Patent ID: 8054039
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: B60L,H02J,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method for charging a plug-in electric vehicle, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing at least one condition pertaining to an external power source, a battery charger located on the plug-in electric vehicle, or a battery unit located on the plug-in electric vehicle, wherein the sensed condition is at least partially based on an unloaded voltage of the external power source which is measured when the external power source is in an unloaded state and there is little or no current being drawn from the external power source by the battery charger located on the plug-in electric vehicle; (b) determining a charging control signal based on the sensed condition that is at least partially based on an unloaded voltage of the external power source; and (c) charging the battery unit with the battery charger, wherein the battery charger is operated according to the charging control signal and the charging control signal is periodically adjusted in response to changes in the sensed condition.