Power source element replacement during vehicle operation

• US 10,583,814 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2017
• Issued: 03/10/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hoareau, Guillaume, Liebenberg, Johannes J., Musial, John G., Whitman, Todd R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cass, Jean Paul
• Application Number:
  US15/613,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20170274875A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 701 22
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/64 Constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/60 for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/64 for parcel delivery or retrieval
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/39 Battery swapping
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0202 specially adapted to aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4207 for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4271 Battery management systems including electronic circuits, e.g. control of current or voltage to keep battery in healthy state, cell balancing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/204 Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/249 specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles

Abstract

A method and apparatus for replacing a power source element is provided. The method includes enabling a first vehicle comprising a first power source apparatus comprising a first multiple compartment housing comprising a first plurality of receptacles retaining a first plurality of power source elements, a controller, and a communication interface. The first vehicle receives a notification indicating that a second vehicle requires replacement of a power source element of a second plurality of power source elements within a second power source apparatus of the second vehicle. The first vehicle is directed to a current location of the second vehicle and the first vehicle is docked to the second vehicle. The power source element of the second vehicle is replaced with a fully charged power source element of the first plurality of power source elements from the first vehicle during operation of the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle power source replacement method comprising:

enabling a first vehicle comprising a power source apparatus and a first power source apparatus attached to said first vehicle, wherein said power source apparatus comprises a plurality of power source elements configured to supply power to said first vehicle independently without requiring power supplied by any other power source element of said plurality of power source elements, wherein said first power source apparatus comprises;

a first multiple compartment housing comprising a first plurality of receptacles retaining a first plurality of power source elements within said first plurality of receptacles, a controller connected to said first plurality of power source elements, and a communication interface communicatively coupled to said controller, wherein each power source element of said first plurality of power source elements resides within a power source capsule comprising a tapered shape for placement within a receptacle, wherein each said power source capsule comprises an O-ring seal for creating a weather proof seal when each said power source capsule is locked into place within said first plurality of receptacles, wherein each said power source capsule comprises a first conical portion electro-magnetically connected to a second conical portion, wherein each said first conical portion comprises a first mechanical actuator, wherein each said second conical portion comprises a second mechanical actuator, and wherein each said first mechanical actuator and each said second mechanical actuator comprises a piston mechanism configured to automatically move each said power source capsule in multiple directions for removing each said power source capsule from an associated receptacle of said first plurality of receptacles for replacement;

determining, by said first vehicle, that a second vehicle requires replacement of at least one power source element of a second plurality of power source elements within a second power source apparatus of said second vehicle, wherein said second plurality of power source elements supply power to said second vehicle independently without requiring power supplied by any other power source element of said second plurality of power source elements;

receiving, by said controller, geographical coordinates for a current location of said second vehicle;

determining, by said controller based on said geographical coordinates, said current location such that said first vehicle travels to a current location of said second vehicle;

docking said first vehicle to said second vehicle, wherein said docking said first vehicle to said second vehicle comprises;

aligning a first alignment mechanism of said first multiple compartment housing directly over a second alignment mechanism of said second multiple compartment housing, wherein said first alignment mechanism comprises a tapered pin comprising a tapered shape, and wherein said second alignment mechanism comprises an alignment hole; and

directing said first vehicle to said second vehicle such that said taped pin is placed within said alignment hole causing said first alignment mechanism to be coupled to said second alignment mechanism; and

replacing, by said first vehicle during operation of said first vehicle and said second vehicle, said at least one power source element of said second vehicle with a fully charged power source element of said first plurality of power source elements from said first vehicle, wherein said first power source apparatus comprises a rotation apparatus, wherein said first multiple compartment housing comprises a fixed outer portion and an inner rotating portion comprised by said first multiple compartment housing, wherein said second power source apparatus comprises a second multiple compartment housing comprising a second plurality of receptacles retaining said second plurality of power source elements within said second plurality of receptacles, and wherein said replacing comprises;

rotating, by said rotation apparatus, said inner rotating portion such that a vacant receptacle of said first plurality of receptacles is directly aligned over a second receptacle of said second plurality of receptacles, said second receptacle comprising said at least one power source element of said second vehicle;

retrieving, by a power source replacement mechanism of said first power source apparatus, said at least one power source element of said second vehicle from said second receptacle;

placing, by said power source replacement mechanism, a tapered end of at least one power source capsule comprising said at least one power source element of said second vehicle within said vacant receptacle;

rotating, by said rotation apparatus, said inner rotating portion such that a replacement receptacle of said first plurality of receptacles is directly aligned over said second receptacle of said second plurality of receptacles, said replacement receptacle comprising said fully charged power source element; and

transferring, by said power source replacement mechanism and said piston mechanism automatically moving via a tapered end of a first power source capsule comprising said fully charged power source element, said fully charged power source element from said replacement receptacle to said second receptacle;

determining, by said controller based on a received determined power level reading of said at least one power source element of said second vehicle, an order for replacement for said at least one power source element of said second vehicle with respect to each of said second plurality of power source elements; and

receiving, by said controller, discharge data specifying a rate of power discharge for each of said second plurality of power source elements, and wherein said order for replacement is further based on said discharge data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

undocking said first vehicle from said second vehicle during said operation of said first vehicle and said second vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by said controller, replacement data specifying a replacement history of said second plurality of power source elements, wherein said order for replacement is further based on said replacement data.

4. A computer program product, comprising a computer readable hardware storage device storing a computer readable program code, said computer readable program code comprising an algorithm that when executed by a processor implements a vehicle power source replacement method, said method comprising:

enabling a first vehicle comprising a power source apparatus and a first power source apparatus attached to said first vehicle, wherein said power source apparatus comprises a plurality of power source elements configured to supply power to said first vehicle independently without requiring power supplied by any other power source element of said plurality of power source elements, wherein said first power source apparatus comprises;

a first multiple compartment housing comprising a first plurality of receptacles retaining a first plurality of power source elements within said first plurality of receptacles, a controller connected to said first plurality of power source elements, and a communication interface communicatively coupled to said controller, and wherein each power source element of said first plurality of power source elements resides within a power source capsule comprising a tapered shape for placement within a receptacle, wherein each said power source capsule comprises an O-ring seal for creating a weather proof seal when each said power source capsule is locked into place within said first plurality of receptacles, wherein each said power source capsule comprises a first conical portion electro-magnetically connected to a second conical portion, wherein each said first conical portion comprises a first mechanical actuator, wherein each said second conical portion comprises a second mechanical actuator, and wherein each said first mechanical actuator and each said second mechanical actuator comprises a piston mechanism configured to automatically move each said power source capsule in multiple directions for removing each said power source capsule from an associated receptacle of said first plurality of receptacles for replacement;

determining, by said first vehicle, that a second vehicle requires replacement of at least one power source element of a second plurality of power source elements within a second power source apparatus of said second vehicle, wherein said second plurality of power source elements supply power to said second vehicle independently without requiring power supplied by any other power source element of said second plurality of power source elements;

receiving, by said controller, geographical coordinates for a current location of said second vehicle;

determining, by said controller based on said geographical coordinates, said current location such that said first vehicle travels to a current location of said second vehicle;

docking said first vehicle to said second vehicle, wherein said docking said first vehicle to said second vehicle comprises;

aligning a first alignment mechanism of said first multiple compartment housing directly over a second alignment mechanism of said second multiple compartment housing, wherein said first alignment mechanism comprises a tapered pin comprising a tapered shape, and wherein said second alignment mechanism comprises an alignment hole; and

directing said first vehicle to said second vehicle such that said taped pin is placed within said alignment hole causing said first alignment mechanism to be coupled to said second alignment mechanism; and

replacing, by said first vehicle during operation of said first vehicle and said second vehicle, said at least one power source element of said second vehicle with a fully charged power source element of said first plurality of power source elements from said first vehicle, wherein said first power source apparatus comprises a rotation apparatus, wherein said first multiple compartment housing comprises a fixed outer portion and an inner rotating portion comprised by said first multiple compartment housing, wherein said second power source apparatus comprises a second multiple compartment housing comprising a second plurality of receptacles retaining said second plurality of power source elements within said second plurality of receptacles, and wherein said replacing comprises;

rotating, by said rotation apparatus, said inner rotating portion such that a vacant receptacle of said first plurality of receptacles is directly aligned over a second receptacle of said second plurality of receptacles, said second receptacle comprising said at least one power source element of said second vehicle;

retrieving, by a power source replacement mechanism of said first power source apparatus, said at least one power source element of said second vehicle from said second receptacle;

placing, by said power source replacement mechanism, a tapered end of at least one power source capsule comprising said at least one power source element of said second vehicle within said vacant receptacle;

rotating, by said rotation apparatus, said inner rotating portion such that a replacement receptacle of said first plurality of receptacles is directly aligned over said second receptacle of said second plurality of receptacles, said replacement receptacle comprising said fully charged power source element; and

transferring, by said power source replacement mechanism and said piston mechanism automatically moving via a tapered end of a first power source capsule comprising said fully charged power source element, said fully charged power source element from said replacement receptacle to said second receptacle;

determining, by said controller based on a received determined power level reading of said at least one power source element of said second vehicle, an order for replacement for said at least one power source element of said second vehicle with respect to each of said second plurality of power source elements; and

receiving, by said controller, discharge data specifying a rate of power discharge for each of said second plurality of power source elements, and wherein said order for replacement is further based on said discharge data.

5. The computer program product of claim 4, wherein said method further comprises:

undocking said first vehicle from said second vehicle during said operation of said first vehicle and said second vehicle.

6. The computer program product of claim 4, wherein said method further comprises:

receiving, by said controller, replacement data specifying a replacement history of said second plurality of power source elements, wherein said order for replacement is further based on said replacement data.

7. A vehicle power source apparatus comprising:

a multiple compartment housing comprising a fixed outer portion and an inner rotating portion comprising a plurality of receptacles configured to retain power source elements for supplying power to a vehicle, wherein said multiple compartment housing is configured to be physically attached to said vehicle;

a plurality of power source elements within said plurality of receptacles, wherein each power source element of said plurality of power source elements resides within a power source capsule comprising a tapered shape for placement within an associated receptacle of said plurality of receptacles, wherein each said power source capsule comprises an O-ring seal for creating a weather proof seal when each said power source capsule is locked into place within each said associated receptacle, wherein each said power source capsule comprises a first conical portion electro-magnetically connected to a second conical portion, wherein each said first conical portion comprises a first mechanical actuator, wherein each said second conical portion comprises a second mechanical actuator, and wherein each said first mechanical actuator and each said second mechanical actuator comprises a piston mechanism configured to automatically move each said power source capsule in multiple directions for removing each said power source capsule from each said associated receptacle for replacement;

a power source replacement mechanism configured to replace, in response to a command from a controller and during operation of said vehicle and an additional vehicle, a power source element from said additional vehicle with a fully charged power source element of said plurality of power source elements of said vehicle, wherein said controller is configured to determine, based on a received determined power level reading of said power source element of said vehicle, an order for replacement for said power source element of said second vehicle with respect to each of said plurality of power source elements, wherein said controller is configured to receive discharge data specifying a rate of power discharge for each of said plurality of power source elements, wherein said order for replacement is further based on said discharge data, and

wherein said controller is configured to direct the vehicle to a current location of said additional vehicle, and wherein a directing process comprises receiving geographical coordinates for the current location of the additional vehicle to determine the current location;

an alignment mechanism comprising a tapered pin comprising a tapered shape, wherein said tapered pin is configured to be placed within an alignment hole of a second alignment mechanism of said additional vehicle causing said first alignment mechanism to be coupled to said second alignment mechanism; and

a rotation apparatus configured to rotate in response to a command from said controller, said inner rotating portion such that a receptacle of said plurality of receptacles is directly aligned, via said tapered pin being be placed within said alignment hole, over an additional receptacle of a second plurality of receptacles of said additional vehicle requiring replacement of said power source element with said fully charged power source element, wherein said rotation apparatus is further configured to transfer via said piston mechanism automatically moving via a tapered end of a first power source capsule comprising said fully charged power source element, said fully charged power source element from said receptacle to said additional receptacle.

8. The vehicle power source apparatus of claim 7, wherein said vehicle and said additional vehicle do not require a human operator to be located within said vehicle and said additional vehicle.

9. The vehicle power source apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

an additional vehicle power source apparatus configured to be physically attached to said vehicle, wherein said additional power source apparatus comprises an additional plurality of power source elements configured to supply power to said vehicle independently without requiring power supplied by any other power source element of said additional plurality of power source elements.