Electric car charger

Abstract

The present invention describes a low-profile wind or airflow driven turbine system for generating electrical charge on or attached to a vehicle. Embodiments will generally be incorporated into the vehicle's power system and allow for replacing some or all of the vehicle's electrical needs. The device utilizes the airflow from motion of the vehicle, along with any existing airflow along the same vector, to drive a turbine which transfers the energy rotationally through a stator mechanism. The device is modular and may be deployed in groups to take greater advantage of potential wind / air flow opportunities.

Description

[0001] Electric Car Charger

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of electricity generating turbines. Specifically, the present invention is a wind powered turbine system engaged to recharge batteries for electric vehicles.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly becoming a highly sought after replacement for traditional fuel-based vehicles. Reasons for this increased popularity include the need to reduce carbon fuel emission byproducts and comfort benefits such as allowing one to “refuel” by charging the vehicle in your home with minimal equipment. The improving availability of EVs and related infrastructure has encouraged market growth. Likewise, the ability to recharge roughly as quickly as filling a tank of gas has become more prevalent and allowed ownership to approach parity for quality-of-life concerns with EV ownership. However, the infrastructure will take some time in order to serve the populace as broadly as the gasoline-based system we currently have in place. Further, even if a robust charge station infrastructure were to be in place, there is a strong likelihood that the time necessary to charge an EV makes it a less palatable option for many travel and transport scenarios.

[0006] Even with improving support infrastructure, an EV that runs low on charge may not have many options to replenish the necessary energy to complete a trip or, even, return to its starting point. The time necessary to fully recharge may still make EVs a less palatable option for many travel and transport scenarios with significant travel distances. And where there are charging stations, quickly charging the battery may require a considerable amount of money in addition to the time investment. Systems which enable a vehicle to recharge, wholly or in part, while mobile may provide a solution for this problem. Wind turbine power generation, driven by both natural wind and airflow from a vehicle in motion, is and has been a promising avenue for addressing these drawbacks of EV operation. Previously attempted solutions have produced bulky systems which can weigh down a vehicle and ruin a carefully designed aesthetic. The present invention provides a more compact and efficient solution that avoids these concerns.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a left-side view for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a front view for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a top-side view for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a right-side view for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a rear view for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 6 is an under-side view for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a top-left off-set view for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a bottom-left off-set view for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 9 is bottom-right rear off-set view for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the turbine assembly for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the stator assembly for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 12 is an example view demonstrating an embodiment of the present invention where multiple devices are able to be attached for operation in conjunction.

[0020] FIG. 13 is an example view for an embodiment of the present invention where several individual devices have been attached for combined operation. DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0021] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0022] Embodiments of the invention are a turbine electrical charging device (100) comprising one or more attachment elements (101), a shell structure (102), a curved- bladed fan structure or turbine (103), a shaft (104), a stator (105), a cooling envelope (106), an energy transfer means (107), a wire harness (108), an electrical connector, and a processing unit (110). A preferred attachment element (101) may be attachment clips which enable the shell to be clipped and / or wired to the vehicle, as shown in FIGs. 1-10 and 12-13. The shell structure (102) may comprise additional attachment elements (101) which allow it to be attached to one or more other units, enabling them to work in parallel, secured in multiples, and able to be detached individually for maintenance / repair / replacement activities (200). Example embodiments of such configurations are demonstrated in FIGs. 12-13, where the attachment elements (101) are grooved slides which allow the invention to be matched and coordinated. A preferred embodiment would attach the units in the area at the front of a vehicle to access optimal airflow, in the space generally occupied by a radiator system for internal combustion engine vehicles. In most embodiments, the remaining components are enclosed within the shell body (102).

[0023] For the internal composition of the turbine device (100), the components are configured to allow air to pass through the system, moving the turbine fans (103) to engage electric power generation by the device (100). The curved blade (103) is affixed to one end of the shaft (104). Embodiments may enable this connection to be either locked in or removable, which may improve modularity. The shaft runs through the stator (105). The preferred embodiment would use a 240-volt (V) triphasic axial flux stator. The energy transfer means (107) converts rotational energy from the shaft to the stator, causing it to move. For the preferred embodiment, a locking pin is incorporated into the shaft and stator, serving in coordination as a cam shaft- styled motor for the energy transfer means. An alternate embodiment may use a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) as its stator and the energy transfer means would be one or more magnets positioned on a rotor. The harness (108) is formed from a collection of one or more wires through which the device transmits power. For this embodiment, the harness and connector would also be triphasic, allowing electricity to be transmitted in that formulation. The turbine device (100) would then be connected to a vehicle’s electric system to allow it to aid in powering the motor and in recharging the batteries via the harness (108) and connector. Note that the electrical connector is not depicted in the Figures and embodiments would generally comprise one or more of numerous standard and / or proprietary electrical or electronic power connectors known in the art. Connectors and harnesses (108) may be modular in some embodiments, such that the device could be adapted for use in multiple environments with different electronic connection requirements.

[0024] The cooling envelope (106) would then be configured to remove excess heat from the mechanical and electronic components. An embodiment may use heat baffles and / or heat sinks to achieve this end while another embodiment may enable the device to be coupled with a vehicle’s intrinsic cooling system. A processing unit (110) would be attached to the system for control purposes. The processing unit itself would comprise a programmable microcontroller and be electronically integrated with the electromechanical components. The preferred processing unit (110) would be equipped with sensors for monitoring the heat of the device as well as the velocity and direction of the vehicle. Some embodiments may enable the processing unit to be integrated with or within the vehicle's computer. Other embodiments may send the data to the computer to have it control and manage the turbines from an external perspective.

[0025] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A turbine-driven electrical charging apparatus comprising: a shell structure; one or more attachment points; a fan; a shaft; a stator; a cooling envelope; an energy transfer mechanism; a wire harness; an electrical connector; and a processing unit; wherein the fan comprises a ring of curved blades and is affixed to one end of the shaft and positioned such that airflow over the fan in either direction will rotate the fan, turning the fan and shaft; the shaft runs away from the fan through the stator and is connected to the energy transfer mechanism; the energy transfer mechanism operates as a connection between the shaft and stator to convert the rotational energy of the shaft’s rotation and generate electrical energy from a rotating magnetic field; the stator is electrically connected to the wire harness, serving as the transmission channel for any generated electrical charge; the processing unit is electrically connected to the stator and energy transfer mechanism; the processing unit is configured to be able to engage or disengage the energy transfer mechanism; the cooling envelope is connected to the stator and configured to allow the stator to displace excess generated heat; the fan, shaft, energy transfer mechanism, stator, cooling envelope, and processing unit are enclosed and contained within the shell structure;the shell structure is configured to allow airflow through itself internally and over the fan blades, allowing them to be rotated by the airflow; the wire harness extends through the shell structure and has the electrical connector affixed at the distal end; and the one or more attachment points are positioned to the outer portions of the shell structure.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein two or more of the one or more attachment points are clips which allow the apparatus to be attached to a vehicle by physical pressure.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2, wherein the shell structure is formed into a quadrilateral tube and an additional attachment point is affixed on each of the four side surfaces further wherein these additional attachment points are grooved slides shaped such that similarly positioned slides from one or more adjacent devices may be employed to affix the devices as a modular unit.

4. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the energy transfer mechanism is a locking pin and rotor structure.

5. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the energy transfer mechanism is an induction motor system further wherein one or more magnets are attached to the shaft to provide the magnetic catalyst for the rotating magnetic field.

6. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the processing unit is electrically connected to and regulated by the attached vehicle’s computer.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the processing unit further comprises one or more sensors to monitor the apparatus’ environment.

8. The apparatus of Claim 7, further wherein the one or more sensors include sensors to measure the temperature of the apparatus’s components and the velocity of the attached vehicle.

9. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the cooling envelope comprises one or more heat baffling components.

10. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein the cooling envelope comprises one or more solid heat sink components.

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