Energy harvester while in tow
The invention being presented uses the motors already included in an electric vehicle to charge its batteries while in tow. The charging process provided by the invention is compatible with the charging speed of current battery technology. It will provide an effective way of charging vehicles in theater, when other sources of electrical energy may not be available. Moreover, the proposed system can actually extend the brake life of the towing vehicle and improve performance boundaries of the overall system.
1. An intelligent charging system for
vehicles in tow, comprising: a tow vehicle;
a vehicle in tow;
a mechanical connection from the towed vehicle to the in towed vehicle that can apply forces from one vehicle to another;
a motor/generator on the towed vehicle;
a battery on the towed vehicle; and
a control system capable of controlling the amount of electrical power being generated by the generator/motor in the towed vehicle.
2. The system in claim 1 , further comprising
one or more slip sensors in the towed/or towing vehicle to measure slip and provide these measurements to the control system.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising
a sensor to measure tractive effort on one or more of the wheels of the towing vehicle or the towed vehicle and providing this information to the control system.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising
one or more sensors that can measure the force applied through the mechanical connection between the tower and the towed.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising
an inertial sensor, either at the tower or towed vehicle, and this information is provided to the control system.
6. The system of claim 1 ,
further comprising a sensor,
a brake pedal;
an acceleration pedal; and
providing this information to the control system.
7. The system of claim 2 , further comprising
a CAN or other intra-vehicle communication system is used to collect information on the sensors.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the control system adjusts the variation of the regenerative effort to minimize slip of
the towing vehicle, towed vehicle, or both.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the variation of the regenerative effort to maintain power plant load in the towing vehicle within an envelope.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the variation of the regenerative effort to minimize fuel consumption; and
regeneration occurs when the rpms of the towing vehicle's power plant are below a certain threshold.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the variation of the regenerative effort to only regenerate when the operator releases the accelerator pedal or presses on the brake; and
the system can increase or decrease the regenerated effort depending on the level of braking required by the operator.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the variation of the regenerative effort to minimize load on uphills, sandy terrain, gravel, or other terrain.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the variation of the regenerative effort to minimize regeneration on curves or areas where side loads may make the lead vehicle unstable.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the variation of the regenerative effort on each separate wheel of the towed vehicle to minimize cross forces at the tow bar.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the variation of the regenerative effort so that the battery charge level of the towed vehicle does not exceed a predetermined threshold.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the variation of the regenerative effort so that the battery charging rate never exceeds
a prescribed charging rate envelope.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the variation of the regenerative effort to minimize power plant for transmission overheating both at the tow vehicle or towed vehicle.
18. The systems in any one of claims 1 - 17 , where there may be two or more towing vehicles or two or more towed vehicles.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the towing vehicle is a ground vehicle, or an aerial vehicle, or a surface vehicle, or an underwater vehicle; and
the towed vehicle is either ground vehicle, aerial vehicle, surface vehicle, or underwater vehicle or any combination.
20. The system of claim 1 , wherein
instead of having a battery, the vehicle in tow has some other energy storage or energy usage element.
21. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the generator is used, has a motor to drain the battery and provide force to the towing vehicle.
22. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the vehicle with the power plant is behind the vehicle harvesting energy and charging.
23. The system of claim 1 , further comprising
a method for metering the amount of energy being transferred.
24. The system of claim 1 , wherein
the energy is harvested by the vehicle in tow, is shared by the rest of the vehicles attached to each other; and
the vehicle in tow might charge a battery of the towing vehicle.
25. The system of claim 1 , wherein
a GPS sensor or other localization mechanism is used to tell the control system of upcoming slopes; and
the control mechanism adjusts the regenerative effort of the vehicle in tow.