Electric vehicle having multiple-use APU system
First Claim
1. An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a) at least one motive electric motor;
b) a rechargeable electrical energy source for energizing said motive electric motor;
c) an auxiliary power unit (APU) for recharging said electrical energy source when said vehicle is in automotive use; and
d) a controller,wherein said vehicle includes a connector for connecting said vehicle to a stationary structure for supplying electric power from said APU to said stationary structure when said vehicle is automotively non-operational,wherein said stationary structure is connected to a regional electric supply grid and wherein said APU is connectable to said regional electric supply grid via said stationary structure, andwherein said controller is connected to said regional electric supply grid and to said APU, said controller being configured to maintain said APU in a hot stand-by mode and to bring said APU into electrical connection with said regional electric supply grid when said APU is needed to partly satisfy a power requirement of said regional electric supply grid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
During periods of vehicle inactivity, a vehicle-based APU electric generating system may be coupled into a regional electric grid to send electricity into the grid. A currently-preferred APU is a solid oxide fuel cell system. When a large number of vehicles are thus equipped and connected, substantial electric buffering can be effected to the grid load. A vehicle-based APU can also function as a back-up generator to a docking facility in the event of power failure of the grid. Gaseous hydrocarbon is readily supplied by pipe in many locations as a commercial and residential heating fuel source, and a hydrocarbon reformer on the vehicle can be attached to the fuel source, enabling an APU to operate as a stationary power source indefinitely. An optional storage tank on the vehicle may be refueled with gaseous fuel, for example, while the battery is being electrically recharged by the grid.
32 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An automotive vehicle comprising:
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a) at least one motive electric motor; b) a rechargeable electrical energy source for energizing said motive electric motor; c) an auxiliary power unit (APU) for recharging said electrical energy source when said vehicle is in automotive use; and d) a controller, wherein said vehicle includes a connector for connecting said vehicle to a stationary structure for supplying electric power from said APU to said stationary structure when said vehicle is automotively non-operational, wherein said stationary structure is connected to a regional electric supply grid and wherein said APU is connectable to said regional electric supply grid via said stationary structure, and wherein said controller is connected to said regional electric supply grid and to said APU, said controller being configured to maintain said APU in a hot stand-by mode and to bring said APU into electrical connection with said regional electric supply grid when said APU is needed to partly satisfy a power requirement of said regional electric supply grid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for entering electric power into a regional electric power grid, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing an automotive vehicle having at least one motive electric motor, a rechargeable electrical energy source for energizing said motive electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit (APU) for recharging said electrical energy source at least when said vehicle is in automotive use; b) allowing said vehicle to park adjacent a power outlet from said regional electric power grid; c) allowing said APU to connect to said power outlet; d) providing a controller connected to said regional electric power grid and to said APU; e) operating said APU to generate electricity; f) determining a power requirement of said regional electrical power grid; and g) maintaining said APU in a hot stand-by mode and bringing said APU into electrical connection with said regional power grid when said APU is needed to partly satisfy the determined power requirement. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for entering electric power into a regional electric power grid, comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a plurality of automotive vehicles, each of said vehicles having at least one motive electric motor, a rechargeable electrical energy source for energizing said motive electric motor, and an auxiliary power unit (APU) for recharging said electrical energy source when said vehicle is in automotive use, defining a plurality of APUs; b) allowing each of said respective vehicles to park adjacent a respective power outlet from said regional electric power grid; c) allowing each of said respective APUs to connect to said respective power outlet; d) providing a controller connected to said regional electric power grid and to each of said plurality of APUs; e) operating at least one of said plurality of APUs to generate electricity; f) determining a power requirement of said regional electrical power grid; and g) maintaining in a hot stand-by mode at least one of said plurality of APUs to be brought into electrical connection with said regional power grid when said APU is needed to partly satisfy the determined power requirement. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification