System for storing and using deceleration energy

• US 5,125,469 A
• Filed: 03/04/1991
• Issued: 06/30/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerald A. Scott
• Original Assignee: Gerald A. Scott
• Inventors: Scott, Gerald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): MAR, MICHAEL Y
• Application Number:
  US07/664,281
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 180/65.3, 180/65.1, 180/65.4, 180/65.6, 180/165, 318/139, 60/414, 60/716, 322/11
• US Class Current: 180/65.25
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/48 Parallel type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/485 Motor-assist type
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/52 Driving a plurality of drive axles, e.g. four-wheel drive
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/48 Inputs being a function of acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 Hybrid vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 903/916 with plurality of drive axles

Abstract

A system for storing deceleration energy from a motor vehicle and for using the stored deceleration energy to assist in accelerating the motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the system comprises a generator mechanically coupled to the drive train for converting deceleration energy to electrical energy, means electrically coupled to the generator for storing the electrical energy outputted by the generator, a motor mechanically coupled to the drive train and electrically coupled to the storing means for converting the stored electrical energy to mechanical energy used to assist in accelerating the motor vehicle, and a detector/switch for determining whether the motor vehicle is decelerating, accelerating, or neither and for switching the generator on and the motor off when the motor vehicle is decelerating for switching the generator off and the motor on when the motor vehicle is accelerating, and for switching the generator off and the motor off when the motor vehicle is neither accelerating nor decelerating.

Claims

1. A system for storing deceleration energy from a motor vehicle and for using the stored deceleration energy to at least assist in accelerating the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle includes an engine, a wheel axle having a wheel mounted on each end thereof, and a drive shaft having a first piece coupled to the engine and a second piece coupled to the wheel axle, the system comprising:

a) means for storing electrical energy;

b) a generator, mechanically coupled to said drive shaft and electrically coupled to said storing means, for converting deceleration energy into electrical energy;

c) a motor, mechanically coupled to said drive shaft and electrically coupled to said storing means, for converting the stored electrical energy into mechanical energy; and

d) switch means for switching the generator on and the motor off when the motorized vehicle is decelerating, for switching the generator off and the motor on when the motorized vehicle is accelerating, and for switching the generator off and the motor off when the motorized vehicle is neither decelerating nor accelerating, wherein said switch means comprises a coupling, said coupling having an outer ring shaped component coupled to said second piece of said drive shaft, said outer ring shaped component being shaped to include a pair of inwardly extending projections, and an inner annular shaped component coupled to said first piece of said drive shaft, said inner annular shaped component being shaped to include a pair of appropriately sized slots adapted to receive said inwardly extending projections, and a pair of sending units, one of said pair of sending units being mounted on one of said pair of inwardly extending projections for actuating said generator when said outer ring shaped component rotates faster than said inner annular shaped component, the other of said pair of sending units being mounted on the other of said pair of inwardly extending projections for actuating said motor when said inner annular shaped component rotates faster than said outer ring shaped component.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generator and said motor are separate components.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generator and said motor are the same.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a capacitor interconnecting said generator and said storing means.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said sending units comprises a tubular housing of conductive material closed at one end, a piston slidably mounted in said tubular housing, a coil spring whose conductivity increases as it is compressed, said coil spring being disposed within said housing between said piston and said closed end of said housing, and an outer spring disposed outside of said housing and extending between the closed end of said housing and said inner annular shaped component.

6. A motorized vehicle comprising:

a) a wheel axle, said wheel axle having a wheel mounted on each end;

b) an engine for use in driving the rotation of said wheel axle;

c) a drive shaft including a first piece and a second piece, said first piece being mechanically coupled to said engine and said second piece being mechanically coupled to said wheel axle;

d) means for storing electrical energy; and

e) a drive shaft assembly interconnecting said first piece of said drive shaft and said second piece of said drive shaft, said drive shaft assembly including;

i) a generator, mechanically coupled to said second piece of said drive shaft and electrically coupled to said storing means, for converting deceleration energy into electrical energy,

ii) a motor, mechanically coupled to said second piece of said drive shaft and electrically coupled to said storing means, for converting the stored electrical energy into mechanical energy, and

iii) switch means for switching the generator on and the motor off when the motorized vehicle is decelerating, for switching the generator off and the motor on when the motorized vehicle is accelerating, and for switching the generator off and the motor off when the motorized vehicle is neither decelerating nor accelerating, wherein said switch means comprises a coupling, said coupling having an outer ring shaped component coupled to said second piece of said drive shaft, said outer ring shaped component being shaped to include a pair of inwardly extending projections, and an inner annular shaped component coupled to said first piece of said drive shaft, said inner annular shaped component being shaped to include a pair of appropriately sized slots adapted to receive said inwardly extending projections, and a pair of sending units, one of said pair of sending units being mounted on one of said pair of inwardly extending projections for actuating said generator when said outer ring shaped component rotates faster than said inner annular shaped component, the other of said pair of sending units being mounted on the other of said pair of inwardly extending projections for actuating said motor when said inner annular shaped component rotates faster than said outer ring shaped component.

7. The motorized vehicle as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said sending units comprises a tubular housing of conductive material closed at one end, a piston slidably mounted in said tubular housing, a coil spring whose conductivity increases as it is compressed, said coil spring being disposed within said housing between said piston and said closed end of said housing, and an outer spring disposed outside of said housing and extending between the closed end of said housing and said inner annular shaped component.

8. A system for storing deceleration energy from a motor vehicle and for using the stored deceleration energy to at least assist in accelerating the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle includes an engine, a wheel axle having a wheel mounted on each end thereof, and a drive shaft having a first piece coupled to the engine and a second piece coupled to the wheel axle, the system comprising:

a) means for storing electrical energy;

b) a generator, mechanically coupled to said drive shaft and electrically coupled to said storing means, for converting deceleration energy into electrical energy;

c) a motor, mechanically coupled to said drive shaft and electrically coupled to said storing means, for converting the stored electrical energy into mechanical energy; and

d) switch means for switching the generator on and the motor off when the motorized vehicle is decelerating, for switching the generator off and the motor on when the motorized vehicle is accelerating, and for switching the generator off and the motor off when the motorized vehicle is neither decelerating nor accelerating, wherein said switch means comprises a coupling, said coupling having an outer ring shaped component coupled to said second piece of said drive shaft, said outer ring shaped component being shaped to include a pair of inwardly extending projections, and an inner annular shaped component coupled to said first piece of said drive shaft, said inner annular shaped component being shaped to include a pair of appropriately sized slots adapted to receive said inwardly extending projections, first actuating means mounted on one of said pair of inwardly extending projections for actuating said generator when a greater rotational force is imparted to said outer ring shaped component than to said inner annular shaped component, and second actuating means mounted on the other of said pair of inwardly extending projections for actuating said motor when a greater rotational force is imparted to said inner annular shaped component than to said outer ring shaped component.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said first actuating means comprises a sending unit comprising a tubular housing of conductive material closed at one end and open at the opposite end, a piston slidably mounted in said open end of said tubular housing, said piston being adapted to be compressed by said inner annular shaped component when a greater rotational force is imparted to said outer ring shaped component than to said inner annular shaped component, a coil spring whose conductivity increases as it is compressed, said coil spring being disposed within said housing between said piston and said closed end of said housing, and an outer spring disposed outside of said housing and extending between the closed end of said housing and said inner annular shaped component and wherein said second actuating means comprises a sending unit comprising a tubular housing of conductive material closed at one end and open at the opposite end, a piston slidably mounted in said open end of said tubular housing said piston being adapted to be compressed by said inner annular shaped component when a greater rotational force is imparted to said inner annular shaped component than to said outer ring shaped component, a coil spring whose conductivity increases as it is compressed, said coil spring being disposed within said housing between said piston and said closed end of said housing, and an outer spring disposed outside of said housing and extending between the closed end of said housing and said inner annular shaped component.