Columbia Technology Ventures

Improved battery charger design for fast-charging applications

This technology is an electric vehicle charging design in which the planar induction design, zero-sequence voltage control, and three-phase non-isolated DC charging components are all improved for fast, high power-density charging.

Unmet Need: Power circuit topology for efficient, high power-density electric vehicle charging

In electric vehicle charging, the design and power densities delivered to an electric vehicle are critical aspects of an efficient charger. Currently, the hardware and designs employed to charge vehicles are bulky, slow, and have complex power circuit topologies. To efficiently deliver high-density charging, the current technology will need to be overhauled in several different aspects to improve the efficiency of electric vehicle charging. To date, there has been no significant design fine-tuning that improves on an integral component of green, sustainable automobile technologies.

The Technology: Three-phase non-isolated DC fast charger

This technology incorporates a series of power circuit designs that improve the electric vehicle battery-charging efficiencies. By introducing a Litz wire and incorporating a non-isolated DC fast charger to minimize leakage currents, this technology significantly improves the power circuit topology to deliver fast, efficient charging, without requiring a transformer. These design modifications result in a component-light, voltage-controlled electric charging tool that approaches near-unity charging efficiencies. As such, this technology has the potential to greatly impact the sectors of electric vehicle design and electric vehicle charging.

Applications:

  • Next-generation green automobiles and aircraft charging
  • Smart city technologies
  • Potential integration with electric grid
  • Sustainable and green energy solutions for efficient battery charging

Advantages:

  • Fast, low-loss, and efficient charging
  • Lighter and fewer circuit components
  • Symmetrical design for simplified manufacturing process
  • Permits removal of the transformer

Lead Inventor:

Matthias Preindl, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Tech Ventures Reference:

  • IR CU20115, CU20116, CU20117

  • Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel