System for replenishing energy sources onboard different types of automatic vehicles
First Claim
1. A service station facility for replenishing energy sources onboard different types of automotive vehicles, said service station facility comprising:
- a rack;
a plurality of replaceable storage devices stocked on the rack and storing fluids or charges utile as motivational energy sources for automotive vehicles;
a service module positioned directly below an automotive vehicle having a depleted storage device;
a lift system configured to raise, while the service module is directly below the automotive vehicle, the service module toward the depleted storage device for transfer of the depleted storage device from the automotive vehicle to the service module, the lift system further configured to lower the service module, while the service module is directly below the automotive vehicle and while the depleted storage device is positioned on the service module, such that the depleted storage device is lowered away from the automotive vehicle by the lift system;
at least one rail;
at least one carriage engaged with the rail and configured to move the depleted storage device along the rail toward a location for stocking the depleted storage device on the rack at the location, the at least one carriage further configured to move one of the replaceable storage devices along the rail toward the automotive vehicle;
a fluidal hose;
a robotic arm configured to establish a fluidal connection between the depleted storage device and the fluidal hose such that the fluidal hose is connected to the depleted storage device while the depleted storage device is stocked on the rack; and
an electrical cable connected to the depleted storage device while the depleted storage device is stocked on the rack,wherein the lift system is configured to raise, while the service module is directly below the automotive vehicle and while the one replaceable storage device is positioned on the service module, the service module for transfer of the one replaceable storage device from the service module to the automotive vehicle.
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Abstract
A service station facility for replenishing various motivational energy sources onboard different types of automotive vehicles is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the service station facility includes a rack, replaceable fuel tanks, a service module, and an electronic computer control system. The replaceable fuel tanks are stocked on the rack and substantially filled with various fluids, such as hydrogen, which are utile as motivational energy sources within fuel-operated automotive vehicles. The service module is mounted on the rack, and the electronic computer control system is connected in electrical communication with the service module. In this configuration, the service module is controllably operable to receive a depleted replaceable fuel tank from a fuel-operated automotive vehicle and also selectively deliver one of the filled replaceable fuel tanks onboard the automotive vehicle. In another embodiment, the service station facility may also stock replaceable batteries for selective delivery onboard battery-operated automotive vehicles.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A service station facility for replenishing energy sources onboard different types of automotive vehicles, said service station facility comprising:
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a rack; a plurality of replaceable storage devices stocked on the rack and storing fluids or charges utile as motivational energy sources for automotive vehicles; a service module positioned directly below an automotive vehicle having a depleted storage device; a lift system configured to raise, while the service module is directly below the automotive vehicle, the service module toward the depleted storage device for transfer of the depleted storage device from the automotive vehicle to the service module, the lift system further configured to lower the service module, while the service module is directly below the automotive vehicle and while the depleted storage device is positioned on the service module, such that the depleted storage device is lowered away from the automotive vehicle by the lift system; at least one rail; at least one carriage engaged with the rail and configured to move the depleted storage device along the rail toward a location for stocking the depleted storage device on the rack at the location, the at least one carriage further configured to move one of the replaceable storage devices along the rail toward the automotive vehicle; a fluidal hose;
a robotic arm configured to establish a fluidal connection between the depleted storage device and the fluidal hose such that the fluidal hose is connected to the depleted storage device while the depleted storage device is stocked on the rack; andan electrical cable connected to the depleted storage device while the depleted storage device is stocked on the rack, wherein the lift system is configured to raise, while the service module is directly below the automotive vehicle and while the one replaceable storage device is positioned on the service module, the service module for transfer of the one replaceable storage device from the service module to the automotive vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for replenishing energy sources onboard different types of automotive vehicles, comprising the steps of:
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stocking a plurality of replaceable storage devices on a rack, the replaceable storage devices storing fluids or charges utile as motivational energy sources for automotive vehicles;
positioning a service module directly below a first automotive vehicle having a depleted storage device;lifting, while the service module is positioned directly below the first automotive vehicle, the service module toward the depleted storage device for transfer of the depleted storage device from the first automotive vehicle to the service module; lowering the service module, while the service module is positioned directly below the first automotive vehicle and while the depleted storage device is positioned on the service module, such that the depleted storage device is lowered away from the first automotive vehicle; moving the depleted storage device along at least one rail toward a location for stocking the depleted storage device on the rack at the location; moving one of the replaceable storage devices along the rail toward the first automotive vehicle; connecting a fluidal hose to the depleted storage device, wherein the step of connecting the fluidal hose comprises the step of establishing a fluidal connection between the depleted storage device and the fluidal hose via a robotic arm; connecting an electrical cable to the depleted storage device; and lifting, while the service module is directly below the first automotive vehicle and while the one replaceable storage device is on the service module, the service module for transfer of the one replaceable storage device from the service module to the first automotive vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification