Chassis mounted energy extraction and delivery system
A chassis mounted energy extraction and delivery system. In one embodiment, a gravity-referenced, external tire inflation facility is integrated into an aerodynamic fairing mounted on the chassis of a vehicle. In one other embodiment, a torsion bar coupled between a hub-mounted energy extraction or delivery facility and a selected portion of the chassis provides a cross-referenced fixed point of reference. In a dual-axle embodiment, a first end of the torsion bar is coupled to the hub of one axle and a second end of the torsion bar is coupled to the hub of the other axle. In a single-axle embodiment, the second end of the torsion bar is coupled to the chassis.
1. A torsion tube facility adapted for use with:
a vehicle comprising a chassis, the chassis comprising a first axle having a first hub and a second axle comprising a second hub;
the torsion tube facility comprising:
a torsion tube having first and second ends;
a first rotary coupling adapted to couple the first end of the torsion tube to the first hub; and
a second rotary coupling adapted to couple the second end of the torsion tube to the second hub.
2. The torsion tube facility of claim 1 , wherein the torsion tube is a variable length torsion tube.
3. The torsion tube facility of claim 1 , wherein the first rotary coupling further comprises:
a first stator adapted to be coupled to the first end of the torsion tube; and
a first rotor adapted to be coupled to, and rotate with, the first hub.
4. The torsion tube facility of claim 3 , further comprising:
a first rotational energy facility comprising:
a second stator adapted to be coupled to the first stator; and
a second rotor adapted to be coupled to the first rotor.
5. The torsion tube facility of claim 4 , wherein the first rotational energy facility comprises a selected one of a pump, a generator and a motor.
6. The torsion tube facility of claim 4 , wherein the second rotary coupling further comprises:
a third stator adapted to be coupled to the second end of the torsion tube; and
a third rotor adapted to be coupled to, and rotate with, the second hub.
7. The torsion tube facility of claim 6 , further comprising:
a second rotational energy facility comprising:
a fourth stator adapted to be coupled to the second stator; and
a fourth rotor adapted to be coupled to the second rotor.
8. The torsion tube facility of claim 7 , wherein the second-rotational energy facility comprises a selected one of a pump, a generator and a motor.
9. A torsion tube system for a vehicle comprising a chassis with a first axle having a first hub, the torsion tube system comprising:
a torsion tube having a first end and a second end;
a first rotary coupling adapted to couple the first end of the torsion tube to the first hub of the vehicle; and
a second coupling adapted to couple the second end of the torsion tube to the chassis.
10. The torsion tube system of claim 9 , wherein the torsion tube is a telescoping torsion tube.
11. The torsion tube system of claim 9 , wherein the chassis further comprises a second axle having a second hub and wherein the second coupling is a second rotary coupling adapted to couple the second end of the torsion tube to the second hub.
12. The torsion tube system of claim 11 , wherein the torsion tube is a telescoping torsion tube.
13. The torsion tube system of claim 11 , wherein:
the first rotary coupling comprises:
a first stator adapted to be coupled to the first end of the torsion tube; and
a first rotor adapted to be coupled to, and rotate with, the first hub;
the second rotary coupling comprises:
a second stator adapted to be coupled to the second end of the torsion tube; and
a second rotor adapted to be coupled to, and rotate with, the second hub.
14. The torsion tube system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a first rotational energy facility comprising:
a third stator adapted to be coupled to the second stator; and
a third rotor adapted to be coupled to the second rotor;
a second rotational energy facility comprising:
a fourth stator adapted to be coupled to the second stator; and
a fourth rotor adapted to be coupled to the second rotor.
15. The torsion tube facility of claim 1 , wherein the first rotary coupling comprises a rotary union configured to support the torsion tube.
16. The torsion tube facility of claim 4 , wherein the first rotational energy facility comprises an air pump, wherein the air pump rotates with the first hub.
17. The torsion tube facility of claim 4 , wherein the first rotary coupling comprises a rotary union configured to support the torsion tube.
18. The torsion tube system of claim 13 , wherein the first rotary coupling comprises a rotary union configured to support the torsion tube.