Rechargeable electric vehicle with extended driving range, and method of converting vehicle with internal combustion (IC) engine to rechargeable electric vehicle

• US 20110031051A1
• Filed: 07/17/2009
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Albert Donald George
• Original Assignee: Albert Donald George
• Inventors: George, Albert Donald
• Application Number:
  US12/458,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20110031051A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/65.31
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/46 Vehicles with auxiliary ad-on propulsions, e.g. add-on electric motor kits for bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/15 with additional electric power supply with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/006 Structural association of a motor or generator with the drive train of a motor vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1004 with pulleys
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/14 Structural association with mechanical loads, e.g. with hand-held machine tools or fans with fan or impeller for cooling the machine H02K9/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility
• 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: Y10T 29/49009 Dynamoelectric machine

Abstract

Electric vehicle includes a body, a rechargeable battery, an electric motor, a driven wheel, and a brake. A generator is connected to the rechargeable battery for recharging the battery. Generator includes a drive shaft for mechanically powering the generator for providing electrical energy to recharge the battery. A mechanical output is provided adjacent the wheel. A mechanical drive is provided on the generator for rotating the drive shaft of the generator. A mechanical output is adjacent the wheel. There is a mechanical clutch, and a mechanical actuator connected to brake and clutch. Mechanical clutch engages the mechanical output adjacent the wheel and engages the mechanical drive. The clutch causes mechanical output to drive the mechanical drive to rotate generator shaft to generate electrical energy when the brake is actuated and the brake actuates the mechanical actuator and causes the mechanical clutch to engage the mechanical output with the mechanical drive.

Claims

1. An electric vehicle, comprising:

a) a body;

b) a wheel being provided, the wheel being a driven wheel;

c) an electric motor provided;

d) a brake being provided;

e) a battery being provided, the battery being a rechargeable battery;

f) a generator being provided, the generator being operatively connected to the rechargeable battery and being sufficiently large for recharging the rechargeable battery;

g) the generator including a drive shaft for mechanically powering the generator for providing electrical energy for recharging the battery;

h) a mechanical output being provided adjacent the wheel;

i) a mechanical drive provided on the generator, the mechanical drive being configured for rotating the drive shaft on the generator;

j) the mechanical output provided adjacent the wheel being provided on the wheel;

k) a mechanical clutch being provided;

1) a mechanical actuator operatively mechanically connected to the brake and the mechanical clutch; and

m) the mechanical clutch being configured for engaging the mechanical output on the wheel and for engaging the mechanical drive for causing the mechanical output to drive the mechanical drive to cause the generator shaft to rotate for causing the generator to generate electrical energy when the brake is actuated and the brake actuates the mechanical actuator and causes the mechanical clutch to engage the mechanical output with the mechanical drive.

4. Electric vehicle as in claim 1, wherein:

a) an axle is provided between the motor and the wheel; and

b) the mechanical output is provided on the axle.

5. Electric vehicle as in claim 1, wherein:

a) an axle is provided between the motor and the wheel; and

b) the mechanical output is the axle.

7. Electric vehicle as in claim 1, wherein:

a) a mechanical brake is provided for stopping the vehicle; and

b) the mechanical brake is configured to stop the vehicle when the brake is actuated and applied more than required for actuating the mechanical actuator and causing the mechanical clutch to engage the mechanical output with the mechanical drive.

8. Electric vehicle as in claim 7, wherein:

a) the mechanical brake includes a disk brake.

9. Electric vehicle as in claim 1, wherein:

a) an axle is provided between the motor and the wheel;

b) the mechanical output is provided on the axle; and

c) the axle is a conventional axle.

10. Electric vehicle as in claim 1, wherein:

a) an accelerator is provided; and

b) a control is provided, the control is operatively connected to the accelerator, and the control includes a rheostat for governing the operation of the electric motor for changing the output speed of electric motor in an infinitely adjustable manner.

2. (canceled)

3. Electric vehicle as in claim 2, wherein:

a) the mechanical output includes a drive gear provided on the wheel.

6. Electric vehicle as in claim 6, wherein:

a) the mechanical output includes a pulley provided on the axle.

11. A method of converting a vehicle with wheels, an internal combustion (IC) engine to a rechargeable electric vehicle, the method comprising:

a) providing a vehicle with an internal combustion (IC) engine, an IC engine differential, a powertrain, and a battery;

b) removing the IC engine and the IC engine differential;

c) removing the battery;

d) adding an electric motor, the electric motor being sufficiently powerful to power the powertrain;

e) providing a differential between the electric motor and the powertrain, the differential being configured for converting the output from the electric motor to drive the powertrain;

f) adding a rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery being sufficiently large to power the electric motor for powering the powertrain.

12. The method as in claim 11, wherein:

a) an accelerator is provided; and

b) a control is provided, the control is operatively connected to the accelerator, and the control includes a rheostat for governing the operation of the electric motor for changing the output speed of electric motor in an infinitely adjustable manner.

13. The method as in claim 11, wherein:

a) the electric motor is sufficiently large for powering the vehicle at conventional highway speeds.

14. The method as in claim 11, wherein:

a) providing an external charger for connecting the rechargeable battery to a conventional electric outlet of an electric powergrid.