Trailer with integral axle-mounted generator and battery charger

A working surface incorporates a means for transferring mechanical energy produced by a rotating member of the working surface so that the energy rotates a shaft attached to an alternator that charges a bank of 12 V batteries. The alternator is responsible for converting the mechanical energy being input by the rotating shaft to electrical energy that is fed to the batteries. The batteries transfer the energy into an inverter for use depending upon the required amount. Thereby, backup electrical power may be generated and stored, taking advantage of excess horsepower at cruise provided by a vehicle as well as better utilizing travel time. Additionally, the added cost of ownership and noise of a portable power generator is avoided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electrical power generation and storage devices for portable or emergency use. While portable electrical generators are quite useful for emergency situations or austere environments, such generators tend to be inconvenient with regard to maintenance, transport, duration, and reliability. Consequently, a significant need exists for a more convenient and cheaper method of providing back-up electrical power.

Various kinds of portable generators exist in the current market. The uses for these generators range from home use to industrial use. Conventional portable generators comprise an engine and an alternator driven by the engine to produce electricity. Specifically, the spark-ignited combustion engine produces mechanical drive to rotate a crankshaft. The crankshaft, connected with a revolving shaft of the generator, will produce electrical current by converting the mechanical power produced by the engine into electrical energy. The mechanical energy drives the crankshaft to rotate electrically conductive elements within a magnetic field. The rotation of the electrically conductive elements around the field produces electric energy capable of being used or stored.

A more desirable form of energy storage is extremely valuable as a result of the continual rise of fuel prices, the concern for the environment, and the decline of the amount of fossil fuels. A portable power source that can produce electrical energy by converting mechanical energy would help reduce the cost of energy, protect the environment, and provide a reliable, convenient source of energy. The traditional portable electric generators consume gasoline to produce the mechanical drive necessary to rotate the electrically conductive elements. By contrast, using a rotating axle coupled with a gear system or other means would provide the necessary mechanical drive to produce electrical energy as opposed to wasting other energy sources and utilizing a portion of the power of a vehicle that would otherwise be unused.

A more efficient approach as stated earlier would be to use a mechanical drive system already being used, such as the wheel axle of a towed vehicle or a drive system of a car, to effectuate the rotation of the shaft of an alternator. This rotation of the shaft by means including but not limited to gears, pulleys, and transmissions will produce electric power capable of being stored within a single battery or a series of batteries. The power may then be converted by an inverter from direct current to alternating current as desired by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the views,FIGS. 1-4show the apparatus comprising a towable working surface depicted as a single-axle trailer10that advantageously incorporates a wheel-driven electrical power generation and storage system12such that when being pulled by a vehicle14, a driver may monitor an emergency power supply status display16attached to a dashboard18. A wired or wireless connection20back to a trailer portion22of the system12communicates whether the wheel speed is within an optimum range for power generation and a level of stored charge of the system12.

The trailer portion22includes a generally known trailer that has a lower deck26upon which a plurality of electrical power storage components (e.g., chemical batteries)28are supported. A table portion30is mounted overtop of the lower deck26to encompass the batteries28and to provide a work surface32so that the trailer portion22may serve additional purposes rather than merely generating and storing electrical power. In particular, an inverter box34may be stowed on a front hitch portion36of the trailer24as inFIG. 2or on a mid section receptacle38as depicted inFIG. 1to provide a weather protected container for an inverter34(FIG. 4) that converts the charge to an alternating current (e.g., single phase 110 V) that may power tools or household appliances when emergency or portable power is required.

With particular reference toFIG. 3, the system12includes a rotating member (axle)42supported by a housing (40) and turned by wheels43, which is coupled to a transmission member44and rotates a shaft46attached to an alternator48positioned by a mount50. The rotation of the shaft46forces the alternator48to produce electric power by rotating electrically conductive elements within a magnetic field. The electric power produced by the alternator48may then be sent to one or more batteries28and ultimately converted by the inverter34from direct current (“DC”) to alternating current (“AC”).

The rotating member42provides the force that drives the shaft46attached to the alternator48. In the illustrated version, the rotating member42is a wheel axle. Additionally, the rotating member42could be an object converting wind forces opposing the movement of the working surface32to produce rotation of the shaft46. Other rotating surfaces may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. One such system could incorporate a drive shaft in the vehicle to produce the movement necessary of the inverter34.

The means for transferring the drive produced by the rotating member42to rotate the shaft46attached to the alternator34may encompass a range of transmissions, gears, or any other system apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the illustrative version ofFIG. 3, a ring52and pinion gear54of the axle42attached to the trailer10may be joined with a pulley system56to transfer the drive produced by the axle42to the shaft46. A universal joint (not shown) that is typically attached to the pinion54is removed and replaced with the pulley system56. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the pulley system56is depicted as a double v-belt comprising a rotating cylinder58connected to the pinion54, a second rotating cylinder60and a belt62. The rotation of cylinder58is driven by the pinion54. The belt62attached to cylinder58, rotates the second cylinder60. Differing numbers of pulleys and gears may be used to accomplish the goal to produce the necessary means to transfer the force produced by the pinion54to the shaft46. The pulley system56may advantageously serve as a ratio reducer or multiplier to maintain the shaft46within an optimum rotation range.

The alternator48converts the mechanical energy produced by the rotation of the shaft46into electrical energy. The availability of many different alternators48provides that alternators48may be substituted or varied depending upon their size and specifications. As seen inFIG. 3, the alternator48may be positioned adjacent to the v-belt pulley system56. The alternator48should have a positive and negative terminal. The alternator48will then electrically connect to one or more batteries28to transfer and store the energy produced by the rotation of shaft46.

WhileFIG. 4represents a diagram of four batteries28, there is no specific number of batteries required to operate the apparatus. The figures only illustrate one possible layout using four batteries28.FIG. 4represents one setup with wiring connections (battery cables)64for achieving the energy storage. Specifically,FIG. 4depicts the use of four “8-D” batteries mounted on the trailer10. Two #4 AWG watt battery cables64are attached to each battery28. The alternator48should be wired to connect to a positive terminal of a battery28. A ground wire should run from the alternator48to the remaining negative terminal of the battery28. The type and number of batteries28will vary according to the application.

Positive and negative terminals of the series/parallel combination of batteries28connect to the inverter34. The inverter34converts the direct current into alternating (“AC”). The illustrative version is a 30 A. (110 AC) inverter34that provides AC through a 30 A outlet or surge protector up to a total of 30 A due to the 30 A inverter. Additionally, one may choose to install a voltage regulator66that regulates the current going out of the alternator48in order to avoid overcharging the batteries28. The voltage regulator66would force the rotating member (axle)42, a ring52and pinion rear end gear54as seen inFIG. 3, to obtain a certain speed before activating the alternator48. If the desired speed is not met, the batteries28may not charge.

Finally, while the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art.