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US 6,439,275 B1Granted
Automatic connection system and method
OwnerAbdullah Alhomsiinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic connection system provides for the transfer of energy, gas or liquid fuel between two units of which at least one can be mobile. The system has one transfer part or cable which is at least partially elastic and at least partially rigid and a receiver device that is funnel-shaped with successively tapering or successively tapering successively turned cross-sections. An input device on the transfer part or cable operates as a codeable, secure, self-connecting connection device. An output device is affixed to the receiver device. The system can utilize a cable winder or another suitable extension and retraction mechanism for extension and retraction of the cable.
Claims38
An automatic connection system for the transfer for energy, gas or liquid fuel to a mobile vehicle comprising:
- (a) a stationary connection output device equipped with a receiver device and a code reading device, the code reading device is able to recognize a coded connection input device corresponding to the connection output device, the code reading device is able to activate a transfer mechanism to initiate the transfer of energy, gas or liquid fuel from the output device to the input device;
- and
- (b) an arrangement mounted in the mobile vehicle comprising a cable and a cable extension device, the cable adapted for extension from the mobile vehicle to achieve connection with the stationary connection output device when the mobile vehicle is positioned adjacent the stationary connection output device, the cable being at least semi-rigid and at least semi-elastic, the cable comprising conduits for energy, gas or liquid fuel and having one free end with an affixed coded input device corresponding to the stationary connection output device, the extension mechanism is able to apply a force on the cable extending the cable so that the cable extends a distance between initial positions of the affixed coded input device and the stationary connection output device when the mobile vehicle is positioned adjacent the stationary connection output device and propagating at least part of the force by means of rigidity of the cable to the affixed coded input device forcing the input device through the receiver device, correcting initial direction of the affixed coded input device and forcing the affixed coded input device into the stationary connection output device.
An automatic connection system for the transfer for energy comprising:
- (a) an arrangement mounted in the vehicle comprising a cable intended for extension from the vehicle to achieve connection with a stationary connection output device equipped with a cable receiver outside the vehicle, and a cable extension mechanism, the cable being at least partially rigid and at least partially elastic, the cable comprising conduits for energy and having one free end intended to achieve the connection by an affixed coded input device, the extension mechanism able to apply a force on the cable extending the cable to bridge the entire distance between initial positions of the input device and a stationary output connection device and propagating at least part of the force by means of rigidity of the cable to the input device forcing the input device through the receiver, correcting initial direction and forcing the input device into the stationary connection output device;
- and
- (b) a stationary connection output device equipped with a receiver device for reception of the free end of the cable equipped with the input device, the output device having a corresponding code reading device able to register that the input device of the cable is intended for connection with the output device and belongs to the connection system, the reading device is able to activate a transfer mechanism to initiate the transfer of energy from output device to the input device.
A method for the automatic transfer of energy, gas or liquid fuel to a vehicle comprising:
- (a) providing an automatic connection system comprising:
- (i) an arrangement mounted in the vehicle comprising an extendable cable and a cable extension mechanism, the cable being at least semi-rigid and at least semi-elastic, the cable comprising conduits for energy, gas or liquid fuel and having one free end intended to achieve the connection by means of an affixed coded input device;
- and
- (ii) a corresponding stationary connection output device equipped with a receiver device for the reception of the free end of the cable equipped with the input device, the output device having a corresponding code reading device able to register that the input device of the cable is intended for connection with the output device and belongs to the connection system, the reading device is able to activate a transfer mechanism to initiate the intended transfer;
- (b) parking the vehicle, simultaneously positioning the input device so that the distance between the input and stationary output devices is less than the extendable length of the cable;
- (c) activating the extension device and thereby applying an extension force to the cable forcing the cable out of the vehicle;
- (d) using the same extension force, partly to bridge the distance between the input device and the receiver of the stationary output device and partly to force the input device by means of the receiver to be aligned with the output device and to enter the output device;
- (e) using the corresponding code reading device to register that the input device is intended for connection with the output device;
- (f) after successful identification of the input device, activating the transfer mechanism to initiate the transfer of energy, gas or liquid fuel from the output device to the input device;
- and
- (g) regaining the mobility of the vehicle by retracting the cable back to the vehicle by utilizing the extension device.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.