Abstract:
An electric powered vehicle has a rechargeable power source coupled to at least one electric motor through a controller. The motor(s) are coupled to a drive train for converting the rotational movement of the motor(s) into linear motion of the vehicle. At least one generator is coupled to the motor(s) for generating a first electric potential for recharging the power source. On the front surface of the vehicle is an air passage that channels air movement to a fan when moving in a forward motion. The fan rotates in response to the air movement and is coupled to a fan generator that turns in response, generating a second electric potential for recharging the power source. The tips of the fan blades are equipped with magnetic material and a series of electro-magnets are configured in proximity of the blades so they can be sequentially energized in absence of air movement to rotate the fan and generating the second electric potential in absence of air movement. The motor(s) and generators will function as a braking system to slow the vehicle when needed and generate electric potentials for charging the power source.

Description:
PRIOR APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/143,251, filed on Jun. 2, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to the field of electric powered vehicles and more particularly to a system for powering electric vehicles with power generation for recharging a battery. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    For a long while, it has been a challenge to efficiently transport people and goods. Early transportation utilized animals, wind power or human energy to leverage wheels, gears, sails, pedals and the like to move a vehicle containing people and/or cargo. Later, fossil fuels or natural resources were burned to create steam which could be used to power a vehicle such as burning wood or coal in a steam driven locomotive. The combustion engine was invented, using fossil fuel to directly push a piston, creating energy of motion to move a vehicle. For some rare cases, nuclear energy has been used to power a vehicle. In all, modern modes of powering a vehicle require fossil fuel that is becoming move expensive will at some date deplete. 
         [0006]    On the other hand, electricity is now a viable power source for vehicles. Electricity can be created in many ways other than using fossil fuel. It can be generated by capturing wind energy in windmills or the energy of falling water in hydroelectric plants or the energy of the tides. It can also be generated directly from solar energy using solar cells. Alternately, it can be generated using nuclear energy which is believed to be in sufficient supply as to last longer than fossil fuels. 
         [0007]    Unfortunately, by the nature of vehicles, it is difficult to efficiently power a moving device directly with this generated electricity unless a power delivery infrastructure is in place. In some examples such as electric trains, subways and busses, electricity has been used to power vehicles, but power must be continuously provided to these vehicles by overhead lines or a “third rail”—an infrastructure not easily duplicated on suburban streets, highways and rural roads. 
         [0008]    An alternative would be to power the vehicle by an alternative source of electricity that can be transported with the vehicle, such as a battery. Battery powered vehicles have been used successfully in many applications, especially where speed and distance are not a requirement. For example, golf carts are usually powered by a battery. They only need go a few miles per hour and only travel the distance of 18 holes before they can be connected to a power source for recharging. 
         [0009]    Various limitations in battery technology have limited their use as a primary source of energy in many vehicles such as cars, boats and planes. For one, the volumetric efficiency and mass efficiency of battery technology has matured slowly, requiring large, heavy battery systems to provide minimal range, acceleration and top speed. Another issue is the lack of availability of ubiquitous power sources and unfriendly recharge timing. There are no “recharge stations” analogous to “gas stations.” Even if there were, it usually takes much longer, perhaps hours, to recharge a battery, making it impractical to stop and recharge on the way to work. Improvements have been made to battery technology, motor technology and vehicle construction to make a battery driven vehicle feasible and useful. Furthermore, electric/combustion hybrid vehicles have been introduced to overcome some of the limitations stated above, but it will take time to develop an infrastructure and either make these vehicles meet the expectation of today&#39;s consumers (e.g., drivers) or to transform expectations of today&#39;s consumers to adapt to the vehicle&#39;s capabilities. 
         [0010]    What is needed is a system that will increase the range, acceleration and/or top-speed of an electric powered vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In one embodiment, a system for powering a vehicle is disclosed including a vehicle adapted to transport at least one person, a rechargeable power source within the vehicle and at least one electric motor rotating upon receipt of electricity from the rechargeable power source and coupled to a drive system to move the vehicle in a generally forward or backward motion. A generator is coupled to each of the electric motors for generating electricity to recharge the rechargeable power source. There is also an air passage on a front surface of the vehicle for capturing air movement as the vehicle moves forward and a fan with plurality of fan blades that turn in response to the air movement, converting the air movement into rotational force while the vehicle moves in a generally forward motion. The fan blades have a permanent magnet affixed on each tip and a fan generator is coupled to the fan so the fan generator turns in response to the fan turning, producing electricity to recharge the rechargeable power source. Further included is a plurality of electro magnets, each configured to attract the permanent magnet in sequence, turning the fan in the absence of air movement. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, a method of powering a vehicle is disclosed including providing at least one electric motor coupled to a drive system of a vehicle and a rechargeable power source for powering the electric motors through a controller control. Power from the electric motors is fed to a first set of generators, thereby generating a first electric potential. A fan is coupled to an air passage located in the front of the vehicle so air pressure resulting from a forward movement of the vehicle causes the fan to turn, feeding a rotational energy of the fan to a fan generator, thereby generating a second electric potential. The rechargeable power source is recharged from the first electric potential and the second electric potential. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, an apparatus for powering a vehicle is disclosed including a rechargeable power source connected to a motor to convert the rechargeable power into rotational power. A drive train is connected to the motor to convert the rotational power into linear motion. In addition, a generator is connected to the motor to generate a first electric potential. Also included is an air passage for capturing air from a front end of the vehicle and a fan device adapted to convert air movement from the air passage into rotational movement and a second generator connected to the fan device to generate a second electric potential. The first electric potential and the second electric potential are used to recharge the rechargeable power source. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top schematic view of a system of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side schematic view of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top schematic view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side schematic view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top schematic view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side schematic view of the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates an expanded schematic view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side schematic view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top schematic view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  illustrates a top schematic view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a top schematic view and a side schematic view of a system of a first embodiment of the present invention is described. A vehicle  10  has a rechargeable power source  12  that powers two motors  14  through a controller  26 . The controller  26  is linked to a gas petal or other control mechanism and adjusts the speed of the vehicle  10  by controlling current flow to the motors  14 . Each motor  14  has a dual pulley  16  for linking each motor  14  to both a drive pulley  18  and a generator pulley  24 . In this embodiment a belt transfers rotational energy from each motor  14  to the drive pulley  18  and to the generator pulley  24 , which, in turn, transfers rotational energy to the drive axle  19  and the generators  22 , respectively. The axle is coupled to one or both drive wheels  20  and transfers rotational energy to the drive wheels  20  to cause the vehicle to move in a forward or backward linear direction. In some embodiments, the motors  14  are coupled to the drive train through a transmission  8  for providing slippage and various gear ratios. In some embodiments, the motors  14  are directly coupled to the transmission  8  or they are coupled through a gear or chain and sprockets. 
         [0028]    As power is applied to the motors  14 , the motor&#39;s  14  armatures turn and a belt between the motor pulleys  16  and the generator pulleys  24  cause the generators  22  to turn, thereby creating electricity which is fed back to the rechargeable power source  12  where it is conditioned and used to recharge the power source  12 . Additionally, when power is not applied to the motors  14  and the vehicle is in motion (e.g., the vehicle is coasting or slowing down), the drive wheels transfer rotational energy back to the motors  14 , which then rotates, also causing the generators  22  to rotate. The rotation of the motors  14  and the generators  22  provide additional power which is fed back to the rechargeable power source  12  where it is conditioned and used to recharge the power source  12 . In this, the motors  14  act as additional generators. Using the motors and generators of the vehicle to reduce the speed of the vehicle, hence braking the vehicle and reducing the vehicle&#39;s kinetic energy is sometimes referred to as “regenerative braking.” 
         [0029]    The rechargeable power source  12  is one commonly used in the industry such as lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries. In some embodiments, the batteries create a voltage potential from 12V to 360V. The power is first conditioned so that it can recharge the specific power source  12  by providing the proper charge voltage and current while monitoring the charge cycle so as to not overcharge the power source  12 . It is known in the industry how to charge batteries 
         [0030]    In some embodiments various motor  14  and generator  22  sizes are used. For example, a first motor  14  is larger than a second motor  14 . Both motors  14  are used when accelerating and only the second motor  14  is used when maintaining a speed. In one embodiment, the first motor is 75 HP and the second motor is 25 HP. Likewise, various generator  22  sizes produce different voltage and current levels. In some embodiments, the motor pulley  16  is greater in diameter than the generator pulley  24  by a ratio so that the generator  22  turns faster than the motor  14 . For example, if the diameter of the motor pulley  16  is 10 inches and the diameter of the generator pulley  24  is 2 inches, then the ratio is 10:2 or 5:1 and the generator  22  will rotate five times for every rotation of the motor  14 . This will create a higher than average voltage potential. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , a top schematic view and a side schematic view of a system of a second embodiment of the present invention is described. A vehicle  9  has a rechargeable power source  12  that powers three motors  14 / 27  through a controller  26 . The controller  26  is linked to a gas petal  32  or other control mechanism and adjusts the speed of the vehicle  9  by controlling current flow to the motors  14 / 27 . Each of the first two motors  14  have a dual pulley  16  for linking each motor  14  to both a drive pulley  18  and a generator pulley  24 . In this embodiment a belt transfers rotational energy from each motor  14  to the drive pulley  18  and to the generator pulley  24 , which, in turn, transfers rotational energy to the drive axle  19  and the generators  22 , respectively. The axle is coupled to one or both drive wheels  20  and transfers rotational energy to the drive wheels  20  to cause the vehicle to move in a forward or backward linear direction. In some embodiments, the motors are coupled to the drive train through a transmission  8  for providing slippage and various gear ratios. In some embodiments, the motors  14  are directly coupled to the transmission  8  or it is coupled through a gear or chain and sprockets. The rear motor  27  is directly coupled to a differential  28 , which transfers rotational energy to the rear wheels  21 , causing the vehicle to move in a generally forward or backward motion. The rear motor  27  has a pulley  29  that is coupled to a pulley  25  on a third generator  23  by a belt. 
         [0032]    When power is applied to the motors  14 , the motor&#39;s  14  armatures turn, a belt between the motor pulleys  16  and the generator pulleys  24  cause the first two generators  22  to turn and a belt between the rear motor pulley  29  and the rear generator pulley  25  causes the rear generator  23  to turn, thereby creating electricity which is conditioned and used to recharge the power source  12 . Additionally, when power is not applied to the motors  14  or to the motor  27  and the vehicle is in motion (e.g., the vehicle is coasting or slowing down), the drive wheels  20 / 21  transfer rotational energy back to the motors  14 / 27 , which then rotates, also causing the generators  22 / 23  to rotate. The rotation of the motors  14 / 27  and the generators  22 / 23  provide additional power which is fed back to the rechargeable power source  12  where it is conditioned and used to recharge the power source  12 . 
         [0033]    The rechargeable power source  12  is one commonly used in the industry such as lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries. The power is first conditioned so that it can recharge the specific power source  12  by providing the proper charge voltage and current while monitoring the charge cycle so as to not overcharge the power source  12 . It is known in the industry how to charge batteries. 
         [0034]    Also shown in this embodiment and referring to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  is a forward mounted fan  40  that is connected to a fan generator  44  through a fan pulley  42  and a fan generator pulley  46  connected by a belt. As the vehicle travels in a forward direction, air travels in through air passages  50  and blows against the blades  48  of the fan  40 , causing the fan to rotate. The rotational energy of the fan  40  is transferred through the fan pulley  42  to the fan generator pulley  46  by the fan belt, causing the fan generator  44  to turn, thereby generating electricity that is used with the electricity generated by the other generators to charge the rechargeable power source  12 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , a top schematic view and a side schematic view of a system of a second embodiment of the present invention is described. A vehicle  7  has a rechargeable power source  12  that powers three motors  14 / 27  through a controller  26 . The controller  26  is linked to a gas petal or other control mechanism and adjusts the speed of the vehicle  7  by controlling current flow to the motors  14 / 27 . Each of the first two motor  14  has a dual pulley  16  for linking each motor  14  to both a drive pulley  18  and a generator pulley  24 . In this embodiment a belt transfers rotational energy from each motor  14  to the drive pulley  18  and to the generator pulley  24 , which, in turn, transfers rotational energy to the drive axle  19  and the generators  22 , respectively. The axle is coupled to one or both drive wheels  20  and transfers rotational energy to the drive wheels  20  to cause the vehicle to move in a forward or backward direction. In some embodiments, the motors  14  are coupled to the drive train through a transmission  8  for providing slippage and various gear ratios. In some embodiments, the motors  14  are directly coupled to the transmission  8  or it is coupled through a gear or chain and sprockets. The rear motor  27  is directly coupled to a differential  28 , which transfers rotational energy to the rear wheels  21 , causing the vehicle to move in a generally forward or backward motion. The ear motor  27  has a pulley  29  that is coupled to a pulley  25  on a rear generator  23  by a belt. 
         [0036]    When power is applied to the motors  14 , the motor&#39;s  14  armatures turn, a belt between the motor pulleys  16  and the generator pulleys  24  cause the first two generators  22  to turn and a belt between the rear motor pulley  29  and the rear generator pulley  25  causes the rear generator  23  to turn, thereby creating electricity which is conditioned and used to recharge the power source  12 . Additionally, when power is not applied to the motors  14 / 27  and the vehicle is in motion (e.g., the vehicle is coasting or slowing down), the drive wheels transfer rotational energy back to the motors  14 / 27 , which then rotates, also causing the generators  22 / 23  to rotate. The rotation of the motors  14 / 27  and the generators  22 / 23  provide additional power which is fed back to the rechargeable power source  12  where it is conditioned and used to recharge the power source  12 . 
         [0037]    The rechargeable power source  12  is one commonly used in the industry such as lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries. The power is first conditioned so that it can recharge the specific power source  12  by providing the proper charge voltage and current while monitoring the charge cycle so as to not overcharge the power source  12 . It is known in the industry how to charge batteries. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , a side schematic view and an expanded view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment a forward mounted fan  40  is connected to a fan generator  44  as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . When the vehicle is stationary, no air travels in through an air passage  50  and the blades  48  of the fan  40  do not turn. In this embodiment, each fan blade  48  has a magnet material  62  affixed on an outer edge or tip and there is a plurality of electro-magnets  60  arranged in a sequential fashion so that when the vehicle is not moving, the electro-magnets  60  can be sequentially energized, much like an electric motor, causing the fan  40  to turn. The magnetic material is steel or iron or it is a permanent magnet made from iron or powdered iron. The magnetic material may be coated to reduce or prevent rust. Since the fan  40  is linked to the fan generator  44 , the fan generator  44  will turn, thereby generating electricity that is used with the electricity generated by the other generators  22  to charge the rechargeable power source  12 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a side schematic view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention is described. A truck  80  has a rechargeable power source  12  that powers three motors  14 / 27  through a controller  26 . The controller  26  is linked to a gas petal or other control mechanism and adjusts the speed of the truck  80  by controlling current flow to the motors  14 / 27 . Each of the first two motor  14  has a dual pulley  16  for linking each motor  14  to both a drive pulley  18  and a generator pulley  24 . In this embodiment a belt transfers rotational energy from each motor to the drive pulley  18  and to the generator pulley  24 , which, in turn, transfers rotational energy to the drive axle  19  and the generators  22 , respectively. The axle is coupled to one or both drive wheels  20  and transfers rotational energy to the drive wheels  20  to cause the vehicle to move in a forward or backward direction. In some embodiments, the motors  14  are coupled to the drive train through a transmission  8  for providing slippage and various gear ratios. In some embodiments, the motors  14  are directly coupled to the transmission  8  or they are coupled through a gear or chain and sprockets. The third motor  27  is directly coupled to a differential  28 , which transfers rotational energy to the rear wheels  21 , causing the truck to move in a generally forward or backward motion. The third motor is coupled to a third generator  23 . 
         [0040]    When power is applied to the motors  14 / 27 , the motor&#39;s  14 / 27  armatures turn, a belt between the motor pulleys  16  and the generator pulleys  24  cause the first two generators  22  to turn and a belt between the rear motor pulley  29  and the rear generator pulley  25  causes the rear generator  23  to turn, thereby creating electricity which is conditioned and used to recharge the power source  12 . Additionally, when power is not applied to the motors  14 / 27  and the vehicle is in motion (e.g., the vehicle is coasting or slowing down), the drive wheels  20 / 21  transfer rotational energy back to the motors  14 / 27 , which then rotate, also causing the generators  22 / 23  to rotate. The rotation of the motors  14 / 27  and the generators  22 / 23  provide additional power which is fed back to the rechargeable power source  12  where it is conditioned and used to recharge the power source  12 . 
         [0041]    The rechargeable power source  12  is one commonly used in the industry such as lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries. The power is first conditioned so that it can recharge the specific power source  12  by providing the proper charge voltage and current while monitoring the charge cycle so as to not overcharge the power source  12 . It is known in the industry how to charge batteries. 
         [0042]    Also shown in this embodiment is a forward mounted fan  40  that is connected to a fourth generator. As the vehicle travels in a forward direction, air travels in through an air passage  50  and blows against the blades  48  of the fan  40 , causing the fan  40  to rotate. The rotational energy of the fan  40  is transferred to the fan generator  44 , causing the fan generator to turn, thereby generating electricity that is used with the electricity generated by the other generators to charge the rechargeable power source  12 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a top schematic view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention is described. An airplane  90  has a rechargeable power source  12  that powers three motors  14  through a controller. The controller is linked to a gas petal or other control mechanism and adjusts the speed of the airplane  90  by controlling current flow to the motors  14 . Each of the motors  14  directly drive a propeller  92  for causing the airplane to go in a forward direction. Each of the motors  14  also have a pulley  16  for linking to a generator pulley  24 . In this embodiment a belt transfers rotational energy from each motor pulley  16  to the generator pulley  24 , which, in turn, transfers rotational energy to the generators  22 . As the motor&#39;s  14  armatures turn, a belt between the motor pulley  16  and the generator pulley  24  causes the three generators  22  to turn, thereby creating electricity which is conditioned and used to recharge the power source  12 . The rechargeable power source  12  is one commonly used in the industry such as lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries. The power is first conditioned so that it can recharge the specific power source  12  by providing the proper charge voltage and current while monitoring the charge cycle so as to not overcharge the power source  12 . It is known in the industry how to charge batteries. 
         [0044]    Also shown in this embodiment is a forward mounted fan  40  that is connected to a fourth generator  44 . As the airplane travels in a forward direction, air travels in through an air passage and blows against the blades of the fan  40 , causing the fan to rotate. The rotational energy of the fan  40  is transferred to the fan generator  44 , causing the fan generator to turn, thereby generating electricity that is used along with the electricity generated by the other three generators to charge the rechargeable power source  12 . 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a top schematic view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention is described. A boat  100  has a rechargeable power source  12  that powers a motor  14  through a controller. The controller is linked to a gas petal or other control mechanism and adjusts the speed of the boat  100  by controlling current flow to the motor  14 . The motor  14  directly drives a propeller  102  for causing the boat to go in a forward or backward direction. The motor  14  also has a motor pulley  16  for linking to a generator pulley  24 . In this embodiment a belt transfers rotational energy from the motor pulley  16  to the generator pulley  24 , which, in turn, transfers rotational energy to the generator  22 . As the motor&#39;s  14  armatures turns, a belt between the motor pulley  16  and the generator pulley  24  causes the generator  22  to turn, thereby creating electricity which is conditioned and used to recharge the power source  12 . The rechargeable power source  12  is one commonly used in the industry such as lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries. The power is first conditioned so that it can recharge the specific power source  12  by providing the proper charge voltage and current while monitoring the charge cycle so as to not overcharge the power source  12 . It is known in the industry how to charge batteries. 
         [0046]    Also shown in this embodiment is a forward mounted fan  40  that is connected to a fan generator  44 . As the boat travels in a forward direction, air travels in through an air passage and blows against the blades of the fan  40 , causing the fan  40  to rotate. The rotational energy of the fan  40  is transferred to the fan generator  44  through a fan pulley  42  and a fan generator pulley  46 , causing the fan generator  44  to turn, thereby generating electricity that is used with the electricity generated by the other generator to charge the rechargeable power source  12 . 
         [0047]    Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. Although the disclosed embodiments show examples of up to three motors and up to four generators, there is no limitation within the present invention that limits the vehicle to any specific number of motors or generators as long as there is at least one motor and at least one generator. Furthermore, it is anticipated that in some embodiments, some motors will have associated generators and some motors will not include an associated generator. In some embodiments, the air vent and fan/fan generator will not be included. 
         [0048]    It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.