Electric internal generator

Abstract

The device of this subject technology includes: a battery pack configured to provide power to a fixed structure, and a motor powered by fuel supplied by a fuel delivery device and configured as one or more motors to provide mechanical power. The one or more motors are configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage for charging the battery pack, and the battery pack, the motor, and the one or more motors are enclosed within a fixed system housing.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This disclosure is a continuation in part (CIP) of application No. 18 / 948,169 entitled “Electric Vehicle Internal Generator”, filed on November 14, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to power generation, and more specifically to power generation for fixed structures. Background Technology

[0004] Modern cloud computing infrastructure, including data centers and server farms, requires a continuous and highly reliable power supply to ensure uninterrupted operation. Additionally, commercial and industrial buildings rely on a stable power supply to support essential operations, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting, and security infrastructure. Traditional solutions for stable power generation in such environments typically involve a combination of grid power, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and backup diesel generators. These systems are designed to provide redundancy and failover capabilities, ensuring that critical computing operations are unaffected even in the event of grid failures. However, these setups often require significant capital investment, ongoing maintenance, and complex integration with building management systems.

[0005] Among other limitations, UPS systems are subject to capacity limitations because they are designed for short-term power (typically a few minutes), just enough to fill the gap until the generator starts or the system is safely shut down. This makes UPS systems unsuitable for long-term or large-scale power demands. The same applies to backup diesel generators, which, due to the type of fuel they use, may emit greenhouse gases and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution and climate change, thus impacting the environment. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to some embodiments, the device of this subject matter includes: a battery pack configured to provide power to a fixed structure, and a motor powered by fuel supplied by a fuel delivery device and configured to provide mechanical power to one or more motors. The one or more motors are configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage for charging the battery pack, and the battery pack, the motor, and the one or more motors are enclosed within a fixed system housing.

[0007] According to other embodiments, the system comprises a fixed structure and an internal generator system. The internal generator system includes: a battery pack configured to power the fixed structure; a motor configured to be powered by fuel and to provide mechanical power to one or more motors; and a battery management system (BMS) configured to manage the operation of the motor. The battery system is enclosed within a fixed system housing.

[0008] According to another embodiment, a method includes: providing a battery pack for supplying a first DC voltage to a stationary structure; and electrically connecting the battery pack to the output of one or more motors, the motors generating a second DC voltage for charging the battery pack. The method further includes mechanically connecting an internal conversion engine (ICE) to the one or more motors; and supplying fuel to the ICE. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate the disclosed embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.

[0010] Figure 1 It is a high-level block diagram that shows examples of systems based on the technologies of this topic.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture of an internal generator system based on some aspects of the technology in this subject matter.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for providing an internal generator system for an EVIG, based on some aspects of the technology of this subject.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, not all components depicted in each figure are required, and one or more embodiments may include additional components not shown in the figures. Variations in the arrangement and type of components may be made without departing from the scope of this subject matter disclosure. Within the scope of this subject matter disclosure, additional components, different components, or fewer components may be utilized. Detailed Implementation

[0014] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of this disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced without some of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure this disclosure.

[0015] In some aspects, this subject matter relates to an internal generator for a fixed structure, including but not limited to data centers and server farms, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, and other structures. The internal generator of this subject matter comprises a battery system. The disclosed battery system includes a battery pack, an internal combustion engine (ICE), one or more motors (e.g., two), and a battery management system (BMS) enclosed in a battery system housing. The ICE provides mechanical power to the one or more motors. The type and size of the ICE depend on the application and available space. In some aspects, the ICE is powered by fuel (e.g., liquid fuel) supplied from a fuel tank. In some embodiments, the fuel may be supplied by an external fuel source, such as a fuel line (e.g., a gas line) or other sources via a fuel pipeline. The one or more motors are configured to generate DC voltage to keep the battery pack charged (e.g., fully charged). Examples of the motors include DC generators. In some embodiments, the BMS is used to manage the operation of the ICE.

[0016] The battery pack provides DC power to the stationary structure. The battery pack does not need to be plugged into an external charger, such as a supercharger or any other external charger. However, using an external charger may be an option when needed, for example, when ICE-based charging is unavailable due to a malfunction. Fuel supplied via a fuel line can be the sole power source for the EV, but typically, the power source is not limited to fuel from the fuel line. Fuel can be a liquid fuel, including but not limited to compressed natural gas (CNG), gasoline, diesel, propane, or hydrogen.

[0017] Now turn to the attached image. Figure 1This is a high-level block diagram illustrating an example of a system 100 according to the subject matter. System 100 includes a fuel delivery device 110, an internal generator 120, a DC generator 130, a battery pack 140, and a BMS 150. The fuel delivery device 110 includes, but is not limited to, a fuel line that can be coupled to a fuel source (e.g., a gas line, fuel tank, or fuel truck) that can provide fuel (e.g., containing stored chemical energy). In some aspects, the fuel consists of a liquid fuel, including but not limited to CNG, gasoline, diesel, propane, or hydrogen. In some aspects, the internal generator 120 is a system enclosed within a battery system housing that converts the stored chemical energy into electrical energy and includes, but is not limited to, an ICE electrically connected to the DC generator 130. In some aspects, the DC generator 130 may include one or more DC generators that provide power to the battery pack 140. The DC generator 130 may also be referred to in a more general sense, such as an electric motor that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, particularly DC power. In some respects, BMS 150 is an electronic control module, such as a microcontroller or field-programmable gate array (FPGA), that communicates with the internal generator 120 and battery pack 140. The task of BMS 150 is to manage the operation of the internal generator 120 and the proper charging of the battery pack 140, as described in more detail herein.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example architecture of an internal generator system 200 according to some aspects of the subject matter. In some embodiments, the internal generator system 200 may include fuel lines 210 for connection to a fuel source, an ICE 220, a DC generator 230, a battery pack (stack) 240, a BMS 250, and cooling fins 260, all or partially enclosed in an insulating housing 212 (also referred to as a battery system housing). The insulating housing 212 has two compartments separated by a heat shield 218 that isolates the battery pack 240 and BMS 250 from the rest of the assembly. In some embodiments, in Figure 2 As not shown, the BMS 250 can be installed outside the compartment including the battery pack 240. The insulating housing 212 further includes an exhaust fan 214, an intake fan 215, a cooling fan 216, and a fresh air intake valve 217. The intake fan 215 blows in cool air to cool the ICE 220. The main exhaust from the ICE 220 can pass through the catalytic converter 222 before being blown out by the exhaust fan 214. The other exhaust fan 214 blows in hot air from the cooling fins 260, battery pack 240, and BMS 250. The cooling fan 216 blows in fresh air from the external environment to help cool the components inside the insulating housing 212.

[0019] The ICE 220 is powered via fuel line 210 from a suitable fuel source (e.g., a natural gas pipeline, fuel tank, or fuel truck), said fuel being from a list including but not limited to CNG, gasoline, diesel, propane, or hydrogen. A DC alternator 230 is mechanically coupled to the ICE 220 via crankshaft 224, which causes rotation of the armature of the DC alternator 230 to generate a DC voltage for charging the battery pack 240 via a charging connection (e.g., copper wire) 232. The BMS 250 is an electronic control module, such as a microcontroller or FPGA, which can be programmed to control the operation of the ICE 220 to maintain battery pack charging, e.g., fully charged (e.g., within 98% to 100% of the battery pack's maximum charge capacity). For example, the BMS 250 can send stop / start commands 252 to the ICE 220 to control the start and stop of the ICE 220. In some embodiments, the BMS 250 can also control the operation of exhaust fan 214, intake fan 215, and cooling fan 216. In some implementations, the BMS 250 can capture data in real time and / or near real time and forward the captured data to the ICE 220, battery pack 240, or an external source.

[0020] Figure 3 This demonstrates the provision of IG systems (e.g., based on some aspects of the technology in this subject matter) Figure 1 A flowchart of an example of method 300 (100). Method 300 includes steps 310, 320, 330 and 340.

[0021] In step 310, a battery pack (e.g., for supplying a first DC voltage to a fixed structure (e.g., data center and server farm, commercial, industrial or residential building) is provided. Figure 1 140 or Figure 2 (of 240).

[0022] In step 320, the battery pack is electrically connected to one or more motors (e.g., Figure 1 130 or Figure 2 At the output terminal of (230), the motor generates a second DC voltage for charging the battery pack.

[0023] In step 330, ICE (e.g., Figure 1 110 or Figure 2 220) is mechanically connected to the one or more motors.

[0024] In step 340, through a fuel pipeline (e.g., Figure 2 (210) Provide fuel to the ICE. The fuel may consist of liquid fuels, including but not limited to CNG, gasoline, diesel, propane, or hydrogen.

[0025] One aspect of this subject matter relates to an apparatus comprising: a battery pack configured to provide power to a fixed structure; and a motor powered by fuel supplied by a fuel delivery device to provide mechanical power to one or more motors. The one or more motors generate a DC voltage for charging the battery pack, and the battery pack, the motor, and the one or more motors are enclosed within a fixed system housing.

[0026] In some implementations, the motor includes an ICE, which includes a multi-stroke ICE.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the one or more DC generators comprise one or more generators, and the DC voltage is regulated to match the nominal voltage of the battery pack.

[0028] In some implementations, the fuel comprises one of the following: compressed natural gas (CNG), gasoline, diesel, propane, or hydrogen.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack can be fully charged, for example, in the range of about 98% to 100% of the maximum permissible charge level associated with the battery pack.

[0030] In some implementations, the fuel is supplied by a fuel delivery device that includes a fuel pipeline.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the stationary system housing further includes an internal heat shield arranged to shield the battery compartment, which includes the battery pack, from other components in the stationary system housing.

[0032] In some embodiments, the fixed system housing further includes a battery management system (BMS) that communicates with the motor and the battery pack.

[0033] In some implementations, the BMS is configured to control the operation of the motor to keep the battery pack charged at a desired level.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the mounting system housing further includes cooling fins made of a thermally conductive material.

[0035] In some embodiments, the mounting system housing further includes a plurality of exhaust fans configured to remove hot air from the compartments of the mounting system housing.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the fixed system housing further includes a plurality of cooling fans configured to blow fresh air into the compartments of the fixed system housing.

[0037] Another aspect of this subject matter relates to a system comprising a fixed structure and an internal generator system. The internal generator system includes: a battery pack configured to power the fixed structure; a motor configured to be powered by fuel and to provide mechanical power to one or more motors; and a battery management system (BMS) configured to manage the operation of the motor. The battery system is enclosed within a fixed system housing.

[0038] In some implementations, the BMS is configured to manage the operation of the motor, thereby charging the battery pack at a desired level.

[0039] In some implementations, the motor includes an ICE, wherein the one or more motors include one or more DC generators.

[0040] In some embodiments, the fuel includes one of the following supplied via a fuel delivery device comprising a fuel pipeline: CNG, gasoline, diesel, propane, or hydrogen.

[0041] In one or more embodiments, the mounting system housing further includes cooling fins made of a thermally conductive material.

[0042] In some embodiments, the mounting system housing further includes a plurality of exhaust fans for removing hot air from the compartments of the mounting system housing, and a pair of cooling fans for blowing fresh air into the compartments of the mounting system housing.

[0043] Another aspect of this subject matter relates to a method comprising: providing a battery pack for supplying a first DC voltage to a stationary structure; and electrically connecting the battery pack to the output of one or more motors, the motors generating a second DC voltage for charging the battery pack. The method further comprises mechanically connecting an ICE (Integrated Circuit Interchange) to the one or more motors; and supplying fuel to the ICE.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the battery pack, the ICE, and the one or more motors are enclosed in a fixed system housing, wherein the fixed system housing further includes cooling fins, a plurality of exhaust fans, and a plurality of cooling fans.

[0045] In some implementations, the method further includes providing a BMS to manage the operation of the ICE, thereby keeping the battery pack charged at a desired level.

[0046] In some implementations, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example," "instance," or "illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Phrases such as "an aspect," "the aspect," "another aspect," "some aspects," "one or more aspects," "an implementation," "the implementation," "another implementation," "some implementations," "one or more implementations," "an embodiment," "the embodiment," "another embodiment," "some embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "a configuration," "the configuration," "another configuration," "some configurations," "one or more configurations," "the subject matter," "the disclosure," "the present disclosure," and other variations thereof are provided for convenience and do not imply that disclosures associated with such phrases are essential to the subject matter or that such disclosures apply to all configurations of the subject matter. Disclosures associated with one or more of such phrases may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. Disclosures associated with one or more of such phrases may provide one or more instances. Phrases such as "an aspect" or "some aspects" may refer to one or more aspects, and vice versa, and this similarly applies to the other phrases above.

[0047] Unless otherwise specified, references to singular elements are not intended to mean "one and only one," but rather "one or more." Male pronouns (e.g., his) include female and neutral genders (e.g., her and it), and vice versa. The term "some" refers to one or more. Underlined and / or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the subject matter, and are not associated with an interpretation of the subject matter description. Relational terms such as "first" and "second" may be used only to distinguish one entity or action from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. All structural and functional equivalents of the various configurations of elements known or to be known hereafter by one of ordinary skill in the art throughout the description of this disclosure are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the subject matter. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made public, whether or not such disclosure is expressly set forth in the foregoing description. Unless an element is explicitly described using the phrase “apparatus for…” or, in the case of a method clause, using the phrase “steps for…”, an element should not be interpreted in accordance with the provisions of 35 USC §112, paragraph 6.

[0048] While this specification contains numerous details, these details should not be construed as limiting the scope that can be described, but rather as descriptions of particular embodiments of the subject matter. Certain features described in the context of independent embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments. Furthermore, although features may be described above as functioning in certain combinations, and even initially described in this way, in some cases one or more features from the described combinations may be removed from said combinations, and the described combinations may involve sub-combinations or variations thereof.

[0049] The subject matter of this specification has been described in light of specific aspects, but other aspects may also be implemented and are within the scope of the following clauses. For example, although operations are depicted in a specific order in the accompanying drawings, this should not be construed as requiring such operations to be performed in the specific order shown or sequentially, or to perform all the operations shown, to achieve the desired result. The actions described in the clauses may be performed in a different order and still achieve the desired result. As an example, the flow depicted in the accompanying drawings does not necessarily require the specific order or sequential order shown to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of the various system components in the aspects described above should not be construed as requiring such separation in all aspects, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or enclosed in multiple software products.

[0050] The title, background art, description of the accompanying drawings, and abstract and drawings are hereby incorporated in this disclosure and are provided as illustrative examples rather than limiting descriptions. This submission is made so that it will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the terms. Furthermore, in the detailed description, it can be seen that the embodiments provide illustrative examples and various features are combined together in various embodiments for the purpose of binding the disclosure together as a whole. The methods of this disclosure are not to be construed as reflecting an intention to require more features than expressly stated in each clause. Rather, as reflected in the clauses, the inventive subject matter lies in fewer than all the features of a single disclosed configuration or operation. The clauses are thus incorporated into the detailed description, wherein each clause, in itself, represents a separate described subject matter.

[0051] Aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. The described techniques can be implemented to support a range of benefits and significant advantages of the disclosed eye-tracking system. It should be noted that the subject matter techniques are capable of manufacturing depth-sensing devices that are all-solid-state devices with small size, low power consumption, and low cost.

[0052] As used in this article, the phrase “at least one of…” preceding a series of items, separated by the terms “and” or “or”, modifies the list as a whole rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item).

[0053] With regard to the terms “comprising,” “having,” etc., used in the description or claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “including,” since “including” is interpreted as a transitional word in the claims.

[0054] Unless otherwise specified, references to singular elements are not intended to mean "one and only one," but rather "one or more." All structural and functional equivalents of elements in various configurations known to or to be learned by one of ordinary skill in the art throughout the description herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be covered by the subject matter. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be made public, whether or not it is expressly stated in the foregoing description.

[0055] While this specification contains numerous details, these details should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims, but rather as descriptions of particular embodiments of the subject matter. Certain features described in the context of independent embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments. Furthermore, although the features described above may be described as operating in certain combinations and even initially stated so, in some cases one or more features of a claimed combination may be removed from the combination, and the claimed combination may refer to a sub-combination or a variation of a sub-combination.

Claims

1. A device comprising: A battery pack, configured to provide power to a fixed structure; and A motor, which is powered by fuel and configured as one or more electric motors to provide mechanical power, in: The one or more motors are configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage for charging the battery pack; and The battery pack, the motor, and the one or more motors are enclosed in a fixed system housing.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the motor comprises an internal combustion engine (ICE).

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more motors comprise one or more DC generators, and wherein the DC voltage is regulated to match the nominal voltage of the battery pack.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fuel comprises one of the following: compressed natural gas (CNG), gasoline, diesel, propane, or hydrogen.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery pack comprises a fully charged battery pack, the fully charged battery pack being charged to a level in the range of about 98% to 100% of the maximum permissible charge level associated with the battery pack.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel is supplied by a fuel delivery device including a fuel pipe.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting system housing further includes an internal heat shield arranged to shield the battery compartment including the battery pack from other components in the mounting system housing.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the fixed system housing further includes a battery management system (BMS) that communicates with the motor and the battery pack.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the BMS is configured to control the operation of the motor to keep the battery pack charged at a desired level.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting system housing further comprises cooling fins made of a thermally conductive material.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting system housing further includes a plurality of exhaust fans configured to remove hot air from the compartments of the mounting system housing.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting system housing further includes a plurality of cooling fans configured to blow fresh air into the compartments of the mounting system housing.

13. A system comprising: Fixed structure; and An internal generator system, the internal generator system comprising: A battery pack, configured as a fixed structure to provide power; A motor configured to be powered by fuel and to provide mechanical power to one or more motors, wherein the one or more motors are configured to generate a DC voltage for charging the battery pack; and BMS, which is configured to manage the operation of the motor. The internal generator system is enclosed within a fixed system housing.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the BMS is configured to manage the operation of the motor to charge the battery pack at a desired level.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the motor comprises an ICE, and wherein the one or more motors comprise one or more DC generators.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the fuel comprises one of the following supplied via a fuel delivery device including a fuel pipe: CNG, gasoline, diesel, propane, or hydrogen.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the fixing system housing further comprises: Cooling fins, said cooling fins being made of a thermally conductive material; Multiple exhaust fans are configured to remove hot air from the compartments of the fixed system housing; as well as Multiple cooling fans are configured to blow fresh air into the compartment of the fixed system housing.

18. A method comprising: A battery pack is provided for supplying a first DC voltage to a stationary structure; The battery pack is electrically connected to the output of one or more motors to generate a second DC voltage for charging the battery pack; The ICE is mechanically connected to the one or more motors; as well as Fuel is supplied to the ICE.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the battery pack, the ICE, and the one or more motors are enclosed in a fixed system housing, wherein the fixed system housing further includes cooling fins, a plurality of exhaust fans, and a plurality of cooling fans.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising providing a BMS to manage the operation of the ICE, thereby maintaining the battery pack at a desired charging level.

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