US 11,535,181 B2Granted

Trailer or container motorized cover powered by supercapacitor

AssigneeTy-Crop Manufacturing Ltd.

InventorsJitze Floris, Gary Wayne Teichrob, Alan Arthur Martens, Ian Breeweg, Rick Jonker, Kevin James Standeven

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Abstract

An apparatus for covering an open top of a transportation trailer container, such as a chip train carrying wood chips, is provided. A flexible cover (e.g. tarp) may be deployed and retracted using a roller moved overtop of the container using pivotable arms. An electrically powered covering mechanism automatically deploys and retracts the cover. The covering mechanism is powered by a supercapacitor, which is charged when connected to an external power source. A charging control circuit can selectably allow or inhibit charging of the supercapacitor depending on power demands of other electrical loads.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for covering an open top of a transportation trailer container, the apparatus comprising:

a cover movable between a closed position in which the cover is disposed over the open top and an open position in which the open top is exposed;
an electrically powered covering mechanism configured to move the cover between the closed position and the open position;
a supercapacitor mounted to the transportation trailer container or a trailer associated with same, the supercapacitor controllably coupled to the electrically powered covering mechanism for providing power thereto;
and
a charging control circuit configured for operative coupling to a source of electrical power which is external to the trailer, the source of electrical power powering an antilock braking system, the charging control circuit configured to:
monitor a current drawn from the source of electrical power to power at least the antilock braking system, the antilock braking system being constantly electrically connected to the source of electrical power;
inhibit charging of the supercapacitor using the source of electrical power when the monitored current is above a predetermined threshold;
and
cause charging of the supercapacitor using the source of electrical power when the monitored current is below the predetermined threshold.

6 more elements

A method for operating an electrically powered covering mechanism for covering an open top of a transportation trailer container, the method comprising:

charging a supercapacitor mounted to the transportation trailer container or a trailer associated with same, wherein charging the supercapacitor comprises:
coupling a charging control circuit to a source of electrical power which is external to the trailer, the source of electrical power powering an antilock braking system;
monitoring, using the charging control circuit, current drawn from the source of electrical power to supply at least the antilock braking system, the antilock braking system being constantly electrically connected to the source of electrical power;
inhibiting, using the charging control circuit, charging of the supercapacitor using the source of electrical power when the monitored current is above a predetermined threshold;
and
causing, using the charging control circuit, charging of the supercapacitor using the source of electrical power when the monitored current is below the predetermined threshold;
and
using charge stored in the supercapacitor to operate the electrically powered covering mechanism to move a cover movable between a closed position in which the cover is disposed over the open top and an open position in which the open top is exposed.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/588,058Filed 30 Sep 2019 · us provisional application
Priority: 5 Mar 2019
Published: US 2020/0282930 A110 Sep 2020
Granted: 27 Dec 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B60J 7/085
Of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a…:…
B60R 16/033
For supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for: characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries
H02J 7/855
Circuit arrangements for charging or discharging batteries or for supplying loads from batteries: with circuits adapted for supplying loads from…
H02J 9/061
With automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems: for DC powered loads