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US 7,293,621 B2Granted
Vehicle drive system with energy recovery system and vehicle mounting same
AssigneeCharge-O-Matic Energy Recovery Devices, LLC
InventorThomas Long
Life of this patent
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AssigneeCharge-O-Matic Energy Recovery Devices, LLC
InventorThomas Long
Estimating the term…
A drive system with at least one power storage device and at least one motor intermittently energized and de-energized through coupling to the at least one power storage device. The drive having at least one weighted drive member coupled to the at least one motor. An at least one energy recovery device returns energy to the at least one power storage device when the motor is energized or when the motor is de-energized by intermittently engaging the at least one drive member. The system also comprises a drive unit coupled to said at least one weighted drive member such that the motor drives the at least one weighted drive member which in turn drives the drive train wherein when the at least one weighted drive member is disengaged from the drive train. The motor can remain in an energized state or become de-energized and energy recovery through the at last one energy recovery device can continue to return energy to the power storage device so long as the weighted drive member is driven.
A vehicle with an energy recovery drive system comprising:
A drive system comprising:
A drive system comprising:
The drive system of 70, wherein the at least one energy recovery device further comprises a third energy recovery device for recovering energy from the drive unit when the drive unit is moving.
A drive system comprising:
A drive system comprising:
The drive system of 117, further comprising a switch coupled between the at least one power storage device and the motor, wherein the switch de-energizes and energizes the motor.
The drive system of 118, wherein the switch is coupled to a control input.
The drive system of 119, wherein the control input is coupled to a controller that is coupled to the motor and the controller activates the motor in response to input from the control input.
The drive system of 120, wherein in response to engaging the control input the motor is energized by the controller.
The drive system of 117, wherein the torque plate is intermittently engaged with the transmission unit.
The drive system of 122, further comprising a controller and a control input, wherein signals from the control input activates the controller, which engages and disengages the clutch device.
The drive system of 122, further comprising a controller and a control input and an additional control input, wherein signals from the control input activate the clutch device and signals from the additional control input disengages the clutch device.
The drive system of 117, wherein the clutch device is one of a mechanical, a hydrostatic, or an electrical.
The drive system of 121, wherein the controller provides a delay to allow the motor to spin up the weighted drive member to a specified rotational speed before engaging the traction member.
The drive system of 117, wherein the motor is one of an electric, a hydraulic, or an internal combustion motor.
The drive system of 127, wherein the motor is a DC electric motor.
The drive system of 127, wherein the motor is an internal combustion engine.
The drive system of 117, wherein the a motor support carriage comprises a frame, at least one set of support rails and at least one set of support members.
The drive system of 131, wherein the drive assembly is supported on the least one set of support rails with the at least one set of support members.
The drive system of 132, wherein the drive assembly transitions freely in the horizontal direction relative to the transmission unit to control the speed of the vehicle.
The drive system of 133, further comprising a transitioning motor coupled to the drive assembly to transition at least one of the motor support carriage and the drive assembly.
The drive system of 134, wherein the horizontal motion and placement of the drive assembly relative to the transmission unit determines the speed of the drive system and is controlled by a controller coupled to a control input.
The drive system of 135, wherein the at least one energy recovery device comprises a first energy recovery device mounted on the motor support plate within the motor assembly.
The drive system of 136, wherein the first energy recovery device remains in contact with the weighted drive member at a set distance from a center-point of the weighted drive member.
The drive system of 137, further comprising a second energy recovery device.
The drive system of 138, wherein the second energy recovery device is driven directly from the motor.
The drive system of 138, wherein the second energy recovery device is driven by a gearbox that is driven directly from the motor.
The drive system of 139, wherein the second energy recovery device is also engaged while the motor is energized.
The drive system of 138, wherein the first energy recovery device is mounted on the motor support carriage.
The drive system of 142, wherein the first energy recovery device includes a tractive wheel that moves over the top of the weighted drive member as the weighted drive member returns to its starting position.
The drive system of 138, wherein both energy recovery devices can be operated simultaneously with the motor.
The drive system of 138, wherein the first energy recovery device is free to move horizontally relative to the weighted drive member.
The drive system of 146, wherein the first energy recovery device engages a shaft extending from the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.