MECHANICAL METHODS FOR CHARGING A CAR BATTERY, RELATED SYSTEMS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

• US 20080297109A1
• Filed: 06/03/2008
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altairnano, Inc. (Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Altairnano, Inc. (Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gotcher, Alan J., Pedraza, C. Robert, Sandberg, Chet
• Granted Patent: US 8,174,231 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/109
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1446 in response to parameters of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• 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

The methods, system, and infrastructure described herein generally relate to methods for charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle. The methods described provide a method of charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle. The method includes the following steps: (a) while the vehicle is stationary, rotating a shaft of an electric traction motor of the vehicle using mechanical energy; (b) converting the rotation of the shaft into electrical energy by using the electric traction motor as an electrical generator; and (c) storing the electrical energy in the rechargeable battery of the vehicle. A system for charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle is also described. The system includes a rechargeable battery of a vehicle, an electric traction motor of the vehicle, and an external vehicle interface configured to rotate the shaft of the electric traction motor using mechanical power while the vehicle is stationary. An infrastructure for charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle is also described. The infrastructure includes one or more charging stations, each station including an external vehicle interface configured to rotate a shaft of an electric traction motor of the vehicle using mechanical power while the vehicle is stationary.

Claims

1. A method of charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle, the method comprising:

(a) while the vehicle is stationary, rotating a shaft of an electric traction motor of the vehicle using mechanical power;

(b) converting the rotation of the shaft into electrical energy by using the electric traction motor as an electrical generator; and

(c) storing the electrical energy in the rechargeable battery of the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mechanical power is provided by an external vehicle interface.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the external vehicle interface comprises a roller system which turns one or more wheels of the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the roller system is driven by one or more wheels of another vehicle.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein one side of the vehicle is elevated as the external vehicle interface turns one or more wheels of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the external vehicle interface comprises a mechanical linkage connected to the shaft of the electric traction motor, the mechanical linkage capable of being turned by a separate motor.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the external vehicle interface is powered by an external source selected from the group consisting of turbine-compressed air unit, flywheel, electric grid, and battery.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electric traction motor is switched and managed in a generator mode with a vehicle electrical bus and control system.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the vehicle electrical bus and control system comprises:

an internal electronic control system that monitors charging status and compensates for ambient temperature;

safety sensors to monitor generator and battery temperature; and

a bus system to provide high amperage supply to the battery.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the battery is charged at a rate, the rate determined by the battery'"'"'s ability to accept charge, and wherein the mechanical power is selected to achieve the rate.

11. A system for charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle comprising:

(a) a rechargeable battery of the vehicle;

(b) an electric traction motor of the vehicle; and

(c) an external vehicle interface configured to rotate a shaft of the electric traction motor using mechanical power while the vehicle is stationary, wherein the electric traction motor converts the rotation of the shaft into electrical power to charge the rechargeable battery.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the external vehicle interface comprises a roller system that turns one or more of the wheels of the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the roller system is driven by one or more wheels of another vehicle.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein one side of the vehicle is elevated as the external vehicle interface turns one or more wheels of the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the external vehicle interface comprises a mechanical linkage to a shaft of the electric traction motor, the mechanical linkage capable of being turned by a separate motor.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a power source for the external vehicle interface selected from the group consisting of turbine-compressed air unit, flywheel, electric grid, and battery.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the electric traction motor is switched and managed in a generator mode with a vehicle electrical bus and control system.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the vehicle electrical bus and control system comprises:

an internal electronic control system that monitor charging status and compensates for ambient temperature;

safety sensors to monitor generator and battery temperature; and

a bus system to provide high amperage supply to the battery.

19. An infrastructure for charging a rechargeable battery of a vehicle comprising:

one or more charging stations, wherein each charging station comprises;

an external vehicle interface configured to rotate a shaft of an electric traction motor of the vehicle using mechanical power while the vehicle is stationary, wherein the electric traction motor converts the rotation of the shaft into electrical power to charge the rechargeable battery.

20. The infrastructure of claim 19 comprising two or more charging stations, wherein the charging stations are between 1 and 500 miles apart.

21. The infrastructure of claim 20 comprising two or more charging stations, wherein the charging stations are between 5 and 500 miles apart.

22. The infrastructure of claim 21 comprising two or more charging stations, wherein the charging stations are between 10 and 500 miles apart.