Kinetic energy storage systems and methods of use

• US 8,651,209 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2010
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hartjen, Raymond III
• Primary Examiner(s): Restifo, Jeffrey J
• Application Number:
  US12/973,698
• Publication Number:
  US 20120152635A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,156 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.29, 180/65.285
• US Class Current: 180/65.29
• 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 6/28 characterised by the electric energy storing means, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/16 with provision for separate direct mechanical propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/40 for controlling a combination of batteries and fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• 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 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

Embodiments of the present technology are directed toward a kinetic energy storage system for capturing kinetic energy of a vehicle, converting the captured kinetic energy into another form, and storing the converted energy in a portable energy storage device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a portable energy storage device; and

a vehicle including;

a portable energy storage device port to removably couple the portable energy storage device to the vehicle;

a vehicle energy storage device; and

a kinetic energy capture system to capture and store kinetic energy of the vehicle in the vehicle energy storage device up to a rate of charge or a capacity of the vehicle energy storage device and in the portable energy storage device in excess of the rate of charge or the capacity of the vehicle energy storage device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the kinetic energy capture system comprises a regenerative braking system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the portable energy storage device comprises one or more portable batteries; and

the vehicle energy storage device comprises one or more vehicle batteries.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the kinetic energy capture system comprises a generator to convert the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electrical energy.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the kinetic energy capture system further comprises a motor for using energy stored in the one or more vehicle batteries to propel the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the portable energy storage device comprises one or more portable condensers; and

the vehicle energy storage device comprises one or more vehicle batteries.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the kinetic energy capture system comprises a pump to convert the kinetic energy of the vehicle into compressed gas or liquid.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an engine.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the kinetic energy capture system further captures and stores excess kinetic energy of the engine in the vehicle energy storage device up to a rate of charge or a capacity of the vehicle energy storage device and in the portable energy storage device in excess of the rate of charge or the capacity of the vehicle energy storage device.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a motor to propel the vehicle using energy stored in the one or more vehicle energy storage devices;

an engine; and

wherein the motor and engine are coupled in a series hybrid, parallel hybrid or series-parallel hybrid configuration.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising another device including a portable energy storage device port to removably couple the portable energy storage device to the other device.

12. A system comprising:

a means for capturing kinetic energy of a vehicle;

a means for converting the kinetic energy of the vehicle to another form of energy;

a means for storing the converted energy in an energy storage device of the vehicle up to a rate of charge or a capacity of the energy storage device of the vehicle; and

a means for storing the converted energy in excess of the rate of charge or the capacity of the energy storage device of the vehicle in a portable energy storage device, the portable energy device being removable from the vehicle while still permitting the means for storing to store the converted energy in the energy storage device of the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a means for decoupling the portable energy storage device from the vehicle after storing energy in the portable energy storage device;

a means for coupling the portable energy storage device to another device after decoupling from the vehicle; and

a means for transferring the energy stored on the portable energy storage device to the other device after coupling to the other device.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the means for converting the kinetic energy of the vehicle to another form of energy comprises a means for converting motion of the vehicle to electrical energy.