Vehicle drive system with energy recovery system and vehicle mounting same

• US 7,293,621 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2002
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charge-O-Matic Energy Recovery Devices LLC
• Original Assignee: Charge-O-Matic Energy Recovery Devices LLC
• Inventors: Long, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Christopher P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coolman; Vaughn
• Application Number:
  US10/236,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20030221882A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,891 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.2, 180/165, 180/65.3, 180/65.4, 180/65.6
• US Class Current: 180/165
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/30 using propulsion power stored mechanically, e.g. in fly-wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/10 Dynamic electric regenerative braking B60L7/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/10 in which the axes of the two members cross or intersect
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 280/05 Motorized golf carts

Abstract

A drive system with at least one power storage device and at least one motor intermittently energized and de-energized through coupling to the at least one power storage device. The drive having at least one weighted drive member coupled to the at least one motor. An at least one energy recovery device returns energy to the at least one power storage device when the motor is energized or when the motor is de-energized by intermittently engaging the at least one drive member. The system also comprises a drive unit coupled to said at least one weighted drive member such that the motor drives the at least one weighted drive member which in turn drives the drive train wherein when the at least one weighted drive member is disengaged from the drive train. The motor can remain in an energized state or become de-energized and energy recovery through the at last one energy recovery device can continue to return energy to the power storage device so long as the weighted drive member is driven.

Claims

1. A vehicle with an energy recovery drive system comprising:

a vehicle frame;

a drive support assembly including a weighted drive member, an at least one electric motor, a motor support plate, and a motor support carriage, wherein the drive support assembly is coupled to and movable relative to said vehicle frame;

at least one power storage device coupled to said frame and electrically coupled to said motor;

a driven shaft driven by said motor;

an at least one energy recovery device coupled to said driven shaft and turning at all times said driven shaft is turning; and

a drive unit selectively driven by said at least one electric motor and driving an at least one set of driven wheels, wherein the vertical movement of the entire drive support assembly relative to the drive unit couples or decouples the motor from the drive unit.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the weighted driven member is at a distal end of said driven shaft and wherein said drive unit is a traction member that is coupled to said driven shaft through the intermittent engagement with said weighted driven member such that said at least one set of driven wheels is selectively engageable through the intermittent engagement of the traction member with the weighted drive member.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said drive unit includes an infinitely variable transmission with at least one moving part of the infinitely variable transmission coupled to and driving said at least one energy recovery device and simultaneously through the infinitely variable transmission coupled to and driving said at least one set of driven wheels.

4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein said weighted drive member is an aluminum disc and is coupled to said driven shaft so as to be raised and lowered with said drive support assembly.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said at least one energy recovery device further comprises a first energy recovery device.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said first energy recovery device returns at least 10% of the energy used by said at least one motor.

7. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said first energy recovery device returns at least 30% of the energy used by said at least one motor.

8. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said first energy recovery device returns at least 60% of the energy used by said at least one motor.

9. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said at least one energy recovery device further comprises a second energy recovery device.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said second energy recovery device is coupled to said at least one set of driven wheels.

11. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein said second energy recovery device is coupled to said at least one electric motor.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said second energy recovery device is coupled to said driven shaft.

13. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the distance at which the weighted drive member contacts the traction member along a first side from a center point of the weighted drive member is proportional to the speed of the vehicle.

14. The vehicle of claim 1, distance at which the weighted drive member contacts the traction member along a second side from a center point of the weighted drive member is proportional to the speed in reverse of the vehicle.

15. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said at least one set of driven wheels further comprises a first and second set of wheels, said first and second set of wheels being driven simultaneously by said at least one motor.

16. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said at least one energy recovery device is mounted to said vehicle frame to return energy from motion of said vehicle.

44. The drive system of claim 1, wherein the at least one power storage device comprises a plurality of batteries storing electrical energy.

17. A drive system comprising:

at least one power storage device;

a drive support assembly including an at least one motor intermittently energized and de-energized through coupling to the at least one power storage device, a weighted drive member coupled to the at least one motor, and a motor support plate, the drive support assembly being coupled to a motor support carriage and the motor support carriage being coupled to and being movable in a vertical direction relative to a frame;

an at least one energy recovery device returning energy to the at least one power storage device when the motor is energized; and

a drive unit coupled to said at least one weighted drive member such that the motor drives the at least one weighted drive member which in turn drives the drive unit, wherein when the at least one weighted drive member is disengaged from the drive unit through the vertical movement of the motor support carriage, the weighted drive member remains in an energized state and at least one energy recovery device continues to return energy to the power storage device so long as the weighted drive member is driven.

18. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is coupled to the weighted drive member.

19. The drive system of claim 17, further comprising a clutch device intermittently engaged to couple the weighted drive member and the drive unit.

20. The drive system of claim 17, further comprising a switch that controls the flow of power from the power storage device to a controller that is coupled to the at least one motor, the controller energizing the at least one motor in response to the condition of the switch.

21. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the mass of the weighted drive member is concentrated towards the outside of the shape of the weighted drive member.

22. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is intermittently coupled to the weighted drive member through an intermittent engagement device.

23. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the weighted drive member is one of a conical, radial, spheroid, toroid, or elliptical shape.

24. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the weighted drive member is constructed from at least one of metals, epoxies, ceramics, woods, or plastics.

25. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is coupled to the weighted drive member.

26. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is coupled to the motor.

27. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is a tractive member coupled to an energy recovery mechanism.

28. The drive system of claim 27, wherein the energy recovery mechanism is at least one of a generator, an alternator, a permanent magnet device or a stator.

29. The drive system of claim 17, further comprising a controller, wherein said at least one energy recovery device is intermittently engaged in response to a control input from said controller.

30. The drive system of claim 29, wherein the control input is at least one of a foot pedal, a lever, a slideable switch, or a push button switch.

31. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the weighted drive member is a weighted disk-shaped member.

32. The drive system of claim 31, wherein the weighted disk-shaped member has a substantial amount of weight concentrated towards an outer diameter of the member.

33. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the at least on energy recovery device further comprises a first energy recovery device.

34. The drive system of claim 33, wherein the weighted drive member is intermittently coupled to the first energy recovery device through an intermittent engagement device, so that said weighted drive member drives said first energy recovery device when said intermittent engagement device is engaged.

35. The drive system of claim 34, wherein the first energy recovery device is a tractive member coupled to an energy recovery mechanism.

36. The drive system of claim 35, wherein the energy recovery mechanism is an at least one of an at least one generator, alternator or stator.

37. The drive system of claim 33, further comprising a controller, wherein the intermittent engagement device is coupled to the controller.

38. The drive system of claim 37, wherein the controller selectively engages the energy recovery device with the weighted drive member in response to a change in a control input.

39. The drive system of claim 33, wherein the intermittent engagement device is one of a spring with tension arm and micro controller, a switch with a motor and a screw, or a clutch mechanism.

40. The drive system of claim 17, wherein the drive unit is one of a traction drive unit, a hydrostatic drive unit, or an infinitely variable gear ratio drive unit.

41. The drive system of claim 33, wherein said at least one energy recovery device further comprises an additional energy recovery device returning power to the at least one energy storage device while the weighted drive member is moving.

42. The drive system of claim 33, wherein said at least one energy recovery device further comprises three or more energy recovery devices.

43. The drive system of claim 33, wherein said at least one energy recovery device further comprises a drive unit energy recovery device for recovering energy from the drive unit when the drive system is moving.

45. A drive system comprising:

an at least one power storage device;

a drive support assembly including an at least one motor intermittently energized and de-energized through coupling to the at least one power storage device, a weighted drive member coupled to the at least one motor, and a motor support plate, the drive assembly being coupled to a motor support carriage and the motor support carriage being coupled to and being movable in a vertical and horizontal direction relative to a frame;

an at least one energy recovery device returning energy to the at least one power storage device; and

a drive unit coupled to said at least one weighted drive member such that the at least one motor drives the at least one weighted drive member which in turn drives the drive unit, wherein when the motor is de-energized and the at least one weighted drive member is disengaged from the drive unit through the vertical motion of the motor support carriage, the weighted drive member remains in an energized state due to its kinetic enemy but is not driven by the at least one motor and the at least one enemy recovery device returns enemy to the power storage device.

46. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is intermittently applied to the weighted drive member upon de-energization of the motor.

47. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the drive system is used in a vehicle and the drive system continues to return energy to the at least one power storage device even after the vehicle is stopped.

48. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is simultaneously engaged with said at least one motor and continues to operate after the at least one motor is de-energized, recovering the kinetic energy remaining in the system.

49. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the energy recovery device operates after the drive unit has stopped being driven.

50. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is coupled to the weighted drive member.

51. The drive system of claim 45, further comprising a control input that controls the flow of power from the at least one power storage device to a controller that is coupled to the at least one motor, the controller energizing the at least one motor in response to the control input.

52. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the mass of the weighted drive member is concentrated towards a periphery of the shape of the weighted drive member.

53. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is intermittently coupled to the weighted drive member through an intermittent engagement device.

54. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is directly coupled to the weighted drive member.

55. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is coupled to the motor.

56. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is a tractive member coupled to an energy recovery mechanism.

57. The drive system of claim 56, wherein the energy recovery mechanism is a generator, an alternator, a permanent magnet device or a stator.

58. The drive system of claim 51, wherein the controller intermittently engages said at least one energy recovery device in response to a control input.

59. The drive system of claim 58, wherein the control input is one of a foot pedal, a lever, a slideable switch, or a push button switches.

60. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the weighted drive member is a weighted disk-shaped member.

61. The drive system of claim 60, wherein the weighted disk-shaped member has a substantial amount mass concentrated along an outer diameter of the member.

62. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the at least on energy recovery device further comprises a first energy recovery device.

63. The drive system of claim 62, wherein, the weighted drive member is intermittently coupled to the first energy recovery device through an intermittent engagement device.

64. The drive system of claim 63, wherein the first energy recovery device is a tractive member coupled to an energy recovery mechanism.

65. The drive system of claim 64, wherein the energy recovery mechanism is one of a generator, an alternator, a permanent magnet device or a stator.

66. The drive system of claim 63, further comprising a controller, wherein the intermittent engagement device is coupled to the controller.

67. The drive system of claim 66, wherein the controller selectively engages the at least one energy recovery device in response to a control input.

68. The drive system of claim 67, wherein the intermittent engagement device is one of a spring with tension arm and micro controller, a switch with a motor and a screw or a clutch mechanism.

69. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the drive unit is one of a traction drive train, a hydrostatic drive train, or an infinitely variable gear ratio transmission.

70. The drive system of claim 62, wherein the at least one energy recovery device further comprises a second energy recovery device.

71. The drive system of claim 45, wherein the at least one energy recovery device further comprises three or more energy recovery devices.

73. The drive system of claim 70, wherein the at least one energy recovery device further comprises a third energy recovery device for recovering energy from an at least one set of wheels driven by the drive unit.

72. The drive system of 70, wherein the at least one energy recovery device further comprises a third energy recovery device for recovering energy from the drive unit when the drive unit is moving.

74. A drive system comprising:

a drive support carriage comprising a frame, a set of rails, and at least one set of bearings providing support for a drive assembly comprising a weighted drive member, an at least one power source, and a power source support plate, wherein the at least one weighted drive member is moved so as to be intermittently engaged with a transmission unit through an at least one traction member, wherein the weighted drive member is moved vertically to engage the at least one traction member and the drive support carriage transitions freely in both vertical and horizontal directions relative to the transmission unit within the drive support carriage; and

an at least one energy recovery device is coupled to the at least one power source and driven simultaneously with the weighted drive member.

75. The drive system of claim 74, further comprising an at least one power storage device, the power source coupled to the at least one power storage device and a switch coupled to the at least one power storage device and to a controller, the switch energizing or de-energizing the at least one power source through the controller.

76. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the at least one power storage device is a battery bank.

77. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the power source is one of an electric, a hydraulic, or internal combustion motor.

78. The drive system of claim 77, wherein the power source is a DC electric motor.

79. The drive system of claim 74, further comprising a driven shaft extending from the power source having a gear box and a belt pulley coupled to the driven shaft and the at least one energy recovery device.

80. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the energy recovery device is an alternator.

81. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is coupled to the at least one power storage device to return energy to the at least one power storage device.

82. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is coupled to an at least one electrical accessory.

83. The drive system of claim 82, wherein the at least one electrical accessory is at least one of a GPS system, a sound system, and an air conditioning system.

84. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the at least one power source provides the at least one drive member with momentum and the at least one energy recovery device is driven by the momentum of the weighted drive member.

85. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the weighted drive member is a disc shaped member.

86. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the drive member is one of a conical, radial, spheroid, toroid, or elliptical shaped weighted drive member.

87. The drive system of claim 85, wherein disc shaped weighted member has a concentration of mass on an outer circumference of the member.

88. The drive system of claim 74, further comprising a drive assembly, the drive assembly comprising the motor, a gearbox coupled to the motor, and a motor support plate.

89. The drive system of claim 88, wherein the at least one energy recovery device comprises a first energy recovery device coupled via a pulley to the gearbox.

90. The drive system of claim 89, wherein the energy recovery device further comprises at least one of additional belt pulleys, gearing, electrical circuitry, electrical components or sensors.

91. The drive system of claim 88, further comprising sensors and electrical devices and a controller, wherein the sensors and electrical devices communicate the condition of at least one of the at least one power storage device, the drive assembly, and the transmission unit to the controller.

92. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the traction member is coupled to the transmission unit.

93. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the weighted drive member and a traction member are moved relative to one another to engage and disengage the transmission unit.

94. The drive system of claim 93, wherein the weighted drive member and the traction member are moved horizontally relative to one another to adjust the speed at which the transmission unit is driven.

95. The drive system of claim 74, further comprising a vacuum housing encasing the weighted drive member, the at least one energy recovery device, and the traction member.

96. The drive system of claim 74, further comprising at least one biasing element, wherein the biasing element raises the drive assembly and the drive support carriage and keeps the transmission unit disengaged from the weighted drive member.

97. The drive system of claim 96, further comprising a vertical adjustment mechanism that lowers the drive assembly and the drive support carriage against the at least one biasing element.

98. The drive system of claim 74, further comprising a horizontal adjustment mechanism for movement of the drive assembly in the horizontal direction relative to the transmission unit.

99. The drive system of claim 98, wherein the vertical adjustment mechanism is at least one of a motor and a camshaft, a spring member, a screw gear, a worm gear, a ratcheting gear, or a hydraulic piston.

100. The drive system of claim 99, further comprising a controller for controlling a horizontal transitioning of the transmission unit relative to the drive assembly.

101. The drive system of claim 99, further comprising a controller for controlling the vertical transitioning of the drive support carriage relative to the transmission unit.

102. The drive system of claim 99, wherein the drive assembly moves on the support rails supported by the support members of the drive support carriage.

103. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the position of the weighted drive member relative to the transmission unit adjusts the speed at which the drive system is driven.

104. The drive system of claim 103, wherein a controller is connected to a control input.

105. The drive system of claim 103, wherein the controller is one of an electric control system, a hydraulic control system, a computer control system or a combination therein.

106. The drive system of claim 104, wherein the controller in response to the control input activates a transitioning motor which in turn moves at least one of the drive support carriage or drive assembly in relation to the transmission unit.

107. The drive system of claim 96, wherein the support members are a set of over-under rollers traveling along rails with a screw drive.

108. The drive system of claim 96, wherein the set of bearings are a set of linear bearings and further comprising a worm gear connected to a motor.

109. The drive system of claim 104, wherein the controller can be utilized to control the position of the drive assembly and the drive support carriage in both horizontal and vertical directions.

110. The drive system of claim 74, further comprising additional energy return devices coupled to the at least one power source.

111. The drive system of claim 74, further comprising additional energy return devices that are coupled to a driven shaft associated with the at least one power source.

112. The drive system of claim 74, further comprising additional energy return devices coupled directly to the weighted drive member.

113. The drive system of claim 74, further comprising additional energy return devices coupled indirectly to the weighted drive member.

114. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is a first energy recovery device and a second energy recovery device.

115. Tic drive system of claim 114, wherein the first and second energy recovery devices simultaneously contact the weighted drive member with a respective first tractive and first and second tractive wheel that turns the second energy recovery device.

116. The drive system of claim 115, wherein the second energy recovery device intermittently contacts the weighted drive member.

149. The drive system of claim 74, wherein the at least one energy recovery device is coupled to an at least one accessory energy storage device coupled to an at least one accessory.

117. A drive system comprising:

at least one power storage device;

a motor support carriage with a motor assembly, the motor assembly including at least one motor coupled to the at least one power storage device, wherein the motor is initially de-energized and the motor becomes energized when coupled to the power storage device;

a weighted drive member driven by the motor and intermittently engaging a transmission unit and wherein a traction member is intermittently moved in a vertical or horizontal direction relative to the weighted drive member and couples the energy return device to the at least one weighted drive member;

a clutch device between the weighted drive member and a torque plate, the torque plate communicating with the transmission unit; and

at least one energy return device coupled to the at least one power storage device and intermittently engaged when the motor is de-energized.

118. The drive system of 117, further comprising a switch coupled between the at least one power storage device and the motor, wherein the switch de-energizes and energizes the motor.

119. The drive system of 118, wherein the switch is coupled to a control input.

120. The drive system of 119, wherein the control input is coupled to a controller that is coupled to the motor and the controller activates the motor in response to input from the control input.

121. The drive system of 120, wherein in response to engaging the control input the motor is energized by the controller.

122. The drive system of 117, wherein the torque plate is intermittently engaged with the transmission unit.

123. The drive system of 122, further comprising a controller and a control input, wherein signals from the control input activates the controller, which engages and disengages the clutch device.

124. The drive system of 122, further comprising a controller and a control input and an additional control input, wherein signals from the control input activate the clutch device and signals from the additional control input disengages the clutch device.

125. The drive system of 117, wherein the clutch device is one of a mechanical, a hydrostatic, or an electrical.

148. The system of claim 125, wherein the the torque plate further comprises a depression section, and the traction member is disengaged when coupled within the depression section and engaged when coupled outside of the depression section.

126. The drive system of 121, wherein the controller provides a delay to allow the motor to spin up the weighted drive member to a specified rotational speed before engaging the traction member.

127. The drive system of 117, wherein the motor is one of an electric, a hydraulic, or an internal combustion motor.

128. The drive system of 127, wherein the motor is a DC electric motor.

129. The drive system of 127, wherein the motor is an internal combustion engine.

130. The drive system of 117, wherein the a motor support carriage comprises a frame, at least one set of support rails and at least one set of support members.

131. The drive system of claim 130, further comprising a drive assembly comprising the weighted drive member, the motor assembly, a motor support plate, and the at least one energy recovery device, the drive assembly being coupled to the motor support carriage.

132. The drive system of 131, wherein the drive assembly is supported on the least one set of support rails with the at least one set of support members.

133. The drive system of 132, wherein the drive assembly transitions freely in the horizontal direction relative to the transmission unit to control the speed of the vehicle.

134. The drive system of 133, further comprising a transitioning motor coupled to the drive assembly to transition at least one of the motor support carriage and the drive assembly.

135. The drive system of 134, wherein the horizontal motion and placement of the drive assembly relative to the transmission unit determines the speed of the drive system and is controlled by a controller coupled to a control input.

136. The drive system of 135, wherein the at least one energy recovery device comprises a first energy recovery device mounted on the motor support plate within the motor assembly.

137. The drive system of 136, wherein the first energy recovery device remains in contact with the weighted drive member at a set distance from a center-point of the weighted drive member.

138. The drive system of 137, further comprising a second energy recovery device.

145. The drive system of claim 138, wherein said first energy recovery device is attached to the motor support carriage at a fixed distance relative to the center point of the weighted drive member.

139. The drive system of 138, wherein the second energy recovery device is driven directly from the motor.

140. The drive system of 138, wherein the second energy recovery device is driven by a gearbox that is driven directly from the motor.

141. The drive system of 139, wherein the second energy recovery device is also engaged while the motor is energized.

142. The drive system of 138, wherein the first energy recovery device is mounted on the motor support carriage.

143. The drive system of 142, wherein the first energy recovery device includes a tractive wheel that moves over the top of the weighted drive member as the weighted drive member returns to its starting position.

144. The drive system of 138, wherein both energy recovery devices can be operated simultaneously with the motor.

146. The drive system of 138, wherein the first energy recovery device is free to move horizontally relative to the weighted drive member.

147. The drive system of 146, wherein the first energy recovery device engages a shaft extending from the motor.