Charging Service Vehicle Network

Abstract

Charging service vehicle networks are among the embodiments disclosed herein, including battery module-powered EV charging roadside service vehicles. Battery modules are removably mounted to the service vehicles and manually exchanged within a system of battery module storage locations. Some embodiments provide resupply vehicles for delivering battery modules between storage locations and/or service vehicles, and may be used to exchange battery modules. Controllers are used to reserve battery modules at the storage locations to ensure availability for high priority activities. Some storage locations have charging apparatus to recharge battery modules stored there, and some storage locations are repositionable mobile units. Multiple tiers or levels of system controllers used by service vehicles to control centers are implemented to manage operations and optimize usage of battery modules and charging services across wide areas, including providing additional service vehicles to supply temporary needs for charging services.

1 . A network for providing energy to discharged batteries of electric vehicles (EVs), the network comprising:
 a service vehicle transporting electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment, transporting a first-level controller, and capable of transporting battery modules removably mounted to the service vehicle, wherein the battery modules are configured as a source of electrical energy, the electrical energy transferable to an EV using the EV charging equipment; and   a storage location storing battery modules compatible with the EV charging equipment of the service vehicle, wherein the battery modules are manually exchangeable between the storage location and the service vehicle, such that a removably mounted battery module on the service vehicle is replaced by a battery module stored by a storage location.   
     
     
         2 . The network of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a resupply vehicle configured to deliver battery modules between a storage location and a service vehicle.   
     
     
         3 . The network of  claim 2 , wherein the resupply vehicle comprises an alternator or generator, the alternator or generator configured to charge a battery module while the battery module is delivered by the resupply vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The network of  claim 1 , where the service vehicle may remotely reserve one or more battery modules at the storage location. 
     
     
         5 . The network of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a scheduling controller at the storage location programmed to reserve battery modules for rescue vehicles based on an emergency state of service required.   
     
     
         6 . The network of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a charging apparatus at the storage location, the charging apparatus configured to charge the battery modules at the storage location.   
     
     
         7 . The network of  claim 6 , wherein a charging controller at the storage location charges the battery modules sequentially. 
     
     
         8 . The network of  claim 6 , wherein a charging controller at the storage location charges the battery modules simultaneously. 
     
     
         9 . The network of  claim 6 , wherein a charging controller is configured to prevent charging battery modules if charging would exceed a demand threshold for the storage location. 
     
     
         10 . The network of  claim 6 , wherein the charging apparatus is an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an EV charging connector, and the battery modules comprise a charging port configured to receive the EV charging connector. 
     
     
         11 . The network of  claim 1 , wherein the storage location is a repositionable mobile unit. 
     
     
         12 . The network of  claim 11 , wherein the mobile unit is repositioned to a location having a temporary need for battery modules. 
     
     
         13 . The network of  claim 11 , wherein the mobile unit is connectable to a utility distribution grid in such a manner that the battery modules of the mobile unit are charged by the utility distribution grid. 
     
     
         18 . The network of  claim 1 , the service vehicle further comprising:
 an onboard controller device configured to monitor and report status conditions of the EV charging equipment and battery modules of the service vehicle and configured to communicate operational assignments for the service vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The network of  claim 1 , the service vehicle further comprising:
 an onboard controller device configured to monitor and report status conditions of the EV charging equipment and battery modules of the service vehicle and configured to indicate a status condition of battery modules at the storage location or on another vehicle.   
     
     
         20 . The network of  claim 1 , the service vehicle further comprising:
 an onboard controller device configured to monitor and report status conditions of the EV charging equipment and battery modules of the service vehicle and configured to indicate a status of the battery modules and the charging equipment to a network operations center.   
     
     
         21 . The network of  claim 1 , the service vehicle further comprising:
 an onboard controller device configured to monitor and report status conditions of the EV charging equipment and battery modules of the service vehicle and configured to control operation of the EV charging equipment and the battery modules.   
     
     
         22 . The network of  claim 1 , wherein the service vehicle is assigned to a service location, and the service vehicle transports a number of battery modules roughly proportional to the distance between the service location and the storage location. 
     
     
         23 . A system comprising:
 a first-level controller onboard a service vehicle, the first-level controller providing real-time control and alerts for the service vehicle and charging equipment transported by the service vehicle within an assigned area;   a second-level controller at a control center, the second-level controller configured to:
 communicate with the first-level controller to aggregate real-time control and alert data, and 
 provide optimized service vehicle assignments, schedules, or alerts for one or more service vehicles in a region, the region comprising a plurality of areas assigned to the service vehicles; and 
   a third-level controller at a control center, the third-level controller configured to communicate with the second-level controller to provide charging service management optimization across the region.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the second-level controller provides service vehicle assignments, schedules, or alerts in real-time or near real-time. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the service management optimization across the region includes recommending preventative maintenance actions, reassignment of assets, ordering of equipment, scheduling of deliveries, and providing information to the first-level controller and the second-level controller. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the third-level controller temporarily stages a service vehicle in a region having temporary need for service vehicles.