[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to electric vehicles  and more specifically  to charging stations used with electric vehicles.
[0002] In response to increasing fuel costs related to the use of conventional combustion engine vehicles  and in further response to heightened environmental concerns  including air pollution  the use of electric vehicles has increased. Known electric vehicles must be periodically recharged  and owners of such vehicles may use charging stations to replenish the charge stored in the batteries of their electric vehicle.
[0003] Charging stations can be located at the owner’s residence  or at a commercial site. Energy purchases at some charging stations may be subsidized at least in part by government agencies and other entities  such that the cost to the consumer may be less than the cost of the same amount of energy would be otherwise if unsubsidized. However  at least some known charging stations are unable to differentiate between vehicles authorized to be connected to that particular charging station  and vehicles that are not so authorized. Further  at least some known charging stations are unable to detect malfunctions in authorized vehicles when the vehicles are connected to the charging station. Because of energy discounts  and such possible station limitations  individuals may be tempted to connect unauthorized devices to charging stations in an effort to steal energy for use in charging the unauthorized devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect  a system for monitoring operation of an electric vehicle charging station is provided. The system includes a battery charger configured to couple to a device for supplying current to the device  a current sensor coupled to the battery charger for measuring current supplied from the battery charger to the device  the current sensor configured to generate a measured current profile based on the measured current supplied to the device  and a processor coupled to the current sensor. The processor is configured to receive the measured current profile transmitted from the current sensor  and compare the measured current profile to at least one known current profile to monitor operation of the charging station.
[0005] In another aspect  an electric vehicle charging station is provided. The electric vehicle charging station includes a connector configured to couple to a device  a battery charger configured to supply current to the device via the connector  a current sensor coupled to the battery charger for measuring current supplied from the battery charger to the device  the current sensor configured to generate a measured current profile based on the measured current supplied to the device  and a processor coupled to the current sensor. The processor is configured to receive the measured current profile transmitted from the current sensor  and compare the measured current profile to at least one known current profile to monitor operation of the charging station.
[0006] In yet another aspect  a method for monitoring operation of an electric vehicle charging station is provided. The method includes supplying current to a device using a battery charger  measuring the current supplied to the device  generating a measured current profile based on the measured current supplied to the device  transmitting the measured current profile to a processor  comparing  using the processor  the measured current profile to at least one known current profile  and monitoring operation of the charging station based on the comparison of the measured current profile to the at least one known current profile.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for use in charging vehicles.
[0008] Fig. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for use in monitoring operation of a charging station used with electric vehicles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The systems and methods described herein enable an unauthorized device to be identified when it is connected to an electric vehicle charging station. Further  the systems and methods described herein enable identification of a malfunctioning device connected to an electric vehicle charging station. Upon detection of an unauthorized and/or malfunctioning vehicle  the systems and methods described herein prevent additional charging of the device  transmit an alert signal to a network  and/or transmit a notification signal to a consumer.
[0010] Technical effects of the methods and systems described herein include at least one of: (a) supplying current to a device using a battery charger; (b) measuring the current supplied to the device; (c) generating a measured current profile based on the measured current supplied to the device; (d) transmitting the measured current profile to a processor; (e) comparing  using the processor  the measured current profile to at least one known current profile; and (f) monitoring operation of the charging station based on the comparison of the measured current profile to the at least one known current profile.
[0011] As used herein  an electric vehicle is defined as any vehicle that includes one or more electric motors used for propulsion. Energy used to propel electric vehicles may come from various sources  such as  but not limited to  an on-board rechargeable battery and/or an on-board fuel cell. In one embodiment  the electric vehicle is a hybrid electric vehicle  which captures and stores energy generated  for example  from braking. Moreover  a hybrid electric vehicle uses energy stored in an electrical source  such as a battery  to continue operating when idling to conserve fuel. Some hybrid electric vehicles are capable of recharging the battery by plugging into a power receptacle  such as a power outlet. Accordingly  the term “electric vehicle” as used herein may refer to a hybrid electric vehicle or any other vehicle that receives electrical energy.
[0012] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system 100 that may be used to charge an electric vehicle. In the exemplary embodiment  system 100 includes a connector 102  a current sensor 104  a battery charger 106  a processor 108  and a network 110. Connector 102 couples to a device 120 to enable charging. Battery charger 106 supplies current to device 120. In the exemplary embodiment  network 110 is controlled and/or supplied by an operator of charging station 130  such as  for example  a utility provider. Alternatively  network 110 may be operated by any entity that enables system 100 to function as described herein.
[0013] Current sensor 104 is coupled between battery charger 106 and connector 102 to monitor current supplied from battery charger 106 to device 120. Coupling sensor 104 to monitor the current supplied from battery charger 106 enables system 100 to identify a device 120 coupled to connector 102 and an operational state of device 120  as described in more detail below. In the exemplary embodiment  current sensor 104 is a shunt resistor. Alternatively  current sensor 104 may be a Rogowski coil  a current transformer  and/or any other device that enables system 100 to function as described herein.
[0014] Processor 108 is coupled to current sensor 104 to enable communication between processor 108 and current sensor 104. More specifically  current sensor 104 generates and transmits a measured current profile 122 to processor 108 for processing  as is described herein. In the exemplary embodiment  measured current profile 122 is indicative of a rate of current supplied by battery charger 106 to device 120. Alternatively  measured current profile 122 may include any information that enables system 100 to function as described herein  such as  but not limited to  information relating to a total amount of current supplied to device 120 and/or a duration of time needed to charge device 120.
[0015] In the exemplary embodiment  processor 108 is coupled to network 110  a user interface 124  and a database 126. User interface 124 may include  for example  a keyboard  a display device  a pointing device  a mouse  a stylus  a touch sensitive panel  a touch pad  a touch screen  a gyroscope  an accelerometer  a position detector  and/or an audio user input interface. In the exemplary embodiment  processor 108 is also coupled to battery charger 106  such that processor 108 can terminate operation of battery charger 106  as described in detail herein.
[0016] Connector 102  current sensor 104  battery charger 106  processor 108  and database 126 may all be located within a charging station 130 used to charge a battery within an electric vehicle. Alternatively  connector 102  current sensor 104  battery charger 106  processor 108  and/or database 126 may be located remotely from one another. Further  device 120 may include a vehicle authorized for use with charging station  a vehicle unauthorized for use with charging station  and/or a non-vehicular device unauthorized for use with charging station  such as an appliance and/or any other electrical device. System 100 determines whether device is an authorized vehicle  an unauthorized vehicle  and/or an unauthorized non-vehicular device  as described in more detail below.
[0017] At least one known current profile 140 is stored in database 126. Such a current profile 140 may be indicative of  for example  a rate of current supplied to a known device  a total amount of current supplied to a known device  and/or a duration of time needed to charge a known device. Database 126 is communicatively coupled to processor 108 such that processor 108 can retrieve the known current profile 140 from database 126. Moreover  database 126 may store the known current profile 140 of a known authorized device  a known malfunctioning device  and/or a known unauthorized device.
[0018] In one embodiment  the known current profile 140 is downloaded into database 126 from network 110. Alternatively  the known current profile 140 may be input into database 126 via a user operating user interface 124. In yet another embodiment  at least one previously measured current profile 122 may be stored in database 126 for future use as known current profile 140.
[0019] Processer 108  in the exemplary embodiment  analyzes the measured current profile 122 by comparing the measured current profile 122 to known current profiles 140 stored within database 126. When more than one known current profile 140 is stored within database 126  known current profiles 140 may be organized by information  such as  but not limited to  vehicle make  vehicle model  vehicle year  and/or vehicle battery type. Alternatively known current profiles 140 may be organized by any categorization that enables system 100 to function as described herein. To analyze measured current profile 122  processor 108 compares measured current profile 122 to at least one known current profile 140. In the exemplary embodiment  processor 108 compares measured current profile 122 to all known current profiles 140 stored in database 126. Alternatively  processor 108 may compare measured current profile 122 to only a portion of known current profiles 140 stored in database and/or selects which stored current profiles 140 should be used to compare to the measured current profile 122. In one embodiment  a consumer using charging station 130 and/or a user operating user interface 124 may input information indicating which known current profiles 140 should to be compared to the measured current profile 122. Such information may include  but is not limited to only including  vehicle make  vehicle model  vehicle year  and/or vehicle battery type.
[0020] When comparing the measured current profile 122 to known current profiles 140  processor 108 may determine that the measured current profile 122 does not match any of the stored known current profiles 140 associated with vehicles authorized to use charging station 130. For example  a consumer may attempt to connect an unauthorized device to connector 102  such as a non-vehicular device. If a measured current profile 122 does not match a known current profile 140  stored in database 126  while battery charger 106 supplies current to device 120  processor may determine that device 120 is an unauthorized device.
[0021] Processor 108 may also determine that an authorized device coupled to connector 102 is malfunctioning by determining that the measured current profile 122 matches known current profile 140 associated with an authorized  but malfunctioning device. Such a malfunction may include  for example  an electrical short in device 120  a failing battery in device 120  and/or one or more damaged electrical connections in device 120. Notably  processor may identify any malfunction caused by a condition of device 120 that is detectable by comparing the measured current profile to known current profiles 140.
[0022] In the exemplary embodiment  processor 108 determines whether the measured current profile 122 is within a predetermined tolerance as compared to known current profiles 140 stored in database 126. That is  the measured current profile 122 need not exactly match one of known current profiles 140 in order for processor 108 to determine that the measured current profile 122 matches one of known current profiles 140. Alternatively  processor 108 may determine whether the measured current profile 122 matches the known current profiles 140 using any suitable parameters that enable system 100 to function as described herein.
[0023] When processor 108 detects the connection of an unauthorized and/or malfunctioning device 120 to connector 102  in the exemplary embodiment  processor 108 causes battery charger 106 to immediately cease charging device 120. In another embodiment  when processor 108 detects the connection of an unauthorized and/or malfunctioning device 120  processor 108 generates and transmits an alert signal to network 110  notifying network 110 of an unauthorized and/or malfunctioning device 120. In yet another embodiment  when processor 108 detects the connection of an unauthorized and/or malfunctioning device 120  processor 108 generates and transmits a notification signal to a display device 150 coupled to connector 102  to notify a consumer operating charging station 130 of an unauthorized and/or malfunctioning device 120. Display device 150 may include  for example  a cathode ray tube (CRT)  a liquid crystal display (LCD)  an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display  and/or an “electronic ink” display. In such an embodiment  the notification signal enables information associated with the particular malfunction to be displayed on display device 150  such that a consumer is informed of the malfunction.
[0024] Fig. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary method 1000 that may be used for monitoring operation of a charging station  such as  for example  charging station 130 (shown in Fig. 1). In the exemplary embodiment  current is supplied 1002 to a device  such as device 120 (shown in Fig. 1) using  for example  battery charger 106 (shown in Fig. 1). The current supplied to the device is measured 1004  for example  by current sensor 104 (shown in Fig. 1). A measured current profile  such as  for example  measured current profile 122 (shown in Fig. 1)  is generated 1006 based on the measured current supplied to the device. The measured current profile is transmitted 1008 to a processor  such as  for example  processor 108 (shown in Fig. 1). The processor compares 1010 the measured current profile to at least one known current profile  such as  for example  known current profile 140 (shown in Fig. 1). Based on the comparison of the measured current profile to the known current profile  the operation of the charging station is monitored 1012. Monitoring 1012 the operation of the charging station may include  for example  determining whether the device is authorized  unauthorized  and/or malfunctioning.
[0025] As compared to known charging station systems and methods  the systems and methods described herein enable the connection of unauthorized devices to a charging station to be identified by comparing a measured current profile to known current profiles. Further  in contrast to known charging stations  the systems and methods described herein enable malfunctions within a vehicle connected to a charging station to be identified by comparing a measured current profile to known current profiles. After determining that an unauthorized device is connected to the charging station  or that a connected vehicle has a malfunction  a notification and/or alert is generated and further charging using the charging station is inhibited.
[0026] The systems and methods described herein facilitate identifying when an unauthorized device is connected to an electric vehicle charging station. Further  the systems and methods described herein facilitate identifying when a malfunctioning device is connected to an electric vehicle charging station. Upon detection of an unauthorized and/or malfunctioning vehicle  the systems and methods described herein may inhibit further charging of the device  send an alert signal to a network  or send a notification signal to a consumer.
[0027] Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for electric vehicle charging stations described above in detail. The systems and methods described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein  but rather  components of the systems and/or steps of the methods may be utilized independently and separately from other components and/or steps described herein. For example  the methods and systems described herein may have other applications not limited to practice with electric vehicle charging stations  as described herein. Rather  the methods and systems described herein can be implemented and utilized in connection with various other industries.
[0028] Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others  this is for convenience only. In accordance with the principles of the invention  any feature of a drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
[0029] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention  including the best mode  and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention  including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims  and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims  or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A system for monitoring operation of an electric vehicle charging station  said system comprising:
a battery charger configured to couple to a device for supplying current to the device;
a current sensor coupled to said battery charger for measuring current supplied from said battery charger to the device  said current sensor configured to generate a measured current profile based on the measured current supplied to the device; and
a processor coupled to said current sensor  said processor configured to:
receive the measured current profile transmitted from said current sensor; and
compare the measured current profile to at least one known current profile to monitor operation of the charging station.
2. A system in accordance with Claim 1  further comprising a database configured to store the at least one known current profile  said processor in communication with said database such that said processor is further configured to selectively retrieve the at least one known current profile from said database.
3. A system in accordance with Claim 1  wherein said processor is further configured to compare the measured current profile to the at least one known current profile to determine whether the device is authorized for use with the charging station.
4. A system in accordance with Claim 3  wherein said processor is further configured to generate and transmit an alert signal when said processor determines the device is unauthorized.
5. A system in accordance with Claim 3  wherein said processor is further configured to prevent said battery charger from charging the device when said processor determines the device is unauthorized.
6. A system in accordance with Claim 1  wherein said processor is further configured to compare the measured current profile to the at least one known current profile to determine whether the device coupled to said battery charger is malfunctioning.
7. A system in accordance with Claim 6  wherein said processor is further configured to generate and transmit a notification when said processor determines the device is malfunctioning.
8. A system in accordance with Claim 2  further comprising a user interface coupled to said processor  said user interface enables a user to input at least one known current profile into said database.
9. A system in accordance with Claim 2  further comprising a network coupled to said processor  said database configured to download at least one known current profile from said network.
10. A system in accordance with Claim 1  wherein said current sensor measures a rate of current supplied from said battery charger to the device  the measured current profile including the rate of current.
11. An electric vehicle charging station comprising:
a connector configured to couple to a device;
a battery charger configured to supply current to the device via said connector;
a current sensor coupled to said battery charger for measuring current supplied from said battery charger to the device  said current sensor configured to generate a measured current profile based on the measured current supplied to the device; and
a processor coupled to said current sensor  said processor configured to:
receive the measured current profile transmitted from said current sensor; and
compare the measured current profile to at least one known current profile to monitor operation of said charging station.
12. A charging station in accordance with Claim 11  wherein said processor is further configured to compare the measured current profile to the at least one known current profile to determine whether the device is at least one of an unauthorized vehicle  a non-vehicular device  and a malfunctioning device.
13. A charging station in accordance with Claim 12  wherein said processor is further configured to prevent said battery charger from supplying current to the device when said processor determines the device is at least one of an unauthorized vehicle  a non-vehicular device  and a malfunctioning device.
14. A charging station in accordance with Claim 12 further comprising a display device  said processor further configured to generate and transmit a notification to said display device when said processor determines the device is malfunctioning.
15. A charging station in accordance with Claim 11  wherein said current sensor measures a rate of current supplied from said battery charger to the device  the measured current profile including the rate of current.
16. A method for monitoring operation of an electric vehicle charging station  said method comprising:
supplying current to a device using a battery charger;
measuring the current supplied to the device;
generating a measured current profile based on the measured current supplied to the device;
transmitting the measured current profile to a processor;
comparing  using the processor  the measured current profile to at least one known current profile; and
monitoring operation of the charging station based on the comparison of the measured current profile to the at least one known current profile.
17. A method in accordance with Claim 16  wherein monitoring operation of the charging station comprises determining  using the processor  whether the device is at least one of unauthorized and malfunctioning.
18. A method in accordance with Claim 17  further comprising inhibiting the battery charger from supplying current to the device when the processor determines the device is at least one of unauthorized and malfunctioning.
19. A method in accordance with Claim 17  further comprising:
generating a notification when the processor determines the device is unauthorized; and
transmitting the notification to a network coupled to the processor.
20. A method in accordance with Claim 17 further comprising:
generating a notification when the processor determines the device is malfunctioning; and
transmitting the notification to a display device.