US 5,982,139 A · Remote charging system for a vehicle

Abstract

This invention is a remote charging system for use with an electrical storage device mounted in an electric or electric/hybrid vehicle. The system includes a power transmission unit capable of transmitting electrical energy to the electrical storage device via a wireless energy beam. The vehicle includes an antenna capable of receiving the wireless energy beam and transferring the electrical energy to the storage device. The vehicle further includes a translocator for transmitting a coded signal to the power transmission unit corresponding to the location of the vehicle and thereby activating the power transmission unit. The power transmission unit receives and locks onto the coded signal and thereby tracks the vehicle during the charging operation. The translocator signal is transmitted until the electrical storage unit reaches a predetermined level of charge.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A remote charging system for an electrical energy storage unit comprising:

a translocator operably connected to the electrical energy storage unit and capable of transmitting a coded signal corresponding to a location of the electrical energy storage unit;
a power transmission unit operably connected to a power source capable of receiving the coded signal and further capable of transmitting a wireless power signal to the location of the electrical energy storage unit;
a receiving antenna adapted to receive the power signal and operably connected to transmit the power signal to the electrical energy storage unit;
and
a logic device capable of determining a level of charge in the electrical storage unit, capable of activating the translocator when the level of charge is less than a predetermined level, and capable of deactivating the translocator when the level of charge is greater than a predetermined level.

2 more elements

A remote charging system for an electrical energy storage device disposed within a vehicle having an electric motor for propelling the vehicle, a regenerative braking system for converting braking energy to the electrical energy, a power usage monitoring system, an operator control, and a motor control system, the remote charging system comprising:

a translocator fixedly attached to the vehicle and operably connected to the electrical energy storage device and capable of transmitting a coded signal corresponding to a location of the vehicle;
a power transmission unit operably connected to a power source capable of receiving the coded signal;
the power transmission unit having a tracking circuitry capable of transmitting a wireless power signal to the location of the vehicle;
a receiving antenna fixedly attached to the vehicle and adapted to receive the power signal and operably connected to transmit the power signal to the electrical energy storage unit;
the operator control capable of transmitting a function signal corresponding to an operation of the vehicle;
the motor control unit adapted to receive the function signal, receive electrical energy from the regenerative braking system, and adapted to receive energy from the electrical energy storage device;
and
the motor control unit operably connected to the electric motor and the electrical storage system and capable of controlling the electric motor and transmitting energy to the electrical storage system.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Remote charging system for a vehicle

Life of this patent

Remote charging system for a vehicle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13