SECONDARY POWER SOURCE FOR A LIGHT TRUCK VEHICLE

• US 20090001728A1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stanley Edward Livingston
• Original Assignee: Stanley Edward Livingston
• Inventors: LIVINGSTON, Stanley Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,956,483 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 290/52
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 1/003 to auxiliary motors, e.g. for pumps, compressors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/36 Vehicles designed to transport cargo, e.g. trucks
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/545 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/547 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/549 Current
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/90 using propulsion power supplied by specific means not covered by groups B60L50/10 - B60L50/50, e.g. by direct conversion of thermal nuclear energy into electricity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/12 responding to state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/941 which is a land vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

The invention is directed at an air flow apparatus for use with an electric vehicle. The air flow apparatus operates as complementary energy sources for the production of electricity to maintain battery capacity for the propulsion of an electrically powered vehicle. This is preferably achieved by combining induced air flow and the burning of a fossil fuel, such as propane, to effect generator output. In another embodiment, the use of propane is reduced as the vehicle proceeds at specific speeds.

Claims

1. An energy producing unit for an electrically powered vehicle comprising:

at least one air flow unit;

a fossil fuel source connected to the at least one air flow unit; and

a controller, in communication with the at least one air flow unit and the fossil fuel source.

2. The energy producing unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one air flow unit comprises:

an impeller;

a turbine;

a transmission housing;

a shaft connecting the impeller, the turbine and the transmission housing;

a generator, located adjacent the transmission housing;

a revolutions per minute (RPM) sensor for measuring the RPM of the at least one air flow unit;

wherein when the RPM level reaches a predetermined level, the generator starts to operate to provide power to the vehicle.

3. The energy producing unit of claim 1 the air flow unit is stored in a two-piece casement.

4. The energy producing unit of claim 2 further comprising a heat sensor for monitoring emergency conditions.

5. The energy producing unit of claim 2 wherein the air flow unit further comprises:

a starter motor for manually starting the impeller; and

a set of igniters, connected to the fossil fuel source, to provide ignition to the air flow unit.