ENERGY STORAGE AND CHARGING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20100225282A1
• Filed: 05/17/2010
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitchell Andrew Paasch
• Original Assignee: Mitchell Andrew Paasch
• Inventors: Paasch, Mitchell Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,476,863 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/152
• 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 8/006 Converting flow of air into electric energy, e.g. by using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 1/04 having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels F03D9/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/11 storing electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/32 on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/941 which is a land vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1415 with a generator driven by a prime mover other than the motor of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors

Abstract

In a vehicle charging system, conservation of energy may be achieved by an energy-routing device that selectively routes electrical energy generated from moving air to an energy-storage device, to an energy-dissipation device, or to both. The determination of where to route the electrical energy may be based on sensor measurements of voltage, current, and temperature. A processor may use measurements of sensors within the system to determine whether the energy-storage device may safely or efficiently store additional electrical energy.

Claims

1. A method for regulating the storage of energy within a vehicle comprising:

channeling a moving volume of air through an air duct connecting an intake port to an exhaust port;

converting kinetic energy from the moving volume of air into electrical energy using an electromechanical conversion device;

determining whether to store the electrical energy with an energy-storage device; and

selectively routing electrical energy to the energy-storage device, to an energy-dissipation device, or to both.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining whether to store the electrical energy with an energy-storage device comprises:

performing a temperature measurement of the energy-storage device;

storing the electrical energy when the measured temperature is within a predefined range; and

dissipating the electrical energy when the measured temperature is within a predefined range.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining whether to store the electrical energy with an energy-storage device comprises:

performing a voltage measurement of a voltage potential across the energy-storage device;

storing the electrical energy when the measured voltage potential is within a predefined range; and

dissipating the electrical energy when the measured voltage potential is within a predefined range.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining whether to store the electrical energy with an energy-storage device comprises:

performing a current measurement of an electrical current flowing into or out of the energy-storage device;

storing the electrical energy when the measured current is within a predefined range; and

dissipating the electrical energy when the measured current is within a predefined range.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the step of determining whether to store the electrical energy with an energy-storage device comprises determining the electrical energy requirements of an electrical system of the vehicle; and

the step of selectively routing electrical energy comprises routing the electrical energy according to the determined electrical energy requirements.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of converting kinetic energy from the moving volume of air into electrical energy using an electromechanical conversion device comprises converting the electrical energy into direct current using a rectifier.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of selectively routing electrical energy to the energy-storage device, to an energy-dissipation device, or to both comprises dividing the electrical energy according to the determination of whether to store the electrical energy with an energy-storage device.

8. An electrical charging system for a vehicle comprising:

an intake port and an exhaust port located on the body of the vehicle;

an air duct connecting the intake port to the exhaust port;

an impeller rotatably mounted within the air duct;

an electromechanical conversion device mechanically connected to the impeller;

an energy-storage device;

an energy-dissipation device; and

an energy-routing device selectively making an electrical connection between the electromechanical conversion device and the energy-storage device, the energy-dissipation device, or both.

9. The electrical charging system of claim 8 wherein the electromechanical conversion device is selected from the group consisting of a permanent magnet type alternator, an electromagnet type alternator, or any other type of alternator.

10. The electrical charging system of claim 8 wherein the energy-routing device is selected from the group consisting of a switch, a potentiometer, a multiplexer, and a thyristor.

11. The electrical charging system of claim 8 further comprising a processor controllably connected to the energy-routing device.

12. The electrical charging system of claim 11 wherein the processor is connected to an electronic display.

13. The electrical charging system of claim 8 further comprising a temperature sensor wherein the temperature sensor is connected to the processor, and the temperature sensor is located adjacent to the electrical energy-storage device.

14. The electrical charging system of claim 8 wherein the energy-storage device is selected from the group consisting of a capacitor and a battery.

15. The electrical charging system of claim 8 wherein the impeller and the electromechanical conversion device are connected by an electromagnetic clutch.

16. An electrical charging system comprising:

an air duct;

an impeller rotatably mounted within the air duct;

an alternator mechanically connected to the impeller;

an energy-storage device;

an energy-dissipation device; and

a switch selectively connecting the alternator to the energy-storage device, the energy-dissipation device, or both.

17. The electrical charging system of claim 16 further comprising a processor operatively connected to the switch, wherein the processor determines whether the switch selectively connects the alternator to the energy-storage device, the energy-dissipation device, or both.

18. The electrical charging system of claim 17 further comprising at least one of:

a temperature sensor located adjacent to the energy storing device and communicatively connected to the processor;

a voltage sensor communicatively connected to the processor; and

a current sensor communicatively connected to the processor.

19. The electrical charging system of claim 16 further comprising a rectifier connecting the energy-storage device and the alternator.

20. The electrical charging system of claim 16 wherein the alternator is selected from a group consisting of a permanent magnet type alternator, an electromagnet type alternator, or any other type of alternator.