Method for supplementing and calculating energy consumed by a vehicle

• US 7,313,469 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2003
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aloys Wobben
• Original Assignee: Aloys Wobben
• Inventors: Wobben, Aloys
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US10/516,761
• Publication Number:
  US 20060100754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,670 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/33, 701/35, 701/103, 701/104, 180/65.3
• US Class Current: 701/22
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2001/0455 Removal or replacement of the energy storages
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/32 of electricity
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/66 Arrangements of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/665 Methods related to measuring, billing or payment
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• 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 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/167 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 30/14 Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Abstract

A method for supplementing and calculating energy consumed by a vehicle. A system enables electrically operated vehicles to be provided with electrical energy within a limited time slot, and payment for the energy. A vehicle comprising a receiving area for a first energy accumulator, and is characterized in that e) the first energy accumulator is removed from the vehicle, f) a second energy accumulator having a preset level is introduced into the vehicle, g) the difference between the amount of energy in the first accumulator and in the second accumulator is determined, and h) a value indicating the difference is transmitted to a data acquisition device.

Claims

1. A method for supplementing and calculating energy consumed by a vehicle comprising a receiving area for a first energy accumulator, the method comprising:

a) removing a first energy accumulator from a vehicle;

b) introducing a second energy accumulator with a preset energy level into the vehicle;

c) determining a difference in an amount of energy in the first and in the second accumulator;

d) transmitting a value indicating the difference to a data acquisition device;

e) inhibiting withdrawal of energy from the second energy accumulator and/or a vehicle drive-away; and

f) releasing the energy withdrawal and/or drive-away inhibition via a signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

subjecting the first energy accumulator removed from the vehicle to a function test and/or several additional tests before a recharging process.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising storing preset data from a test on or in one of the energy accumulators.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the signal is a radio signal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein data related to consumption is detected and transmitted to the data acquisition device.

6. An electric vehicle for operation with an energy accumulator, comprising one or more batteries or capacitors, characterized by an unambiguous label and/or standardized terminals and/or a standardized shape, the energy accumulator being accessible on at least one vehicle side and/or from a vehicle bottom, and in that the label indicates the vehicle type and/or the position of energy accumulator, and in that accumulator is exchangeable with another accumulator and wherein the vehicle comprises a drive-away inhibition circuit configured to inhibit a withdrawal of energy from the accumulator after an exchange and to release the inhibition in response to a signal from an accumulator exchange station.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a container having essentially a cross section of the energy accumulator and/or a retaining device for an exchangeable molded element.

8. The vehicle according to claim 6 wherein the label indicates data related to testing of the energy accumulator.

9. A unit for supplementing an energy supply, comprising:

an access lane;

at least one stopping position for a vehicle;

at least one device for transporting a first energy accumulator away from and supplying a filled second energy accumulator to the stopping position;

a transport device that transports the vehicle past various work positions; and

a data acquisition device configured to;

store an indication of a difference in an amount of energy in the first energy accumulator and in the second energy accumulator;

inhibit withdrawal of energy from the second energy accumulator by activating a circuit in the vehicle; and

release the inhibition by transmitting a signal to the vehicle.

10. The unit according to claim 9, further comprising:

a device for detecting a vehicle model.

11. The unit according to claim 9, further comprising:

a unit for testing and filling the first energy accumulator that has been removed from the vehicle.

12. The unit according to claim 9, further comprising:

at least one main and one interim storage area for filled energy accumulators in the vicinity of the vehicle stopping position.

13. The unit according to claim 9, further comprising:

at least one device for automatic exchange of energy accumulators.

14. The unit according to claim 9, wherein the transport device transports vehicle sequentially past various work positions.

15. The unit according to claim 9, further comprising:

an at least partially subterranean transport means for energy accumulators to transport accumulators between individual storage areas or work stations.

16. The unit according to claim 9 wherein the unit is integrated with a conventional filling station.

17. A method of replacing an energy accumulator in a vehicle, the method comprising:

removing from a vehicle a first energy accumulator storing a first amount of energy;

disabling the vehicle;

installing in the vehicle a second energy accumulator storing a second amount of energy;

determining a difference between the first amount of energy and the second amount of energy; and

enabling the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein disabling the vehicle occurs prior to removal of the first energy accumulator.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein disabling the vehicle occurs when the second energy accumulator is installed.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving a payment corresponding to the determined difference, wherein enabling of the vehicle occurs after the payment is received.

21. An energy accumulator exchange station, comprising:

means for removing a first energy accumulator storing a first amount of energy and installing a second energy accumulator storing a second amount of energy;

means for determining an amount of compensation due based on a difference between the first amount of energy and the second amount of energy; and

means for inhibiting theft of energy from the second energy accumulator.