APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR V EHICLE WHEEL-END GENERATOR
First Claim
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1. A vehicle wheel-end energy harvester, comprising:
- a non-rotating element;
a rotatable element coupled to a wheel;
a transmission system including non-circular and non-centered gears; and
an engagement element to couple the non-rotating element to the rotatable element, wherein the non-rotating element generates a torque when engaged with the rotatable element and the rotatable element is rotating and the transmission system transmits the torque in the form of usable energy.
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Abstract
An energy harvesting system is attachable to the wheel-end of a wheeled vehicle. The system generates usable mechanical or electrical energy from the relative motion between a rotating component that rotates with the rotation of a vehicle wheel and a component that does not rotate with the rotation of the vehicle wheel. The usable energy may be employed by a monitor, analysis and control system that monitors sensor readings and may analyze the readings to diagnose conditions related to vehicle components, including tires, axles, bearings or components of the monitoring system.
9 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vehicle wheel-end energy harvester, comprising:
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a non-rotating element; a rotatable element coupled to a wheel; a transmission system including non-circular and non-centered gears; and an engagement element to couple the non-rotating element to the rotatable element, wherein the non-rotating element generates a torque when engaged with the rotatable element and the rotatable element is rotating and the transmission system transmits the torque in the form of usable energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of harvesting energy at the wheel-end of a wheeled vehicle, comprising:
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coupling a rotatable element to a wheel; engaging the rotatable element through a transmission system to a non-rotating element; and converting the torque generated by engagement of the rotatable and non-rotating elements to usable energy. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A wheel-end system for a wheeled vehicle employing inflatable tires, comprising:
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a controller to control the inflation of a tire associated with a wheel-end to which the wheel-end system is coupled; and an energy harvester to supply power to the controller, the energy harvester including; a rotatable element coupled to a wheel; a transmission system; and an engagement element to couple the non-rotating element to the rotatable element, wherein the non-rotating element generates a torque when engaged with the rotatable element and the rotatable element is rotating and the transmission system transmits the torque in the form of usable energy. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification