ELECTRIC TRACTOR

• US 20090223724A1
• Filed: 02/25/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solectrac, Inc. (Ideanomics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Stephen Heckeroth
• Inventors: Heckeroth, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,828,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/2.200
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/00 Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00; electric transmission arrangements B60K17/12; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles per se B60L; current-collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 16/00 Arrangements in connection with power supply of propulsion units in vehicles from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind B60L8/00; marine propulsion by wind motors driving water-engaging propulsive elements B63H13/00; wind motors specially adapted for installation on vehicles F03D9/32
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/40 Working vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/221 Tractors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

An electric tractor including a frame having a front end and a longitudinal axis between its front and rear ends. At least one drive wheel is provided for propelling the electric tractor and at least one electric motor for powering the at least one drive wheel. A pair of rails extend parallel to one another in a spaced apart relationship along the longitudinal axis and a first battery pack sized to be received in a plurality of locations along the rails, the first battery pack being selectively in electrical contact with the at least one electric motor once received on the rails.

Claims

1. An electric tractor comprising a frame having a front end and rear end, a longitudinal axis between said front and rear ends, at least one drive wheel for propelling said electric tractor and at least one electric motor for powering said at least one drive wheel, a pair of rails extending parallel to one another in a spaced apart relationship along said longitudinal axis, a battery pack sized to be received in a plurality of locations along said rails, said battery pack being selectively in electric contact with said at least one electric motor once received on said rails.

2. The electric tractor of claim 1 wherein said battery pack is positionable and securable continuously from said front end to said rear end of said electric tractor along said rails.

3. The electric tractor of claim 1 further comprising a second battery pack positionable and supportable by said frame in a location other than by said rails.

4. The electric tractor of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of battery packs simultaneously positionable and securable along said rails.

5. The electric tractor of claim 1 wherein a continuous track is positioned on each side of said frame, each driven by at least one drive wheel.

6. The electric tractor of claim 1 further comprising solar cells for charging said battery pack.

7. The electric tractor of claim 1 wherein a plurality of drive wheels are provided, each drive wheel being driven by an electric motor.

8. The electric tractor of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of rollers located between said battery pack and pair of rails to facilitate slideable positioning of said battery pack along said frame.

9. The electric tractor of claim 1 wherein said battery pack is positioned on said frame such that the center of gravity of said electric tractor is lowered thereby.

10. The electric tractor of claim 1 wherein a load is positioned proximate its rear end and said battery pack is positioned proximate its front end to counter balance said load.

11. The electric tractor of claim 1 wherein a load is positioned proximate its front end and said battery pack is positioned proximate its rear end to counter balance said load.

12. An electric tractor comprising a frame having a front end supporting a front end loader and a rear end, at least one drive wheel for propelling said electric tractor and at least one electric motor for powering said at least one drive wheel, a hitch extending from said rear end, said hitch supporting a battery, said battery acting as a counter balance for said front end loader and for powering said at least one electric motor.

13. An electric tractor comprising a frame having a front end and rear end, a longitudinal axis between said front end and rear ends, at least one drive wheel for propelling said electric tractor and at least one electric motor for powering said at least one drive wheel, a primary battery supported by said frame being selectively in electric contact with said at least one electric motor, a pair of rails extending parallel to one another in a spaced apart relationship along said longitudinal axis for receipt of at least one secondary battery pack in a plurality of locations thereon.

14. The electric tractor of claim 13 wherein said secondary battery pack is positionable continuously from said front end to said rear end of said electric tractor along said rails.

15. The electric tractor of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of secondary battery packs simultaneously positionable and securable along said rails.

16. The electric tractor of claim 13 wherein a continuous track is positioned on each side of said frame, each driven by at least one drive wheel.

17. The electric tractor of claim 13 further comprising solar cells for charging said primary and secondary battery packs.

18. The electric tractor of claim 13 wherein a plurality of drive wheels are provided, each drive wheel being driven by an electric motor.

19. The electric tractor of claim 13 further comprising a plurality of rollers located between said secondary battery pack and a pair of rails to facilitate slideable positioning of said secondary battery pack along said frame.

20. The electric tractor of claim 13 wherein said secondary battery pack is positioned on said frame such that the center of gravity of said electric tractor is lowered thereby.

21. The electric tractor of claim 13 wherein a load is positioned proximate its rear end and said secondary battery pack is positioned proximate its front end to counter balance said load.

22. The electric tractor of claim 13 wherein a load is positioned proximate its front end and said secondary battery pack is positioned proximate its rear end to counter balance said load.

23. A method of installing a battery onto the frame of an electric tractor, said electric tractor comprising a frame having a front end and a rear end and a longitudinal axis between said front and rear ends, at least one drive wheel for propelling said electric tractor and at least one electric motor for powering said at least one drive wheel, and a pair of rails extending parallel to one another in a spaced apart relationship along said longitudinal axis, said method comprising positioning said battery fore or aft of said electric tractor proximate said rails, moving said electric tractor over said battery pack and lowering said battery pack onto said rails.