Energy storage system and method of making and using the same

• US 9,783,065 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2016
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BorgWarner Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BorgWarner Incorporated
• Inventors: Pritchard, Larry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANS, BRYAN A
• Application Number:
  US15/012,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20160221448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/12 by means of a chargeable fluidic accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2250/26 by pedal actuation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/24 with additional mechanical or electromagnetic braking
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 1/10 by utilising wheel movement for accumulating energy, e.g. driving air compressors
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 61/00 Brakes with means for making the energy absorbed available for use F16D57/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

A number of variations include a product comprising a transfer case comprising a hydraulic system comprising a hydraulic fluid and a hydraulic pump or hydraulic motor wherein the hydraulic system is constructed and arranged to capture energy from regenerative braking of the at least one brake of at least one drive.

Claims

1. A product comprising:

a transfer case comprising a hydraulic system and an electrical storage system;

wherein the electrical storage system comprises at least one of an electric generator or a battery; and

wherein the hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic pump or hydraulic motor;

wherein the hydraulic system is constructed and arranged to capture energy from regenerative braking of at least one brake of at least one drive.

2. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transfer case is a component within a four or rear wheel drive for a vehicle.

3. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transfer case further comprises an input member driven by at least one output shaft of at least one engine.

4. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transfer case further comprises a first output member adapted for driving the first drive comprising at least one wheel and at least one brake.

5. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transfer case further comprises a second output member adapted for driving a second drive comprising at least one wheel and at least one brake.

6. A product as set forth in claim 4 wherein the electrical storage system comprising an electric generator or a battery is operatively connected to at least one of the first output member or the second output member.

7. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the transfer case further comprises a hydraulic system controller.

8. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the hydraulic system further comprises at least one accumulator.

9. A product as set forth in claim 8 wherein the at least one accumulator comprises at least one high pressure accumulator and at least one low pressure accumulator.

10. A product as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vehicle is a hydraulic hybrid vehicle.

11. A method comprising:

providing a transfer case comprising a hydraulic system and an electrical storage system;

wherein the electrical storage system comprises at least one of an electric generator or a battery; and

wherein the hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic pump or hydraulic motor;

wherein the hydraulic system is constructed and arranged to capture energy from regenerative braking of at least one brake of at least one drive; and

operating the hydraulic system to capture energy from regenerative braking of the at least one brake of at least one drive.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the transfer case is a component within a four or rear wheel drive for a vehicle.

13. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the transfer case further comprises an input member driven by at least one output shaft of at least one engine.

14. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the transfer case further comprises a first output member adapted for driving the first drive comprising at least one wheel and at least one brake.

15. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the transfer case further comprises a second output member adapted for driving a second drive comprising at least one wheel and at least one brake.

16. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the electrical storage system comprising an electric generator or a battery is operatively connected to at least one of the first output member or the second output member.

17. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the transfer case further comprises a hydraulic system controller.

18. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the hydraulic system further comprises at least one accumulator.

19. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the at least one accumulator comprises at least one high pressure accumulator and at least one low pressure accumulator.

20. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the vehicle is a hydraulic hybrid vehicle.