Patent ID: 8373389

Claim:
A system for recharging a battery of an electrically powered vehicle, comprising: a) a charging head comprising a plurality of charging electrodes, each adapted for selective electrical interconnection with a corresponding, mating charge-receiving electrode in an electrically powered vehicle having a battery to be recharged, each of said charging electrodes being operatively connected to a source of electrical power; b) a support operatively connected to said charging head and adapted to suspend and facilitate selectively positioning said charging head into a charge transferring relationship with said electrically powered vehicle, wherein said support comprises an overhead suspension system further comprising an apparatus for selectively maneuvering said charge head at least downwardly and laterally, wherein said overhead suspension system comprises a plurality of rigid links collectively comprising at least three swivel connections, each of said at least three swivel connections having a respective axis of rotation, each respective axis of rotation being mutually orthogonal to one another, whereby the overhead suspension support provides at least six degrees of freedom of motion of said charge head; and c) a charge monitoring system disposed between said charging head and said source of electrical power, said charge monitoring system containing at least one device selected from the list: an electrical current sensor, an electrical voltage sensor, a rate-of-charge monitor, a temperature monitor, a rate-of-charge controller and means for electrically disconnecting said charging head from said battery responsive to a sensed condition.