Energy storage on an elevated platform and transfer method
First Claim
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1. A lift truck comprising:
- a tractor unit;
a primary energy storage device disposed on the tractor unit, the primary energy storage device adapted to provide operating power to the tractor unit;
a vertically movable platform mounted relative to the tractor unit, the platform being vertically movable between an upper position and a lower position;
a rechargeable secondary energy storage device disposed on the platform, the rechargeable secondary energy storage device being rechargeable upon moving the platform toward the lower position;
an energy transfer control circuit adapted to sense a voltage potential difference between the primary energy storage device and the rechargeable secondary energy storage device;
a primary side sensor circuit and a secondary side target, such that when the primary side sensor circuit and secondary side target are aligned, a transfer coupling sense circuit indicates an aligned condition to the energy transfer control circuit; and
the rechargeable secondary energy storage device including at least one capacitor, the at least one capacitor adapted to accept an energy transfer from the primary energy storage device and temporarily store the energy transfer, the rechargeable secondary energy storage device further including a DC-to-DC voltage converter, the voltage converter adapted to convert a voltage from the at least one capacitor to a recharge voltage to recharge the rechargeable secondary energy storage device,wherein the at least one capacitor is electrically connected between the primary energy storage device and the DC-to-DC voltage converter when the primary side sensor circuit and the secondary side target are aligned such that the DC-to-DC voltage converter does not directly connect to the primary energy storage device.
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Abstract
A lift truck includes a secondary rechargeable energy storage device on a vertically movable platform that is separate from a primary rechargeable energy storage device on the lift truck'"'"'s main tractor unit without the use of wires or hoses for transfer of power or controls between the main tractor unit and the platform. The quantity of energy stored in the secondary rechargeable energy storage device is sufficient to power platform electrical loads for a predetermined amount of time until the platform is lowered. When the platform is lowered, the secondary rechargeable energy storage device is recharged by the primary energy storage device.
21 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A lift truck comprising:
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a tractor unit; a primary energy storage device disposed on the tractor unit, the primary energy storage device adapted to provide operating power to the tractor unit; a vertically movable platform mounted relative to the tractor unit, the platform being vertically movable between an upper position and a lower position; a rechargeable secondary energy storage device disposed on the platform, the rechargeable secondary energy storage device being rechargeable upon moving the platform toward the lower position; an energy transfer control circuit adapted to sense a voltage potential difference between the primary energy storage device and the rechargeable secondary energy storage device; a primary side sensor circuit and a secondary side target, such that when the primary side sensor circuit and secondary side target are aligned, a transfer coupling sense circuit indicates an aligned condition to the energy transfer control circuit; and the rechargeable secondary energy storage device including at least one capacitor, the at least one capacitor adapted to accept an energy transfer from the primary energy storage device and temporarily store the energy transfer, the rechargeable secondary energy storage device further including a DC-to-DC voltage converter, the voltage converter adapted to convert a voltage from the at least one capacitor to a recharge voltage to recharge the rechargeable secondary energy storage device, wherein the at least one capacitor is electrically connected between the primary energy storage device and the DC-to-DC voltage converter when the primary side sensor circuit and the secondary side target are aligned such that the DC-to-DC voltage converter does not directly connect to the primary energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A lift truck comprising:
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a tractor unit; a rechargeable primary energy storage device disposed on the tractor unit, a vertically movable platform mounted relative to the tractor unit, the platform being vertically movable between an upper position and a lower position; a rechargeable secondary energy storage device disposed on the platform; an energy transfer control circuit adapted to sense a voltage potential difference between the primary energy storage device and the rechargeable secondary energy storage device; a primary side sensor circuit and a secondary side target, such that when the primary side sensor circuit and secondary side target are aligned, a transfer coupling sense circuit indicates an aligned condition to the energy transfer control circuit; an energy transfer coupling, the energy transfer coupling adapted to transfer energy from the rechargeable primary energy storage device on the tractor unit to the rechargeable secondary energy storage device on the platform to recharge the rechargeable secondary energy storage device, the energy transfer coupling including at least one capacitor and a voltage converter; and wherein the at least one capacitor is electrically connected between the primary energy storage device and the voltage converter when the primary side sensor circuit and the secondary side target are aligned such that the voltage converter does not directly connect to the primary energy storage device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification