A system and method for managing energy usage in an electric vehicle A charge level of at least one battery of the electric vehicle is received A current location of the electric vehicle is received A theoretical maximum range of the electric vehicle is determined based on the current location of the electric vehicle and the charge level of the at least one battery of the electric vehicle An energy plan for the electric vehicle is generated

System and method for operating an electric vehicle

The electric vehicle includes a battery pack that can be exchanged at a battery exchange station. At the battery exchange station, an at least partially spent battery pack is exchanged for an at least partially charged battery pack. A battery bay is configured to be disposed at an underside of the electric vehicle. The battery bay includes a frame which defines a cavity. The cavity is configured to at least partially receive the battery pack therein. The battery bay comprises at least one latch rotatably pivoted about an axis substantially parallel with a plane formed by the underside of the vehicle. The latch is configured to lift, retain the battery pack at least partially within the cavity.

Electric vehicle battery system

A charging system detachably drawing from a power source comprising: (a) an electrical output configuration; (b) an electrical input configuration; and (c) an energy store configuration; and methods of provisioning the energy store, the charging system, and electric vehicle charger devices.

Stored energy and charging appliance

An electric vehicle that includes an electric motor that drives one or more wheels of the vehicle and is powered by a battery. The electric vehicle determines a status of a battery of the vehicle and a geographic location of the vehicle. The electric vehicle then identifies at least one battery service station that the vehicle can reach based on the charge status of the battery of the vehicle and the geographic location of the vehicle. The electric vehicle displays the at least one battery service station to a user of the vehicle.

Electric vehicle network

At a battery exchange station a discharged battery is removed and a charged battery is inserted into an electric vehicle. The battery exchange station has various mechanisms to make this exchange. In some embodiments, the batteries are stored in a warehouse, where they are given an appropriate amount of charge. The charged batteries are moved from the warehouse by an automated robotic mechanism. The automated robotic system provides the charged battery to a battery exchange system which inserts the charged battery into the vehicle after it removes the discharged battery from the vehicle. The insertion and removal of the battery is done vertically, i.e., into and out of the bottom of the vehicle. The battery exchange system is located in a service bay under the vehicle. A sliding door system creates an opening above the service bay. The opening is of variable size depending on the size of the vehicle.

Battery Exchange Station

Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency Use of the variable frequency generator supply facilitates reduced component size and weight and better battery charging performance Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached Charging may occur at constant current and then at constant voltage

Battery charger and method of charging a battery

Systems for handling and/or dispensing hydrogen or a mixture of fuels containing hydrogen gas including refueling stations for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Pure hydrogen or various mixtures ratios of hydrogen and CNG may be dispensed. Hydrogen handling equipment may include a hydrogen generator, a pressurizing apparatus or compressor, pressure vessels, piping, valves, vent pipes, and/or a dispenser. Substantially vertical orientation of pressure vessels may reduce the amount of land required and facilitate installation in urban environments. Pressurization may take place before hydrogen generation to reduce the power required for pressurization. Safety features include enclosures and surrounding walls that lean away from the equipment. Any leaking hydrogen, fires, or explosions may be contained and/or directed upward, protecting human life and property. Systems may be shop assembled and certified.

Hydrogen handling or dispensing system

A method for producing methane ( 69 ) from a carbonaceous ( 22 ) material includes conveying pulverized carbonaceous material ( 28 ) entrained in an inert carrier fluid, such as carbon dioxide ( 36 ), into a reactor ( 34 ). The reactor ( 34 ) includes a vortex region ( 72 ) for receiving hydrogen gas ( 38 ) and imparting a swirling motion to the hydrogen gas ( 38 ). The pulverized carbonaceous material ( 28 ) is exposed to the swirling stream of hydrogen gas ( 38 ) in a first reaction zone ( 114 ) within the reactor ( 34 ) to form an exit gas ( 40 ) that includes methane ( 69 ). Remaining unreacted carbonaceous material ( 28 ) is further exposed to the hydrogen gas ( 38 ) in a second, low velocity, reaction zone ( 120 ). The methane rich exit gas ( 40 ) is subsequently extracted from the reactor ( 34 ) for further processing.

Method and apparatus for producing methane from carbonaceous material

Development of Optimized Fast Charge Algorithms for Lead Acid Batteries

The present invention provides a system and method for producing substitute natural gas and electricity, while mitigating production of any greenhouse gasses. The system includes a hydrogasification reactor, to form a gas stream including natural gas and a char stream, and an oxygen burner to combust the char material to form carbon oxides. The system also includes an algae farm to convert the carbon oxides to hydrocarbon material and oxygen.

Raymond Hobbs

Papers

Battery charger and method of charging a battery

Hydrogen handling or dispensing system

Method and apparatus for producing methane from carbonaceous material

Development of Optimized Fast Charge Algorithms for Lead Acid Batteries

System and method for producing substittue natural gas from coal