Turbine generator regenerative braking system

• US 6,758,295 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2002
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick Fleming
• Original Assignee: Patrick Fleming
• Inventors: Fleming, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Swenson, Brian L
• Application Number:
  US10/119,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20030188904A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 180/165, 180/2.1, 180/2.2, 180/65.1, 180/65.3, 180/65.2, 604/13, 604/14, 603/30, 603/33, 606/68, 606/98, 604/17, 303/10, 303/152
• US Class Current: 180/165
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/10 by means of a chargeable mechanical accumulator, e.g. flywheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/105 the accumulator being a flywheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 13/585 comprising friction brakes and retarders
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 6/14 Gas-turbine plants having means for storing energy, e.g. for meeting peak loads
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/00 Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus if the apparatus aspects are predominant, see the relevant subclasses for such apparatus, e.g. H02K7/18; Power stations or aggregates incorporating only machines or engines of positive-displacement type F03C; hydraulic engineering aspects E02B; combinations with wind energy converters F03D9/008
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/12 storing kinetic energy, e.g. using flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/941 which is a land vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 61/00 Brakes with means for making the energy absorbed available for use F16D57/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
• 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 10/90 Energy harvesting concepts as power supply for auxiliaries' energy consumption, e.g. photovoltaic sun-roof

Abstract

A turbine generator regenerative braking system for an automotive or other vehicle having ground engaging wheels and an electrical energy storage device. The braking system comprises an hydraulic fluid turbine generator having an electrical power output connected to the electrical energy storage device, a plurality of hydraulic fluid pumps, an actuation system for operatively connecting/starting pumping action, and a hydraulic fluid circuit connecting the hydraulic pumps to the turbine generator. In some versions of the system, a hydraulic pump, a clutch and an adjustable flow nozzle will be dedicated to each ground engaging wheel of the vehicle. In operation, braking is preferably initiated by the actuation of a brake master cylinder which provides hydraulic pressure to cause each rotating wheel with its corresponding hydraulic pump to engage. The pressurized fluid output of each pump is then fed to the turbine through the adjustable-flow nozzle causing the flywheel, and thus the generator, to rotate. The rotation of the turbine generator produces electrical power which is transmitted to the vehicle'"'"'s electrical energy storage device.

Claims

1. A turbine generator regenerative braking system for a vehicle having ground-engaging wheels and an electrical storage system, said braking system comprising:

at least one positive displacement pump mechanically coupled to a ground engaging wheel, so that said wheel drives the pump and the wheel rotation is slowed by driving said pump;

a hydraulic fluid circuit receiving liquid from said pump and having an outlet;

a hydraulic fluid turbine having an electrical power output connected to the electrical storage system;

wherein said fluid circuit outlet comprises a needle valve and said positive displacement pump forces hydraulic liquid through said hydraulic fluid circuit and through said needle valve to impact and rotate said turbine to generate electricity so that said electricity is stored in the electrical storage system; and

wherein said needle valve is moveable to positions ranging from an open position to a closed position so that closing said needle valve forms a flow restriction that puts more work load on said positive displacement pump so that driving the positive displacement pump increases said slowing of the wheel.

2. A braking system as in claim 1 comprising a foot pedal that actuates said mechanical coupling of the pump to the wheel to start pumping of the hydraulic fluid.

3. A braking system as in claim 1 comprising a fly wheel connected to said turbine that continues electricity generation when pumping of hydraulic fluid stops.

4. A braking system as in claim 1 wherein said needle valve is adjustable in direction relative to the turbine to adjust the direction of impact of the hydraulic fluid on the turbine.

5. A braking system as in claim 1 comprising a foot pedal that both actuates said mechanical coupling between the pump and the wheel and moves the needle valve toward the closed position to put more work load on the pump to increase braking of the wheel.

6. A braking system as in claim 5, wherein the needle valve, when in the closed position, prevents pumping of said hydraulic liquid and thereby prevents wheel movement, so that said braking system is a parking brake.

7. A braking system as in claim 1 comprising a foot pedal that moves the needle valve toward the closed position to put more work load on the pump to increase braking of the wheel.

8. A braking system as in claim 7, wherein the needle valve, when in the closed position, prevents pumping of said hydraulic liquid and thereby prevents wheel movement, so that said braking system is a parking brake.