WO2010028422A1 - An axle assembly - Google Patents

An axle assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010028422A1
WO2010028422A1 PCT/AU2009/000928 AU2009000928W WO2010028422A1 WO 2010028422 A1 WO2010028422 A1 WO 2010028422A1 AU 2009000928 W AU2009000928 W AU 2009000928W WO 2010028422 A1 WO2010028422 A1 WO 2010028422A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
assembly
axle
generator
trailer
axle assembly
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2009/000928
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Clifford Hall
Original Assignee
Clifford Hall
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2008904767A external-priority patent/AU2008904767A0/en
Application filed by Clifford Hall filed Critical Clifford Hall
Publication of WO2010028422A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010028422A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60P—VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS
    • B60P3/00—Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects
    • B60P3/20—Refrigerated goods vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00007—Combined heating, ventilating, or cooling devices
    • B60H1/00014—Combined heating, ventilating, or cooling devices for load cargos on load transporting vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00357—Air-conditioning arrangements specially adapted for particular vehicles
    • B60H1/00364—Air-conditioning arrangements specially adapted for particular vehicles for caravans or trailers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00421—Driving arrangements for parts of a vehicle air-conditioning
    • B60H1/00428—Driving arrangements for parts of a vehicle air-conditioning electric
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/32—Cooling devices
    • B60H1/3204—Cooling devices using compression
    • B60H1/3232—Cooling devices using compression particularly adapted for load transporting vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60K—ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
    • B60K25/00—Auxiliary drives
    • B60K25/08—Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel, e.g. engaging the wheel tread or rim
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2200/00—Type of vehicle
    • B60Y2200/10—Road Vehicles
    • B60Y2200/14—Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses
    • B60Y2200/147—Trailers, e.g. full trailers or caravans
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/80—Technologies aiming to reduce greenhouse gasses emissions common to all road transportation technologies
    • Y02T10/88—Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to axle assemblies that have an electric generation facility and more particularly to axle assemblies for towed vehicles.
  • articulated motor lorries that are used to transport food products to be maintained at low temperatures include a generally closed compartment operatively associated with a refrigeration assembly.
  • the assembly is driven by a small internal combustion engine.
  • these internal combustion engines are operated continuously particularly when the compartment contains the food products.
  • an axle assembly for a towed vehicle, said assembly including: an axle housing to extend transversely across the vehicle between opposite axle end portions; a bearing assembly at each end portion; a wheel mounting rotatably supported by each bearing assembly and adapted to have a wheel fixed thereto so that the wheels support the axle assembly on a road surface; a drive shaft extending from and associated with one of the mountings to a position remote from the associated mounting; and an electric generator mounted on the housing and operatively associated with said shaft so as to be driven thereby to produce electric power.
  • said electric generator is located generally centrally between said end portion.
  • said housing includes an enlarged portion within which said generator is located and a first and a second transverse part, each extending outwardly from the enlarged portion in opposite directions to a respective one of the end portions.
  • said assembly includes an electronic controller operatively associated with the generator and including an accelerometer to activate the generator when said assembly is deaccelerating and/or is operating at a constant speed.
  • the trailer includes a refrigeration system, an electric motor to drive the refrigeration system, with said assembly providing electric power for said electric motor.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of an axle assembly
  • Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of a trailer having the axle assembly of Figure 1.
  • axle assembly 10 or a towed vehicle such as a trailer 22.
  • the axle assembly 10 includes a housing 11 that is to be attached to the trailer 22 of an articulated vehicle, that is the towed portion of the vehicle.
  • the trailer 22 would usually have a fifth wheel assembly 26 to attach the trailer 22 to a prime mover.
  • the housing 11 has end portions 12 and 13, each end portion
  • the wheel mounting 15 would include a plurality of studs 16 that provide for the fixing of a wheel 27 to the respective mounting 15 so that the wheel 27 is rotatably supported by the associated bearing 14.
  • the wheels 27 engage a ground surface so that the axle assembly 10 is supported thereon.
  • the housing 11 includes an enlarged central portion 17 within which there is located a generator 17.
  • the generator 17 is driven by means of a drive shaft 18 attached to the mounting 15 so as to be driven thereby. Accordingly upon rotation of the mounting 15, as a result of the trailer being towed, the shaft 18 is rotatably driven about the longitudinal axis 19 of the housing 11.
  • an electronic controller 20 Operatively associated with the generator 17 is an electronic controller 20 that would cause operation of the generator 17 when the trailer 22 was deaccelerating and/or operating at a constant speed. This facility would be provided by the controller 20 being provided with an accelerometer.
  • a battery pack 21 Operatively associated with the generator 17 and controller 20 is a battery pack 21 that is charged by the generator 17.
  • the battery pack 21 would be operatively associated with an electric motor 23 that would drive a refrigeration system 24 of a trailer having a compartment 25 to receive food to be maintained at a lower temperature.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

An axle assembly (10) for a towed vehicle such as a trailer (22) having a refrigeration system (24). The axle assembly (10) includes a drive shaft (18) extending from a wheel mounting (15), with the shaft (18) driving a generator (17) that provides electric energy for an electric motor (23) that drives the refrigeration system (24).

Description

AN AXLE ASSEMBLY
Technical Field
The present invention relates to axle assemblies that have an electric generation facility and more particularly to axle assemblies for towed vehicles.
Background of the Invention
Typically articulated motor lorries that are used to transport food products to be maintained at low temperatures include a generally closed compartment operatively associated with a refrigeration assembly. Typically the assembly is driven by a small internal combustion engine. Generally these internal combustion engines are operated continuously particularly when the compartment contains the food products.
As the abovementioned internal combustion engines are generally continuously operating, they suffer from the disadvantage that they are expensive to operate and require regular and often expensive servicing.
Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.
Summary of the Invention
There is disclosed herein an axle assembly for a towed vehicle, said assembly including: an axle housing to extend transversely across the vehicle between opposite axle end portions; a bearing assembly at each end portion; a wheel mounting rotatably supported by each bearing assembly and adapted to have a wheel fixed thereto so that the wheels support the axle assembly on a road surface; a drive shaft extending from and associated with one of the mountings to a position remote from the associated mounting; and an electric generator mounted on the housing and operatively associated with said shaft so as to be driven thereby to produce electric power. Preferably, said electric generator is located generally centrally between said end portion.
Preferably, said housing includes an enlarged portion within which said generator is located and a first and a second transverse part, each extending outwardly from the enlarged portion in opposite directions to a respective one of the end portions.
Preferably, said assembly includes an electronic controller operatively associated with the generator and including an accelerometer to activate the generator when said assembly is deaccelerating and/or is operating at a constant speed.
Preferably, the trailer includes a refrigeration system, an electric motor to drive the refrigeration system, with said assembly providing electric power for said electric motor.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of an axle assembly; and
Figure 2 is a schematic side elevation of a trailer having the axle assembly of Figure 1.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
In the accompanying drawing there is schematically depicted an axle assembly 10 or a towed vehicle such as a trailer 22. The axle assembly 10 includes a housing 11 that is to be attached to the trailer 22 of an articulated vehicle, that is the towed portion of the vehicle. The trailer 22 would usually have a fifth wheel assembly 26 to attach the trailer 22 to a prime mover. The housing 11 has end portions 12 and 13, each end portion
12 and 13 being provided with a bearing assembly 14 that rotatably supports a wheel mounting 15. The wheel mounting 15 would include a plurality of studs 16 that provide for the fixing of a wheel 27 to the respective mounting 15 so that the wheel 27 is rotatably supported by the associated bearing 14. The wheels 27 engage a ground surface so that the axle assembly 10 is supported thereon.
The housing 11 includes an enlarged central portion 17 within which there is located a generator 17. The generator 17 is driven by means of a drive shaft 18 attached to the mounting 15 so as to be driven thereby. Accordingly upon rotation of the mounting 15, as a result of the trailer being towed, the shaft 18 is rotatably driven about the longitudinal axis 19 of the housing 11.
Operatively associated with the generator 17 is an electronic controller 20 that would cause operation of the generator 17 when the trailer 22 was deaccelerating and/or operating at a constant speed. This facility would be provided by the controller 20 being provided with an accelerometer.
Operatively associated with the generator 17 and controller 20 is a battery pack 21 that is charged by the generator 17. The battery pack 21 would be operatively associated with an electric motor 23 that would drive a refrigeration system 24 of a trailer having a compartment 25 to receive food to be maintained at a lower temperature.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. An axle assembly for a towed vehicle, said assembly including: an axle housing to extend transversely across the vehicle between opposite axle end portions; a bearing assembly at each end portion; a wheel mounting rotatably supported by each bearing assembly and adapted to have a wheel fixed thereto so that the wheels support the axle assembly on a road surface; a drive shaft extending from and associated with one of the mountings to a position remote from the associated mounting; and an electric generator mounted on the housing and operatively associated with said shaft so as to be driven thereby to produce electric power.
2. The angle assembly of claim 1, wherein said electric generator is located generally centrally between said end portion.
3. The angle assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein said housing includes an enlarged portion within which said generator is located and a first and a second transverse part, each extending outwardly from the enlarged portion in opposite directions to a respective one of the end portions.
4. The axle assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said assembly includes an electronic controller operatively associated with the generator and including an accelerometer to activate the generator when said assembly is deaccelerating and/or is operating at a constant speed.
5. A trailer having the axle assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the trailer includes a refrigeration system, an electric motor to drive the refrigeration system, with said assembly providing electric power for said electric motor.
6. An axle assembly substantiates as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7. A trailer substantiates as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
PCT/AU2009/000928 2008-09-12 2009-07-21 An axle assembly WO2010028422A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2008904767A AU2008904767A0 (en) 2008-09-12 An axle generator
AU2008904767 2008-09-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010028422A1 true WO2010028422A1 (en) 2010-03-18

Family

ID=42004704

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2009/000928 WO2010028422A1 (en) 2008-09-12 2009-07-21 An axle assembly

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2010028422A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012045056A2 (en) 2010-10-01 2012-04-05 Arnold Brian R Refrigeration system
US9828025B1 (en) 2014-08-28 2017-11-28 Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership Electric transaxle with integral power generating device
US10183694B1 (en) 2014-08-28 2019-01-22 Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership Electric transaxle with integral power generating device
WO2020072706A1 (en) * 2018-10-03 2020-04-09 Carrier Corporation Generator movement control

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2159885A (en) * 1939-05-23 Jasper f
GB2116302A (en) * 1982-03-03 1983-09-21 Teevor Colley Stuckey Refrigeration system for a trailer
BE1002742A3 (en) * 1989-01-13 1991-05-21 Auto Electriciteit Andries Bv Dynamo unit for cars
PT100447A (en) * 1992-05-04 1994-04-29 Jose De Figueiredo Set of alternators and an electric motor
US5559420A (en) * 1993-09-07 1996-09-24 Institute For Home Economics Of Japan, Inc. Electricity supply unit trailer for electric vehicles
US6516925B1 (en) * 2000-09-28 2003-02-11 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. System and method for braking a towed conveyance
DE102005003261A1 (en) * 2005-01-24 2006-08-03 Artin Agocan Motor vehicle trailer has brake which can be actuated by means of electrical potential and is arranged with brake lights whereby trailer has rechargeable battery
US7102245B2 (en) * 2002-03-21 2006-09-05 Torque-Traction Technologies Llc Integral generator/pinion assembly for axle power generation
US7514803B2 (en) * 2005-08-18 2009-04-07 Wilks Paul L Trailer with integral axle-mounted generator and battery charger

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2159885A (en) * 1939-05-23 Jasper f
GB2116302A (en) * 1982-03-03 1983-09-21 Teevor Colley Stuckey Refrigeration system for a trailer
BE1002742A3 (en) * 1989-01-13 1991-05-21 Auto Electriciteit Andries Bv Dynamo unit for cars
PT100447A (en) * 1992-05-04 1994-04-29 Jose De Figueiredo Set of alternators and an electric motor
US5559420A (en) * 1993-09-07 1996-09-24 Institute For Home Economics Of Japan, Inc. Electricity supply unit trailer for electric vehicles
US6516925B1 (en) * 2000-09-28 2003-02-11 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. System and method for braking a towed conveyance
US7102245B2 (en) * 2002-03-21 2006-09-05 Torque-Traction Technologies Llc Integral generator/pinion assembly for axle power generation
DE102005003261A1 (en) * 2005-01-24 2006-08-03 Artin Agocan Motor vehicle trailer has brake which can be actuated by means of electrical potential and is arranged with brake lights whereby trailer has rechargeable battery
US7514803B2 (en) * 2005-08-18 2009-04-07 Wilks Paul L Trailer with integral axle-mounted generator and battery charger

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012045056A2 (en) 2010-10-01 2012-04-05 Arnold Brian R Refrigeration system
EP2621783A4 (en) * 2010-10-01 2016-05-18 Brian R Arnold Refrigeration system
US9828025B1 (en) 2014-08-28 2017-11-28 Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership Electric transaxle with integral power generating device
US10183694B1 (en) 2014-08-28 2019-01-22 Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership Electric transaxle with integral power generating device
US11807296B1 (en) 2014-08-28 2023-11-07 Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership Electric transaxle with integral power generating device
WO2020072706A1 (en) * 2018-10-03 2020-04-09 Carrier Corporation Generator movement control
CN112334340A (en) * 2018-10-03 2021-02-05 开利公司 Generator movement control

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