Apparatus for Directing Power Flow between Multiple Devices

Abstract

Provided are an apparatus and system for directing power flow between multiple devices, the apparatus comprising: one or more inlet ports for connection to one or more devices; a plurality of outlet ports configured for supplying electrical power; and a computing device configured to route power from the one or more inlet ports to the outlet ports. The system comprises a plurality of the apparatus connected to each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A charging system comprising:
 at least one charge point;   at least one chain for distributing power from the at least one charge point;   wherein each chain is electrically couplable to a respective charge point;   wherein each chain includes a plurality of apparatuses that are electrically couplable with each other and are configured to distribute electrical power to one or more electrical vehicles; and   wherein each of the plurality of apparatuses being controllable such that electrical power is distributed by at least one selected apparatus in each chain at a time.   
     
     
         2 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of apparatuses includes a controller, at least one power outlet, and at least one switch controlled by the controller, the controller and the at least one switch being configured to determine which of the plurality of apparatuses in each chain are configured to provide power to a respective power outlet. 
     
     
         3 . The charging system of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one communication module, each controller being configured to receive communication from the at least one communication module. 
     
     
         4 . The charging system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one communication module is further configured to communicate with a scheduling server, the scheduling server being configured to provide information to the at least one communication module related to scheduling of charging vehicles coupled to the plurality of apparatuses. 
     
     
         5 . The charging system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one communication module is further configured to communicate with a diagnostics server, the diagnostics server being configured to provide information to the at least one communication module related to diagnostics of the at least one charge point. 
     
     
         6 . The charging system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one communication module is further configured to communicate with a diagnostics server, the diagnostics server being configured to provide information to the at least one communication module related to diagnostics of an electrical vehicle receiving power from one of the plurality of apparatuses. 
     
     
         7 . The charging system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one communication module is further configured to communicate with a billing server, the billing server being configured to provide information to the at least one communication module related to billing for power provided to electrical vehicles from the plurality of apparatuses. 
     
     
         8 . The charging system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one communication module is configured to communicate with electrical vehicles over at least one of a wired communication link, a wireless communication link; and a Bluetooth link. 
     
     
         9 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of apparatuses in a chain of the at least one chain is configured to pass through electrical power when another one of the plurality of apparatuses in the chain is providing electrical power to an electrical vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The charging system of  claim 1 , being configured for extending one or more charge points to multiple electrical vehicles. 
     
     
         11 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apparatuses are connected in a peer to peer manner. 
     
     
         12 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one apparatus in a chain of the at least one chain is activated when another one of the plurality of apparatuses is connected thereto. 
     
     
         13 . The charging system of  claim 12 , wherein, the charging system is configured such that when an electrical vehicle is connected to a particular apparatus, charging of the electrical vehicle begins. 
     
     
         14 . The charging system of  claim 13 , wherein each chain of the at least one chain is configured to charge at least one electrical vehicle before at least another electrical vehicle is charged. 
     
     
         15 . The charging system of  claim 12 , wherein the chain is configured to provide power of different phases to two or more apparatuses. 
     
     
         16 . The charging system of  claim 12 , wherein the chain is configured to supply an equal charge to two or more apparatuses. 
     
     
         17 . The charging system of  claim 12 , wherein the chain is configured to supply an equal charge to two or more electrical vehicles. 
     
     
         18 . The charging system of  claim 12 , wherein the chain is configured to supply charge to at least one electrical vehicle at a greater rate than at least one other electrical vehicle, if the at least one electrical vehicle has a lower battery level and/or more specific journey range compared to the at least one other electrical vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The charging system of  claim 12 , being configured to supply charge to at least one electrical vehicle at a greater rate than at least one other electrical vehicle, if an owner of the at least one electrical vehicle has paid a priority fee which an owner of the at least one other electrical vehicle has not paid. 
     
     
         20 . The charging system of  claim 12 , being configured to supply charge to at least one electrical vehicle at a greater rate than at least one other electrical vehicle, if an owner of the at least one electrical vehicle ranks higher than an owner of the at least one other electrical vehicle in a recorded behaviour ranking system. 
     
     
         21 . The charging system of  claim 12 , being configured to supply charge to at least one electrical vehicle at a greater rate than at least one other electrical vehicle, if an owner of the at least one electrical vehicle ranks higher than an owner of the at least one other electrical vehicle in a predetermined metric. 
     
     
         22 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the charging system is configured for DC charging. 
     
     
         23 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the charging system is configured for wireless charging. 
     
     
         24 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the charging system is configured for AC and DC charging on a same chain of the at least one chain. 
     
     
         25 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein each apparatus comprises a locking mechanism; wherein the locking mechanism is configured to keep an electric vehicle locked to the respective apparatus even when a charging session has ended and power is disconnected from the electric vehicle. 
     
     
         26 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the chain is configured such that at least one vehicle is being charged by, or delivering charge to the charge point while at least another one of the electric vehicles is being charged by vehicle to vehicle charging. 
     
     
         27 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the chain is configured such that at least one vehicle is being charged by at least one charge point and/or an electrical grid, and/or is delivering energy to at least one charge point, at least one electrical load, and/or an electrical grid,
 while at least another one of the electric vehicles is being charged by vehicle-to-vehicle charging.   
     
     
         28 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apparatuses provides a network, wherein the apparatuses are connected in series, each apparatus comprising:
 an electric vehicle output port for connection to an electric vehicle;   an apparatus output port for connection to another one of the apparatuses; and   an input port for connection from another one of the apparatuses or an electric vehicle charging device; wherein a software-controlled switch is configured for selectively coupling the electric vehicle output port to electrical power.   
     
     
         29 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apparatuses provides a network, wherein the apparatuses are connected in series, each apparatus comprising:
 an electric vehicle output port for connection to an electric vehicle;   an apparatus output port for connection to another one of the apparatuses; and   an input port for connection from another one of the apparatuses or an electric vehicle charging device; wherein a software controlled bistable switch is configured for selectively coupling the electric vehicle output port to electrical power, or the apparatus output port of another apparatus.   
     
     
         30 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apparatuses provides a network, wherein the apparatuses are connected in parallel, each apparatus comprising:
 an electric vehicle output port for connection to an electric vehicle;   wherein a software-controlled switch is configured for selectively coupling the electric vehicle output port to electrical power.   
     
     
         31 . The charging system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apparatuses provides a network of apparatuses, wherein the apparatuses are connected in parallel, each apparatus comprising:
 an electric vehicle output port for connection to an electric vehicle; wherein at least one of the apparatuses has an apparatus output port that is configured for connection to another one of the apparatuses; and   wherein a software-controlled switch is configured for selectively coupling the electric vehicle output port to electrical power.   
     
     
         32 . A charging system comprising:
 at least one charge point;   at least one chain for distributing power from the at least one charging point;   wherein each chain is electrically couplable to a respective charge point;   wherein each chain includes a plurality of apparatuses that are electrically couplable with each other in series and are configured to distribute electrical power to one or more electrical vehicles; and   wherein each of the plurality of apparatuses are controllable such that electrical power is distributed by only one apparatus in the chain at a time.