Vehicle energy recovery system

• US 20070221422A1
• Filed: 02/26/2007
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stephen George Rosenstock
• Original Assignee: Stephen George Rosenstock
• Inventors: Rosenstock, Stephen George
• Granted Patent: US 8,111,036 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.310
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1415 with a generator driven by a prime mover other than the motor of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1423 with multiple 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: Y10S 903/902 Prime movers comprising electrical and internal combustion motors

Abstract

An energy recovery system for a vehicle uses an electric generator, such as an alternator, connected to the vehicle'"'"'s engine or a wheel to recover kinetic energy when a vehicle decelerates and convert the kinetic energy into stored electrical energy. No engine controller or computer control is used to activate and deactivate the system which works using simple electrical and mechanical switches that activate and deactivate in response to the vehicle'"'"'s operating conditions.

Claims

1. An energy recovery system for a vehicle comprising:

at least a wheel mechanically connected to an electric generator;

a first switch electrically connected to the electric generator;

a second switch electrically connected to the first switch;

an electric storage unit electrically connected to the first switch; and

the electric storage unit electrically connected to a vehicle electric load;

wherein activation of the second switch activates the first switch to electrically connect the electric generator to the electric storage unit and deactivation of the second switch deactivates the first switch to electrically disconnect the electric generator from the electric storage unit.

2. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein:

an engine is interposed in the mechanical connection between the at least a wheel and the electric generator;

the electric generator is constantly electrically connected to a 12 volt reference load; and

the electric generator is an alternator.

3. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein:

the first switch is an electronically controlled relay.

4. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 1 wherein:

the second switch is electrically connected to a vehicle brake light and is activated by an electric current which operates the brake light and is deactivated when the electric current operating the brake light stops.

5. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 2 further comprising:

a third switch electrically connected to the first switch;

wherein activation of the second switch or of the third switch, or both, activates the first switch to electrically connect the electric generator to the electric storage unit and deactivation of the second switch and of the third switch deactivates the first switch to electrically disconnect the electric generator from the electric storage unit.

6. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 5 wherein:

the second switch is electrically connected to a vehicle brake light and is activated by an electric current which operates the brake light and is deactivated when the electric current operating the brake light stops; and

the third switch is a vacuum switch mechanically connected to a vacuum source within the engine which activates in response to a predetermined vacuum change and deactivates in response to a second predetermined vacuum change.

7. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 5 further comprising:

a fourth switch electrically connected to the first switch;

wherein activation of the second switch or of the third switch or of the fourth switch, or all three, activates the first switch to electrically connect the electric generator to the electric storage unit and deactivation of the second switch and of the third switch and of the fourth switch deactivates the first switch to electrically disconnect the electric generator from the electric storage unit.

8. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 7 wherein:

the second switch is electrically connected to a vehicle brake light and is activated by an electric current which operates the brake light and is deactivated when the electric current operating the brake light stops;

the third switch is a vacuum switch mechanically connected to a vacuum source within the engine which activates in response to a predetermined vacuum change and deactivates in response to a second predetermined vacuum change; and

the fourth switch detects when the vehicle is decelerating and activates in response, and detects when the vehicle is stopped, accelerating or traveling at a constant velocity and deactivates in response.

9. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising:

a gate switch electrically connected between the first switch and the second switch;

wherein activation of the second switch and of the gate switch activates the first switch to electrically connect the electric generator to the electric storage unit and deactivation of the second switch or of the gate switch deactivates the first switch to electrically disconnect the electric generator from the electric storage unit.

10. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 9 wherein:

the gate switch detects when the vehicle is decelerating and activates in response, and detects when the vehicle is stopped, traveling at a constant velocity or accelerating and deactivates in response.

11. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 9 wherein:

the gate switch is deactivated when a vehicle clutch is activated and activates when the vehicle clutch is at a rest position.

12. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising:

a passive electricity generator electrically connected to the electric storage unit.

13. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising:

a charge sensor electrically connected to the electric storage unit and electrically connected to the first switch;

wherein when the charge sensor detects that the charge of the electric storage unit is at or below a predetermined level the charge sensor causes the first switch to activate and electrically connect the electric generator to the electricity storage unit until the charge sensor detects a predetermined condition and deactivates the first switch.

14. An energy recovery system for a vehicle comprising:

at least a wheel mechanically connected to an engine;

the engine mechanically connected to an electric generator;

the electric generator constantly electrically connected to a 12 volt reference load;

a first switch electrically connected to the electric generator;

a second switch electrically connected to the first switch;

a third switch electrically connected to the first switch;

a gate switch electrically connected between the first switch and both the second and third switches;

an electric storage unit electrically connected to the first switch; and

the electric storage unit electrically connected to a vehicle electric load;

wherein activation of the second switch or of the third switch, or both, in combination with activation of the gate switch activates the first switch to electrically connect the electric generator to the electric storage unit;

and wherein deactivation of the second switch and of the third switch, or deactivation of the gate switch, deactivates the first switch to electrically disconnect the electric generator from the electric storage unit.

15. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 14 wherein:

the first switch is an electronically controlled relay;

the second switch is electrically connected to a vehicle brake light and is activated by an electric current which operates the brake light and is deactivated when the electric current operating the brake light stops;

the third switch is a vacuum switch mechanically connected to a vacuum source within the engine which activates in response to a predetermined vacuum change and deactivates in response to a second predetermined vacuum change; and

the gate switch detects when the vehicle is decelerating and activates in response, and detects when the vehicle is stopped, traveling at a constant velocity or accelerating and deactivates in response.

16. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 14 further comprising:

an output device electrically connected to the electric storage unit and configured to transmit electric power stored in the electric storage unit outside the vehicle.

17. An energy recovery system for a vehicle consisting essentially of:

at least a wheel mechanically connected to an engine;

the engine mechanically connected to an electric generator;

the electric generator constantly electrically connected to a 12 volt reference load;

a first switch electrically connected to the electric generator;

a second switch electrically connected to the first switch;

an electric storage unit electrically connected to the first switch; and

the electric storage unit electrically connected to a vehicle electric load;

wherein activation of the second switch activates the first switch to electrically connect the electric generator to the electric storage unit and deactivation of the second switch deactivates the first switch to electrically disconnect the electric generator from the electric storage unit.

18. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 17 further consisting essentially of:

a third switch electrically connected to the first switch;

wherein activation of the second switch or of the third switch, or both, activates the first switch to electrically connect the electric generator to the electric storage unit and deactivation of the second switch and of the third switch deactivates the first switch to electrically disconnect the electric generator from the electric storage unit.

19. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 17 further consisting essentially of:

a gate switch electrically connected between the first switch and the second switch;

wherein activation of the second switch and of the gate switch activates the first switch to electrically connect the electric generator to the electric storage unit and deactivation of the second switch or of the gate switch deactivates the first switch to electrically disconnect the electric generator from the electric storage unit.

20. The energy recovery system for a vehicle according to claim 18 further consisting essentially of:

a gate switch electrically connected between the first switch and both the second and third switches;

wherein activation of the second switch or of the third switch, or both, in combination with activation of the gate switch activates the first switch to electrically connect the electric generator to the electric storage unit;

and wherein deactivation of the second switch and of the third switch, or deactivation of the gate switch, deactivates the first switch to electrically disconnect the electric generator from the electric storage unit.