Power control system for electrically driven vehicle
First Claim
1. A vehicle for use on a prepared road having associated therewith a power source including a magnetic circuit containing a ferrous metal core to create a magnetic field, the vehicle comprising:
- a framework having a plurality of road engaging elements thereon;
an electric motor for driving at least one of said elements;
power receiving means on the vehicle containing a ferrous metal core for receiving magnetic flux from the power source in quantities proportional to the degree of magnetic coupling between said power source and the power receiving means to supply received power to said vehicle during travel along the road;
means for retaining the power receiving means in a fixed running position relative to the vehicle framework so that a relatively small air gap is established between the power receiving means and the power source;
a source of energy for supplying power to the electric motor when the power receiving means is not coupled to the power source;
circuit means electrically connecting the power receiving means, the source of energy and electric motor; and
electrical control means connected to the power receiving means and operative when the vehicle is traveling along a prepared road including means responsive to the voltage level of said power receiving means and also means responsive to the voltage level of said source of energy for maintaining substantially constant preselected voltage output from said power receiving means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrically driven vehicle having suitable batteries to drive the vehicle on conventional roads and a pickup receiver thereon for receiving power for a drive motor from a conductor embedded in a prepared roadway for driving the vehicle and for charging the batteries. The pickup receiver is supported on the vehicle so that it establishes a small air gap with the conductor for operation on a specially prepared roadway. On some vehicles the pickup receiver may be lowered to the proper position for operation on the special roadway and then raised to provide sufficient clearance to accommodate normal obstacles, such as driveway gutters, when the vehicle is driven on conventional roads. When driving on the prepared roadway with the power pickup receiver in a fixed down position forming a nominal air gap with the road conductor, electrical control is provided for automatically maintaining a relatively constant output from the power pickup receiver despite variations in the energy consumed by the motor or the size of the air gap.
93 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A vehicle for use on a prepared road having associated therewith a power source including a magnetic circuit containing a ferrous metal core to create a magnetic field, the vehicle comprising:
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a framework having a plurality of road engaging elements thereon; an electric motor for driving at least one of said elements; power receiving means on the vehicle containing a ferrous metal core for receiving magnetic flux from the power source in quantities proportional to the degree of magnetic coupling between said power source and the power receiving means to supply received power to said vehicle during travel along the road; means for retaining the power receiving means in a fixed running position relative to the vehicle framework so that a relatively small air gap is established between the power receiving means and the power source; a source of energy for supplying power to the electric motor when the power receiving means is not coupled to the power source; circuit means electrically connecting the power receiving means, the source of energy and electric motor; and electrical control means connected to the power receiving means and operative when the vehicle is traveling along a prepared road including means responsive to the voltage level of said power receiving means and also means responsive to the voltage level of said source of energy for maintaining substantially constant preselected voltage output from said power receiving means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A vehicle for use on a prepared road having associated therewith a power source including a magnetic circuit containing a ferrous metal core to create a magnetic field, the vehicle comprising:
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a framework having a plurality of road engaging elements thereon; an electric motor for driving at least one of said elements; power receiving means on the vehicle containing a ferrous metal core for receiving magnetic flux from the power source in quantities proportional to the degree of magnetic coupling between said power source and the power receiving means to supply received power to said vehicle during travel along the road; means for retaining the power receiving means in a fixed running position relative to the vehicle framework so that a relatively small air gap is established between the power receiving means and the power source; circuit means electrically connecting the power receiving means and electric motor; and electrical control means connected to the power receiving means and operative when the vehicle is traveling along a prepared road including means responsive to the voltage level of said power receiving means for maintaining substantially constant preselected voltage output from said power receiving means.
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10. A vehicle for use on a prepared road having associated therewith a power source including a magnetic circuit containing a ferrous metal core to create a magnetic field, the vehicle comprising:
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a framework having a plurality of road engaging elements thereon; an electric motor for driving at least one of said elements; power receiving means on the vehicle containing a ferrous metal core for receiving magnetic flux from the power source in quantities proportional to the degree of magnetic coupling between said power source and the power receiving means to supply received power to said vehicle during travel along the road; means for retaining the power receiving means in a fixed running position relative to the vehicle frame work so that a relatively small air gap is established between the power receiving means and the power source; a source of energy for supplying power to the electric motor when the power receiving means is not coupled to the power source; circuit means electrically connecting the power receiving means, the source of energy and electric motor; and electrical control means connected to the power receiving means and operative when the vehicle is traveling along a prepared road including means responsive to the voltage level of said source of energy for maintaining substantially constant preselected voltage output from said power receiving means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification