Electric barrier transfer machine

Abstract

The barrier transfer machine includes an electric capstan system with regenerative braking / tension application. The regenerative braking / tension application recaptures energy when the electric motor is forced to rotate by the passing barrier while no power is applied or while low power is applied.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority with respect to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 347,593, entitled "ELECTRICALLY OPERATED BARRIER TRANSFER MACHINE", filed on June 1, 2022. The entire patent application identified above is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Movable road barrier systems are often placed on roads to create a traffic barrier between opposing lanes of traffic. Unlike permanent barriers, movable road barrier systems can be picked up and repositioned by a barrier transfer machine to more effectively use space, increase vehicle capacity, and reduce traffic congestion. For example, the barrier transfer machine can move the road barrier system back and forth between lanes of the road to provide more lanes in the direction of peak traffic and / or create a work area space for construction workers.

[0003] Typical barrier transfer machines are powered by one or more internal combustion engines. Such engines are inefficient, noisy, difficult to control precisely, and produce harmful pollution. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention solves the above and related problems and provides a distinct advancement in the art of road barrier transfer machines. More particularly, the present invention provides a road barrier transfer machine powered by one or more electric motors. The barrier transfer machine also includes a capstan system with regenerative braking / tensioning.

[0005] A barrier transfer machine configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention broadly includes a movable chassis with an electric motor, an inlet snout, an outlet snout, a conveyor system, and an electric capstan system with regenerative braking / tensioning.

[0006] The chassis has two ends and rides on wheels, belts, or other ground-engaging traction elements driven by one or more electric motors powered by one or more batteries. The machine is drivable in either direction. In one embodiment, two operator cabs are supported on the chassis, one at each end of the chassis, although embodiments of the machine may have only one operator cab or no operator cab at all. As used herein, the end of the machine that is currently picking up the barrier is referred to as the "front end" or "leading end", and the end of the machine that is returning the barrier is referred to as the "rear end".

[0007] Any snout can pick up or lower the barrier depending on the direction of movement of the machine. As used herein, the snout that is currently in front is referred to as the "inlet snout", and the snout that is currently in the rear is referred to as the "outlet snout".

[0008] The inlet snout and the outlet snout include a plow bar that functions as a guide for the barrier as it enters and exits the machine, and a number of bogie assemblies having conveyor wheels that pick up the barrier and carry it towards the conveyor or return the barrier to its original position after it has been carried through the machine. The inlet snout positioning mechanism is coupled to the inlet snout to shift the inlet snout generally laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis.

[0009] The conveyor system extends under the chassis and conveys road barriers from the inlet snout to the outlet snout.

[0010] The capstan system is mounted alongside the conveyor system and attempts to hold the road barrier span in its original longitudinal position relative to the road, adjusting the tension or compression in the road barrier span while being conveyed by the conveyor system. One embodiment of the capstan system includes a pair of capstan wheels on each side of the conveyor system, and a hydraulic cylinder, linkage mechanism, or other mechanism for biasing the wheels against the road barrier as the wheels pass, and an electric motor and pump for driving the wheels to apply varying forward and rearward pressures to the road barrier. The capstan system functions by clamping the barrier with the capstan wheels and applying forward or rearward rotational pressure to the barrier as it passes over the conveyor system. This relieves excessive tension or compression in the span, reduces barrier migration, and / or repositions the barriers relative to each other.

[0011] According to an important aspect of the invention, the capstan system also provides regenerative braking / tensioning. Regenerative braking / tensioning recaptures energy when the electric motor driving the capstan wheels is rotated by the passing barrier with no power applied to the electric motor or with low power applied. For example, when the barrier transporter is moving up grade, the capstan system must apply reverse torque to the barrier to counteract the effect of gravity as the barrier is lifted off the ground. The electric motor does not power the capstan wheels or supplies low power to slow or brake the capstan wheels and cause the capstan wheels to apply forward rotational pressure to the barrier. The passing barrier rotates the electric motor in reverse, causing the motor to function as a generator and thus reversing the direction of current flow between the battery and the motor to recharge the battery.

[0012] In some embodiments, the recaptured electricity from the capstan motor recharges the battery that drives the motor as described above. In other embodiments, the recaptured electricity charges a supercapacitor that can supplement the battery during periods of very high electrical demand. For example, if the barrier transporter is traveling downhill and the capstan wheels must apply more rotational torque to the barriers to maintain their spacing while the barriers are being lifted from the ground, the supercapacitor can discharge its stored electricity to the capstan motor to supplement the electricity from the battery. In yet other embodiments, whenever regenerative braking / tensioning occurs, the electric motor is connected to other electrical consumption devices within or on the barrier transporter to power such devices.

[0013] According to an important aspect of the present invention, the control system can detect when the barrier is in a tensioned or compressed state and control the capstan wheel motor and associated regenerative braking / tensioning.

[0014] This summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form selected concepts that are further described in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the various embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a barrier transfer machine 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As best shown in FIG. 6, the barrier transfer machine 10 is configured to pick up and relocate a span 1 of interconnected road barriers 12 in order to provide more lanes in the direction of peak traffic, create a work area space for construction workers, or otherwise more effectively utilize road space, increase the volume of vehicles, and / or reduce traffic congestion. According to an important aspect of the present invention, as will be described in more detail below, the barrier transfer machine is driven by one or more electric motors and includes regenerative braking / tensioning and a control system for managing the regenerative braking / tensioning.

[0017] FIG. 15 shows an exemplary span of road barriers 12 that can be picked up and relocated by the barrier transfer machine 10. The span 12 may be of any length and may include any number of fixed-length road barriers 14 and variable-length barriers 16. In some embodiments, the barriers 14 and 16 are connected end-to-end using steel pins and / or tension hinge mechanisms, which will be described in more detail below.

[0018] An example of a fixed-length barrier 14 is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The barrier 14 may be of any type, shape, and size and may be formed of any suitable material, such as high-strength concrete filled with concrete or a high-strength steel frame. In one embodiment, the barrier 14 has a T-shaped upper surface 18 so that it can be picked up and relocated by the bogie wheels of the barrier transfer machine, as shown in FIG. 9 and described below.

[0019] Returning to FIGS. 10 and 11, one side of each barrier 14 includes fixed and spaced connection flanges 20, and the opposite side includes spaced and spring-biased reactive tension elements 22. Steel rods 24 may be inserted through their through-holes when the flanges 20 and tension elements 22 of adjacent barriers are aligned to interconnect the adjacent barriers. The reactive tension elements 22 allow the adjacent barriers to move longitudinally relative to each other when the barriers are under tension or compression. In other embodiments, the fixed-length barriers may not have reactive tension elements, but instead may have larger holes in the connection flanges that create "sloppy (semi-restrained) hinges" to accommodate some of the longitudinal movement between adjacent barriers.

[0020] Examples of variable-length barriers 16 are shown in FIGS. 12-14. These barriers may be of any shape and size, and each has an outer frame 26 and an inner telescoping structure 28 that can move inside and outside of the outer frame 26 when the barrier is subjected to tension or compressive forces. The variable-length barriers also include connection flanges 30 that can be aligned with and interconnected to the connection flanges of adjacent barriers by steel rods 32. Movement of the telescoping inner structure 28 is resisted by an internal hydraulic cylinder or other hydraulic or spring mechanism.

[0021] FIG. 12 shows the variable-length barrier 16 in a fully retracted or compressed state when subjected to a compressive force large enough to fully compress the hydraulic cylinder or other biasing mechanism. FIG. 14 shows the barrier 16 in a fully extended state when subjected to a tension force large enough to fully extend the hydraulic cylinder or other biasing mechanism. FIG. 13 shows the barrier in its neutral or steady state when the barrier is not subjected to compressive or tensile forces. Further details of an exemplary embodiment of the variable-length barrier are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,439,802, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0022] Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-9 and 16, the aspects of the barrier transporter 10 will be described in more detail. One embodiment of the barrier transporter 10 broadly includes a movable chassis 34, an inlet snout 36, an inlet snout positioning mechanism 37, an outlet snout 38, a conveyor system 40, a capstan system 42, and a control system 44.

[0023] The chassis 34 has a front end and a rear end disposed along a generally longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the road on which the machine is driven. The chassis 34 rides on wheels 46, a belt, or other ground-engaging traction elements driven by one or more electric motors powered by one or more batteries.

[0024] In one embodiment, the barrier transporter 10 includes two operator cabs 48, 50, one at each end of the chassis 34. The machine 10 can be driven in either direction, but typically only one operator in one of the cabs can take primary control at any time. Usually, the cab being operated is the cab at the end of the machine facing the direction in which the machine is moving. In some embodiments, the barrier transporter 10 can include various sensors and controls that provide autonomous operation without direct operator control or semi-autonomous operation with some degree of operator control.

[0025] The inlet snout 36 is attached to the front end of the chassis and is configured to pick up a road barrier span from a first position on the road surface. Similarly, the outlet snout 38 is attached to the rear end of the chassis to return the span to the road surface at a second position different from the first position. The snouts 36, 38 act as guides for the road barrier when the road barrier is picked up and / or dropped, and can be moved and adjusted by the operator of the machine to align the incoming road barrier with the desired placement position. Each snout 36, 38 includes an array of flounder bus assemblies 51 and bogie assemblies 52. Each bogie assembly 52 includes a number of conveyor wheels 54 that pick up, carry, and / or lay down the barrier depending on the direction of movement of the machine.

[0026] The inlet snout positioning mechanism 37 is schematically shown in FIG. 16 and is operable to shift the inlet snout 36 left and right with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine 10 so as to align the inlet snout with the barrier before picking up. One embodiment of the inlet snout positioning mechanism 37 can include a linear actuator, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric motor, or other mechanism, or a combination of mechanisms, for shifting the brander bus 51 of the inlet snout left and right. In some embodiments, the inlet snout positioning mechanism 37 may be controlled by a joystick or other control system in one or both operator cabs of the machine. In other embodiments, the inlet snout positioning mechanism may be controlled automatically or by a remote operator.

[0027] The conveyor system 40 extends under the barrier transporter and is configured to transport the span of the road barrier from the inlet snout 36 to the outlet snout 38. The conveyor system 40 can be composed of a plurality of assemblies and parts, including straight sections, turn sections, and pickup / laydown sections connected to the snouts 36, 38. As best shown in FIG. 5, one embodiment of the conveyor system 40 includes an S-shaped or other curved structural frame 56 attached to the bottom of the machine and an array of bogie assemblies 52 supported by this frame. Each bogie assembly 52 has a number of carrier wheels 54 that pick up and transport the barrier through the machine during the barrier transport operation.

[0028] The capstan system 42 is attached alongside the conveyor system 40 and adjusts the tension or compression of the road barrier span 12 while it is being transported by the conveyor system, attempting to hold the barrier span in its original longitudinal position relative to the road. As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, one embodiment of the capstan system 42 includes a pair of large capstan wheels 58 on each side of the conveyor system, and a hydraulic cylinder, linkage mechanism, or other mechanism 60 that biases the wheels against the road barrier as the wheels pass, and an electric motor 61 and / or pump for driving the wheels to apply various forward and backward pressures to the road barrier. The electric motor is powered by one or more rechargeable batteries 63. The capstan system 42 functions by clamping the barrier with the capstan wheels 58 as it passes over the conveyor system 42 and applying forward rotational pressure or backward rotational pressure to the barrier via the motor 61. This relieves excessive tension or compression in the span, reduces barrier migration, and / or repositions the barriers relative to each other.

[0029] According to an important aspect of the present invention, the capstan system 42 also provides regenerative braking / tensioning. Regenerative braking / tensioning recaptures energy when the electric motor 61 is rotated by the passing barrier with no power applied to the electric motor, or with reduced power applied. For example, when the barrier transporter is moving up grade, the capstan system must apply reverse torque to the barrier to counteract the effect of gravity as the barrier is lifted off the ground. The electric motor 61 does not power the capstan wheels 58, or supplies reduced power, to slow or brake the capstan wheels and apply forward rotational pressure to the barrier on the capstan wheels 58. This causes the electric motor 61 to rotate in reverse and function as a generator, allowing the direction of current flow between the battery 63 and the motor 61 to be reversed to charge the battery.

[0030] In some embodiments, the recaptured electricity recharges the battery 63 as described above. In other embodiments, the recaptured electricity charges a supercapacitor 65 that can supplement the battery during periods of very high power demand. For example, if the barrier transporter is traveling downhill and the capstan wheels must apply more rotational torque to the barriers to maintain their spacing while the barriers are being lifted from the ground, the supercapacitor can discharge its stored electricity to the capstan motor to supplement the electricity from the battery. In yet other embodiments, whenever regenerative braking / tensioning occurs, the electric motor is connected to other electrical consumption devices within or on the barrier transporter to power such devices.

[0031] According to an important aspect of the present invention, the control system 44 can detect when the barrier is in a tensioned or compressed state and control the capstan wheel motor and associated regenerative braking / tensioning. One embodiment of the control system 44 is shown in FIG. 16 and broadly includes one or more barrier position sensors 62, one or more barrier tension sensors 64, and a processing system 66. The control system 44 may be a stand-alone system or may be incorporated into other control systems of the barrier transporter.

[0032] Each barrier position sensor 62 senses the position of at least one of the road barriers 12 and generates corresponding barrier position data before the road barriers are picked up by the inlet snout 36. In some embodiments, the barrier position sensor is a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor and / or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor mounted on an extension arm 66 extending in front of the inlet snout. In other embodiments, the barrier position sensor 62 may be a camera mounted on the inlet snout or any other device or mechanism that is operable to sense the position or relative position of at least one of the barriers and generate corresponding position data. As used herein, the "position" of a barrier may be its geographical coordinates, its relative position with respect to the inlet snout, and / or its angle with respect to the inlet snout.

[0033] Each barrier tension sensor 64 senses the tension or compression between at least two road barriers 12, either before or after the road barrier is lifted by the inlet snout 36, and generates corresponding data. In some embodiments, the tension sensor may be a strain gauge, a load cell, a torque sensor, or any device capable of measuring the tension or compression between adjacent barriers.

[0034] The processing system 66 is coupled to the barrier position sensor 62 and the barrier tension sensor 64 by a wired or wireless connection, receives and analyzes the sensor data, and determines whether the barrier is in a tension or compression state. In some embodiments, the processing system 66 generates and transmits control signals for controlling the motors 61 and their associated regenerative braking / tension application. For example, if the processing system determines that the barrier is over-tensioned or compressed, the processing system can operate the capstan motors 61 and the wheels 58 to relieve the excessive tension or compression and trigger the associated regenerative braking / tension.

[0035] The control system 44 may also include a data transceiver 72 for transmitting data to a remote control system 74 and receiving control instructions and / or data from the remote control system. The data transceiver 72 can be any device capable of transmitting and receiving data via a wired or wireless connection. The data transceiver may be, or include, a Bluetooth communication, a radio frequency (RF) communication, a near field communication (NFC), and / or a wired or wireless network adapter or a wireless data receiver used with a cellular phone network, a global system for mobile communications (GMS), 3G, or other mobile data networks, and / or a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX). Other considerations

[0036] In this description, reference to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "embodiments" means that one or more of the recited features are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. In this description, reference to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "embodiments" individually does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and unless so stated and / or otherwise obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art from this description, they are not mutually exclusive. For example, features, structures, operations, etc. described in one embodiment may be included in other embodiments, but not necessarily. Thus, the technology can include various combinations and / or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

[0037] This application describes in detail a number of different embodiments, but the legal scope of this specification is defined by the language of the claims set forth at the end of this patent and their equivalents. The detailed description should be construed as merely illustrative, and is not intended to describe all possible embodiments, as it would be impractical to do so. Many alternative embodiments can be implemented using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, and they will still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0038] Throughout this specification, multiple instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and the operations need not be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functions presented as separate components within an exemplary configuration may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functions presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are within the scope of the subject matter of this specification.

[0039] Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a number of routines, subroutines, applications, or instructions. These may constitute either software (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware. In hardware, the above routines, etc. are tangible units capable of performing specific operations and may be configured or arranged in a specific manner. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more computer systems (e.g., a stand-alone, client, or server computer system), or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or group of processors), may be configured as computer hardware that operates to perform specific operations as described herein by software (e.g., an application or a portion of an application).

[0040] In various embodiments, computer hardware such as processing system 66 and other processing elements may be implemented as either special-purpose or general-purpose. For example, processing system 66 may include dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or indefinitely configured, such as an FPGA, to perform certain operations. Processing system 66 may also include programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., that included within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. It will be appreciated that whether to implement the processing system as special-purpose and permanently configured circuitry or as general-purpose (e.g., configured by software) for a particular purpose may be determined taking into account cost and time.

[0041] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the term "processing system" or equivalent encompasses a tangible entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., physically incorporated), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a particular manner described herein or to perform a particular operation. When considering embodiments in which the processing system is temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of the processing elements need not be configured or instantiated at any given point in time. For example, if the processing system includes a general-purpose processor configured using software, the general-purpose processor may be configured as a different processing element at different times. Thus, software may configure the processing elements such that at one time they configure a hardware configuration and at another time they configure a different hardware configuration.

[0042] Computer hardware components such as processing system 66, associated memory components, processing elements, etc. can exchange information with other computer hardware components. Thus, the computer hardware components described herein can be regarded as being communicatively coupled. When multiple such computer hardware components are present simultaneously, communication can be achieved via signal transmission that connects the computer hardware components (e.g., through appropriate circuits and buses). In embodiments where multiple computer hardware components are configured or instantiated at different times, communication between such computer hardware components can be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of information in a memory structure accessible to the multiple computer hardware components. For example, a certain computer hardware component can execute an operation and store the output of that operation in a memory device to which it is communicatively coupled. Subsequently, a further computer hardware component can later access the memory device, retrieve the stored output, and process it. Also, a computer hardware component can initiate communication with an input device or an output device to operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information).

[0043] The various operations of the exemplary methods described herein can be at least partially executed by one or more processing elements that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to execute the relevant operations. Whether temporarily configured or permanently configured, such processing elements can constitute processing element implementation modules that operate to execute one or more operations or functions. The modules referred to herein can, in some exemplary embodiments, comprise processing element implementation modules.

[0044] Similarly, the methods or routines described herein can be at least partially of a processing element implementation type. For example, at least some of the operations of a method can be performed by one or more processing elements or processing element implementation hardware modules. Certain performance of the operations can exist not only within a single machine but also be distributed among one or more processing elements deployed across several machines. In some exemplary embodiments, one or more processing elements can be located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, within a workplace environment, or as a server farm), while in other embodiments, the processing elements can be distributed across multiple locations.

[0045] Unless otherwise indicated, the descriptions in this specification that use words such as "processing", "computing", "calculating", "determining", "presenting", "displaying", etc. can refer to the operations or processes of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transforms data represented as a physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantity within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or other mechanical components that receive, store, transmit, or display information.

[0046] As used herein, the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "has", "having", or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements, and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0047] The patent claims related to the patent application for this application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), except where traditional means-plus-function language, such as the language "means for" or "step for" explicitly recited in the claim, is explicitly recited in the claim.

[0048] The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be noted that equivalents may be employed herein and substitutions may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claim 1 A barrier transfer machine for picking up and repositioning road barriers, comprising: A movable chassis having a front end and a rear end arranged generally along the longitudinal axis; An inlet snout supported at the front end of the movable chassis for picking up the road barrier from the road surface; An outlet snout for returning the road barrier to the road surface; A conveyor system arranged between the inlet snout and the outlet snout for transporting the road barrier from the inlet snout to the outlet snout; A capstan system for adjusting the tension or compression in the road barrier while the road barrier is being transported by the conveyor system; and The capstan system includes an electric motor powered by one or more rechargeable batteries and a regenerative braking / tensioning system for recharging the rechargeable batteries, the barrier transfer machine. Claim 2 The barrier transfer machine according to claim 1, wherein the capstan system further includes a pair of capstan wheels on both sides of the conveyor system. Claim 3 The barrier transfer machine according to claim 2, wherein the capstan system further includes a mechanism for biasing the capstan wheels against the road barrier when the road barrier passes through the capstan wheels. Claim 4 The barrier transfer machine according to claim 3, wherein the electric motor drives the capstan wheels to apply a rearward rotational pressure to the road barrier. Claim 5 The barrier transfer machine according to claim 4, wherein the electric motor is driven by the capstan wheels and operates as a generator for recharging the rechargeable batteries when the capstan wheels apply a forward rotational pressure to the road barrier. Claim 6 The barrier transfer machine according to claim 5, wherein the capstan system further has a supercapacitor charged by the regenerative braking / tensioning system when the electric motor is driven by the capstan wheels. Claim 7 The barrier transfer machine according to claim 6, wherein the supercapacitor supplies power to the electric motor when the electric motor drives the capstan wheels. Claim 8 The barrier transfer machine according to claim 7, further having a control system for detecting when the barrier transfer machine is traveling downhill and, in response, discharging the supercapacitor to the electric motor. Claim 9 The barrier transfer machine according to claim 6, wherein the rechargeable battery and the supercapacitor supply power to electrical components of the barrier transfer machine other than the electric motor.

10. A barrier transfer machine for picking up and repositioning a road barrier, comprising: A movable chassis having a front end and a rear end disposed generally along a longitudinal axis; An inlet snout supported at the front end of the movable chassis for picking up the road barrier from the road surface; An outlet snout for returning the road barrier to the road surface; A conveyor system disposed between the inlet snout and the outlet snout for transporting the road barrier from the inlet snout to the outlet snout; A capstan system for adjusting tension or compression in the road barrier while the road barrier is being transported by the conveyor system; The capstan system includes: A pair of capstan wheels on both sides of the conveyor system; A mechanism for biasing the capstan wheels against the road barrier when the road barrier passes through the capstan wheels; A pair of electric motors, each for driving one of the capstan wheels, the electric motor for applying a rearward rotational pressure to the road barrier; One or more rechargeable batteries for supplying power to the electric motor; A regenerative braking / tensioning system for recharging the rechargeable battery when the electric motor is driven by the capstan wheel.

11. The barrier transfer machine according to claim 10, wherein the capstan system further includes a supercapacitor charged by the regenerative braking / tensioning system when the electric motor is driven by the capstan wheel.

12. The barrier transfer machine according to claim 11, wherein the supercapacitor supplies power to the electric motor when the electric motor drives the capstan wheel to apply a rearward rotational pressure to the road barrier.

13. The barrier transfer machine according to claim 12, further comprising a control system for detecting when the barrier transfer machine is traveling down a slope and, in response thereto, discharging the supercapacitor to the electric motor.

14. The barrier transfer machine according to claim 12, wherein the rechargeable battery and the supercapacitor supply power to electrical components of the barrier transfer machine other than the electric motor.

15. A method of operating a barrier transporter for picking up and repositioning road barriers, comprising: picking up the road barrier from the road surface by an inlet snout supported at the front end of the chassis; transporting the road barrier from the inlet snout to the outlet snout by a conveyor system disposed between the inlet snout and the outlet snout; adjusting the tension or compression in the road barrier by a capstan system while the road barrier is being transported by the conveyor system. The adjusting step includes: biasing the capstan wheel against the road barrier as the road barrier passes through the capstan wheel; driving the capstan wheel by an electric motor to apply a rearward rotational pressure to the road barrier when the road barrier is under compression; powering the electric motor by one or more rechargeable batteries while the electric motor drives the capstan wheel; driving the electric motor by the capstan wheel to apply a forward rotational pressure to the road barrier when the road barrier is under tension; recharging the rechargeable batteries by the electric motor while the electric motor is being driven by the capstan wheel.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising charging a supercapacitor by the electric motor when the electric motor is being driven by the capstan wheel.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising powering the electric motor by the supercapacitor while the electric motor drives the capstan wheel.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising detecting when the barrier transporter is traveling downhill.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising discharging the supercapacitor to the electric motor when the barrier transporter is traveling downhill.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising powering electrical components of the barrier transporter other than the electric motor by the rechargeable batteries and the supercapacitor.

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