Regenerative motor propulsion systems

• US 20060175996A1
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Technipower Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Solomon Technologies Incorporated (Technipower Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tether, David Eugene
• Granted Patent: US 7,482,767 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/376
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/202 of hybrid electric type
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/20 the vessels being powered by combinations of different types of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 9/00 Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power wind-motors driving underwater propulsive elements B63H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 2003/046 using wind or water driven turbines or impellers for power generation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/00 Maritime or waterways transport
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/50 Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to the propulsion system
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A vehicle or watercraft regeneration system includes at least one electric motor capable of generating electricity and a controller for the at least one motor; wherein the controller to optimize the efficiency of the regeneration. The controller can optimize efficiency by including comprises circuitry for biasing the electric motor during regeneration. Also provided is a regeneration system that further comprises an electricity storage device such as a battery, a capacitor, an electrolysis unit that generates hydrogen from water, and a flywheel. In addition, an efficiency enhancing system for a watercraft or vehicle includes at least one electric motor capable of generating electricity; a controller for the at least one motor; and an electrical connection between the at least one motor and the controller, where in the controller adjust one or more magnetic fields of the electric motor during regeneration to optimize the efficiency of the regeneration. Methods for increasing efficiency of regeneration of a watercraft of vehicle powered by at least one electric motor are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A vehicle or watercraft regeneration system, comprising:

at least one electric motor on a vehicle or watercraft capable of generating electricity; and

a controller for the least one motor;

wherein the controller comprises circuitry for biasing the electric motor during regeneration to optimize the efficiency of the regeneration.

2. The vehicle or watercraft regeneration system of claim 1, wherein the controller circuitry biases the at least one motor by adjusting one or more electromagnetic fields.

3. The vehicle or watercraft regeneration system of claim 2, wherein controller circuitry biasing comprises an electromagnetic pulse of less than 1 second duration.

4. The vehicle or watercraft regeneration system of claim 2, wherein the biasing circuitry increases the rotational speed of the at least one motor while acting as a motor and before switching the at least one motor to a regeneration mode.

5. Vehicle or watercraft regeneration system of claim 1, further comprising a manual input that allows a user to switch the controller on or modify its operation.

6. The vehicle or watercraft regeneration system of claim 1, further comprising an electricity storage device selected from the group consisting of a battery, a capacitor, an electrolysis unit that generates hydrogen from water, and a flywheel.

7. The vehicle or watercraft regeneration system of claim 1, further comprising a data input signal for modifying or timing the controller adjustment.

8. The vehicle or watercraft regeneration system of claim 7, wherein the data input signal is selected from the group consisting of a deceleration signal, an acceleration signal, a tilt signal, a speed signal, a change in speed signal, a tilt or attitude signal, a signal corresponding to sail luft, a signal corresponding to wind activity, a signal corresponding to vehicle wheel slip, a signal corresponding to wave activity, a signal corresponding to propeller slip, a signal corresponding to the depletion state of a stored power supply, signal corresponding to back EMF voltage of a motor, and a signal corresponding to the amount of total stored power.

9. The vehicle or watercraft regeneration system of claim 1, wherein the controller biases the at least one electric motor to achieve a minimum rpm prior to a regeneration event.

10. A vehicle or watercraft regeneration system as described in claim 9, wherein the bias increases electric motor rpm by at least 10% prior to a regeneration event.

11. A vehicle or watercraft regeneration system as described in claim 8, comprising a watercraft that comprises a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding with a down wave travel event and the outputted signal triggers the controller to bias the motor.

12. A vehicle or watercraft regeneration system as described in claim 1, wherein the controller biases the at least one electric motor to decrease motor internal resistance to rotation.

13. A vehicle or watercraft regeneration system as described in claim 12, wherein the controller biases the at least one motor by pulsing the at least one motor.

14. A vehicle or watercraft regeneration system as described in claim 11, wherein the pulse is a current applied for less than 0.25 seconds and that energizes one or more field coils.

15. A watercraft comprising the regeneration system of claim 1.

16. A terrestrial vehicle comprising the regeneration system of claim 1.

17. A flying vehicle comprising the regeneration system of claim 1.

18. An efficiency enhancing system for a watercraft or vehicle, comprising:

at least one electric motor capable of generating electricity;

a controller for the at least one motor; and

an electrical connection between the at least on motor and the controller;

wherein the controller adjusts one or more magnetic fields of the electric motor during regeneration to optimize the efficiency of the regeneration.

19. The efficiency enhancing system of claim 18, wherein the at least one motor is a permanent magnet motor and the controller adjusts one or more electromagnetic fields that combine with the filed of the permanent magnet.

20. The efficiency enhancing system of claim 18, wherein the controller adjusts the one or more magnetic fields by adjusting the spacing between magnets by controlling at least one piezo electric device, solenoid device and/or screw mechanism.

21. The efficiency enhancing system of claim 18, further comprising at least one sensory input, selected from the group consisting of:

a throttle movement;

release of a throttle;

activation of a brake;

activation of a speed control lever or switch;

electrical power loss;

decrease in available electrical power;

a battery status signal;

a change in battery status;

a change in fuel cell status;

a status or change in status of a fuel cell chemical power reservoir;

a temperature or change in temperature;

a motor speed or change in motor speed;

a generator speed or change in generator speed;

a change in motor/generator speed;

an attitude indicator or change in attitude indicator;

an elevation or change in elevation;

a vehicle speed or change in vehicle speed;

a wind speed or change in wind speed;

a wave speed, change in wave speed;

a wave direction or change in wave direction;

a wind direction nor change in wind direction;

a deceleration or acceleration signal;

an electrical signal input by a user;

a computer output obtained from operation of a stored program;

a piezoelectric generated signal;

a distance indication;

a light indicator;

a sound indicator;

a vibration indicator;

a motor or generator or motor/generator efficiency measurement or calculation; and

/or a radio signal.

22. A kit for converting a watercraft or land vehicle to regeneration, comprising the drive system components of claim 18, a package to contain the drive system components, and instructions.

23. A method for increasing efficiency of regeneration of a watercraft or vehicle powered by at least one electric motor, comprising:

sensing when a regeneration event will occur;

activating one or more electric motors to place the one or more motors in a more efficient state of regeneration; and

regenerating electricity.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one electric motor is operably connected to a propeller of a watercraft or aircraft, and is energized to rotate the propeller at a minimum speed prior to at the beginning of a regeneration event.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the minimum speed is at least one fourth of the rated maximum motor speed.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the sensing step is carried out by a manual user input.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the sensing step is carried out by activation from a data input signal.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the data input signal is selected from the group consisting of a deceleration signal, an acceleration signal, a tilt signal, a speed signal, a change in speed signal, a tilt or attitude signal, a signal corresponding to sail flutter, a signal corresponding to wind activity, a signal corresponding to vehicle wheel slip, a signal corresponding to wave activity, a signal corresponding to propeller slip, a signal corresponding to sailing under wind power, a signal corresponding to the depletion state of a stored power supply, signal corresponding to back EMF voltage of a motor, and a signal corresponding to the amount of total stored power.

29. A sail boat regeneration system comprising:

a motor-generator coupled to a propeller;

a controller electrically connected to the motor-generator, the controller comprising circuitry for biasing the motor-generator to improve regeneration efficiency.

30. The regeneration system of claim 29, wherein the biasing circuitry is capable of pulsing the motor—

generator with electric current for less than 2 seconds.

31. The regeneration system of claim 29, wherein the controller comprises a computer that contains stored information that correlates boat speed with a suitable biasing signal.

32. The regeneration system of claim 29, further comprising at least one sensor input, wherein at lease one sensor input, wherein the controller receives the sensor input and uses the input to at lease trigger or modify a motor regeneration bias.

33. The regeneration system of claim 32, wherein at lease one sensor input corresponds to a wave cycle and is used by the controller to time a regeneration event.

34. The regeneration system of claim 32, wherein at least one sensor input corresponds to a wind condition.

35. The regeneration system of claim 32, wherein at lease one sensor input corresponds to a sail boat speed or attitude.

36. The regeneration system of claim 32, wherein at lease one sensor input corresponds to a wave condition.

37. The regeneration system of claim 29, wherein the bias comprises power applied to one or more electromagnets to increase motor rotational speed prior to a regeneration event.

38. A method of increasing regeneration efficiency of a sail boat that includes a motor-generator, comprising:

monitoring at least wave activity, wind activity, boat speed, boat attitude; and

motor speed to generate one or more signals;

determining a down wave condition suitable for a regeneration event from the one or more signals; and

biasing the motor-generator before or during the down wave condition for enhance regeneration performance.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein two signals are combined to produce a synergistic response.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the biasing comprises increasing motor rotation speed while driving up a wave.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the biasing comprises applying one or more pulses to the motor.

42. An adaptive learning system for improved braking performance of an electric or hybrid vehicle, comprising:

one or more electric motors capable of regeneration; and

a controller with a stored program and a braking input to the controller;

wherein the controller responds to a braking input by altering one or more magnetic fields of the one or more motors.

43. The adaptive learning system of claim 42, wherein the controller increases a magnetic field surrounding an armature to increase motor torque constant to accommodate a strong braking signal.

44. The adaptive learning system of claim 42, wherein the stored program modifies one or more parameters for adjusting a motor in response to a history of braking signals.