Electric vehicle charging system with priority charging
A controller includes a processor, memory, and two channels connected to the processor. The first channel and the second channel deliver charging current to charge an electric vehicle. The first channel is operable for delivering a first charging current to a first output connection having a first output head, and the second channel is operable for delivering power to a second controller that is operable for providing a second charging current to a second output connection having a second output head and a third output head.
1 . A controller for an electric vehicle (EV) charging system, the controller comprising:
a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor;
a first channel coupled to the processor; and
a second channel coupled to the processor, wherein the first channel is operable for delivering a first charging current to a first output connection coupled to a first charging station comprising a first output head, wherein the second channel is operable for delivering power to a second controller operable to receive a charging current delivered over a dedicated circuit from an AC power supply, wherein the processor receives power from a lower voltage power supply that is separate from the AC power supply and that is not powered by the AC power supply, and wherein a voltage from the lower voltage power supply is less than a voltage from the AC power supply, wherein the second controller is operable to provide a second charging current to a plurality of second charging stations comprising second output connections, wherein the first charging station receives power from the AC power supply via the first channel, and wherein the plurality of second charging stations receives power from the AC power supply via the second channel through the second controller.
2 . The controller of claim 1 , wherein first charging station and the plurality of second charging stations comprise a plug configured for charging an electric vehicle.
3 . The controller of claim 1 , wherein first charging station and the plurality of second charging stations comprise a socket configured for charging an electric vehicle.
4 . The controller of claim 1 , wherein the processor is programmed to turn off the power to the second controller in response to detecting an EV charging load on the first channel; and
wherein further, the processor is also programmed to turn on the power to the second controller only in response to determining that no EV charging load is present on the first channel.
5 . The controller of claim 1 , wherein the first charging current is provided for an interval of time, and wherein the first charging current is stopped when the interval of time expires.
6 . The controller of claim 1 , wherein the first channel and second channel respectively comprise a current sensor and a voltage sensor for detecting electrical loads electronically connected thereto.
7 . An electric vehicle (EV) charging system, comprising:
an AC power supply;
a first controller comprising a CPU and coupled to the AC power supply via a dedicated circuit;
a second controller coupled to the first controller;
a first charging station coupled to the first controller; and
a plurality of second charging stations coupled to the second controller,
wherein the first controller is operable for delivering a first electrical current from the AC power supply to the first charging station via the dedicated circuit and for delivering AC power to the second controller, wherein the second controller is operable for delivering a second electrical current from the AC power supply to the plurality of second charging stations via the dedicated circuit through the first controller, wherein the CPU receives power from a lower voltage power supply that is separate from the AC power supply and that is not powered by the AC power supply, and wherein a voltage from the lower voltage power supply is less than a voltage from the AC power supply.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the first charging station and the plurality of second charging stations comprise a plug configured for charging an electric vehicle.
9 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the first charging station and the plurality of second charging stations comprise a socket configured for charging an electric vehicle.
10 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the first electrical current is provided for an interval of time, and wherein the first electrical current is stopped when the interval of time expires.
11 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the first electrical current is provided to the first charging station for an interval of time, and wherein the first electrical current is stopped when the interval of time expires.
12 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the first controller is coupled between the dedicated circuit and the second controller.
13 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the second controller is operable for delivering a second electrical current to the plurality of second charging stations unless the first charging station is charging an EV.
14 . An electric vehicle (EV) charging system, the system comprising:
an AC power supply;
a processor powered by the AC power supply via a dedicated circuit;
a memory coupled to the processor;
a first channel coupled to the processor; and
a second channel coupled to the processor,
wherein the first channel is powered by the AC power supply and operable for delivering a first charging current to a controller coupled to a first charging station and to a second charging station, wherein the second channel is powered by the AC power supply via the controller and operable for delivering a second charging current to a third charging station, wherein the processor receives power from a lower voltage power supply that is separate from the AC power supply and that is not powered by the AC power supply, wherein a voltage from the lower voltage power supply is less than a voltage from the AC power supply, and wherein the processor is programmed to:
provide approximately half of the first charging current to the first charging station; and
provide approximately half of the first charging current to the second charging station.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the first charging station comprises a first output head, the second charging station comprises a second output head, and the third charging station comprises a third output head, and wherein the first, second, and third output heads are configured to charge an EV.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first, second, and third output heads respectively comprise a socket.
17 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first, second, and third output heads respectively comprise a plug.
18 . The controller of claim 14 , wherein the first charging station and the second charging station are operable to charge different EVs at the same time.