The invention relates to systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.

The invention relates to systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.

A motor vehicle includes an electric traction energy storage, at least two DC voltage converters, and a contact device for electrically contacting a vehicle-external energy source. The at least two DC voltage converters are each connected in series at a first side. The contact device is connected to the first sides of the DC voltage converters. The traction energy storage is connected to second sides of the DC voltage converters.

A motor vehicle includes an electric traction energy storage, at least two DC voltage converters, and a contact device for electrically contacting a vehicle-external energy source. The at least two DC voltage converters are each connected in series at a first side. The contact device is connected to the first sides of the DC voltage converters. The traction energy storage is connected to second sides of the DC voltage converters.

This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.

This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.

A contact unit for a charging station of an electrically driven vehicle and a related method. The contact unit includes at least two charging contact supports having at least two charging contacts thereon and connected by a parallel linkage having connecting and support rods disposed in parallel, each support rod being connected to the connecting rods in one of two parallel movement planes via connecting hinges forming a parallelogram with the connecting rods, the connecting rods connected to a base support by support hinges spaced apart in a support plane extending in parallel and centrically to the movement planes, each charging contact support being connected to the support rod via a rotary hinge, the rotary hinges being orthogonally disposed with respect to the connecting hinges, each charging contact support mounting the charging contacts coaxially with respect to the axis of rotation.

In one implementation, a matching network is provided comprising a pair of input terminals; a pair of output terminals; and at least two reactive components disposed between the pair of input terminals and the pair of output terminals. At least one of the reactive components comprises a coupled-inductor. In various implementations, the second reactive component can be a capacitor, and the capacitor can be at least partially realized using the parasitic capacitances of the environment. The matching network may be disposed in a capacitive wireless power transfer (WPT) system. In other implementations, inductors and coupled-inductors are further provided. In some implementations, for example, an inductor, such as but not limited to a coupled-inductor, may comprise a toroidal or semi-toroidal core comprising foil wire interleaved without notches.

A method for controlling the charging of one or more electric vehicles at one or more charging stations in a geographic locality includes determining if the charging event of an electric vehicle of the one or more electric vehicles increases a demand billing rate. The demand billing rate may be a cost per unit of energy in the locality. The method also includes charging the electric vehicle at the charging event such that the demand billing rate is not increased.

A method for controlling the charging of one or more electric vehicles at one or more charging stations in a geographic locality includes determining if the charging event of an electric vehicle of the one or more electric vehicles increases a demand billing rate. The demand billing rate may be a cost per unit of energy in the locality. The method also includes charging the electric vehicle at the charging event such that the demand billing rate is not increased.