Anti-roll thrust system for hydrogen powered vehicles

• US 20050242557A1
• Filed: 02/02/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Wang, Jenne-Tai, Lutz, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,467,684 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/755
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0018 Roll-over
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01327 Angular velocity or angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0132 responsive to vehicle motion parameters , e.g. to vehicle longitudinal or transversal deceleration or speed value
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/13 Roll-over protection electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: F02K 9/00 Rocket-engine plants, i.e. plants carrying both fuel and oxidant therefor; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/94 on a movable wheeled structure
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/941 which is a land vehicle

Abstract

A thruster system is provided for a vehicle that can be used to reduce the roll propensity of a motor vehicle. The system utilizes a control system and multiple sets of thrusters which are strategically placed upon the vehicle. The control system is provided for detecting a potential roll condition and activates selected ones of the thrusters to produce a necessary thrust force for counteracting roll forces. The thrusters are connected to an on-board pressurized gas source that generates the anti-roll thrust force.

Claims

1. A roll stabilization system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one thruster mounted on the vehicle and in selective communication with a source of pressurized gas; and

a controller system for detecting a potential roll condition of said motor vehicle and releasing pressurized gas from said source of pressurized gas to said thruster in response to a detected potential roll condition.

2. The roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one thruster is mounted in a side pillar of said vehicle.

3. The roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one thruster includes a first thruster mounted on a first side of said vehicle and a second thruster mounted on a second side of said vehicle.

4. The roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein said source of pressurized gas is stored hydrogen for use with an onboard fuel cell system.

5. The roll stabilization system according to claim 1, wherein said source of pressurized gas is stored nitrogen.

6. The roll stabilization system according to claim 1, further comprising a pressurized gas delivery system including a pressure regulator valve for allowing a regulated pressure level to accumulate in said pressurized gas delivery system up stream of a thruster nozzle.

7. The roll stabilization system according to claim 6, wherein said pressurized gas delivery system includes a secondary valve disposed downstream of said pressure regulator valve and upstream of said thruster nozzle.

8. The roll stabilization system according to claim 7, wherein said controller system controls said pressure regulator valve for allowing an increased regulated pressure level to accumulate in said pressurized gas delivery system up stream of said secondary valve in response to a detected potential roll condition.

9. The roll stabilization system according to claim 7, wherein said pressurized gas delivery system includes a tertiary valve disposed between said regulator valve and said secondary valve and further comprising a gas purging system for purging a portion of said pressurized gas delivery system between said secondary and tertiary valves.

10. A method of resisting rollover for a motor vehicle, comprising:

mounting a first thruster on a first side of said motor vehicle;

mounting a second thruster on a second side of said motor vehicle, said first and second thrusters being in selective communication with a source of pressurized gas;

sensing vehicle conditions for detecting a potential roll condition of said vehicle; and

releasing pressurized gas from said source of pressurized gas to one of said first and second thrusters in response to a detected potential roll condition for generating a counteracting force for resisting the detected roll condition.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising regulating a pressure of pressurized gas in a gas delivery system upstream of said first and second thrusters in response to a detected increased risk of a roll condition.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising purging pressurized gas from a gas delivery system upstream of at least one of said first and second thrusters.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said pressurized gas source is pressurized hydrogen gas used for an on-board fuel cell system.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein said pressurized gas is an inert gas.