Hybrid dinghy pusher

• US 8,141,667 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2009
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Alabama For And On Behalf Of Its Component Institution, The University Of Alabama
• Original Assignee: The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Alabama For And On Behalf Of Its Component Institution, The University Of Alabama
• Inventors: SHEPARD, JR., WILLIAM STEVE, Shepard, SR., William Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US12/486,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20090308670A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 180/14.1, 180/14.2, 180/14.6
• US Class Current: 180/14.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 15/32 Control or regulation of multiple-unit electrically-propelled vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

A hybrid dinghy pusher for pushing motorhomes is provided. A hybrid vehicle can be connected to a motorhome by a tow bar for towing the hybrid vehicle. When being towed behind a motorhome, the hybrid vehicle can be switched into hybrid dinghy pusher mode. In this mode, during acceleration of the motorhome, the electrical batteries and motors of the hybrid vehicle can provide a propulsive force through the tow bar to the motorhome, which assists the motorhome in accelerating and improves fuel efficiency. Additionally, the dinghy motors can act as generators when appropriate, creating energy which can be stored in batteries for later use during acceleration. The resistance created by the hybrid vehicle can also provide an additional braking force to the motorhome via the tow bar.

Claims

1. A hybrid dinghy pusher for a motorhome comprising:

a hybrid vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine, an electrical motor and at least one battery, wherein the internal combustion engine selectively propels the hybrid vehicle, wherein the electric motor selectively propels the hybrid vehicle and selectively generates electricity for storage in the at least one battery;

a tow bar configured for coupling the hybrid vehicle to the motorhome; and

a means for controlling activation of the hybrid vehicle to selectively provide operational assistance from the electric motor to the motorhome.

2. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 1, wherein the means for controlling activation of the hybrid vehicle comprises:

at least one sensor, each sensor configured for sensing at least one operating condition of the motorhome; and

at least one controller configured to perform the steps of;

processing sensed data from the at least one sensor;

determining what operational assistance is to be provided by the hybrid vehicle to the motorhome; and

actuating the hybrid vehicle in response to the determination of operation assistance.

3. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the step of actuating the hybrid vehicle comprises at least one of:

actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle to selectively propel the hybrid vehicle;

actuating the electrical motor to provide selective braking resistance to the hybrid vehicle and the motorhome; and

actuating a braking system of the hybrid vehicle to provide selective braking resistance to the hybrid vehicle and the motorhome.

4. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 3, wherein actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle comprises selectively propelling the hybrid vehicle to reduce the towing load on the motorhome.

5. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 3, wherein actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle comprises selectively propelling the hybrid vehicle and the motorhome.

6. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is a sensor selected from the group consisting of:

a speedometer;

an accelerometer;

an angle of incline sensor;

a tangential force sensor; and

a sensor for monitoring the alignment of the hybrid vehicle and the motorhome.

7. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a speedometer.

8. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer.

9. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an angle of incline sensor.

10. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a tangential force sensor.

11. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a sensor for monitoring the alignment of the hybrid vehicle and the motorhome.

12. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the at least one controller comprises a hybrid vehicle controller.

13. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 12, wherein the at least one controller further comprises a motorhome controller configured to at least receive operating conditions of the motorhome.

14. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the at least one controller comprises a motorhome controller, configured to at least receive operating conditions of the motorhome.

15. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor and the at least one controller are electrically coupled.

16. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor and the at least one controller are electrically coupled wirelessly.

17. A method of providing operational assistance to a motorhome comprising the steps of:

providing a hybrid vehicle comprising an electrical motor and at least one battery, wherein the electric motor selectively propels the hybrid vehicle and selectively generates electricity for storage in the at least one battery;

providing a tow bar configured for coupling the hybrid vehicle to the motorhome;

providing a motorhome controller coupled to a hybrid vehicle controller, wherein the motorhome controller is configured to receive operating conditions of the motorhome and transmit the operating conditions to the hybrid vehicle controller; and

controlling activation of the hybrid vehicle to provide operational assistance to the motorhome.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein controlling activation of the hybrid vehicle comprises:

at least one sensor, each sensor configured for sensing at least one operating condition of the motorhome; and

at least one controller configured to perform the steps of;

processing sensed data from the at least one sensor;

calculating what operational assistance is to be provided by the hybrid vehicle to the motorhome; and

actuating the hybrid vehicle in response to the determination of operation assistance.

19. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 18, wherein the step of actuating the hybrid vehicle comprises at least one of:

actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle to selectively propel the hybrid vehicle;

actuating the electrical motor to provide selective braking to the hybrid vehicle and the motorhome; and

actuating a braking system of the hybrid vehicle to provide selective braking to the hybrid vehicle and the motorhome.

20. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 19, wherein actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle comprises propelling the hybrid vehicle to reduce the towing load on the motorhome.

21. The hybrid dinghy pusher of claim 19, wherein actuating the electrical motor of the hybrid vehicle comprises selectively propelling the hybrid vehicle and the motorhome.