IP Library Granted Patent US 8,203,313
Granted Patent B2
US 8,203,313 · App. 13/116,974 · Granted Jun 19, 2012

Sliding conductor transmission cable

Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,203,313
App. No.
13/116,974
Granted
Jun 19, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and devices for connecting a current source to a target storage device via a transmission cable extendable and/or retractable via a conduit that may be repositioned.

Claims (22)

1. A battery charging cable assembly comprising:

a conduit segment configured to slidably conduct a transmission cable in retraction, wherein the transmission cable is connectable to a current source; and

a transmission cable drive mechanism configured to retract a portion of the transmission cable out from the conduit segment.

2. The battery charging cable assembly of claim 1 wherein a distal portion of the transmission cable is configured to detach from a socket portion of a handle connector assembly.

3. The battery charging cable assembly of claim 1 wherein a coating having a low coefficient of sliding friction is interposed between the transmission cable and the conduit segment.

4. The battery charging cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the transmission cable drive mechanism further comprises one or more pulleys having a suspended mass, wherein the one or more pulleys having a suspended mass are configured to retract the transmission cable upon release of the one or more suspended masses.

5. A battery charging device comprising:

a conduit segment configured to expel a transmission cable;

wherein the conduit segment is further configured to slidably conduct the transmission cable;

wherein the transmission cable is connectable to a current source; and

wherein the transmission cable is configured to recede from the conduit segment.

6. The battery charging device of claim 5 wherein the transmission cable is air-cooled within a volume between the transmission cable and the conduit segment.

7. The battery charging device of claim 5 wherein a coating having a low coefficient of sliding friction is interposed between the transmission cable and the conduit segment.

8. A method of stopping the charging of a target storage device having a connector, the method comprising:

ceasing a current flow to the target storage device from a current source via a transmission cable within a conduit segment;

retracting, by a transmission cable drive mechanism, the transmission cable within the conduit segment, toward a conduit assembly support structure to disengage the target storage device connector; and

disengaging the target storage device connector from a connector of a conduit assembly, wherein the conduit assembly comprises the conduit segment, and wherein the conduit segment is configured to slidably conduct the transmission cable.

9. The method of stopping the charging of a target storage device of claim 8 wherein the transmission cable is disposed about at least one drive wheel aligned to retract the transmission cable in a direction toward the conduit assembly support structure and via the conduit segment.

10. The method of stopping the charging of a target storage device of claim 8 wherein the transmission cable drive mechanism comprises a one or more suspended pulleys conducting the transmission cable.

11. The method of stopping the charging of a target storage device of claim 8 further comprising air cooling the transmission cable within the conduit segment.

12. The method of stopping the charging of a target storage device of claim 8 wherein a housing comprises the conduit assembly support structure.

13. The method of stopping the charging of a target storage device of claim 8 wherein a coating having a low coefficient of sliding friction is interposed between the transmission cable and the conduit segment.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 29, 2018
From: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
To: WEBASTO CHARGING SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 046970/0124 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2011
From: FLACK, ALBERT JOSEPH
To: AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
Reel/Frame 026361/0656 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 12833838 · Jul 9, 2010
Continuation PCTUS2009030864 · Jan 13, 2009
Provisional Application 61010869 · Jan 14, 2008
Related Publication 20110221386A1 · Sep 15, 2011