Apparatus and system for connecting electric vehicles to an electrical network and method of use
AssigneeTrojan Energy Limited
InventorIan Mackenzie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An access connector, system and methods for accessing an electrical network are described. The access connector comprises a body portion configured to be installed in roadside infrastructure such that the access connector is substantially flush with an outer surface of the of the roadside infrastructure. The access connector provides a mechanical and electrical connection point for an electrical vehicle connector. The system comprises a plurality of access connectors.
Claims36
An access connector for accessing an electrical network, wherein the access connector comprises a body portion configured to be installed in roadside infrastructure such that an installed access connector provides a mechanical and electrical connection point for an electrical vehicle connector and has a top surface that is substantially flush with a surface of the ground;
- and
- wherein the body portion of the access connector comprises a bore and locking plug which is axially movable within the bore to allow insertion of the electric vehicle connector into the bore.
A system for connecting electric vehicles to an electrical network, the system comprising:
- a plurality of access connectors operable to receive power from the electrical network,
- wherein each of the plurality of access connectors are installed in roadside infrastructure such that each access connector of the plurality of access connectors provides a mechanical and electrical connection point for an electrical vehicle connector and has a top surface that is substantially flush with the ground;
- and
- wherein each access connector of the plurality of access connectors comprises a bore and a locking plug which is axially movable within the bore to allow insertion of the electric vehicle connector into the bore.
A system for connecting electric vehicles to an electrical network, the system comprising:
- a plurality of access connectors operable to receive power from the electrical network, each of the plurality of access connectors having a top surface that is substantially flush with a surface of a pavement, a bore and a locking plug which is axially movable within the bore to allow insertion of an electric vehicle connector into the bore.
An access connector for accessing an electrical network, wherein the access connector has a top surface that is configured to be substantially flush with a surface of the ground when installed;
- wherein the access connector has a locked condition and an unlocked condition;
- and
- wherein in the unlocked condition an intermediate connector module is operable to be connected to the access connector to access the electrical network.
An access connector for providing access to an electrical network, the access connector comprising:
- a top surface that is configured to substantially flush with a surface of the ground when installed;
- and
- an aperture and a locking plug moveably positioned within said aperture, where the connector has a first closed condition in which the top of the plug is flush with the top surface of the access connector and is locked in place, and a second open condition in which the plug is unlocked and downward movement of the plug within the aperture of the access connector is permitted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.