Rivian IP Holdings, LLC

Kyle R Underhill

Tyler J Erikson

Silva Hiti

Steven E Schulz

Trent C Warnke

Tyler Jennings Bennett

Sara M Eslinger

Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods to provide both AC and DC power for charging battery systems. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a coupler receivable by a power input of a rechargeable battery system, where the coupler includes: alternating current (AC) terminals configured to electrically engage AC input terminals of the power input and direct current (DC) terminals configured to electrically engage DC input terminals of the power input; a cable that includes a plurality of sets of conductors including a set of AC conductors coupled to the AC terminals and a set of DC conductors coupled to the DC terminals, wherein the set of AC conductors is configured to be selectively coupled to an AC power source and the set of DC conductors is configured to be selectively coupled to a DC power source.

AC and DC charging via a single coupler

Disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and methods to switchably provide electric power to a battery system and an external system, such as another battery system, from a single charging system or other source of electric power. In an illustrative embodiment, a charging input coupling couplable to an electric power source; a charging output coupling; a battery system coupling couplable to a rechargeable battery system; and an electric switching device electrically couplable to the charging input coupling, the charging output coupling, and the battery system coupling, and configured to selectively operate in an operating mode including at least one of a first mode and a second mode, wherein: in the first mode, the electric switching device directs the electric power to a the battery system coupling, and in the second mode, the electric switching device directs the electric power to the charging output coupling.

Vehicle pass-through charging

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses and methods for performing vehicle-to-vehicle and/or vehicle-to-load charging. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a multi-function DC power unit and an interface unit configured to perform battery recharging between a donor battery-powered device and a receiver battery-powered device. The interface unit is configured to removably receive the multi-function DC power unit.

Systems and methods for vehicle-to-load charging

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative vehicle charging connectors, vehicle charging connector systems, and vehicle charging systems. In an illustrative embodiment a vehicle charging connector includes at least two electrical contacts configured to electrically connect with electrical contacts of a vehicle charge port. At least one controllable electromagnet may be configured to attract the vehicle charging connector to contact a charge port of an electric vehicle. The connector also includes at least one controllable electrically actuated mechanical connector configured to provide mechanical engagement and disengagement between the vehicle charging connector and the charge port.

Automated plug-in system and method

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative charging systems, electrical dispensers, dispenser chains, methods of charging a vehicle, and methods of providing charging power to a vehicle. A charging system includes a power cabinet having at least one direct current (DC) power module. The charging system also includes at least one dispenser chain, each dispenser chain being electrically couplable to a respective DC power module. Each dispenser chain includes dispensers that are electrically couplable with each other in series and that are configured to dispense electrical power, each of the dispensers being controllable such that electrical power is dispensable by only one dispenser in its dispenser chain at a time.

Electric vehicle charging system and method utilizing a dispenser chain

A system includes a computer processor configured to receive a vehicle identifier and a charging power dispenser identifier from a vehicle coupled to a specific charging power dispenser of a charging power dispenser chain. The system also includes a control program being configured to run on the computer processor, the control program being configured to determine a time to deliver power to the vehicle and an amount of power to deliver to the vehicle, the control program being further configured to send to a communication hub of a power cabinet electrically coupled to the charging power dispenser chain the time to deliver power to the vehicle, the amount of power to deliver to the vehicle, the vehicle identifier, and the charging power dispenser identifier.

Electric vehicle charging system and method

A charge coupler adapted to be coupled to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle, the charge coupler including: a housing including a first portion adapted to be disposed around a first plurality of contacts and a second portion adapted to be disposed around a second plurality of contacts; a conductive member disposed between the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing; and a control system coupled to the conductive member and operable for sensing a break in the conductive member indicating damage to one or more of the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing or that the second portion of the housing is detached from the first portion of the housing. Optionally, the conductive member includes a conductive loop disposed around an inner periphery of the housing, the first plurality of contacts, and the second plurality of contacts.

Charge coupler safety interlock systems and methods

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative systems for remotely testing continuity of electrical wiring, electrical vehicle charging systems, and charge couplers for electrical vehicle charging systems. In an illustrative embodiment, a system for remotely testing continuity of electrical wiring includes a signal generator configured to generate a signal having a predetermined frequency. A controlled impedance network is configured to attenuate the signal. The controlled impedance network is electrically connectable toward a first end of electrical wiring that terminates at a termination at the first end and that is electrically connectable at a second end to the signal generator to carry the signal. A signal detector is configured to detect the signal.

Systems and methods for remotely testing continuity of electrical wiring

A charging dispenser includes a direct current (DC) electrical power input, a DC electrical power pass through output, and a DC electrical power charging output. The charging dispenser also includes a switching unit coupled to the DC electrical power input, the DC electrical power pass through output, and the DC electrical power charging output. Further, the charging dispenser includes a controller configured to provide control signals to the switching unit, the switching unit being configured, responsive to the control signals, to selectively electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser and to selectively electrically connect the DC electrical power input to the DC electrical power pass through output and electrically disconnect the DC electrical power input from the DC electrical power charging output of the charging dispenser.

Electric vehicle charging dispenser and method

A charging system includes a plurality of power charging cabinets, each power charging cabinet being configured with a plurality of electrical power outputs. The charging system also includes at least one power dispenser chain coupled to at least one of the plurality of electrical power outputs, each of the power dispenser chains having more than one addressable power dispenser electrically coupled thereto and each of the power dispensers being configured to be addressed based on a vehicle identifier of a vehicle coupled to an addressed power dispenser, each of the power dispensers also having a controller configured to control electrical power delivery to a destination chosen from a charging power output of the power dispenser and to another power dispenser in the power dispenser chain. The charging system further includes a central control system configured to communicate with controllers of the power dispensers of the at least one power dispenser chain.

Electric vehicle fleet charging system and method

A charging station includes an alternating current (AC) electrical power input and at least one direct current (DC) electrical power module coupled to the AC electrical power input. The charging station also includes at least one station output having a vehicle DC electrical power output, a communications output, and a dispenser DC electrical power output, the dispenser DC electrical power output being configured to be coupled to at least one dispenser. The charging station further includes a communications hub including at least one communications network connection, the communications hub being configured to receive information relating to an amount of DC electrical power to be delivered to a particular dispenser coupled to the charging station. Further still, the charging station includes a master controller configured to receive the information from the communications hub relating to the amount of DC electrical power to be delivered to the particular dispenser coupled to the charging station and provide a control signal to one of the at least one DC electrical power modules, the control signal being based on the information and being configured to control the amount of DC electrical power sent through one of the at least one DC electrical power modules.

Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative electrical power dispensers for electrical vehicle charging systems, charging systems, and methods of sensing presence of a charge coupler in a holster of an electrical power dispenser. In an illustrative embodiment, an electrical power dispenser for an electrical vehicle charging system includes a housing. A charge coupler is configured to dispense direct current electrical power. A holster is disposed on the housing and is configured to receive the charge coupler therein. A holster sensor is configured to sense presence of the charge coupler in the holster and is further configured to generate a signal indicative of presence of the charge coupler in the holster.

Growing community of inventors

Los Angeles, CA, United States of America

Kyle R Underhill