Electric vehicle having multiple-use APU system
First Claim
1. An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a) at least one motive electric motor;
b) a rechargeable electrical energy source for energizing said motive electric motor; and
c) an auxiliary power unit (APU) for recharging said electrical energy source when said vehicle is in automotive use, wherein said vehicle includes a connector for connecting said vehicle to a stationary structure for supplying electric power from said APU to said stationary structure when said vehicle is automotively non-operational.
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Accused Products
Abstract
During periods of vehicle inactivity, a vehicle-based APU electric generating system may be coupled into a regional electric grid to send electricity into the grid. A currently-preferred APU is a solid oxide fuel cell system. When a large number of vehicles are thus equipped and connected, substantial electric buffering can be effected to the grid load. A vehicle-based APU can also function as a back-up generator to a docking facility in the event of power failure of the grid. Gaseous hydrocarbon is readily supplied by pipe in many locations as a commercial and residential heating fuel source, and a hydrocarbon reformer on the vehicle can be attached to the fuel source, enabling an APU to operate as a stationary power source indefinitely. An optional storage tank on the vehicle may be refueled with gaseous fuel, for example, while the battery is being electrically recharged by the grid.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An automotive vehicle comprising:
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a) at least one motive electric motor;
b) a rechargeable electrical energy source for energizing said motive electric motor; and
c) an auxiliary power unit (APU) for recharging said electrical energy source when said vehicle is in automotive use, wherein said vehicle includes a connector for connecting said vehicle to a stationary structure for supplying electric power from said APU to said stationary structure when said vehicle is automotively non-operational. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A vehicle comprising a fuel cell wherein said fuel cell is adapted to be connected to a regional electric power supply grid when said vehicle is parked.
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21. A vehicle comprising an auxiliary power source wherein said auxiliary power source is adapted to be connected to a regional electric power supply grid when said vehicle is parked.
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22. A vehicle comprising an auxiliary power source wherein said auxiliary power source is adapted to be connected to a stationary structure when said vehicle is parked.
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23. A method for entering electric power into a regional electric power grid, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an automotive vehicle having at least one motive electric motor, a rechargeable electrical energy source for energizing said motive electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit (APU) for recharging said electrical energy source at least when said vehicle is in automotive use;
b) parking said vehicle adjacent a power outlet from said regional electric power grid;
c) connecting said APU to said power outlet; and
d) operating said APU to generate electricity. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method for entering electric power into a regional electric power grid, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a plurality of automotive vehicles, each of said vehicles having at least one motive electric motor, a rechargeable electrical energy source for energizing said motive electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit (APU) for recharging said electrical energy source when said vehicle is in automotive use, defining a plurality of APUs;
b) parking each of said respective vehicles adjacent a respective power outlet from said regional electric power grid;
c) connecting each of said respective APUs to said respective power outlet; and
d) operating at least one of said plurality of APUs to generate electricity. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification