Turbine generator regenerative braking system

• US 20060137927A1
• Filed: 11/22/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patrick Fleming
• Original Assignee: Patrick Fleming
• Inventors: Fleming, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,387,182 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/165
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/40 using propulsion power supplied by capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/12 for vehicles propelled by dc motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/26 Controlling the braking effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/006 Converting flow of air into electric energy, e.g. by using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/10 by utilising wheel movement for accumulating energy, e.g. driving air compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/06 Combustion engines, Gas turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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 10/92 Energy efficient charging or discharging systems for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors specially adapted for vehicles

Abstract

A turbine generator regenerative braking system may be used to slow or stop a rotating shaft or wheel, wherein energy may be recovered as electricity generated by a turbine generator and stored in batteries, ultra-capacitors, or other storage systems. The turbine generator may be fluid-jet powered, the fluid-jet being provided by at least one hydraulic fluid pump linked to the rotating shaft or wheel. A braking actuation system operatively connects/starts the pumping action, and controls may be provided to adjust the flowrate through the fluid-jet nozzle. In some versions of the system, a hydraulic pump, a clutch, and an adjustable-flow nozzle will be dedicated to each ground engaging wheel of the vehicle. In a vehicle, braking is preferably initiated by the driver by actuation of a brake master cylinder that provides hydraulic pressure to cause each hydraulic pump to engage with its corresponding pump. The pressurized fluid output of each pump is then fed to the turbine through the adjustable-flow nozzle. Energy recovery may be optimized by adjusting the direction of the nozzle spray or the location of the nozzle, and/or by providing a multi-stage turbine.

Claims

1. A turbine generator regenerative braking system for braking a rotating shaft, said braking system comprising:

a rotating shaft of a piece of machinery;

at least one hydraulic fluid pump operatively connected to said rotating shaft so that said rotating shaft powers the at least one pump;

a hydraulic fluid circuit having one end in fluid communication with the at least one hydraulic pump and a second end comprising an adjustable-outlet jet nozzle;

an hydraulic fluid turbine generator positioned near said jet nozzle and having an electrical power output;

wherein the at least one hydraulic fluid pump supplies hydraulic fluid to the jet nozzle so that the jet nozzle sprays hydraulic fluid on a turbine portion of the turbine generator to generate electricity;

wherein said turbine portion comprises multiple stages and said jet nozzle is moveable to spray different of said multiple stages; and

wherein said rotating shaft is slowed by powering said at least one pump.

2. A turbine generator regenerative braking system according to claim 1 wherein said rotating shaft is a combustion engine shaft.

3. A turbine generator regenerative braking system according to claim 1 wherein said rotating shaft is a combustion engine vehicle shaft.

4. A turbine generator regenerative braking system according to claim 1 wherein said rotating shaft is a combustion engine vehicle axle.

5. A turbine generator regenerative braking system according to claim 1 wherein said jet nozzle is a needle valve.

6. A turbine generator regenerative braking system according to claim 5 wherein said needle valve is an adjustable-direction needle valve.

7. A turbine generator regenerative braking system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one pump is a positive displacement pump.

8. A turbine generator regenerative braking system according to claim 7 wherein said positive displacement pump is a fixed displacement pump.

9. A turbine generator regenerative braking system according to claim 7 wherein said positive displacement pump is a variable displacement pump.

10. A method of regeneratively braking a rotating shaft, the method comprising:

providing a hydraulic fluid circuit comprising a hydraulic pump at one end and an adjustable-outlet jet nozzle at a second end;

providing a hydraulic fluid turbine generator having a turbine portion with multiple stages and a center, and positioning said turbine portion near said jet nozzle and connecting an electrical power output of said turbine generator to a battery device;

mechanically linking said hydraulic pump to a rotating shaft of a piece of machinery so that said hydraulic fluid pump is actuated to pump hydraulic fluid to the jet nozzle to spray hydraulic fluid on the turbine portion to rotate the turbine portion and generate electricity;

moving said jet nozzle to change location relative to the center of the turbine portion and spraying different of said multiple stages; and

wherein said rotating shaft is slowed by the work load of said pumping of the hydraulic fluid.

11. A method as in claim 10, wherein said jet nozzle has a longitudinal axis, and said moving the jet nozzle comprises moving the jet nozzle transversely to the longitudinal axis.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein said jet nozzle is a needle valve.

13. A method as in claim 10, wherein said moving the jet nozzle comprises pivoting the jet nozzle.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein said jet nozzle is a needle valve.

15. A method according to claim 12, further comprising closing said jet nozzle to stop flow of said hydraulic fluid and stop rotation of said rotating shaft.

16. A method according to claim 14, further comprising closing said jet nozzle to stop flow of said hydraulic fluid and stop rotation of said rotating shaft.

17. A method according to claim 10, wherein said rotating shaft is a combustion engine shaft.

18. A method according to claim 10, wherein said rotating shaft is a combustion engine vehicle shaft.

19. A method according to claim 10, wherein said rotating shaft is a combustion engine vehicle axle.