Richard J Donnelly

US Patent:

20110106329, May 5, 2011

Filed:

Nov 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/938259

Inventors:

Richard B. Donnelly - Austin TX, US
Bradford J. Claflin - Austin TX, US
Kenneth W. Thomas - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

GRIDbot, LLC - Austin TX

International Classification:

H02J 7/32
G06F 1/26

US Classification:

700291, 320109, 700295

Abstract:

A charging station, together with methods and systems, for charging the batteries of plug-in vehicles may be controlled with a mobile communications terminal via SMS text messages and provides an availability prediction system. One more charging stations with charging modules or ports are connected to a power source and to a control server. The control server communicates to a prospective user by text message an estimate of how long a given available charging port will remain available. A charging station with charging ports in use communicates to a prospective user that the port will be available at a particular time. Advantageous features provide hybrid switches to reduce the risk of arcing when a charging cord is unplugged for a port, demand response to modulate current draw from the power source based on usage conditions, power cord protection, illuminated user interface with ambient light sensitive illumination level, and charging ports for level one and level two charging.