HYBRID POWER SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20100123352A1
• Filed: 11/18/2008
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Derek S. Elleman
• Original Assignee: Derek S. Elleman
• Inventors: Elleman, Dean S., Helm, Gordon
• Granted Patent: US 9,300,168 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/66
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 15/006 in the form of pneumatic energy, e.g. compressed air energy storage [CAES] accumulators for supplying fluid under pressure F15B1/04
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0025 Sequential battery discharge in systems with a plurality of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00716 in response to integrated charge or discharge current
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/345 using capacitors as storage or buffering devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A hybrid power system for a vehicle is disclosed. The hybrid power system includes an on-board compressed air supply and a battery. One or more electric motors are coupled to the vehicle wheels. The compressed air drives an air motor that is coupled to an electric generator. The electric generator is coupled to a smart power controller which controls the delivery of compressed air to the air motor and also directs the electric power to an electric motor battery bank, an accessory battery, a capacitor bank for storing the electric energy or directly to the electric motors. In accordance with the present invention, the smart energy controller optimizes the compressed air and electric energy sources to maximize the driving range of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A power system for a vehicle comprising:

a bank of electric batteries for providing power to one or more electric motors;

a system for measuring the charge of each of said batteries in said battery bank; and

a controller for connecting a first one of said batteries to said one or more electric motors, said controller disconnecting said first one of said batteries and connecting a different one of said batteries to said one or more drive motors as a function of the state charge of said first battery and said another battery.

2. The power system as recited in claim 1, further including a capacitor bank for supplying power to said one or more electric motors during predetermined conditions.

3. The power system as recited in claim 2, further including a system for monitoring the discharge rate of the battery connected to said one or more electric motors wherein said predetermined conditions include a condition when said battery discharge rate is not constant and wherein said controller is configured to connect said capacitor bank to said one or more electric motors during said condition.

4. The power system as recited in claim 1, further including a pneumatic subsystem which includes at least one air tank, an air motor and an electric generator for supplying electric current in order to charge said batteries.