Battery charging system and method

A charging system for charging a plurality of batteries from one or more power sources, comprising:

• a plurality of primary power ports configured to concurrently receive power from the one or more power sources, wherein each primary power port is characterized by a power rating;
• a plurality of secondary power ports configured to distribute power from the plurality of primary power ports to the plurality of batteries, each secondary power port being characterized by a power rating, wherein the sum of the secondary power port power ratings exceeds the sum of the primary power port power ratings;
• one or more power converters configured to receive power from the plurality of primary power ports and to provide power to the plurality of secondary power ports, the one or more power converters having a capacity to receive power from the plurality of primary power ports at a level above the sum of the primary power port power ratings, and
• a system controller including a power controller configured to regulate the power received from the plurality of primary power ports by the one or more power converters to below the sum of the primary port power ratings.

A charging system for charging a plurality of batteries using power from a utility at a power level not exceeding a maximum power level, comprising:

• a plurality of secondary power ports, each secondary power port being configured to electrically connect to at least one of the plurality of batteries, each secondary power port being characterized by a power rating;
• a utility port configured to electrically connect to the utility, and to provide power from the utility to the plurality of secondary power ports;
• a system controller including a power controller configured to control the power distribution between the utility port and the plurality of secondary power ports, wherein if the sum of the power ratings of the secondary power ports used to charge the plurality of batteries exceeds the maximum power level, the system controller controls the power distribution such that the plurality of batteries are simultaneously charged using power from the utility at a power level not exceeding the maximum power level;
• and
• a first charging module, wherein the plurality of secondary power ports includes a first secondary power port and a second secondary power port that receive power from the utility port via the first charging module, the first charging module including
• a first power converter connecting to the first secondary power port,
• a second power converter connecting to the second secondary power port,
• a crossover switch switchably connecting the first power converter to the second secondary power port, and
• a module controller configured to control the operation of the crossover switch and establish the power distribution between the first and second secondary power ports;
• wherein the first power converter of the first charging module connects to the first secondary power port through a first connecting switch of the first charging module;
• wherein the second power converter of the first charging module connects to the second secondary power port through a second connecting switch of the first charging module;
• wherein the module controller of the first charging module is configured to control the operation of the first and second connecting switches and establish the power distribution between the first and second secondary power ports;
• wherein the module controller for the first charging module is separate from the power controller;
• and
• wherein the power controller and the module controller for the first charging module communicate to determine the operation of the crossover switch and the first and second connecting switches.

A charging system for charging a plurality of batteries using power from a utility at a power level not exceeding a maximum power level, comprising:

• a plurality of secondary power ports, each secondary power port being configured to electrically connect to at least one of the plurality of batteries, each secondary power port being characterized by a power rating;
• a utility port configured to electrically connect to the utility, and to provide power from the utility to the plurality of secondary power ports;
• a system controller including a power controller configured to control the power distribution from the utility port;
• and
• a first charging module, wherein the plurality of secondary power ports includes a first secondary power port and a second secondary power port that receive power from the utility port via the first charging module, the first charging module including
• a first power converter connecting to the first secondary power port,
• a second power converter connecting to the second secondary power port,
• a crossover switch switchably connecting the first power converter to the second secondary power port, and
• a module controller configured to control the operation of the crossover switch and establish the power distribution between the first and second secondary power ports;
• wherein the first power converter of the first charging module connects to the first secondary power port through a first connecting switch of the first charging module;
• wherein the second power converter of the first charging module connects to the second secondary power port through a second connecting switch of the first charging module;
• wherein the module controller of the first charging module is configured to control the operation of the first and second connecting switches and establish the power distribution between the first and second secondary power ports;
• wherein the module controller for the first charging module is separate from the power controller;
• and
• wherein the power controller and the module controller for the first charging module communicate to determine the operation of the crossover switch and the first and second connecting switches.

A charging system for charging a plurality of batteries from a power source, comprising:

• a primary power port configured to receive power from the power source, the primary power port being characterized by a power rating;
• a plurality of power converters configured to receive power from the primary power port, the power converters having a capacity to receive power from the primary power port at a level above the primary power port power rating;
• a plurality of secondary power ports configured to distribute power from the plurality of power converters, each secondary power port being characterized by a power rating, wherein the sum of the secondary power port power ratings exceeds the primary power port power rating;
• and
• a system controller configured to regulate the power that the plurality of converters draws such that if the sum of the power ratings of the secondary power ports simultaneously used to charge batteries exceeds the primary power port power rating, the power received from the primary power port does not exceed the primary power port power rating.

A charging system for charging a plurality of batteries from a plurality of power sources, comprising:

• a plurality of primary power ports configured to receive power from the plurality of power sources, each primary power port being characterized by a power rating;
• a plurality of power converters configured to receive power from the plurality of primary power ports, the power converters having a capacity to receive power from the plurality of primary power ports at a level above the sum of the primary power port power ratings;
• a plurality of secondary power ports configured to distribute power from the plurality of power converters, each secondary power port being characterized by a power rating, wherein the sum of the secondary power port power ratings exceeds the sum of the primary power port power ratings;
• and
• a system controller configured to regulate the power that the plurality of power converters draws such that if the sum of the power ratings of the secondary power ports simultaneously used to charge batteries exceeds the sum of the primary power port power ratings, the power received from the primary power ports does not exceed the sum of the primary power port power ratings.