Hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator apparatus

The hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator apparatus is a KERS that provides for flywheel angular momentum, captured by the flywheels that are powered by an auto's driveline, to provide auxiliary charging to existing batteries of a hybrid or electric auto, thereby extending the auto's operating range under electricity.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automobiles that run on electricity, whether in the form of pure electric drive or in a hybrid version that also includes a gasoline powered engine in various combinations with batteries, have potential for reducing the consumption of oil. The common problem however is the limited range of a car powered by batteries. Purely electric cars currently average a range of about 40 miles prior to recharging. And, too, recharging typically requires several hours and is conducted with electricity from the power grid, which translates into a large and perhaps unsustainable load on the power grid. The cost of electricity and the ongoing costs in time and money of running an electric car will likely hinder their acceptance and limit their numbers.

To circumvent such problems an apparatus is needed to continuously recharge an auto's battery or batteries, during auto operation, and thereby extend driving range. This can be an alternator continuously recharging the battery of a conventional gasoline engine through a KERS (kinetic energy recovery system).

The first step in analyzing a KERS solution is to profile typical driving scenarios. The first scenario that consumes the most gasoline with the least efficiency is city driving or multiple start stop driving. In this scenario, start up consumes a large amount of energy to get a typically 3000+ pound vehicle to go from 0 to 40 MPH or so. Once at speed, the energy required to maintain drops off. One problem is that maintaining speed usually only lasts for 2 to 5 minutes, or less, before the next stop occurs. That stop, a ii traffic signal for example, might last anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes. With a gasoline engine, this stopped time continues to expend energy with the engine idling. For many, such driving might last from 15 minutes to about an hour and only cover 5 to 25 miles.

An electric automobile follows a similar profile in start and stop driving, with a few differences. An electric auto requires similar expenditures of energy in starting and maintaining speed. However, a major difference exists at a stop. In an electric car, there is no idling to consume energy.

Various types of KERS are known in the prior art. The present apparatus provides a unique KERS with a hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator apparatus including a first flywheel directly mounted to the alternator rotor shaft and a second flywheel further including a weight adjusting mechanism to increase the flywheel effect and to enhance momentum energy capturing capabilities. The second flywheel is also mounted to the alternator rotor shaft.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle power systems, and more particularly, to a hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator apparatus, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator which has many novel features that result in an hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator apparatus which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.

The present hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator apparatus provides a supplement that will extend an electric auto or hybrid vehicle's electrical operation range. In steady travel, after achieving a desired speed, that the alternator provides 60% to 80% recharge. This translates into the battery only draining 20% to 40% of capacity. The apparatus provides the very important feature of housing the alternator and hydraulic parts within an enclosure that is about 15 inches square. The apparatus offers the ability to go 2-5× times the distance of an electrically powered vehicle without the apparatus. Therefore, an electric or hybrid auto with a projected range of 40 miles may in fact be built to have a range of 80 to 200 miles. Thus, an auto with the present apparatus is more realistically competitive with internal combustion engine only autos.

A second concern is addressed by the apparatus. Whether through multiple apparatus applications to a vehicle or even using a single application, power required to run auto accessories is provided. Such accessories might include lights, instrument panel, radio, computer control systems, heater and A/C. This apparatus may use a standard issue 12 volt battery as commonly found in cars today or even battery banks found in electric and hybrid vehicles.

Any excess currents available from a second application may be separate from or joined to an initial apparatus.

The apparatus may be hydraulically driven by connection to a driveline or drivelines of an auto and may also be driven by a driveshaft, utilizing gears and hydraulic pumps and motors to power the alternator/flywheel combination. The apparatus may also use other devices for connecting the alternator to the driveline. Any of the connection devices used provide for selective communication whereby the alternator with flywheels is free to rotate with the vehicle in a halted state. When pulleys are used, each pulley driving the hydraulics of the apparatus may be connected to an auto's driveline by direct connection, another pulley, a belt, a chain, or any appropriate device for driving the apparatus. The continued operation, even during vehicle stop, can be likened to a spinning wheel cover seen on many cars these days. When the car stops the wheel covers continue to spin, having stored up the angular momentum gained during regular travel. The apparatus stores the energy in the spinning flywheels. The energy may be transferred to the flywheels via the hydraulics. Other transfer devices may be used, including gears, clutched gears, and other appropriate transfer mechanisms.

Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the present hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present outdoor cushion cover will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, examples of the present hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current examples of the present hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other examples and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Objects of the present hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particularFIGS. 1 through 4thereof, an example of the present hydraulically powered double flywheel alternator will be described.

Referring toFIG. 2, the apparatus10partially comprises the alternator30having a rotor34surrounded by a stator33, a rotor shaft37, and a first end31spaced apart from a second end32. The first flywheel35is mounted externally to the alternator30first end31rotor shaft37. The weight-adjustable second flywheel36is mounted externally to the alternator30second end32rotor shaft37. The flywheels are driven forwardly by the shaft37during shaft37rotation, which coincides with auto driveline18movement. Typically, the driveline18is in communication with an existing drive wheel14; however, the second pulley24may be in communication with any driveline18member of an auto that turns with the auto in motion. The alternator gear40is mounted to the rotor shaft37and laterally external to the first flywheel35.

Referring toFIG. 1, the hydraulic motor50is in communication with the alternator gear40via the hydraulic gear42. The plurality of encased control valves54is in communication with the hydraulic motor50via a pair of hydraulic hoses55. A fluid reservoir (not shown) is in communication with the encased control valves54via a pair of hydraulic hoses55. The reservoir can be supplied by any number of reservoirs known and readily available in the art. The hydraulic pump52is in selective communication with the encased control valves54via a pair of hydraulic hoses55. The selectively communicating encased control valves54allow the rotor shaft37to continue to turn with the existing driveline18halted, until angular momentum is exhausted, thereby continuing to operate the alternator30and charge an existing electrical storage of an auto.

Referring toFIG. 4and again toFIG. 2, the enclosure20houses the alternator30and flywheels, the gears, the hydraulic motor50, the encased control valves54, and the hydraulic pump52. The enclosure20importantly measures about 15 inches square.

Referring toFIG. 3and again toFIG. 2, the first pulley23is affixed to the hydraulic pump52and is external to the enclosure20. The second pulley24is affixed to an existing rotating member, such as a driveline18connected to a drive wheel14of an existing automobile's driveline18. The pulley connection22connects the first pulley23to the second pulley24. The pulley connection22, the first pulley23, the second pulley24comprise the driveline connection21.