US 5803215

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 5803215:

US Patent 5803215: Method and apparatus for charging a plurality of electric vehicles

• Title: Method and apparatus for charging a plurality of electric vehicles
• Assignee: Schott Power Systems Inc (Current Assignee listed as Schott Power Systems Inc, Original Assignee as Schott Power Systems Inc).
• Inventors: Christopher P. Henze, Kenneth E. Nicholls
• Filing Date: 1997-01-22
• Issue Date: 1998-09-08
• Abstract: "A method and apparatus for charging batteries of a plurality of vehicles includes a power source converter connectable to a power source to receive electrical power and for converting the electrical power to a selected voltage potential that is distributed on a distribution bus. A plurality of vehicle connecting stations are connected to the distribution bus. Each vehicle connecting station includes a station power converter for receiving electrical power from the power source converter for charging the battery and a station controller to control electrical power flow to the vehicle battery."

Legal Status and CAFC 2026 Dockets:

As of April 26, 2026, US Patent 5803215 has an "Expired - Fee Related" legal status.

A search for US patent 5803215 in CAFC 2026 dockets did not return any active litigation.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

US Patent 5803215 contains five independent claims: Claims 1, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26, and 30. (Note: Claims 20, 21, 22, 26 and 30 are independent based on their numbering and lack of direct reference to prior claims using "The electric vehicle charging system of claim X" or "The method of claim X" where X is a preceding claim number).

• Claim 1 (Apparatus for EV Charging with Thermal Overload): This claim describes an electric vehicle charging system that takes power from a source and converts it to a specific voltage. This voltage is then distributed via a bus to multiple vehicle charging stations. Each station has its own power converter and a controller to manage the power flow to the vehicle battery. A key feature is a mechanism that measures the temperature of the main power source converter and allows it to temporarily operate beyond its normal steady-state power rating as long as the temperature remains within limits.

• Claim 14 (Method for EV Charging with Thermal Overload): This claim outlines a method for charging multiple electric vehicle batteries. It involves converting power from a source to a specific voltage, measuring the temperature of the power converter, distributing that voltage to multiple charging stations (each with a coupler for a vehicle battery), and individually controlling the charging rate for each battery. This control is partly based on the power converter's temperature, allowing the converter to exceed its steady-state rating for periods.

• Claim 20 (Apparatus for EV Charging with Mixed Coupler Types and DC Bus): This claim describes an electric vehicle charging system that converts power from a source into a DC voltage, which is then carried on a distribution bus. The system includes a first charging station with an inductive power coupler for charging a vehicle. It also includes a second charging station that converts the DC bus voltage to an AC voltage, rectifies this AC voltage, and then uses a DC power coupler to charge a vehicle battery.

• Claim 21 (Apparatus for Single EV Charging with Thermal Overload): This claim details an electric vehicle charging system designed for a single vehicle. It includes a power source converter that converts electrical power to a selected voltage. A vehicle connecting station receives this voltage and charges the battery. The system features a temperature sensor that monitors the operating temperature of the power source converter and a controller that uses this temperature signal to regulate the charging rate. This controller specifically allows the power source converter to exceed its steady-state rating based on the temperature feedback.

• Claim 22 (Apparatus for EV Charging with Power Source Signal Control): This claim describes an electric vehicle charging system for a single vehicle battery. It includes a power source converter that converts electrical power to a selected voltage, and a vehicle connecting station that uses this voltage to charge the battery. A specific signal line from the power source indicates the available power. A controller receives this signal and uses it to manage the power supplied by the vehicle connecting station.

• Claim 26 (Method for EV Charging with Power Source Signal Control): This claim describes a method for charging a vehicle battery from a power source. It involves converting electrical power from the source to a chosen voltage potential using a power source converter. The method also includes receiving a signal from the power source that indicates the power available to be converted. This selected voltage is then distributed to a vehicle connecting station, which is connected to a vehicle battery. Finally, the power delivered to the vehicle battery is controlled based on the received signal from the power source.

• Claim 30 (Apparatus for EV Charging with DC Bus and DC Conductive Coupler): This claim describes an electric vehicle charging system that converts electrical power from a source to a DC voltage potential, which is carried on a distribution bus. A vehicle connecting station is connected to this bus and includes a power converter to change the DC voltage to an AC voltage. This AC voltage is then rectified by a rectifier, and a DC power coupler connected to the rectifier is used to charge the vehicle battery.Here's a concise summary of US Patent 5803215:

• Title: Method and apparatus for charging a plurality of electric vehicles

• Assignee: Schott Power Systems Inc. The original assignee was also Schott Power Systems Inc.

• Inventors: Christopher P. Henze and Kenneth E. Nicholls

• Filing Date: 1997-01-22

• Issue Date: 1998-09-08

• Abstract: "A method and apparatus for charging batteries of a plurality of vehicles includes a power source converter connectable to a power source to receive electrical power and for converting the electrical power to a selected voltage potential that is distributed on a distribution bus. A plurality of vehicle connecting stations are connected to the distribution bus. Each vehicle connecting station includes a station power converter for receiving electrical power from the power source converter for charging the battery and a station controller to control electrical power flow to the vehicle battery."

Legal Status and CAFC 2026 Dockets:

As of April 26, 2026, US Patent 5803215 has a legal status of "Expired - Fee Related." A search for US patent 5803215 in the CAFC 2026 dockets did not return any active litigation.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

US Patent 5803215 includes the following independent claims:

• Claim 1: Describes an electric vehicle charging system that receives power from a source and converts it to a specific voltage, which is then distributed via a bus. Multiple vehicle connecting stations are attached to this bus, each having a power converter and a controller to regulate power to a vehicle battery. A key feature is a mechanism that measures the temperature of the main power source converter and allows it to temporarily exceed its normal operating capacity (steady-state rating) based on this temperature.
• Claim 14: Outlines a method for charging multiple electric vehicle batteries. This involves converting electrical power from a source to a specific voltage, measuring the temperature of the power source converter during this process, and distributing the voltage to various vehicle connecting stations. The method further involves individually controlling the charging rate for each vehicle battery as a function of the power source converter's temperature, allowing the converter to exceed its steady-state rating.
• Claim 20: Details an electric vehicle charging system that converts incoming power to a DC voltage for a distribution bus. It includes at least two types of vehicle connecting stations: a first station with an inductive power coupler for charging a vehicle battery, and a second station that converts the DC bus voltage to an AC voltage, rectifies it, and then uses a DC power coupler to charge a vehicle battery.
• Claim 21: Focuses on a charging system for a single electric vehicle battery. It includes a power source converter that converts electrical power to a selected voltage, and a vehicle connecting station that provides this charge to the battery. A temperature sensor monitors the power source converter's operating temperature, and a controller uses this information to regulate the charging rate, specifically enabling the power source converter to exceed its steady-state rating based on the temperature output.
• Claim 22: Describes an electric vehicle charging system for a single vehicle battery where a signal from the power source indicates the available power. A power source converter changes the electrical power to a selected voltage potential, which is then sent to a vehicle connecting station to charge the battery. A controller receives the signal from the power source and adjusts the power provided by the vehicle connecting station accordingly.
• Claim 26: Presents a method for charging a vehicle battery that involves converting electrical power from a source to a selected voltage potential. The method includes receiving a signal from the power source that indicates the power available for conversion. This selected voltage is distributed to a vehicle connecting station, which is coupled to a vehicle battery. The power delivered to the vehicle battery is then controlled based on the received signal.
• Claim 30: Describes an electric vehicle charging system where a power source converter converts electrical power to a DC voltage potential, which is carried on a distribution bus. A vehicle connecting station includes a power converter to convert this DC voltage to an AC voltage, followed by a rectifier to convert the AC back to DC. A DC power coupler connected to the rectifier is then used to connect to and charge the vehicle battery.