Hybrid drive system
First Claim
1. A hybrid powered vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a propulsion unit configured to propel the vehicle body, a battery unit configured to supply sufficient power to the propulsion unit to propel the vehicle body, the battery unit comprising a battery configured to store electric power, a battery unit controller, a battery unit sensor configured to detect at least one operational characteristic of the battery and emit a signal including battery data indicative of the operational characteristic of the battery, and a battery unit memory configured to store the battery data, the battery unit being formed as integral unit, a fuel cell unit configured to supply sufficient power to the propulsion unit to propel the vehicle body, the fuel cell unit comprising a fuel cell configured to generate electrical power from a flow of fuel therethrough, a fuel cell unit controller, a fuel cell unit sensor configured to detect at least one operational characteristic of the fuel cell and emit a signal including fuel cell data indicative of the operational characteristic of the fuel cell, and a fuel cell unit memory configured to store the fuel cell data, the fuel cell unit being configured as an integral unit, and a main controller configured to selectively supply power from the battery unit and the fuel cell unit to the propulsion unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hybrid-driven device includes an electric power storage device and a fuel cell. The hybrid-driven device can be a vehicle such as a motorcycle, scooter, watercraft, an automobile, and the like. The electric power storage device, such as a battery, and a fuel cell, can be formed into independent unitary modules, each having a controller. Each of the modules can be removably mounted as a unit to the vehicle. Additionally, each independent module can include sensors for detecting a state of the respective module. Each module can also include memory for storing data gathered by the sensors. The vehicle can also include a controller which controls the electrical power storage device and the fuel cell to provide smooth operation of the device.
118 Citations
15 Claims
- 1. A hybrid powered vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a propulsion unit configured to propel the vehicle body, a battery unit configured to supply sufficient power to the propulsion unit to propel the vehicle body, the battery unit comprising a battery configured to store electric power, a battery unit controller, a battery unit sensor configured to detect at least one operational characteristic of the battery and emit a signal including battery data indicative of the operational characteristic of the battery, and a battery unit memory configured to store the battery data, the battery unit being formed as integral unit, a fuel cell unit configured to supply sufficient power to the propulsion unit to propel the vehicle body, the fuel cell unit comprising a fuel cell configured to generate electrical power from a flow of fuel therethrough, a fuel cell unit controller, a fuel cell unit sensor configured to detect at least one operational characteristic of the fuel cell and emit a signal including fuel cell data indicative of the operational characteristic of the fuel cell, and a fuel cell unit memory configured to store the fuel cell data, the fuel cell unit being configured as an integral unit, and a main controller configured to selectively supply power from the battery unit and the fuel cell unit to the propulsion unit.
- 6. A hybrid-powered vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a propulsion device configured to propel the vehicle body, first and second power supply sources being different from each other, each power supply source being configured to supply sufficient power to drive the propulsion device, a controller configured to determine an amount of power available from each of the first and second power supply sources, the controller being configured to calculate an approximate travel range of the vehicle based on the amount of power available from the first and second power supply sources, wherein the first power source is a fuel cell and the second power source is a battery, the controller being configured to determine a fuel consumption ratio of the fuel cell and a capacity consumption ratio of the battery, the controller also being configured to determine the approximate travel range based on the fuel consumption ratio and the capacity consumption ratio.
- 11. A hybrid-powered vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a propulsion device configured to propel the vehicle body, first and a second power supply sources being different from each other, each power supply source being configured to supply sufficient power to drive the propulsion device, a controller configured to determine an amount of power available from each of the first and second power supply sources, the controller including means for calculating an approximate travel range of the vehicle based on the amount of power available from the first and second power supply sources, wherein the first power source is a fuel cell and the second power source is a battery, the means for calculating including means for determining a fuel consumption ratio of the fuel cell and a capacity consumption ratio of the battery, the means for calculating including means for determining the approximate travel range based on the fuel consumption ratio and the capacity consumption ratio.
Specification