Efficient control, monitoring and energy devices for vehicles such as watercraft
First Claim
1. An overspeed mechanism for exceeding the continuous duty power output of an electric motor in a vehicle, comprising:
- a) an electric motor with a given continuous duty power rating;
b) a power supply for the motor comprising an energy source and power control circuitry for providing electric energy to the motor in excess of the continuous power rating;
c) a switch for activating overspeed power to the motor; and
d) a temperature detector with associated control circuitry located on at least the motor or power supply component, wherein the switch engages the power supply to supply power in excess of the continuous power rating, the temperature detector continuously monitors temperature and the temperature detector associated control circuitry blocks the provision of power to the motor in excess of the motor'"'"'s continuous duty power rating upon detection of a high temperature by the temperature detector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Advances in electric power storage, monitoring, control and use in electric motors are described from the viewpoint of their optimal use in electric watercraft. Electric motor overspeed capability is provided to allow a wider range of performance from electric motors. Monitors and useful ways of constructing electric power supplies such as cost performance monitored batteries for electric motors and hydrogen absorbent chambers for fuel cells are further described. Such devices and methods provide greater efficiencies, greater convenience and improved flexibility for operators and riders of watercraft, land vehicles, airplanes and other devices.
245 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An overspeed mechanism for exceeding the continuous duty power output of an electric motor in a vehicle, comprising:
- a) an electric motor with a given continuous duty power rating;
b) a power supply for the motor comprising an energy source and power control circuitry for providing electric energy to the motor in excess of the continuous power rating;
c) a switch for activating overspeed power to the motor; and
d) a temperature detector with associated control circuitry located on at least the motor or power supply component, wherein the switch engages the power supply to supply power in excess of the continuous power rating, the temperature detector continuously monitors temperature and the temperature detector associated control circuitry blocks the provision of power to the motor in excess of the motor'"'"'s continuous duty power rating upon detection of a high temperature by the temperature detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- a) an electric motor with a given continuous duty power rating;
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12. An electric vehicle power supply usage efficiency monitor, comprising:
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a) an electrical signal receiving input that accepts a signal which indicates the relative or absolute state of power supply depletion;
b) at least one circuit or software program implemented in a microprocessor or other hardware that compares the input from a) with a factor that accounts for the cost of the power supply and that outputs a signal corresponding to both rate of power usage and state of power supply depletion; and
c) a signaling device that indicates cost or efficiency of power use to an operator of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A power supply status monitor for a fuel cell that alerts an operator of a higher cost condition of operating the fuel cell'"'"'s power supply comprising:
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a) an electrical signal receiving input that accepts a signal that indicates the relative or absolute state of power supply depletion;
b) at least one circuit or software program implemented in a microprocessor or other hardware that compares the input from a) with a range corresponding to the higher cost condition to determine when the range of higher cost of power supply use has been entered; and
c) a signaling device that indicates cost or efficiency of power use to an operator of the fuel cell. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A battery health monitor for a vehicle, comprising:
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a) a hardware circuit comprising i) signal inputs for a power demand signal and for a state of capacity signal, ii) at least a microprocessor or other circuitry for comparing the signal input with one or more stored values, iii) a temperature transducer that monitors the battery temperature, iv) a reference signal value corresponding to the status of a healthy battery, and v) an electrical output from the hardware circuit to indicate battery health; and
b) a signaling device that receives the electrical output from the hardware circuit to indicate battery health to an operator of the vehicle;
wherein the hardware circuit tests the battery'"'"'s ability to generate power by
1) asserting a known load on the battery,
2) measuring the battery output in response to the known load to generate a power demand signal,
3) compensating the power demand signal for power with a temperature signal from the temperature transducer, and
4) compensating the power demand signal with a state of capacity signal indicating the state of battery depletion, and
5) comparing the double compensated signal with a reference signal to generate the output signal indicating battery health. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A fuel cell health monitor for a vehicle, comprising:
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a) a hardware circuit comprising i) signal input for a power demand signal ii) at least a microprocessor or other circuitry for comparing the signal input with one or more stored values, iii) a reference signal value corresponding to the status of a healthy fuel cell, and iiv) an electrical output from the hardware circuit to indicate battery health; and
b) a signaling device that receives the electrical output from the hardware circuit to indicate fuel cell health to an operator of the vehicle;
wherein the hardware circuit tests a fuel cell parameter associated with the fuel cell'"'"'s ability to generate power by
1) asserting a known load on the fuel cell,
2) measuring the fuel cell output in response to the known load to generate a power demand signal,
3) comparing the measured output in response with a reference signal to generate the output signal indicating fuel cell health. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification