Apparatus and system for charging a battery
An apparatus is disclosed for charging a battery of an electric or a hybrid vehicle. The apparatus includes 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 coupling comprises a pickup pad electrically coupled to the battery. Power is transferred to the pickup pad from a charging pad by inductive power transfer.
1. An apparatus for charging a battery of an electric or a hybrid vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
first means for selectively coupling the battery to a high power electrical supply which has a transfer rating between 10 kW and 500 kW; and
second means for selectively coupling the battery to a lower power electrical supply, wherein the second means for coupling comprises a pickup pad electrically coupled to the battery, wherein power is transferred to the pickup pad from a charging pad by resonant inductive power transfer.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first means comprises a socket electrically coupled to the battery.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second means comprises means for determining when the vehicle is in a position such that the pickup pad is positioned above, or operably adjacent to, the charging pad.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises an indication means for indicating when the battery is being charged.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pickup pad comprises
a coil having at least one turn of a conductor;
one or more ferromagnetic slabs; and
a shield member arranged around both said coil and said ferromagnetic slabs for channelling electromagnetic flux when in use.
6. An apparatus for charging a battery of an electric or a hybrid vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a socket for receiving a wired connector from an electrical power supply which has a transfer rating between 10 kW and 500 kW;
a pickup pad for receiving power via resonant inductive power transfer from the electrical supply;
a battery; and
means for selectively coupling one of the socket or the vehicle pad to the battery.
7. An apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the means for selecting is arranged to couple the socket to the battery when a plug is mated with the socket.
8. An apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the means for selecting is arranged to couple the pickup pad to the battery when the vehicle is in a position such that the pickup pad is positioned above, or operably adjacent to, a charging pad.
9. A system for charging a battery of an electric or a hybrid electric vehicle, the system comprising:
an electrical power supply;
a coupler operably coupled to the power supply and configured to selectively couple the power supply to a vehicle via either a wired connector which has a transfer rating between 10 kW and 500 kW or via a resonant inductive power transfer pad.
10. A system according to claim 9 , wherein the pad comprises:
a coil having at least one turn of a conductor;
one or more ferromagnetic slabs; and
a shield member arranged around both said coil and said ferromagnetic slabs for channelling electromagnetic flux when in use.