Electric Vehicle Charging Systems and Methods

Abstract

Example electric vehicle charging systems and methods are described. In one implementation, an electric vehicle charging system includes multiple solar cells and a power manager coupled to the multiple solar cells. The power manager receives power signals from each of the solar cells and generates an output signal based on at least a portion of the received power signals. The output signal has an associated voltage and/or current that is within an acceptable operating range for charging an electric vehicle.

1 . An apparatus for charging a battery, the apparatus comprising:
 a plurality of solar cells, wherein each of the plurality of solar cells is configured to generate a power signal having a voltage determined by the battery; and   a power manager coupled to the plurality of solar cells and configured to receive the power signal from each of the plurality of solar cells, wherein the power manager is further configured to generate an output signal based on at least a portion of the received power signals, and wherein the power manager is configured to provide the output signal to at least one of a plurality of batteries coupled to the power manager.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the battery being charged is located in an electric vehicle. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power manager is further configured to dynamically adjust the portion of the received power signals used to generate the output signal, the dynamic adjustment based on the present power signal received from each of the plurality of solar cells. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power manager includes a power monitoring module configured to monitor the power signals received from the plurality of solar cells. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power manager is further configured to identify charging requirements of the battery being charged. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power manager is further configured to receive a second power signal from a second battery, wherein both the output signal and the second power signal are used to charge the battery being charged. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power manager is further configured to receive a second power signal from a power grid source, wherein both the output signal and the second power signal are used to charge the battery being charged. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the power manager is further configured to generate multiple output signals, wherein each of the multiple output signals is used to charge a different battery. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a current delivered by the output signal corresponds to a position on an I-V curve associated with at least one of the plurality of solar cells. 
     
     
         10 . A method of charging a battery, the method comprising:
 receiving power signals from a plurality of solar cells, wherein a voltage associated with each power signal is determined by a first battery;   receiving a second power signal from a second power source;   determining, using one or more processors, an acceptable operating range for charging the first battery;   consolidating at least a portion of the received power signals and the second power signal into an output signal within the acceptable operating range for charging the first battery; and   delivering the output signal to the first battery.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising selecting a number of consolidated power signals to maintain the output signal within the acceptable operating range for charging the first battery. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second power signal is received from at least one of a power grid, an electric vehicle, or a second battery. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first battery is located in an electric vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus comprising:
 a solar cell configured to generate a power signal; and   a power manager coupled to the solar cell and configured to receive the power signal from the solar cell, wherein the power manager is further configured to generate an output signal based on the received power signal and provide the output signal to a battery, and wherein a current delivered by the output signal corresponds to a position on an I-V curve associated with the solar cell.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the output signal corresponds to a fixed position or a varying position on the I-V curve. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the power manager is further configured to receive a second power signal from a second power source, wherein both the output signal and the second power signal are used to charge the battery. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the second power source is one of a power grid, an electric vehicle, or a second battery. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the power manager is further configured to identify charging requirements of the battery. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the power signal has a voltage determined by the battery being charged by the solar cell. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the battery is located in an electric vehicle.