a port for exchanging data 11, 14 with the data processing device 3 through the API 13 and means, such as a user interface, for editing the configuration details in the database 10.
b shows a case wherein available grid power is less than the required power demanded by vehicles. The grid power is distributed over the charging outputs according to priority of the vehicles to drive away. This priority can be entered in the system by a user application which connects to an API in the data processing device. This application can be an advanced fleet management software system or a simple user interface where the user can enter how much time he has before he has to drive off again. The available grid power can be known to a pre-programmed setting in Data processing device, or through a API which interacts (real time or semi-real time) with the software of a grid provider (smart-grid). The numbers in the figure refer to the following steps:
c shows a case wherein the system optimises the charging profile based on a battery life requirement. The general rule is that the faster the charging is, the higher the potential impact on battery life. Through a user application entering data into the system through a data processing device API the system can know what the battery life requirement for a certain customer is. Based on this requirement the charge profile and speed can be adjusted once a customer connects the vehicle to the system. The system can also make a trade-off between the battery life requirement and the available time to get the battery fully charged.
d shows a case wherein the data processing device can interact through an API between billing and payment applications which run at the computers of utilities or other energy providers. As such the system can limit the amount of charging power at a specific charging socket based on the type of subscription a user has for energy delivery. For example a premium subscription can mean that the car can receive 50 kW charging power end be charged very fast, but a basic subscription can mean that the user can only receive 20 kW and charge much slower.
e shows a case similar to the case from
f shows a system with an interface for local (international) installation partners which provides information about the functioning of the system. If something goes wrong it can send an error code to the local installation partner (via a data processing device API) so the local installer knows which equipment to bring to do a repair.
g shows an example wherein battery life can be predicted based on historic data of the batteries and this information is offered to leasing companies.
a shows a schematic view of an example of a electric power converter 700 for use in an energy transfer station according to the invention. The energy transfer station comprises a multiphase (for example three phase) AC/DC converter 701, which is coupled to a DC/DC converter 702, comprising a galvanic separation. The DC/DC converter is coupled to a multi-phase (for example four) DC/AC converter 703.
b shows a simplified electric scheme of the converter 700 from
c shows an example wherein the energy exchange station 705 consists internally of several power converters 706 (for example, but not necessarily AC/DC converters), a connection matrix 707, for changeably coupling the energy converters with ports for exchanging energy with vehicles. The ports consist of a connection manager 708, a system which manages the control of one specific connection, an output consisting of data and DC energy port, a charging cable and at the end of the charging cable a connector for coupling the energy exchange station to the vehicle.
Based on this configuration each power converter, or multiple power converters together can be coupled to one output of the energy exchange station. As such this configuration can distribute the power over the multiple outputs of one energy exchange station at different power levels, voltage levels or current levels per output.
The connection managers will manage one connection each (data transfer, power transfer, safety), therefore this configuration enables the use of different connection standards, cables and physical connections on one energy exchange station simultaneously. Additionally, with no additional effort, one connection manager (plus its cable and connector) and thus one energy exchange port can be replaced by another one, as all specific protocols and safety are handled by the connection manager. This increases the flexibility of a energy exchange station to respond to market changes, market penetration of a specific charge system etc.
d shows an embodiment of an energy exchange station 709 which consists internally of a configurable power supply 710 unit with multiple outputs which are coupled (possibly fixed) to the energy exchange ports of the energy exchange station. The ports again can consist of a connection manager, a system which manages the control of one specific connection, an output consisting of data and DC energy port, a charging cable and at the end of the charging cable a connector for coupling the energy exchange station to the vehicle.
The configurable power supply can adjust the current, voltage and power levels per output. As such this configuration can also distribute the power over the multiple outputs of one energy exchange station at different power levels, voltage levels or current levels per output. The connection managers can be identical to those described in the previous embodiment.
e shows an energy exchange station 711 which is a combination of embodiment 1 & 2. The energy exchange station can consist internally of a configurable power supply unit with multiple outputs which is connection matrix.
f shows an energy exchange station 712 that in the same way as the connection managers at the output, these kind of connection managers can be installed at the power inputs of the charge station, where they manage data transfer, power transfer and safety of each power input separately.
Different connection managers can be implemented to connect and optionally communicate with different sources, such as Grid power (by different grid owners), wind power, solar power, local storage (emergency power or load balancing) or any other source of energy thinkable. The optional communication is of course only possible when the source also has means to communicate.
The connection managers are intelligent and can thus negotiate the need of the charge station with the power source (grid owner) or tell the energy exchange station about energy surplus (which can be used to accelerate charging) when one of the inputs is a windmill and there is more wind than predicted.
Besides the embodiments and examples shown, the present invention can be applied in various ways, that all fall within the scope of protection, as defined in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004279 | Feb 2010 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2011/050122 | 2/22/2011 | WO | 00 | 10/5/2012 |
