System and method for generating, storing and transferring electrical power between a vehicle and an auxiliary application

• US 8,816,534 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2011
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ZigZag Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Ricardo Vasquez
• Inventors: Vasquez, Ricardo
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAO, M BAYE
• Application Number:
  US13/271,204
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 320/104, 320/101, 320/109, 105/50, 307/64
• US Class Current: 307/64
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/80 Exchanging energy storage elements, e.g. removable batteries
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 55/00 Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/006 Converting flow of air into electric energy, e.g. by using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/10 The dispersed energy generation being of fossil origin, e.g. diesel generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/12 The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/062 for AC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• 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 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/126 the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]

Abstract

A system of charging and utilizing rechargeable battery packs. A vehicle is provided that has an internal vehicle battery rack with removable battery packs. The vehicle recharges the battery packs when in operation. An auxiliary battery rack is provided that is separate from the vehicle. The auxiliary battery rack can also receive the rechargeable battery packs. A power inverter converts direct current from the rechargeable battery packs to alternating current. To utilize the system, the battery packs are charged by the vehicle. Once charged, at least one of the rechargeable battery packs is moved to the auxiliary battery rack. Once engaged with the auxiliary battery rack, the power inverter converts power from the rechargeable battery packs into alternating current. The alternating current is then used to power circuits in a building or to provide a mobile AC power source that can be used in place of a mobile generator.

Claims

1. A method of charging and utilizing battery power, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of rechargeable battery packs;

providing a vehicle having a vehicle battery rack that selectively receives and electrically interconnects with said rechargeable battery packs, wherein said vehicle recharges said rechargeable battery packs when said rechargeable battery packs are received by said vehicle battery rack and said vehicle is in operation;

providing an auxiliary battery rack at a building that is separate and remote from said vehicle, wherein said auxiliary battery rack selectively receives and electrically interconnects with said rechargeable battery packs when said rechargeable battery packs are placed into said auxiliary battery rack;

providing a power inverter at said building that is electrically coupled to said auxiliary battery rack, wherein said inverter converts direct current from said rechargeable battery packs to alternating current at 60 Hz to provide electrical power to said building;

charging said rechargeable battery packs on said vehicle battery rack; and

moving at least one of said rechargeable battery packs from said vehicle battery rack to said auxiliary battery rack, wherein said power inverter converts power from said at least one of said rechargeable battery packs into said alternating current.

2. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of connecting said power inverter to at least one plug receptacle, wherein said power inverter supplies AC power to said at least one plug receptacle.

3. The method according to claim 1, further including the step of providing a wheeled cart, wherein said auxiliary battery rack and said power inverter are supported by said wheeled cart.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing a vehicle includes providing a vehicle that requires a minimum number of rechargeable battery packs to operate, and said step of providing a plurality of rechargeable battery packs includes providing a plurality of rechargeable battery packs in excess of said minimum number.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of moving at least one of said rechargeable battery packs includes moving said plurality of rechargeable battery packs in excess of said minimum number.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of providing a plurality of rechargeable battery packs includes providing separate battery packs, wherein each of said separate battery packs has a lifting handle.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein each of said separate battery packs has an electrical connector that automatically interconnects with said vehicle battery rack when placed on said vehicle battery rack.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein each said electrical connector automatically connects with said auxiliary battery rack when placed on said auxiliary battery rack.

9. The method according to claim 1, further including the steps of providing said vehicle with a supplemental charging system for charging said rechargeable battery packs on said vehicle battery rack, wherein said supplemental charging system is selected from a group consisting of wind turbines, solar panels and active braking systems.

10. A method of providing AC power using rechargeable batteries, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of rechargeable battery packs;

providing a vehicle having a vehicle battery rack that selectively receives and electrically interconnects with said rechargeable battery packs, wherein said vehicle recharges said rechargeable battery packs when said rechargeable battery packs are engaged with said vehicle battery rack and said vehicle is in operation;

providing an auxiliary battery rack at a building that is separate and remote from said vehicle, wherein said auxiliary battery rack selectively receives and electrically interconnects with said rechargeable battery packs when said rechargeable battery packs are engaged with said auxiliary battery rack;

providing a power inverter that is electrically coupled to said auxiliary battery rack, wherein said power inverter converts direct current from said rechargeable battery packs to alternating current at 60 Hz when at least one of said rechargeable battery packs is engaged with said auxiliary battery rack;

charging said rechargeable battery packs on said vehicle battery rack;

moving at least one of said rechargeable battery packs from said vehicle battery rack to said auxiliary battery rack, wherein said power inverter converts power from said at least one of said rechargeable battery packs into said alternating current to power said building.

11. The method according to claim 10, further including the step of connecting said power inverter to at least one plug receptacle, wherein said power inverter supplies AC power to said at least one plug receptacle.

12. The method according to claim 10, further including the step of providing a wheeled cart, wherein said auxiliary battery rack and said power inverter are supported by said wheeled cart.