VEHICLE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
Methods and systems for using compressed gas in a vehicle. The methods include generating mechanical energy by expanding stored compressed gas through a turbine-compressor and distributing the mechanical energy to the engine, motor-generator, or a wheel. The compressed gas vehicle system includes a flask connected to a turbine-compressor, which may be interconnected to the engine and the motor-generator. The system may also include an electric wheel-motor connected electrically to the motor-generator.
1 . A method of using a compressed gas system in a vehicle, the method comprising:
generating mechanical energy by expanding stored compressed gas through a turbine-compressor; and
distributing the mechanical energy to at least one vehicle component requiring power.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical energy is distributed via a clutch.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the mechanical energy to generate electricity via a motor-generator.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the mechanical energy to drive at least one wheel.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein driving at least one wheel comprises providing power to an electric wheel motor used to drive the at least one wheel.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the mechanical energy to start an engine.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising supplementing the mechanical energy with engine-generated power.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising compressing gas into a flask using the turbine-compressor.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the turbine compressor is powered by the mechanical energy generated by at least one of: an engine, a motor-generator, and at least one wheel.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the motor-generator is powered by at least one of: a battery and a wheel motor-generator.
11 . A compressed gas vehicle system comprising:
a flask for storing compressed gas; and
a turbine compressor connected to the flask, the turbine-compressor being configured to be connected to an engine such that mechanical energy may be transferred between the turbine-compressor and the engine.
12 . The compressed gas vehicle system of claim 11 , wherein the turbine-compressor is further configured to be connected to a motor-generator such that mechanical energy may be transferred between the turbine-compressor, engine, and motor-generator.
13 . The compressed gas vehicle system of claim 12 , wherein the turbine-compressor is further configured to be connected to at least one wheel such that mechanical energy may be transferred between the turbine-compressor, engine, motor-generator, and the at least one wheel.
14 . The compressed gas vehicle system of claim 13 , wherein the connections between the turbine-compressor, engine, motor-generator, and the at least one wheel wheel are through a transmission.
15 . The compressed gas vehicle system of claim 12 , wherein the connections between the turbine-compressor, engine, and motor-generator are through a clutch.
16 . The compressed gas vehicle system of claim 12 , wherein at least one electric wheel-motor is connected electrically to the motor-generator.
17 . The compressed gas vehicle system of claim 12 , further comprising a control unit connected to control the turbine-compressor, the engine, the motor-generator, and the connection between the turbine-compressor, engine, and motor-generator, said control unit being configured to:
control the turbine-compressor to decompress a stored compressed gas to generate mechanical energy,
configure the connections between the turbine-compressor, engine, and motor-generator, and
start the engine using the mechanical energy generated by the turbine-compressor.
18 . The compressed gas vehicle system of claim 17 , further comprising at least one wheel, wherein the control unit is further configured to configure the connections between the turbine-compressor, engine, motor-generator, and wheel, to drive at least one wheel.
19 . The compressed gas vehicle system of claim 17 , further comprising at least one electric wheel motor connected electrically to the motor-generator, wherein the control unit is further configured to:
configure the connections to transfer the mechanical energy to the motor-generator,
control the motor-generator to provide power to at least one electric wheel motor.
20 . The compressed gas vehicle system of claim 12 , further comprising at least one wheel and a control unit connected to control the turbine-compressor, the engine, the motor-generator, and the connection between the turbine-compressor, engine, and motor-generator, said control unit being configured to:
configure the connection to supply mechanical energy to the turbine-compressor from at least one of: the engine, the motor-generator, and the wheel, and
control the turbine-compressor to compress a gas into the flask.