I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIIII IIIII lll111111111111111
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`US009767955B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Boys et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,767,955 B2
`Sep.19,2017
`
`(54) MULTI POWER SOURCED ELECTRIC
`VEHICLE
`
`10/7005 (2013.01); Y02T 10/7088 (2013.01);
`
`
`
`
`Y02T 90/121 (2013.01); Y02T 90/122
`
`(2013.01); Y02T 90/125 (2013.01);
`(71) Applicants:John Talbot Boys, Auckland (NZ);
`
`
`(Continued)
`
`
`Grant Anthony Covic, Auckland (NZ)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`
`CPC ........................ H0lF 5/00; H0lF 27/00-27/30
`
`
`USPC ............................. 336/84 R, 84 M, 200, 232
`
`
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(72) Inventors: John Talbot Boys, Auckland (NZ);
`
`
`
`
`Grant Anthony Covic, Auckland (NZ)
`
`
`
`
`(73) Assignee: Auckland Uniservices Limited,
`
`Auckland (NZ)
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( *) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`
`
`4,800,328 A
`
`
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`4,873,677 A
`
`
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 493 days.
`
`1/1989 Bolger et al.
`10/1989 Sakamoto et al.
`(Continued)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/120,197
`
`
`
`(22) Filed: May 5, 2014
`
`EP
`JP
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(65)
`
`
`
`
`
`US 2015/0008752 Al Jan. 8, 2015
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5/2002
`1205340
`10/1991
`03-239136
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Notice of Reasons for Rejection in corresponding Japanese appli­
`
`cation p2010-507347 (Original and English Translation).
`
`
`
`Division of application No. 12/451,436, filed as
`(62)
`
`
`application No. PCT/NZ2008/000103 on May 9,
`Primary Examiner - Tuyen Nguyen
`
`
`2008, now Pat. No. 8,749,334.
`
`
`
`
`Jaworski, PC
`
`
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Law Office of Richard F.
`
`(51)
`Int. Cl.
`H0lF 5100
`H0lF 38/14
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`An inductive power transfer pad for transmitting wireless
`
`
`
`(Continued)
`
`
`power to a wireless power receiver separable from the
`(52)
`U.S. Cl.
`
`
`
`inductive power transfer pad. The inductive power transfer
`CPC ............ H0lF 38/14 (2013.01); B60L 111182
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pad includes a coil having at least one turn of a conductor in
`
`
`(2013.01); B60L 1111816 (2013.01); B60L
`
`
`
`
`a first layer and a plurality of ferromagnetic slabs arranged
`
`1111829 (2013.01); B60L 1111842 (2013.01);
`
`
`in a second layer substantially parallel to that of the coil, the
`
`B60L 1111844 (2013.01); H0lF 5100
`
`
`
`ferromagnetic slabs being arranged so as to be spaced apart
`
`
`(2013.01); H02J 51005 (2013.01); H02J
`
`
`from one another about the coil with their lengths extending
`
`710042 (2013.01); H02J 71025 (2013.01);
`
`
`
`across a longitudinal length of the coil.
`
`
`B60L 2230/16 (2013.01); B60L 2250/16
`
`
`
`(2013.01); Y02E 60/721 (2013.01); Y02T
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`
`
`13 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Momentum Dynamics Corporation
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 001
`
`

`

`US 9,767,955 B2
`Page 2
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2016.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2016.01)
`
`3/2003 Yoshida et al.
`2003/0052647 Al
`10/2006 Grieve et al.
`2006/0219448 Al
`2008/0238601 Al* 10/2008 Das ........................... HOlF 1/24
`336/200
`
`2009/0278492 Al
`
`11/2009 Shimizu et al.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Int. Cl.
`B60L 11118
`H02J 5100
`H02J 7100
`H02J 7102
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. Y02T 90/128 (2013.01); Y02T 90/14
`
`06-64393
`JP
`
`(2013.01); Y02T 90/163 (2013.01); Y04S
`6-66206
`JP
`
`10/126 (2013.01)
`06-277358
`JP
`6-86321
`JP
`8-238326
`JP
`9-213378
`JP
`10189369
`JP
`11503599
`JP
`11-097263
`JP
`11252810
`JP
`2000-200725
`JP
`200255176
`JP
`2002137659
`JP
`2002-231545
`JP
`2002-343655
`JP
`2004-47701
`JP
`2005101392
`JP
`200642519
`JP
`2006203959
`JP
`T2007-505480
`JP
`08505279
`JP
`200887733
`JP
`1020040028312
`KR
`WO WO 03105308
`WO WO 2005024865
`WO WO 2006101285
`WO
`2007008646
`WO WO 2008051611
`
`Hui et al.
`12/2002
`Cheng et al.
`6/2005
`Jang et al.
`8/2005
`Hui
`1/2007
`12/2008 Hwang ............... HOlF 17/0006
`336/200
`1/2011 Hopper ............... HO lF 17 /0006
`257 /516
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,202,617 A
`5,469,036 A
`5,528,113 A
`5,594,318 A
`5,710,502 A
`5,821,638 A
`5,821,731 A
`6,389,318 Bl
`6,429,651 Bl*
`
`4/1993 Nor
`11/1995 Eto
`6/1996 Boys et al.
`1/1997 Nor et al.
`1/1998 Poumey
`10/1998 Boys et al.
`10/1998 Kuki et al.
`5/2002 Zarinetchi et al.
`8/2002 Choi
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`G01R33/04
`324/225
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`6,906,495 B2
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`
`7,875,955 Bl*
`
`8,030,888 B2
`8,102,236 Bl*
`
`10/2011 Pandya et al.
`1/2012 Fontana, Jr .
`.............. HOlF 3/14
`336/200
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`9/1994
`9/1994
`10/1994
`12/1994
`9/1996
`8/1997
`7 /1998
`3/1999
`4/1999
`9/1999
`7/2000
`2/2002
`5/2002
`8/2002
`11/2002
`2/2004
`4/2005
`2/2006
`8/2006
`3/2007
`2/2008
`4/2008
`4/2004
`12/2003
`3/2005
`9/2006
`1/2007
`5/2008
`
`Momentum Dynamics Corporation
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.19,2017
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 9,767,955 B2
`
`Figure 1
`
`'---21
`
`Figure 2
`
`Momentum Dynamics Corporation
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.19,2017
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`VS 9,767,955 B2
`
`J 20
`
`24
`
`Figure 3
`
`�23 �21
`
`25
`
`22
`
`20
`
`J
`
`23
`26
`
`22
`
`22
`
`Figure 4
`
`Momentum Dynamics Corporation
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.19,2017
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 9,767,955 B2
`
`r 20
`
`27
`
`Figure 5
`
`Momentum Dynamics Corporation
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.19,2017
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 9,767,955 B2
`
`z
`
`• I
`I
`
`.... y
`
`Figure 5a
`
`Figure 5b
`
`22a
`
`Momentum Dynamics Corporation
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.19,2017
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 9,767,955 B2
`
`51
`
`53
`
`52
`
`20 54
`
`FIGURE 6
`
`60
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`62 �
`
`61
`
`63
`
`52
`
`64
`
`65
`
`FIGURE 7
`
`20
`
`Momentum Dynamics Corporation
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 007
`
`

`

`US 9,767,955 B2
`
`1
`MULTI POWER SOURCED ELECTRIC
`VEHICLE
`
`2
`tunity charging can help to eliminate this problem and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`involves partially charging the vehicle whenever an oppor­
`
`
`tunity presents itself.
`In perhaps a more serious situation where circumstances
`
`
`
`REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`
`
`5 call for the vehicle to be taken on a long trip, there is little
`
`that can be done. Here hybrid vehicles may be a good
`
`
`
`The present disclosure is a Divisional Application of
`
`
`
`
`solution as they can travel great distances on fossil fuels and
`
`
`
`co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/451,436 filed
`
`
`refuel at conventional petrol stations.
`
`Jan. 13, 2010 which is based on and claims benefit from
`For these reasons conventional pure electric vehicles have
`
`
`
`
`
`International Application Number PCT/NZ2008/000103
`
`
`10 not met all of the modern requirements for a passenger
`
`filed on May 9, 2008 which claims benefit from New
`
`transport vehicle.
`
`
`
`Zealand applications 555128 filed May 10, 2007 and 556646
`Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) provides a useful alter­
`
`
`
`
`
`
`filed Jul. 20, 2007, the entire contents of each of which are
`
`
`
`
`native to more conventional charging. A charger using IPT
`
`
`herein incorporated by reference.
`
`
`
`
`is described in New Zealand Patent Application No. 545664,
`
`
`15 entitled "Single Phase Power Supply for Inductively
`
`Coupled Power Transfer Systems" and is incorporated
`
`
`
`
`herein by reference. This charger provides many advantages
`
`
`
`The present invention relates to an Inductive Power
`
`
`
`in that it will operate from a standard single phase supply
`
`Transfer (IPT) pad, a system, method and means for charg­
`
`
`
`typically available in the home, has an excellent power
`
`
`
`ing a battery of an electric vehicle using multiple power
`
`
`
`20 factor and very low harmonics. As a result of this, it would
`
`
`
`sources and an electric vehicle powered by said battery.
`
`
`
`
`
`be possible to operate with several thousand of these con­
`
`
`
`More particularly, the invention relates to charging the
`
`
`
`nected to a utility network without the quality of supply
`
`
`
`
`
`battery for an electric vehicle selectively using a high power
`
`
`
`
`being degraded. Moreover, the use of IPT obviates the need
`
`
`source for charging at a high rate or a lower power source
`
`
`
`for a user to manually connect a cable to the battery.
`
`for charging at a lower rate.
`25
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`
`It is an object of the invention to provide an improved
`
`Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) pad.
`
`
`
`
`In the development of pure electric vehicles (i.e., those
`It is an object of the invention to provide means for
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`powered solely by electricity as opposed to hybrid vehicles), 30
`
`
`charging a vehicle which mitigates the aforementioned
`
`there are a number of problems to be solved before these
`
`
`
`
`problems associated with conventional electric vehicles.
`
`
`
`
`vehicles can gain widespread acceptance. These include the
`
`
`
`An alternative object of the invention 1s to provide a
`
`
`
`limited range compared with more conventionally fuelled
`
`
`system for charging an electric vehicle.
`
`
`vehicles, the inconvenience of having to remember to
`
`
`
`An alternative object of the invention 1s to provide a
`
`
`
`recharge a vehicle ( even if it is possible to do so at the user's 35
`
`
`method of charging an electric vehicle.
`
`
`premises or home) and the severe restrictions that occur
`
`
`Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to at least
`
`
`should the vehicle not be charged. These problems have
`
`
`provide a useful choice.
`
`
`been subjected to greater consideration in recent times due
`According warming. Pure electric to a first aspect of the invention, there is
`
`
`to heightened concerns about global
`
`
`
`
`
`40 provided an inductive power transfer (IPT) pad comprising
`
`
`
`vehicles may have a role to play in reducing the effects of
`
`
`a coil having at least one turn of a conductor; one or more
`
`
`
`
`global warming as they are clearly the lowest polluters of all
`
`
`
`ferromagnetic slabs; and a shield member arranged around
`
`
`
`vehicle types and are capable of operating with a lower
`
`
`both said coil and said ferromagnetic slabs for channelling
`
`
`carbon 'footprint' than vehicles powered by more wide­
`
`spread and conventional means.
`
`electromagnetic flux when in use.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Many problems with electric vehicles stem directly from 45 Preferably, the conductor is litz wire.
`
`
`
`
`
`the battery used to store energy to power the vehicle. Preferably, the coil comprises a plurality of turns of wire.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Virtually all battery types must be charged at a rate that is Preferably, the ferromagnetic slabs are monolithic slabs.
`
`
`
`
`
`less than the allowable discharge rate, they have a limited Preferably, the ferromagnetic slabs are ferrite slabs.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`capacity, and their cycle life is not great. Thus, it takes quite Preferably, each ferromagnetic slab is arranged in sub-
`
`
`
`
`a long time to charge a vehicle, the time between charges is
`
`
`50 stantially the same plane.
`
`
`
`shorter than ideal, and the functionality of the battery
`Preferably, each ferromagnetic slab is arranged such that
`
`
`
`
`
`declines rapidly with age.
`
`
`
`
`its length extends radially from a common point but spaced
`apart therefrom.
`
`
`
`
`In use, electric vehicles are however very convenient and
`Preferably, each ferromagnetic slab is spaced apart from
`
`
`make ideal shopping baskets and short trip commuter
`
`
`
`
`
`
`55 adjacent slabs by substantially the same angle.
`vehicles. Other tasks such as dropping off children at schools
`
`
`
`
`and running errands are also well suited. If the accumulated
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`According to a preferred embodiment, the IPT pad com­
`
`
`
`distance travelled in a day is within the range of the vehicle,
`
`prises eight ferromagnetic slabs each spaced apart from
`
`
`
`then the battery may be recharged over-night, with service
`
`
`adjacent slabs by approximately 45°. Other configurations
`
`
`capable of being resumed the next day. This is an ideal
`
`
`may be selected depending on system requirements.
`
`
`
`
`scenario. However, if the available range is exceeded or the 60
`
`
`
`
`Alternatively, in another embodiment, the IPT pad com-
`
`
`battery has not been sufficiently charged, the driver and
`
`
`
`
`prises a plurality of ferromagnetic slabs whereby a subset of
`
`
`passengers may be left stranded, there will likely be a
`
`
`the ferromagnetic slabs extend radially from a common
`
`
`
`
`recovery fee, the battery will need to be fully charged over
`
`
`
`point but are spaced apart therefrom, a further subset of the
`
`
`
`a longer period of time than a conventional charge cycle and,
`
`
`
`ferromagnetic slabs extend radially from a different common
`
`
`when using conventional batteries, these will almost cer­
`
`
`65 point but are spaced apart therefrom, and a still further
`
`
`
`
`tainly be degraded such that their available capacity is
`
`
`
`subset of the ferromagnetic slabs are aligned perpendicularly
`
`
`permanently reduced from what it was previously. Oppor-
`
`
`
`to the direction of an imaginary straight line connecting the
`
`Momentum Dynamics Corporation
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 008
`
`

`

`US 9,767,955 B2
`
`15
`
`3
`said common points, whereby the still further subset of
`ferromagnetic slabs are positioned equidistantly from the
`imaginary line but spaced equally along its length and
`equally on each side of the imaginary line.
`Preferably, the coil is arranged in a plane substantially
`parallel to that of the ferromagnetic slabs.
`Preferably, the coil is positioned to wind around the
`common point such that it passes each slab at approximately
`the centre of the length of each slab.
`Preferably, the IPT pad comprises a substantially rigid
`backplate.
`Preferably, the backplate is substantially planar,
`Preferably, the plane of the backplate is substantially
`parallel to the planes of the ferromagnetic slabs and the coil,
`with the plane of the slabs located between the planes of the
`backplate and the coil.
`Preferably, each ferromagnetic slab is spaced apart from
`the backplate by a thermally conductive and mechanically
`insulating material so as to allow the transfer of heat there
`between and protect the slab from mechanical shock.
`According to one embodiment, each slab may be spaced
`apart from the backplate using foam or rubber pads. The
`material making up the slabs is brittle and such steps serve
`to prevent cracking in the slabs caused by rapid temperature 25
`changes and also due to mechanical stresses exerted on the
`IPT pad.
`According to preferred embodiments, the backplane is
`formed from a material which substantially inhibits the
`passage of magnetic flux therethrough. In one embodiment, 30
`this material is aluminium.
`Preferably, the shield member is formed from a strip of
`material with the ends thereof joined to form a ring.
`Preferably, the shield member is formed from aluminium.
`Preferably, the shield member is coupled to the backplane.
`Preferably, the IPT pad comprises a member having
`spaces formed therein for holding the ferromagnetic slabs in
`position and having a channel for accommodating the coil.
`Preferably, the member is formed from a material which
`does not significantly affect magnetic flux. In one embodi­
`ment, foam or rubber is used.
`Preferably, the member is formed by a moulding process.
`Preferably, the IPT pad comprises a cover plate formed
`from a material that is substantially transparent to magnetic
`flux. In one embodiment this material is a non-toxic plastic.
`According to preferred embodiments, the cover plate and
`the backplate provide front and rear walls of a housing for
`the IPT pad, with side walls provided by the shield member,
`the shield member preferably being configured to extend
`from the backplate to the cover plate.
`The IPT pad according to the first aspect provides for
`improved performance in use by channelling the flow of flux
`from the charging pad. More particularly, the backplate and
`the shield member serve to direct flux upwards from the
`plane of the backplate with less splay of flux in and parallel
`to the plane of the backplate. This not only improves the
`inductive coupling but also reduces the chance that any
`undesired objects will be subjected to the induced fields
`during use. It is important to note that if this leakage is not
`controlled, it can lead to damage of such objects. For
`example, in the case of an electric vehicle, such leakage may
`result in the wheel bearings eroding.
`The IPT pad of the present invention is also beneficial in
`that it is relatively slimline compared to more conventional
`IPT pickups. This is particularly important where pickup 65
`pads are coupled to the underside of an electric vehicle since
`it is important that ground clearance is maintained.
`
`4
`According to a second aspect, there is provided an induc­
`tive power transfer system comprising two inductive power
`transfer pads, wherein the two inductive power transfer pads
`are used in combination, one of the pads being used as a
`5 pickup pad and the other pad as a charging pad.
`Preferably, the charging pad is coupleable to a power
`supply and inductively transfers power to the pickup pad,
`which is coupleable to a load, such as a battery.
`According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus
`10 for charging a battery of an electric or a hybrid electric
`vehicle, the apparatus comprising first means for selectively
`coupling the battery to a high power electrical supply; and
`second means for selectively coupling the battery to a lower
`power electrical supply wherein the second means for cou­
`pling comprises a pickup pad electrically coupled to the
`battery, wherein power is transferred to the pickup pad from
`a charging pad by inductive power transfer.
`Preferably, the first means for coupling comprises a socket
`20 electrically coupled to the battery, wherein power is trans­
`ferred by plugging a cable connected to the high power
`electrical supply into the socket. Thus, electrical energy may
`be rapidly transferred to the battery using the first means for
`coupling, resulting in rapid charging.
`As would be apparent to one of skill in the art, alterna­
`tively, the first means for coupling comprises a plug elec­
`trically coupled to the battery, wherein power is transferred
`by plugging the plug into a socket connected to the cable
`connected to the high power electrical supply.
`Preferably, the second means for coupling comprises a
`pickup pad according to the first aspect of the invention.
`The use ofIPT avoids the need for a user to plug in a cable
`for opportunity charging, including when a vehicle is parked
`overnight. Additionally or alternatively, a second socket may
`35 be provided or the first socket adapted, if required, so that
`the battery may be connected to a lower power supply using
`a cable. Again, in the alternative, the second socket may be
`substituted by a plug configured to mate with a socket
`connected to the lower power supply. Such embodiments
`40 provide for improved flexibility in that, where provided and
`where time permits, the battery may be charged using IPT.
`If rapid charging is required and a high power supply is
`available, the battery may be connected thereto. However,
`there remains the possibility that a battery will require
`45 charging where neither an IPT charging pad or a high power
`supply is available. A user could, perhaps, put the charging
`pad inside the vehicle when in transit so that, as required, it
`could be removed from the vehicle, appropriately positioned
`and used for charging. This is possible because embodi-
`50 ments of the invention involving IPT preferably work to
`widely available household voltages but this is inconvenient.
`Thus, the second socket may be provided, preferably on an
`outer surface of the vehicle, to enable the battery to be
`connected, via a cable, to a lower power supply, such as via
`55 a conventional household socket. According to preferred
`embodiments, the socket used for coupling to the high power
`supply may also be used to couple to a lower power supply.
`It is therefore possible to charge a battery via most house­
`hold circuits, with only a cable needing to be carried in the
`60 vehicle.
`Thus, depending on requirements and which types of
`power supply and forms of transfer are available, a user may
`selectively couple the battery to a high power supply or a
`lower power electrical supply, preferably using IPT for
`transferring power from the lower power supply.
`Preferably, the high power supply has a transfer rating
`between 10 kW and 500 kW.
`
`Momentum Dynamics Corporation
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 009
`
`

`

`US 9,767,955 B2
`
`6
`
`5
`Preferably, the lower power supply has a transfer rating
`between 0.5 kW and 2.5 kW so that it may be provided by
`conventional household wiring. More preferably, the lower
`power supply is between 1.0 kW and 2.2 kW.
`Use of the word "battery" throughout the specification is 5
`not used in a limiting way and may include one or any
`number of cells or batteries, or super capacitors.
`Preferably, the apparatus comprises an indication means
`for indicating alignment between the charging pad and the
`pickup pad.
`Preferably, the apparatus comprises an indication means
`for indicating when the battery is being charged.
`According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is
`provided an electric vehicle comprising a rechargeable bat­
`tery and the apparatus of the third aspect for charging said 15
`battery.
`The electric vehicle may be a "pure electric vehicle" in
`that it may be powered only by electrical energy. However,
`the invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to
`hybrid vehicles which may be powered by electrical energy 20
`and at least one other energy source, such as a combustible
`fuel. Thus, references to "electric vehicles" herein include
`both pure electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles having
`electrical energy as one source of power.
`According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is 25
`provided a method of charging a battery of an electric or a
`hybrid electric vehicle, the method comprising selectively
`coupling the battery to a high power supply or a lower power
`supply, wherein said coupling the battery to a lower power
`supply comprises positioning an inductive power transfer 30
`pickup pad electrically coupled to the battery in close
`proximity to an inductive power transfer charging pad.
`Preferably, the step of connecting the battery to the high
`power supply comprises mating a plug with a socket,
`wherein the plug is associated with one of the battery and the 35
`high power supply, and the socket is associated with the
`other one of the battery and the high power supply.
`More preferably, the pickup pad is coupled to the under­
`side of the vehicle and the charging pad is provided on the
`ground, wherein said selectively coupling the battery to the 40
`lower power supply comprises driving the vehicle into a
`position such that the pickup pad is positioned above, or
`operably adjacent to, the charging pad.
`Preferably, the charging and pickup pads can be variably
`distanced from each other. The charging pad may be raised 45
`and lowered from the ground by a raising and lowering
`means. Alternatively, the pickup pad may be raised and
`lowered from the underside of the vehicle by a raising and
`lowering means.
`Preferably, the method comprises indicating alignment 50
`between the charging pad and the pickup pad.
`Preferably, the method comprises indicating when the
`battery is being charged.
`Placement of an IPT pickup pad on the underside of a
`vehicle is preferred for aesthetic reasons, because this 55
`arrangement provides no physical obstacle to those moving
`around the vehicle while it is being charged, and because it
`is improbable that people or other foreign objects will be
`subjected to the induced fields during charging. However,
`the invention is not limited to such placement. A pickup pad 60
`may be located essentially anywhere on the vehicle with the
`charging pad being mounted so that IPT transfer is enabled
`when the vehicle is parked in position. For example, a
`pickup pad may be provided on the front or rear surface of
`the vehicle with the charging pad being mounted on a wall 65
`in a garage so that they inductively couple when the vehicle
`is parked. While not preferred due to the requirement for
`
`user intervention, the invention does not preclude the
`mounting of the pickup pad and/or the charging pad on a
`moveable mounting or armature, whereby, following park­
`ing of a vehicle, a user may move one or both of the pads
`so that IPT transfer is enabled. While having the drawback
`of requiring greater user intervention, such embodiments do
`allow for greater tolerances in the parking position of the
`vehicle.
`According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a system for
`10 charging a battery of an electric or a hybrid electric vehicle,
`the system comprising an electricity network or subnetwork
`having at least one generator; cabling for transferring energy
`generated by the at least one generator around the network;
`IPT coupling means for coupling the network to the battery;
`and control means for controlling the power transfer from
`the at least one generator to the battery.
`Preferably, the network is coupled to a plurality of bat­
`teries of a corresponding plurality of electric or hybrid
`electric vehicles.
`Any energy source may be used by the generator( s) to
`generate electrical energy. However, according to preferred
`embodiments, a renewable energy source is used. Through
`use of the control means, it is possible to overcome problems
`associated with the fluctuable nature of power generated
`from renewable sources and enhance the stability of the
`network by varying the power supplied to the battery so that
`the power demand on the network better matches the avail­
`able power. These benefits are more marked according to
`embodiments of the system in which the network is coupled
`to a plurality of batteries of a corresponding plurality of
`electric or hybrid electric vehicles.
`Preferably, the control means is configured to vary the
`power transfer so as to optimise the load factor. Thus, a
`network controller (e.g. a utility company) may vary the
`power transfer to batteries connected to their network to
`better match supply and demand.
`According to one embodiment, the batteries in the
`vehicles are owned by a network controller which operates
`the network and are leased to the owners of the vehicles.
`The system of the sixth aspect preferably comprises at
`least one IPT pad according to the first aspect and/or at least
`one apparatus for charging according to the third aspect
`and/or at least one electric vehicle according to the fourth
`aspect.
`Preferably, the control means is controlled by way of a
`communications channel.
`According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a method of charging a battery of an electric or a
`hybrid electric vehicle, the method comprising the steps of
`coupling the battery to an electricity network or subnetwork
`using inductive power transfer; transferring electrical energy
`to the battery via the network; and varying the power
`transfer according to at least one predetermined criteria.
`Preferably, the at least one predetermined criteria may
`comprise one or more of: a time of day; the level of demand
`on the network; the level of available supply in the network,
`which is particularly relevant where the energy source for
`the network is fluctuable.
`Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of
`coupling batteries of a plurality of electric vehicles to the
`network and selectively transferring power to all or a subset
`thereof.
`Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of:
`coupling batteries of a plurality of electric vehicles to the
`network; and selectively transferring power to all batteries
`or a subset thereof.
`
`Momentum Dynamics Corporation
`Exhibit 1001
`Page 010
`
`

`

`US 9,767,955 B2
`
`8
`
`FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of
`a system according to the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`15
`
`7
`Preferably, the method comprises the step of varying the
`electricity mains frequency to determine the battery load on
`the network.
`According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is
`provided a system for supplying power to an electricity 5
`network, the system comprising: an electricity network or
`subnetwork having at least one generator; a plurality of
`batteries of a plurality of electric or electric hybrid vehicles;
`cabling for transferring energy stored in the plurality of
`batteries; IPT coupling means for coupling the batteries to 10
`the network; and control means for controlling the power
`transfer from the plurality of batteries to the network.
`According to a ninth aspect of the invention there is
`provided a method of supplying power to an electricity
`network, the method comprising the steps of: coupling a
`plurality of batteries of a plurality of electric or hybrid
`electric vehicles to the network using inductive power
`transfer; transferring electrical energy to the network from
`the battery; and varying the power transfer according to at 20
`least one predetermined criteria.
`According to a tenth aspect of the invention there is
`provided a system for controlling load demand in an elec­
`tricity network, the system comprising: an electricity net­
`work having at least one generator, the frequency of power 25
`supplied by the network being allowed to vary; at least one
`load connected to the network; and control means to monitor
`the frequency of power supplied by the network, the control
`means increasing or reducing power consumed by the load
`dependent on the frequency.
`According to an eleventh aspect of the invention there is
`provided a method of controlling load demand on an elec­
`tricity network, the method comprising: allowing the fre­
`quency of power supplied by the network to vary; monitor-
`ing the frequency of power supplied by the network; and
`increasing or reducing the power consumed by the load
`dependent on the frequency.
`Further aspects of the invention, which should be con­
`sidered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent to those 40
`skilled in the art upon reading the following description
`which provides at least one example of a practical applica­
`tion of the invention.
`
`Embodiments of the invention provide for a multi-source
`electric vehicle that is able to operate in most situations that
`may occur in terms of types, length and frequency of trips.
`References to "multi-source electric vehicles" are used to
`refer to electric vehicles embodying or capable of operating
`with embodiments of the present invention where the bat­
`teries and/or cells used to power the vehicle may be charged
`using various electrical power sources. Embodiments of the
`invention provide all of the advantages of a plug-in electric
`vehicle in that it can be recharged 'at home' overnight but,
`according to preferred embodiments, it does so without the
`disadvantage of requiring a cable to be plugged in. More
`particularly, according to preferred embodiments, a charging
`pad is preferably provided on the floor where the vehicle is
`usually parked, such as in the floor of a user's garage. While
`the vehicle is parked, the charging pad transfers energy to
`the vehicle's battery by Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) via
`a pickup provided on the underside of the vehicle. With
`nothing to plug in there is nothing to remember and the
`battery will be fully charged dependent only on the time
`available.
`The charging pad provided on the floor is energised by a
`power supply and the magnetic field produced thereby
`couples power into the pickup attached to the vehicle and
`charges the on-board battery. Power transfer rates of up to
`around 2.2 kW are compatible with household outputs on
`most utility networks. The control of this power flow may be
`achieved using the technique described in U.S. Pat. No.
`5,293,308, which is incorporated herein by reference. Other
`methods are also within the scope of the invention.
`FIG. 1 shows a preferred relative positioning of charging
`pad 20 and vehicle 10 during charging. The pickup pad (not
`shown) is preferably of the same shape and configuration of
`charging pad 20 and is positioned on the underside of
`vehicle 10 so that it is substantially directly above charging
`pad 20 when vehicle 10 is parked. The magnetic flux
`produced by charging pad 20 links the two pads. There is no
`functional requirement for the pickup pad to be positioned
`45 underneath the vehicle but this is preferred for aesthetic
`reasons and relative ease of installation for retrofitted
`vehicles.
`FIGS. 2 to 5 show alternative perspective views of
`charging pad 20 according to preferred embodiments of the
`50 invention. More particularly, FIG. 2 shows the outer housing
`of the pad