Abstract:
An energy-producing system comprising an axle configured to be driven by an electric vehicle&#39;s wheels when in motion. The axle supports a series of wind-catching cups contained within an aerodynamic housing configured to direct air to the cups while also increasing the air speed. During vehicle motion, the cups are acted upon by rushing air causing the rotation of the axle such that the rotation may be transferred into energy via a generator/alternator linked thereto. A series of similarly polarized magnets integrated on said cups and/or spacers and/or housing proximate thereto further maintain the axle in motion during short vehicle stops. The system extends the life of the batteries between charges as well the distance the vehicle can travel between charges.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/484,675 filed on May 31, 2012, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/325,336 filed on Dec. 14, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,570 issued Jul. 17, 2012, both of which are incorporated herein for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to an electric vehicle equipped with an energy-producing system for producing energy for use to recharge batteries powering the electric vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    For many years, electric vehicles have been discussed as the possible solution to the United States&#39; (and other countries&#39;) dependence on oil. However, one concern, among many, related to electric vehicles is the short battery life. Short battery life means that electric vehicles are limited to short vehicle trips between charges. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need for extending the battery life associated with electric vehicles. Advantageously, the system of extending the battery life should be self-facilitating. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The embodiments of the present invention relate to an energy-producing system comprising an axle configured to be driven by the vehicle&#39;s wheels when in motion. The axle supports a series of wind-catching cups contained within an aerodynamic housing configured to direct air to the cups while also increasing the air speed. During vehicle motion, the cups are acted upon by rushing air causing the rotation of the axle such that the rotation may be transferred into energy via a generator/alternator linked thereto. A series of similarly polarized magnets integrated on said cups and proximate thereto (e.g., on spacers) further maintain the axle in motion during intermittent vehicle stops. 
         [0006]    The system according to the embodiments of the present invention directs the generated energy into the batteries used to drive the vehicle. In this manner, the life of the batteries between charges is increased as is the distance the vehicle can travel between charges. The system may be fabricated with an electric vehicle or added after market. 
         [0007]    Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrates perspective, top, front and rear views, respectively, of a system according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective, exploded view of the system according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front, exploded view of the system according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a view of an inner wheel and pinion according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a partially transparent perspective view according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a primary axle according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the system according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrates cups of the type associated with the system according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates a block diagram of a system according to the embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  illustrates a first version of an alternative embodiment of the system with magnets integrated into, or positioned on, spacers proximate to cups according to the embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  illustrates a second version of an alternative embodiment of the system with magnets integrated into, or positioned on, spacers proximate to cups according to the embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed. 
         [0020]    The embodiments of the present invention involve a system for generating energy useable to maintain the battery charge associated with the electric vehicle. The components making up the system may be fabricated of any suitable materials, including metals, alloys, composites, plastics and combinations thereof. The components of the system may be created using technologies which include machining, molding, rapid prototyping, casting, etc. The system described herein utilizes multiple features to generate energy for charging electric batteries to drive an associated vehicle. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1A-1D  show perspective, top, front and rear views of an energy-generating system  100  according to the embodiments of the present invention. A housing  105  is configured with a front opening  110  to capture and direct rushing air towards cups  115  configured to capture air. The housing  105  also protects the contained components from damage. From front to back, the opening  110  may be tapered (wide to thin) to increase air velocity therethrough thus increasing the energy output of the system  100  as described below. In one embodiment, the system  100  is mounted in an offset relationship to a wheel axle  150  out of the way of any drive train mechanisms associated with the vehicle. In one embodiment, the axle  150  of the vehicle inserts through oppositely positioned openings  120  in the housing  105  and openings  176  in cover plates  175  with ends inserting into vehicle wheels  101 . As described below, the axle  150  rotates within said openings  120 ,  176  such that the housing  105  remains stationary. A system axle  125  inserts through a second pair of oppositely positioned openings  130  in the housing  105  and openings  121  in a cover plate  175  proximate each vehicle wheel  101  and extends generally parallel to said axle  150 . At each end, the system axle  125  joins pinions  135  (See  FIG. 4 ) in communication with a vehicle&#39;s wheel rim  140  having gear teeth  145  configured to receive the pinions  135  to drive the system axle  125  while the pinions  135  remain stationary relative to the wheel rim  140 . While not shown, the system axle  125  may include a U-Joint to accommodate rough terrain. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 2 and 3  show exploded perspective and front views of the system  100  according to the embodiments of the present invention. The system  100  broadly comprises the housing  105 , system axle  125 , cups  115  supported by the system axle  125 , a first set of magnetic strips  155  attached to said cups  115 , a second set of magnetic strips  160  positioned on the housing  105  proximate to said first set of magnetic strips  155  on the housing  105 , pulley  170  configured to drive a belt, chain or similar mechanisms able to drive a generator/alternator  108  (shown in  FIG. 9 ), cover plates  175  and pinions  135 . Other system items include ratchet pawls  180 , dust washers  185 , axle bearings  190  and ball cups  195 . 
         [0023]    As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the system axle  125  includes a series of spacers  126  in-between which the cups  115  are attached. In one embodiment, the cups  115  are attached at each end to the spacers  126 . As seen in  FIG. 8 , the attachment may be facilitated by pins  116  extending from ends of the cups  115  wherein said pins  116  are positioned to insert into openings in said spacers  126 . Other connection means such as screws, rivets, adhesives, magnets may be used as well. A space  128  between two center spacers is configured for receipt of a belt, chain, strap or similar article  107  capable of driving a generator and/or alternator  108  attached thereto. The space  128  accommodates a pulley  170 . In this manner, as the axle  125  rotates, the belt  107  drives the generator/alternator  108  to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy for storage in the vehicle&#39;s electric batteries  205 . An opening  127  in the housing  105  accommodates the passage of the belt, chain, strap or similar article which connects the axle  125  to the generator/alternator  108  allowing the rotation of the axle  125  to drive the generator/alternator  108 . 
         [0024]    The first set of magnetic strips  155  attached to said cups  115  work along with the second set of magnetic strips  160  positioned proximate thereto. In one embodiment, the second set of magnetic strips  160  act to repel and/or attract the first set of magnetic strips attached to said cups  115  thus urging the cups  115  to move. In one embodiment, the second set of magnetic strips  160  are attached to upper and lower inner surfaces of the housing  105  in proximity to the edges of the cups  115  as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this manner, the cups  115  with the first set of magnet strips  155  on edges thereof tend to continue moving as the second set of magnetic strips  160  positioned proximate thereto repel and/or attract the magnetic strips  155  on the edges of the cups  115 . Such an arrangement maintains the axle  125  in motion during periods when the vehicle is at rest (i.e., at a stop sign or light). Such continuous motion causes less energy to be used to re-start the rotation of the axle  125  and causes the generator/alternator  108  to continue to transfer mechanical energy into electrical energy. 
         [0025]    The cups  115 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , can take on various sizes (e.g., short or long) and shapes. The cups  115  include a defined cavity  117  configured to capture rushing air entering the front opening  110  of the housing  105 .  FIG. 7  shows twelve cups  115  attached to the axle  125  between one set of spacers  126 . It is understood that more or less cups  115  may be attached to the axle  125  between spacers  126 .  FIG. 7  shows the pinion  135 , cover plate  175 , first set of magnetic strips  155  and second set of magnetic strips  160 . As referenced above, in one embodiment, the housing  105  is mounted rear of the vehicle&#39;s drive system on a rear axle. To accomplish the rear mount, the pinions  135  are positioned in opposite rims  140  rear of the drive axle  150 . Other mount positions are conceivable as well. 
         [0026]      FIG. 9  shows a block diagram  200  detailing the broad aspects of the system  100  and one method for transferring mechanical energy to electrical energy for storage in the vehicle&#39;s batteries  205 . The system  100  broadly comprises the system axle  125  driven by the system components as described above. A belt  107  (or similar article) is driven by system axle  125  and thereby drives a generator/alternator  108 . The generator/alternator  108  may be any suitable generator/alternator  108  configured to transform rotational/mechanical energy into electrical energy. An electrical conduit  215  transfers the electrical energy output of the generator/alternator  108  to the vehicle&#39;s batteries  205  which receive the electrical energy for current use or stores the electrical energy for later use. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 10 and 11  show an alternative embodiment of a system  300  with additional spacer magnets integrated with, or positioned on, spacers  310 . The spacer magnets have the same polarity as the housing magnets  320  to provide additional repelling forces to drive the axle  325 , along with cup magnets  315 . The spacer magnets may be in the form of magnetic strips  305  applied, via adhesives or similar attachments means, to the outer circumferential surface of the spacers  310  such that the strip magnets  305  cover substantially the entire outer circumferential surface of the spacers  310 . In an alternative version, a plurality of spacer magnets  306  may be spaced along an outer circumferential edge of the spacers  310 . In this embodiment, the spacers  310  may be dimensioned (wider than with previously described embodiments) to provide appropriate area for the spacer magnets  305 ,  306  to reside. The spacer magnets  305  may be integrated with, or positioned on, one or more of the spacers  310 . 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the system  100  may be used as a source of electricity for a home site or camp ground. In such an embodiment, the drive wheels of the vehicle are elevated to prevent the vehicle from moving. Belts over slightly deflated drive wheels are used to drive one or more generators while thee vehicle&#39;s accelerator is depressed using suitable means therefore. The output of the one or more generators may then be used to provide electricity to a camp site or house or RV. 
         [0029]    Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.