AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a battery charging innovation that enables simultaneous or parallel charging of multiple batteries. The USPTO awarded AV patent No. 7,256,516 titled, “Battery charging system and method,” on August 14.
Filed in 2003, the new patent expands upon AV’s intellectual property portfolio in the area of battery charging technology. The patented technology enables AV’s customers to overcome limitations associated with traditional sequential charging technologies. Using proprietary power management controllers and intelligent algorithms, the technology distributes electrical power based on the unique power needs of each battery to support industrial and on-road electric vehicle applications. The technology results in reduced charging times, minimizes the need for electrical infrastructure at customer sites, and supports increased operating productivity.
Parallel charging technology is at the heart of the company’s PosiCharge DVS (Dual Vehicle) and MVS (Multi-Vehicle) industrial fast charge systems and provides both a more cost-effective and productive battery charging solution than traditional charging technologies.
“Our customers have come to rely on this technology to improve their operations and this is further evidence that we have a unique solution to the problems associated with changing batteries," said Pat Dellario, general manager and vice president of AV PosiCharge Systems.
“This is a key differentiator for us in the industrial electric vehicle marketplace. The granting of this patent validates our technological leadership and reflects our history of innovation,” Dellario said.
