METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR IMPROVED ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
A car charging station in which battery buffering includes at least approximately as much energy as is required to charge one car rapidly. This is particularly advantageous when a photovoltaic array is connected through a power converter to charge the battery, and also to provide a lower rate of charge directly to the vehicle charge connections. Advantageously, a mains power connection can also be made through yet another port of the same multiport power converter.
1 . A vehicle charging station, comprising:
at least one standard vehicle electrical connection;
at least one battery;
at least one power input connection; and
a power-packet-switching multiport power converter having a first port thereof connected to said vehicle electrical connections, a second port thereof connected to said battery, and a third port thereof connected to said power input connection;
wherein the maximum power available from said power input connection is less than half the maximum power output which can be accepted at said vehicle charging connections.
2 . The vehicle charging station of claim 1 , wherein said battery holds at least 60% of the maximum power output which can be accepted at said vehicle charging connections.
3 . The vehicle charging station of claim 1 , wherein said battery holds at least 100% of the maximum power output which can be accepted at said vehicle charging connections.
4 . The vehicle charging station of claim 1 , wherein said battery holds at least 200% of the maximum power output which can be accepted at said vehicle charging connections.
5 . The vehicle charging station of claim 1 , wherein said power converter can direct power from said battery to said power input connection.
6 . The vehicle charging station of claim 1 , wherein said power converter can direct power between two or more said ports.
7 . A vehicle charging station, comprising:
at least one standard vehicle electrical connection;
at least one battery;
at least one photovoltaic power input connection; and
a power-packet-switching multiport power converter having a first port thereof connected to said vehicle electrical connections, a second port thereof connected to said battery, a third port thereof connected to said power input connection, and a fourth port thereof connected to a power grid.
8 . The vehicle charging station of claim 7 , wherein said battery holds more than 60% of the maximum power output which can be accepted at said vehicle electrical connections.
9 . The vehicle charging station of claim 7 , wherein said battery holds more than 100% of the maximum power output which can be accepted at said vehicle electrical connections.
10 . The vehicle charging station of claim 7 , wherein said battery holds more than 200% of the maximum power output which can be accepted at said vehicle electrical connections.
11 . The vehicle charging station of claim 7 , wherein said power converter can direct power from said battery to said power input connection.
12 . The vehicle charging station of claim 7 , wherein said power converter can direct power between two or more said ports.
13 . A vehicle charging station, comprising:
a plurality of standard vehicle electrical connections;
at least one battery;
at least one power mains connection; and
a power-packet-switching multiport power converter having at least one first port thereof connected to said vehicle electrical connections, a second port thereof connected to said battery, and a third port thereof connected to said power input connection;
whereby less transient loading is imposed on the power mains connection when multiple vehicles connect in quick succession to said plurality of standard vehicle electrical connections.
14 . The vehicle charging station of claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of said first ports.
15 . The vehicle charging station of claim 13 , wherein at least two said standard vehicle electrical connections are connected to one said first port by a crossbar switch.
16 . The vehicle charging station of claim 13 , wherein said battery holds more than 60% of the maximum power output which can be accepted at said vehicle electrical connections.
17 . The vehicle charging station of claim 13 , wherein said battery holds more than 100% of the maximum power output which can be accepted at said vehicle electrical connections.
18 . The vehicle charging station of claim 13 , wherein said battery holds more than 200% of the maximum power output which can be accepted at said vehicle electrical connections.
19 . The vehicle charging station of claim 13 , wherein said power converter can direct power from said battery to said power input connection.
20 . The vehicle charging station of claim 13 , wherein said power converter can direct power between two or more said ports.
21 . (canceled)