Power generating unit for a vehicle and method therefor
AssigneeGreen Alternative Solar LLC
InventorsRobert Koelsch, Mark Stoneman, Stanford Stoneman, Ronald G. Koelsch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power generation system has at least one wheel. A trailing arm is pivotably coupled to an undercarriage of a vehicle for converting rotational energy generated by the at least one wheel to electrical energy. A transformer is coupled to the trailing arm. An electric refrigeration unit is coupled to the transformer.
Claims17
An electrical power generation apparatus, attachable to a vehicle having a refrigeration unit and an underside, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a coupling device attachable to the underside;
- (b) a trailing arm comprising:
- (i) a first end pivotably coupled to the coupling device so that the trailing arm can pivot both vertically and laterally, and
- (ii) a second end coupled to at least one free-rotating wheel;
- (c) an air bag coupled to the vertically pivotable and laterally pivotable trailing arm, at a position between the first end and second end, and between the trailing arm and the underside, so that, when the air bag is inflated, the second end of the trailing arm is pivoted downward and the at least one free-rotating wheel is pressed against a road surface;
- (d) a generator mechanically coupled to and driven by the at least one free-rotating wheel and electrically coupleable to the refrigeration unit;
- and
- (e) a position sensor coupled to the trailing arm.
A method of retrofitting a vehicle having a fuel-powered engine that generates electrical energy for a refrigerator unit mounted on the vehicle, the method comprising:
- (a) removing the fuel-powered engine;
- (b) mounting a generator on the vehicle;
- (c) mounting, to an underside of the vehicle, a trailing arm assembly by mounting a coupling device to the underside of the vehicle, wherein the trailing arm assembly comprises:
- (i) a trailing arm;
- (ii) the coupling device, which is pivotably coupled to a first end of the trailing arm so that the trailing arm can pivot both vertically and laterally;
- (iii) a position sensor coupled to the trailing arm;
- and
- (iv) an air bag;
- (d) mechanically coupling the generator and a free-rotating wheel mounted under the vehicle and coupled to a second end of the trailing arm, which wheel is positioned to rotationally contact a road surface at least at some times when the vehicle is in operation;
- (e) mounting a rechargeable battery pack on the vehicle;
- (f) electrically coupling the generator to the rechargeable battery pack, whereby the rechargeable battery pack stores electrical energy produced by the generator when the wheel rotates against the road surface;
- and
- (g) electrically coupling the rechargeable battery pack to the refrigerator unit, whereby the rechargeable battery pack supplies electrical energy to the refrigerator unit;
- (h) wherein the air bag is coupled to and positioned on a top side of the trailing arm at a place between the first end and the second end of the trailing arm, such that, when the trailing arm assembly is mounted to the underside of the vehicle, the air bag is positioned between the trailing arm and the underside of the vehicle and, when inflated, the air bag causes the second end of the trailing arm to pivot downward and press the wheel against the road surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.