GB2101813A

GB2101813A - Friction wheel driven generators for electric and other vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2101813A
Application number: GB08132276A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Trainor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-02-28
Filing date: 1981-10-27
Publication date: 1983-01-19
Also published as: GB2101813B

Abstract

Power is obtained from a friction wheel in contact with a road surface. Attached to each side of the friction wheel is a large "sprocket wheel" this sprocket is connected to a smaller "sprocket wheel" by means of an endless chain, this transmits the power to drive the generators. One side of the friction wheel drives a dynamo with its control unit, the other side of the friction wheel drives an alternator with its internal or external control unit. If necessary a separate friction wheel may drive each generator. The electric power from the dynamo is split and supplies the power to excite the field winding of the alternator. The output the alternator and dynamo is taken to accumulator or D.C input via the generator switch output control, indicator ammetre on the driver's dashboard. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Friction wheel power drive for electric vehicles and other vehicles As Prime Moverto Dynamos As Prime Mover to Alternators To Generate External Electric Power to Augment the Internal Electric Power System of the Electric Vehicle To Charge, Topping-up Charge to Accumulators To Provide Electric Power to Motors and other Services in Electric Vehicles and other Vehicles To Provide Power to excite the Field winding of a Friction Wheel driven Alternator The Source of power Is obtained by the forward speed of an Electric Vehicle or other Vehicles.

"Pulling" on a strong free-geared moving wheel with heavy duty tyres in contact with a road surface on some such surface.

The friction thus caused rapidly "Rotates" the wheel (now called the friction wheel).

This friction wheel is harnessed whichever way possible as Prime mover to drive a Dynamo and Alternator.

The electrical output from the Dynamo is controlled by its control unit that is - Voltage regulator Current regulator Accumulator Cut-out.

The output from the control unit of the Dynamo is split to supply the current required to excite the Alternator field, is then taken to the internal D.C. input system or accumulator via the input switch and indicator am metre and output control on the fascia panel of the Drivers dashboard.

The output also of the Alternators internal or external control unit (dependent on type used) is taken to the internal D.C. input or accumulator via the input switch and indicator ammetre and output balancing control on the fascia panel of the drivers dashboard.

As the speed of the Electric vehicle is raised so will the speed of the friction wheel be raised increasing the drivers Dynamo and Alternator.

Therefore producing a greater output to their rated maximum capacity helping to compensate the falling characteristic of the vehicle accumulator due to its heavier discharge in raising this speed.

This thus extends the working life of a fully charged accumulator.

It is not limited to one friction wheel to each vehicle.

If a greater output is required or a spare accumulator to be charged an extra friction wheel Dynamo and Alternator with seperate control unit can be added.

Two or more outputs can be placed in parallel.

With two friction wheel drives a massive D.C. supply can be supplied to the Electric vehicle their combined output travelling on along straight road, down gradient, the main accumulator could be switched out of circuit, therefore the friction wheels only driving the vehicles motors on their own power. Switching on or off the accumulator could be manual or automatic (Single pole double throw S/wand can be arranged for the power load to be taken from the accumulator only (Switching Generators out) or Generators only under certain conditions (Switching the accumulator out) or from both the Accumulator and the Generators together. This coupled with the Electric Vehicles own electric system. The accumulator immediately switched into circuit when Braking, Braking in traffic, in built up areas, up gradient, any period when the vehicle slows.

The above switching is used only to emphasize the method of Control. More sophisticated methods can be used, Computerised Censers can be used to automatically control to work Generators only, Battery only, or Generation and Battery together as the conditions apply.

Thus the use of smaller accumulators, Larger Motors increased Horse Power.

Higher pay load greater speed more mileage between recharging period of accumulator.

Heavy duty Electric vehicles can be supplied with a massive input of external power by means of a two wheel trailer on tow containing three friction wheel drives.

Tow as Prime Mover to drive Alternators one as Prime Mover to drive a Dynamo to supply field current to the Alternators, and charge or top-up spare accumulators. The main accumulators from the Electric vehicle could replace the spare accumulators in the trailer and also receive the topping-up charge. Due to the construction of the vehicle it may be necessary to place the friction wheel at the front of the vehicle, that is in a "Pushing" position, with the drive to the Dynamo and Alternator to the rear of the vehicle.

Having explained the purpose of the "Friction Wheel Power Drive" now explain its construction.

Construction of Friction Wheel Power Drive A self contained power unit in a strong housing centrally and firmly bolted beneath or at rear of an Electric vehicle or other vehicles with easy access for servicing that is bolted to the vehicles chassis.

The Power Drive consists of the Friction Wheel and its harness to the Dynamo and Alternator.

Dynamo Suitable heavy duty Dynamo depent on the output required and its control unit.

Alternator With its internal or external control unit dependent of type used. The friction wheel drive is harnessed to the Generators whichever way possible.

The Friction Wheel The friction wheel is slotted into the end of a fork shaft slightly bending backwards away from the moving vehicle to introduce a slight extra "DRAG" on the friction wheel, by introducing this slight drag prevents the friction wheel from stuttering (sliding or jumping movements before starting, if the friction wheel is too straight) also reduces tyre wear.

The short apex of this fork shaft ending in a worm drive or sliding slot or small electric motor, this motor controlled by the driver of the vehicle can drive the worm drive.

This worm drive or sliding slot is formed to lower or higher the friction wheel in adjustment with the road or some such surface, can be so adjusted to lift the friction wheel clear of the road if required, if worm motor driven can be lifted by the driver of the Electric vehicle at any given moment.

The Friction wheel harness can be Endless chain drive Belt drive Geared shaft drive and whichever way possible.

In this embodiment the endless chain is used (Belt).

Attached to sides of the friction wheel is a large "Sprocket Wheel" (Pully).

This sprocket wheel is connected at the rear of the units housing (that is towards the front of the vehicle) to a very much smaller "Sprocket Wheel" (Pully) by means of roller or invert tooth endless chain.

One side of the friction wheel drive the Dynamo with its control unit.

The other side of the friction wheel drive the Alternator with its control unit.

The size of the Sprocket Wheels so calculated to given the maximum revs/min required, as cutting in speed or out Drawings Figure 1 1 Housing 3 Friction Wheel 4 Fork Shaft 6 Heavy duty tyres 7 Large "Sprocket Wheel" 8 Very small "Sprocket Wheel" 9 Endless Chain 10 Dynamo and Control unit 10 Alternator and internal or external control unit bolted to unit housing 11A Positive output from Dynamo and Alternator and 11 B Negative output from Dynamo and Alternator to 13 function box with multi-cable socket F.W. Field Winding of the Alternator excited by split power supplied by the Dynamo power output Figure 2 1 Housing 2 Bolts to chassis 2A Bolts to chassis 2B Bolts to chasis 2C Bolts to chassis 3 Friction Wheel 4 Fork shaft 6 Heavydutytyres 7 Large "Sprocket Wheel" 8 Very small "Sprocket Wheel" 9 Endless Chain 10 Dynamo or Alternator with their own control units 11 A Positive output from Dynamo or Alternator 11 B Negative output from Dynamo or Alternator to 13 Junction box with multi-cable socket 5 Sliding slot, one section bolted to chassis 12 Control unit 14 Road surface or some such surface Figure 3 This shows control panel on the vehicles Drivers dashboard.

In this embodiment three friction wheels power driven Generators are used, each with seperate voltage regulators and accumulators cut-out, or control units.

Each Generator is taken from function box "J" with multi cable socket to fuse "F" then to a make and brake or push button switch "S/W" to its variable control "C" through ammetre "AMP" to accumulator switch "S/W1" and Generator "S/W2". Power is taken from S/w2 through switches to ammetre and one side of a single pole "G" double throw switch which is connected to the "M" Motors, the other side of the switch is connected to the accumultors "ACC".

Numbers on Multi cable socket N" 1 Generator Positive + N 2 Generator Positive + N 3 Generator Positive + N 4 Spare accumulator "S" charge or topping charge N" 5 "T" Main accumulator can be transfered to a trailer N 6 Common Negative Figure 4 Small Trailer "T" Trailer with top removed showing three friction wheels or any number so desired with alteration to the Generator panel on the Drivers dashboard.

These Generators are wired to a junction box "J" with socket marked 1.2.3.6 N" 1 Generator Positive + ALTERNATOR N" 2 Generator Positive + DYNAMO N" 3 Generator Positive + ALTERNATOR N" 6 Common Negative- This socket is linked by a pliable multi-cable conduit to the junction box on the Generator panel on the Drivers dashboard.

The output of the Dynamo is split to supply current to excite the windings of the Alternators.

FW Alternators Field Windings Figure 5 Large Trailer "T" Trailer top removed showing three friction wheels or any number so disired with alterations to the Generator panel on the Drivers dashboard.

On this large trailer are also two spare accumulators or the main vehicles accumulators can replace them, the Drivers control panel charging or topping-up charge at will.

These Generators and accumulators are wired to a junction box "J" with socket marked 1.2.3.4.5.6 N" 1 Generator Positive + ALTERNATOR N" 2 Generator Positive + DYNAMO N" 3 Generator Positive + ALTERNATOR N" 4 Accumulator Positive + N" 5 Accumulator Spare if Main Accumulators are transfered to the trailer N"6 Common Negative.

The output of the Dynamo is split to supply current to excite the field winding of the Alternators.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A self contained power unit in a strong housing centrally and firmly bolted beneath or at rear of the chassis of an Electric vehicle or other vehicles with easy acces for servicing. A Friction Wheel Power Drive As Prime Mover to Dynamo's As Prime Mover to Alternators for Electric vehicles and other vehicles To Generate external Electric Power to augment the internal Electric Power System of an Electric vehicle and other vehicles To Charge, Topping-up charge to accumulators. To provide Electric Power to Motors and other services in Electric vehicles and other vehicles To provide Electric Power to excite the Field winding of a Friction Wheel driven Alternator. 2. The Sourse of Power is obtained by the forward speed of a moving vehicle "Pulling" on a strong free or geared moving wheel in contact with a road surface or some such surface. The friction thus caused, rapidly "Rotates" the wheel, which now becomes a driving force, this thus becomes the Friction Wheel Power Drive. This power drive harnessed in whichever way possible is the prime mover to drive a Dynamo is the prime mover to drive an alternator. Due to the construction of some vehicles, it may be necessary to place the friction wheel at the front of the vehicle, that is in a "Pushing" position with the drive to the Dynamo and Alternator to the rear ofthe vehicle. 3. The harness for the friction wheel drive can be Endless Chain Drive Belt drive Geared shaft drive and whichever way possible. In this embodiment the endless chain is used. Attached to each side of the friction wheel is a large "Sprocket Wheel". The Sprocket Wheel is connected at the rear of the units housing (that is towardsthe front of the vehicle) to a very much smaller "Sprocket Wheel" by means of roller or invert tooth endless chain, this transmits the power to drive the Generators. One side of the friction wheel drives a Dynamo with its control unit, the other of the friction wheel drives an Alternatorwith its internal or external control unit. The size of the sprocket wheel so calculated to give maximum revs/min required, cutting in speed or out If so desired an Alternator or Dynamo can each have its own friction wheel drive as prime mover. 4. A Friction wheel power drive harnessed in whichever way possible as prime mover to drive a Dynamo with its control unit to produce Electric power this power is split, to power the field winding of an Alternator, then taken to the Accumulator of D.C. input via the Dynamo switch indicator ammetre, and output control on the fascia panel of the drivers dashboard in the Electric vehicles and other vehicles. 5. A Friction wheel power drive harnessed in whichever way possible as prime moverto drive an Alternator and its internal or external control unit, the field of the Alternator excited by split output from the Dynamo on the friction wheel drive, the power output from the Alternator is taken to the Accumulator or D.C. output via Alternator switch indicator ammetre and balancing output control on the fascia panel on the drivers dashboard in the Electric vehicle and other vehicles. 6. Tow or more friction wheels power driven Generators can be used. In this embodiment three friction wheel power driven Generators are used each with their own seperate control unit. Two friction wheels drive Alternators and the other friction wheel drive the Dynamo, the split output of the Dynamo now excite the field windings of the Alternators. The output from these power units now go to a junction box and multi-cable socket, then goes to a corresponding multi cable socket and junction box in the Electric vehicle or other vehicle by means of a pliable conduit link ending in a multi cable plug at each end. The output of the Generators (Dynamo and Alternators) is taken from the Electric vehicles or other vehicles junction box now go to each Generators fuse box, switch, output control indicator ammetre on thefascia panel on the drivers dashboard. This now becomes the drivers Generator control board to D.C. input or Accumulators. 7. For simplicity all negative cable are common in this Specification due to the fact that different systems of wiring are used in different Electric vehicles and other vehicles. The Main Accumulator positive connection to the Motors is removed and taken to one side of a single pole double throw knife switch or some such switch on the friction wheel Generator Panel the other side of the switch to which the friction wheel Generators are connected. The Motor connection normally taken to the Accumulator now goes to the middle of the knife switch. The driver now can switch as normal or can switch the Motors to Generators (Dynamo and Alternators) only, he can now control the power of the Generators to Motors, to Accumulators only orto Generators and Accumulators together at will. The above switching is used only to emphasize the method of control more sophisticated methods can be used Computerised Censers can be used to automate, Generators only, Accumulators only or Generators and Accumulators together automatically as the conditions apply. It may not be appropriate to include the residue output from the Dynamo with the output of the Alternators due to different systems of wiring in different vehicles. 8. A number of Friction Wheel Power driven Generators can be mounted in a special small two wheel trailer (with its own services) on tow by the Electric vehicle or other vehicles, their outputs taken to a junction box and multi cable socket, this then taken to a corresponding junction box and multi cable socket in the Electric vehicle or other vehicles by means of a pliable conduit link ending in a multi cable plug, this circuit is now taken to the drivers Generator control panel. 9. The trailer on tow can be larger to take spare accumulators, which can be charged, or given a topping-up charge from one or more of the friction wheel Generators (Alternator, Dynamo) as controlled by the vehicles Driver. The main accumulators in the Electirc vehicles can replace the spare accumulator in the trailer and also receive the topping-up charge, again in control of the driver of the vehicle. 10. The Friction Wheel Power Drive irrespective of the manner of carring it out will still remain. The Friction Wheel Power Drive 11. The size of the "Sprocket Wheels" on a geared friction wheel driven Dynamo and its control unit, so calculated to drastically reduce the cutting in speed of the Dynamo. For use in small Electric vehicles. When used in heavy or fast vehicles the vehicles driver operating the gears can reduce below maximum speed recommended by the manufacturer before centrifugal force sets in. It is understood that this produces External power to the vehicle, with no drain on internal power. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 26.7.82 Superseded claims 1-11 New or amended claims:

1. A Friction Wheel Power Drive In its own housing to produce electric energy Means a rotating wheel or a plurality of such wheels Means to drive said wheel or wheels and associated parts Means a prime mover to drive electric generators or a plurality of generators and associated with one or more said parts and operable to be engaged with said parts Means for engaging a selected number of generators in drive relationship with the associated parts Means for storing or using energy generated by said generators as external current output to supplement the internal power supply of an electric and other vehicles Means to supply energy to traction motors Means to supply energy to accumulators.

2. A Friction Wheel Power Drive according to claim 1 Means a friction wheel is powered by the forward speed of a moving vehicle pulling on a strong free or geared wheel in contact with a road surface or some such surface to push in some cases also the gearing can be fixed Means the friction thus caused rapidly rotates the wheel which now becomes its driving force this then is the friction wheel power drive said herein.

3. A Friction Wheel Power Drive according to claim 1 Means a self contained unit in its own housing with easy access for servicing and firmly secured to the vehicle chassis also can be towed in form of a trailer the friction wheel means a heavy duty wheel with pneumatic tyres slotted into the end of a fork shaft slightly bending backwards away from the moving vehicle Means the short apex of this fork shaft ending in a worm drive or sliding slot or small electric motor Means this motor controlled by the driver of the vehicle to higher or lower the friction wheel Means to adjust the pressure on a road surface or some such surface can also be done manual as herein described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

4. A Friction Wheel Power Drive according to claim 1 Means attached to one or both sides of this power drive wheel is a large sprocket wheel means to connect to a much smaller sprocket wheel whichever way possible at rear of units housing in this embodiment an endless chain is used Means this then is so the power is transmitted Means this then drive the generators.

5. A Friction Wheel Power Drive according to claim 4 Means one side of the friction wheel power drive is prime mover to drive a dynamo with its control unit Means the large sprocket wheel attached to the friction wheel so geared and under control of the vehicle driver Means to vary speed of the dynamo's geared sprocket wheel to prevent centrifugal force in the dynamo's field due to increase of speed of the moving vehicle Means size of sprocket wheel so calculated to give maximum res/min required Means cutting in speed or out Means the D.C. output is taken to a junction box and plug or socket at rear of units housing Means the output is split to supply field current to an alternator field and traction motor accumulator as herein described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

6. A Friction Wheel Power Drive according to claim 4 Means the other side of the friction wheel power drive is prime mover to drive an alternator with its internal or external control unit Means the D.C. output taken to a junction box and plug or socket at rear of units housing Means the field current required to excite the Alternators field Means current taken from split D.C. output of the dynamo as herein described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A Friction Wheel Power Drive according to claims 1 to 6 Means when a plurality of friction wheel power drive units are in use Means one side only is so used and operable to be engaged with said parts dynamo or alternator as herein described with reference to Figure 2 and drawings.

8. In combination with claims 1 to 7 Means the electrical output from each junction box plug or socket of each generator to a multi cable plug or socket on the electric or other vehicle means to fuse box, switch output control indicator am metre on the vehicles fascia panel on the drivers dashboard Means this now becomes the drivers generators control panel to D.C. input or accumulator as herein described with reference to Figure 3 of the acompanying drawings.

9. In combination with the preceding claims Means the drivers control panel in which the means for engaging a selected number of generators in relationship with its associated parts is arranged by switching to progressively increase or decrease the number of generators so engaged Means to motor to charge, topping-up charge the electric or other vehicle accumulator as herein described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

10. In combination with the preceding claims Means a single pole double throw knife switch or some such switch on the friction wheel generator panel on the vehicles drivers dashboard, Means to disconnect electrically the motor means from the accumulator Means the vehicle driver can now switch as normal Means can switch the Motors to friction wheel generators only Means can now control power of generators to motors Means friction wheel power to accumulators only Means to generators and accumulators together at will as herein described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

11. In combination with the preceding claims Means a number of friction wheel power driven generators can be mounted in a special small two wheel trailer on tow by the electric and other vehicles their outputs taken to a junction box with multi-cable plug or socket Means this then taken to a corresponding junction box multi-cable plug or socket in the electric and other vehicles by means of a pliable conduit link means this circuit is now taken to the vehicle drivers control panel Means unit housing can be reduced on two with reference to Figure 4.

12. In combination with preceding claims Means the trailer on two can be larger to take spare accumulators which can be charged or topping-up charge from one or more of the friction wheel generators now controlled by the vehicles driver. Reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

13. In combination with claim 12 Means the electric and other vehicles main accumulator can replace the spare accumulator in the trailer and also receive the topping-up charge controlled by the vehicles driver.

14. In combination with any preceding claim Means one or more friction wheel drives in use Mean a low braking effect on the moving electric and other vehicle means an increase in traction Motor and accumulator output Means this is in ratio with the internal charging system and offset by greater current input from the friction wheels Means the added weight of the moving vehicle is the deciding factor Mean two charging power systems internal and external Means to reduce to one with with reference to Figure 5 mean does not contravene known natural Law.

15. In combination with all preceding claim, Mean irrespective of the manner of manipulation still remains the friction wheel power drive.