Means for generating electrical energy for vehicle

• US 4,141,425 A
• Filed: 08/04/1976
• Issued: 02/27/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul S. Boyer, Walter O. Gaul
• Original Assignee: L. L. Payne
• Inventors: Treat, Russell T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Milton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/711,541
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65 R, 180/65 E, 180/65 DD, 180/65 D, 180/65 C, 180/65 B, 180/65 A, 180/57, 180/54 F, 180/60, 64/11 F, 64/11 R, 136/89 AC, 136/89 PC, 310/254, 290/55, 290/44, 115/34 R, 115/3
• US Class Current: 180/2.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2016/003 solar power driven
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/32 Waterborne vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/62 charged by low-power generators primarily intended to support the batteries, e.g. range extenders
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/18 of two or more battery modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/20 having different nominal voltages
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/21 having the same nominal voltage
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/006 Converting flow of air into electric energy, e.g. by using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 15/10 using gearing not limited to rotary motion, e.g. with oscillating or reciprocating members
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/04 having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels F03D9/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/007 the wind motor being combined with means for converting solar radiation into useful energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/11 storing electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/32 on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/941 which is a land vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/12 Hybrid wind-PV energy systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 : Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles
• 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: Y02T 10/90 : Energy harvesting concepts as power supply for auxiliaries' energy consumption, e.g. photovoltaic sun-roof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 : Applications

Abstract

Apparatus for generating electrical energy useful for powering of the electrical apparatuses associated with the operations of a vehicle, boat, residence, or other structure, including a bank of batteries associated with one of said structures and provided for furnishing the electrical energy necessary for its operations, an electrical energy producing solar panel operatively disposed with the structure for creating electrical energy for recharging of its bank of batteries, and, an impellor driven alternator, the impellor being rotated through the efforts of air passing thereby, providing also for selectively recharging of the bank of batteries of one of the identified structures. In the preferred instance, the structure comprises an electric powered vehicle, incorporating front and rear wheels, with a variable speed direct current electrical motor associated with the said wheels, gearing interconnected between the motor and the wheels, with the solar panel or alternator charged batteries conducting the electrical energy to the motor to attain its revolving and the consequent rotation of the vehicle wheels for inducing movement.

Claims

1. An electric powered vehicle incorporating both front and rear wheels, and having a bank of rechargeable batteries from which electrical energy necessary for vehicle operation is obtained, comprising an electric motor operatively associated with one of said front and rear wheels, said motor being energized by said batteries, gearing means interconnected with said motor means and being driven in rotation therefrom for inducing a rotation of the associated wheels, a vibrations absorbing coupler interconnected between said motor and gearing means to cushion the noises of vibration effected from the motor operations, an impellor having a width approximating the vehicle width and being bearing mounted to the said vehicle, a lower portion of said impellor being partially exposed at the underside of the vehicle for turning during vehicle movement under the influence of the air passing under said vehicle while minimizing the impellor resistance against vehicle movement, the remaining upward portion of said impellor being located within the vehicle framework and unexposed to the passing air, and an alternator operatively associated with the said impellor and provided for simultaneously generating an electric charge during the turning of the said impellor, said alternator provided for also selectively recharging of said batteries.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vehicle incorporates a front wheel drive, and the gearing means comprises a vehicle transmission.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vehicle incorporates a front wheel drive, and the gearing means comprises a differential gearing.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vehicle incorporates a rear wheel drive, and the gearing means comprises a vehicle transmission.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vehicle incorporates a rear wheel drive, and the gearing means comprises a differential gearing.

6. The invention of claim 1 and including an air duct arranged along the underside of the vehicle, said duct being disposed for passing air therethrough as during vehicle movement, the proximate lower half of the impellor being disposed within the said duct to achieve its said turning during vehicle movement.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein said air duct includes an intake portion, said intake portion being arranged forwardly of the said impellor.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said intake portion is disposed upwardly from the lowest portion of the impellor.

9. The invention of claim 6 wherein said air duct includes an outlet portion, said outlet portion being arranged rearwardly of the said impellor.

10. The invention of claim 7 and including a guard extending across the intake portion of the duct to prevent the entrance of debris into the said duct during vehicle movement.

11. The invention of claim 1 wherein said impellor includes a series of vanes, said vanes being arcuate in their extension approximately radially from the center of the impellor.

12. The invention of claim 1 wherein said impellor includes a center rotatable shaft located at least approximate its ends and being arranged approximately perpendicularly with respect to the length of the vehicle, said alternator operatively associated with the impellor also including an armature shaft, said armature shaft being connected axially aligned with the impellor shaft for simultaneous movement during impellor rotation.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein the alternator comprises a three-phase direct current excited alternator.

14. The invention of claim 1 wherein said impellor includes a center rotatable shaft at least proximate its ends and being arranged approximately perpendicularly with respect to the length of the vehicle, said alternator operatively associated with the impellor also including an armature shaft, said impellor shaft and armature being coaxial, and gearing interconnected between said shafts to achieve simultaneous rotation during vehicle movement.

15. The invention of claim 14 wherein the alternator comprises a three-phase direct current excited alternator.

16. The invention of claim 1 wherein said electric motor includes a plurality of field coils, an armature disposed for rotating therein under the influence of the electromotive force generated by the said field coils, and a significantly opened stator frame for supporting the said field coils in spaced relationship around the said armature.

17. The invention of claim 16 wherein the stator frame includes a perimeter frame only surrounding the armature approximately at its midpoint, said frame including an integral base plate for securement to the vehicle for rigidly stabilizing the electric motor in place as during vehicle operation whereby said motor exhibits reduced weight characteristics.

18. The invention of claim 17 wherein said stator frame is formed of cast iron.

19. The invention of claim 17 wherein there are four fields spaced equally distant around the periphery of the said armature, said fields being fixed to the perimeter frame.

20. The invention of claim 19 and including an accessory battery provided upon the vehicle, one of said fields including an extra coil, circuit lines interconnecting between said coil and the said accessory battery to effect its selective recharging during functioning of the electric motor.

21. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vibrations absorbing coupler includes a plate member, said plate member having a series of apertures provided therethrough, a sleeve disposed through each formed plate aperture, a connector secured to certain of said aperture disposed sleeves, and said connector fastening to the motor, another connector secured to the other of said aperture disposed sleeves, said other connector fastening to the gearing means, and a cushioning means disposed within the apertures between the plate and the sleeves associated with one of the connectors to dampen the vibrations effected during motor operation, said cushioning means disposed within the apertures between the plate and the sleeves associated with the connector fastening to the motor, said cushioning means including a pair of elastomeric annuluses, with one of each annulus being concentrically disposed to either side of the apertured plate.

22. The invention of claim 21 and wherein each connector secures at approximately three equally spaced nonaligned locations to either side of the said apertured plate.

23. The invention of claim 22 wherein said elastomeric annuluses are formed of rubber.

24. The invention of claim 1 and including an electrical energy producing solar panel being surface exposed on said vehicle and provided for selectively recharging said batteries.

25. The invention of claim 24 wherein said solar panel includes a perimeter frame, and a plurality of silicon plates being angularly arranged with respect to each other for exposure in more than one direction, said plates being electrically connected together for generating electricity for recharging of the said bank of batteries.

26. The invention of claim 25 wherein the solar panel is capable of generating approximately 48 volts and 8 amps current.

27. The invention of claim 25 wherein said silicon plates are arranged approximately at a 45°

angle with respect to their perimeter frame.

28. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vehicle comprises an automobile.

29. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vehicle comprises a truck.

30. The invention of claim 1 wherein said vehicle comprises a tractor.

31. The invention of claim 1 and including circuitry for said electric powered vehicle, said circuitry including a bank of main batteries, a bank of auxiliary batteries, said electric motor being electrically connectable to one of said bank of batteries to receive a charge of electrical energy when operating, a series of relays connected to said batteries, an accelerator provided in the vehicle and when actuated providing for a sequential actuation of the said relays and a variation in the quantity of electrical energy transmitted to the motor to vary its speed of revolution.

32. The invention of claim 31 wherein there are a series of relays associated with each bank of batteries, and a switch provided for regulating the selection of the bank of batteries and cooperating relays for energization of the electrical motor.

33. The invention of claim 32 and including a relay switch provided in said circuitry, and said relay switch upon actuation providing for selection of a bank of batteries for recharging from the alternator when operating.

34. The invention of claim 31 and including resistance connecting between each relay provided in the series of relays, said resistances providing a smoothing in the variation of the quantity of electrical energy added into the circuitry upon actuation of one or more relays when increasing and decreasing the energization of the direct current motor.

35. The invention of claim 34 and including a housing surrounding the said resistances, with the inherent heat generated by the resistances during their operation being collected for selectively heating the interior of the said vehicle.