US20230226900A1

US20230226900A1 - Dual structural and storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20230226900A1
Application number: US18/098,041
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul Budge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-01-14
Filing date: 2023-01-17
Publication date: 2023-07-20
Also published as: WO2023172357A2; WO2023172357A3; US20230331381A1

Abstract

Apparatuses and systems for more efficient construction and operations of a vehicle. A structural/storage system that includes a plurality of storage elements. Each of the storage elements includes a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one opened end. The structural/storage system further includes first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface and second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface. The second attachment devices of a first one of the plurality of storage elements are configured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices of a second one of the plurality of storage elements.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 63/361,693, filed Jan. 14, 2022, and 63/361,792, filed Jan. 24, 2022, which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to systems in need of storage and structural support.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles include systems and structures that both add significant weight to the vehicle. In the case of an electric vehicle, the batteries can weigh over a couple of thousand pounds. Thus, along with all the other structural elements of a vehicle, the vehicle exhibits limited efficiency.

SUMMARY

Apparatuses are disclosed for more efficient operations of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one opened end. The apparatus also includes first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface and second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface. The second attachment devices are configured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices.
In another embodiment, a structural/storage system that includes a plurality of storage elements. Each of the storage elements includes a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one opened end. The structural/storage system further includes first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface and second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface. The second attachment devices of a first one of the plurality of storage elements are configured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices of a second one of the plurality of storage elements.
In still another embodiment, a system that includes a load device, a power element configured to power the load device, and a plurality of storage elements. Each of the storage elements includes a housing having an outer surface, an inner surface, and at least one opened end. The storage elements include first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface and second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface. The second attachment devices of a first one of the plurality of storage elements are configured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices of a second one of the plurality of storage elements.
The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples and/or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to impart a thorough understanding of examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and/or methods of a particular example or implementation. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain examples and/or implementations that may not be present in all examples or implementations. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific examples that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, depict only certain examples of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of components of a vehicle, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a structural and storage element used in the vehicle of FIG. 1 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the element of FIG. 2 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of attached structural and storage elements used in the vehicle of FIG. 1 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the elements of FIG. 4 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stacked structural and storage elements used in the vehicle of FIG. 1 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the elements of FIG. 6 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stacked structural and storage elements used in the vehicle of FIG. 1 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the elements of FIG. 8 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vehicle with structural and storage elements, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle of FIG. 10 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle with structural and storage elements, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a vehicle component attached to one of the structural and storage elements of the vehicle of FIG. 12 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an aircraft with a structural and storage system, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the aircraft of FIG. 14 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the structural and storage system used in the aircraft of FIG. 14 , according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a storage element, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the storage element of FIG. 17 being received in a modular structural element, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the storage element of FIG. 17 being received in a modular structural element, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the storage element of FIG. 17 received within a modular structural element, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the storage element of FIG. 17 received within a modular structural element, according to one or more examples of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one example,” “in an example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same example. Similarly, the use of the term “implementation” means an implementation having a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more examples of the present disclosure, however, absent an express correlation to indicate otherwise, an implementation may be associated with one or more examples.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” “an embodiment” or similar language means that a particular structure or characteristic feature described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed invention. Furthermore, the described structures or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosed invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
Exemplary apparatuses and systems, disclosed herein, include dual structural and storage devices that are used to provide storage and structural integrity.
Referring to FIG. 1 , in various embodiments, a vehicle 20 includes a load device 22 and a power source/vehicle structural system 24 that houses a stored element 30 (material (e.g., fuel) or device (e.g., batteries)). The power source/vehicle structural system 24 provides secure housing for the stored element 30 and provides structural integrity for the vehicle 20. In various embodiments, the stored element 30 may be fuel, fuel cells, batteries, or any system component, not limited to a power source. The load device 22 is any device that receives the stored element 30 (material) stored in the power source/vehicle structural system 24 or electrical power/current produced by the stored element 30.
Given by way of non-limiting example, in various embodiments the vehicle 20 may include a motor vehicle driven by wheels and/or tracks, such as, without limitation, an automobile, a truck, a sport utility vehicle (SUV), a van, and the like. Given by way of further non-limiting examples, in various embodiments the vehicle 20 may include a marine vessel such as, without limitation, a boat, a ship, a submarine, a submersible, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), and the like. Given by way of further non-limiting examples, in various embodiments the vehicle 20 may include an aircraft such as, without limitation, a fixed wing aircraft, a rotary wing aircraft, a lighter-than-air (LTA) craft, and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , in various embodiments the power source/vehicle structural system 24 includes a molded, machined, extruded, or digitally printed interlocking modular structural element 36 having open ends. The structural element 36 may be made of aluminum, magnesium, polymers, or comparable formable metals and/or plastics.
In various embodiments, referring to FIG. 3 , the structural element 36 has a rectangular cross section, but other polygonal or non-polygonal shapes may be used. An inside surface of the structural element 36 is shaped to receive whatever stored element 30 is to be received within the structural element 36. The inside surface of the illustrated structural element 36 includes contours for receiving round/cylindrical battery cells, but could be configured for rectangular battery cells, or differently shaped contents.
In various embodiments, orthogonally adjacent outer surfaces of the structural element 36 include one or more locking slots 40. The other orthogonally adjacent outer surfaces include locking protrusion ridges 44 that are configured to be received by the locking slots 40 of other structural elements 36 that are to be attached thereto. The locking protrusion ridges 44 may be slid into the slots 40 or snap fitted into the slots 40. Other linking structures may be used for attaching adjacent structural elements 36.
In various embodiments, the structural elements 36 allow for air cooling of the batteries or other contents. For example, the structural elements 36 provide dedicated open spaces for airflow between battery cells down the entire length of the interior of the structural elements 36.
In various embodiments, once the stored element 30 is received within the structural element 36, the structural element 36 may be capped and/or sealed at the open end(s). The cap or seal of the structural element 36 or the structural element 36 may include access ports for electrical leads, fluid, airflow, or the like. In the example of batteries being sealed within the structural element 36, an environmental management unit 26 (FIG. 1 ) may control environmental conditions, such as, without limitation, heating, cooling, or humidity, within the structural elements 36 based on status of the contents (e.g., batteries).
Referring to FIGS. 4-9 , in various embodiments, the interlocking modular structural elements 36 may be attached at their shortest sides (FIGS. 4 and 5 ), at their longest sides (FIGS. 6 and 7 ), at a shortest side of the one interlocking modular structural element 36 attached to the longest side of another interlocking modular structural element 36 (FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Using the interlocking modular structural elements 36 and the locking structures (the locking slots 30 and the blocking protrusion ridges 44) a user may attach the interlocking modular structural elements 36 according to the application (i.e., vehicle or structure).
In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 7 , the structural elements 36 include beveled corner edges 42. Other shapes may be used at the corners, such as radius or notched. The structural elements 36 may be attached to each other such that the beveled corner edge 42 of one of the functional elements 36 is located adjacent the beveled corner edge 42 of the adjacently attached structural element 36, thereby forming a V-shaped groove 50. The V-shaped groove 50 is configured to receive an adhesive or a weld depending upon the type of material of the structural elements 36. The adhesive/weld adds additional bonding between adjacently attached structural elements 36. Adhesives may also be applied between the outer surfaces, the slots 40, and/or the ridges 44 of adjacently attached structural elements 36.
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 , in various embodiments, the interlocking modular structural elements 36 may be formed into a chassis 82 for a vehicle 80, such as, without limitation, a skateboard design. The strength of the interlocking modular structural elements 36 and the locking structures provide support for a body of the vehicle 80.
In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 , the chassis 82 may have portions of the structural elements 36 removed, such as a cutout 86, for allowing components 90 of the vehicle 80 to pass from one side of the chassis 82 to another side of the chassis 82. The components 90 may include grooves or protrusions similar to the locking slots 40 and the locking protrusion ridges 44, thereby allowing the components 90 to be attached directly to the outer surfaces of the structural elements 36 of the chassis 82.
In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 14-16 , the interlocking modular structural elements 36 may be used in an aircraft 100. In particular, the interlocking modular structural elements 36 may be formed to create a frame structure for components of the aircraft 100. For example, the interlocking modular structural elements 36 may form a frame structure 104 for a wing 100. If the equipment 100 is using electric motors, such as propeller motors or ducted fan motors, the interlocking modular structural elements 36 may be used in place of traditional structural elements thereby offsetting the weight of batteries that will be inserted within the interlocking modular structural elements 36.
In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 17-21 , the interlocking modular structural elements 36 may be located in a wing or other airfoil at the open space on either side of lift thrust devices embedded in the wing or airfoil. The interlocking modular structural elements 36 may be used as to house batteries or fuel storage devices. The interlocking modular structural elements 36 may be round or rectangular in shape that could run the entire length of the wings and/or fuselage. Referring to FIG. 17 , a stored element 120 includes a plurality of individual storage devices 122. As illustrated, the individual storage devices 122 are cylindrical and an inner surface of the structural element 36 is shaped to receive the stored element 120 and the plurality of the cylindrical storage devices 122. Referring to FIGS. 18-20 , the stored element 120 is slidably received into the structural element 36. Referring to FIG. 21 , once the stored element 120 is fully received within the structural element 36, longitudinal grooves 124 are located between some of the storage devices 122 for allowing for heating or cooling as performed by air to pass therebetween, for example.

Embodiments

A. An apparatus comprising: a housing comprising: an outer surface; an inner surface; and at least one opened end; first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface; and second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface, the second attachment devices are configured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices.
B. The apparatus of A, wherein a cross-section of the housing is a polygon.
C. The apparatus of any of A or B, wherein the housing is configured to provide structural support for a system.
D. The apparatus of C, wherein the housing is configured to receive a plurality of batteries within a cavity.
E. The apparatus of D, wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of cooling channels between the plurality of batteries within the cavity.
F. The apparatus of any of A-E, wherein the housing comprises a rectangular cross section.
G. The apparatus of F, wherein: the first attachment devices are disposed on first and second orthogonally adjacent sides of the housing; and the second attachment devices are disposed on third and fourth orthogonally adjacent sides of the housing.
H. The apparatus of any of A-G, wherein the housing comprises beveled corners.
I. A structural/storage system comprising: a plurality of storage elements, each of the storage elements comprising: a housing comprising: an outer surface; an inner surface; and at least one opened end; first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface; and second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface, wherein the second attachment devices of a first one of the plurality of storage elements are configured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices of a second one of the plurality of storage elements.
J. The system of I, wherein a cross-section of the plurality of storage elements is a polygon.
K. The system of any of I or J, wherein the plurality of storage elements are configured to provide structural support for an associated system.
L. The system of K, wherein the associated system includes a vehicle.
M. The system of any of K or L, wherein at least a portion of the storage elements are configured to receive a plurality of batteries within a cavity of the respective housing.
N. The system of any of I-M, wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of cooling channels between the plurality of batteries within the cavity.
O. The system of any of I-N, wherein the housing comprises a rectangular cross section.
P. The system of P, wherein: the first attachment devices are disposed on first and second orthogonally adjacent sides of the housing; and the second attachment devices are disposed on third and fourth orthogonally adjacent sides of the housing.
Q. The system of any of O or P, wherein the housing comprises beveled corners.
R. A system comprising: a load device; a power element configured to power the load device; and a plurality of storage elements, each of the storage elements comprising: a housing comprising: an outer surface; an inner surface; and at least one opened end; first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface; and second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface, wherein the second attachment devices of a first one of the plurality of storage elements are configured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices of a second one of the plurality of storage elements.
S. The system of R, wherein the storage elements are configured to provide structural support for the system.
T. The system of R or S, wherein the load device comprises an electric motor, the power element comprises a plurality of batteries.
With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.
In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” “over,” “under” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, the term “plurality” can be defined as “at least two.” Moreover, unless otherwise noted, as defined herein a plurality of particular features does not necessarily mean every particular feature of an entire set or class of the particular features.
Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is “coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of” means any combination of items or number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.
Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.
As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” perform that function.
The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a housing comprising:

an outer surface;

an inner surface; and

at least one opened end;

first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface; and

second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface, the second attachment devices are configured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the housing is a polygon.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to provide structural support for a system.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the housing is configured to sealably receive a plurality of batteries within a cavity.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the housing further comprises a plurality N of cooling channels between the plurality of batteries within the cavity.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a rectangular cross section.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the first attachment devices are disposed on first and second orthogonally adjacent sides of the housing; and

the second attachment devices are disposed on third and fourth orthogonally adjacent sides of the housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the housing comprises beveled corners configured to receive an adhesive.

9. A structural/storage system comprising:

a plurality of storage elements, each of the storage elements comprising:

a housing comprising:

an outer surface;

an inner surface; and

at least one opened end;

first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface; and

second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface,

wherein the second attachment devices of a first one of the plurality of storage elements are configured to be removably attachable to the first attachment devices of a second one of the plurality of storage elements.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein a cross-section of the plurality of storage N elements is a polygon.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of storage elements are configured to provide structural support for an associated system.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the associated system includes a vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the storage elements are configured to receive a plurality of batteries within a cavity of the respective housing.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the housing further comprises a plurality of cooling channels between the plurality of batteries within the cavity.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a rectangular cross section.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein:

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the housing comprises beveled corners configured to receive an adhesive.

18. A system comprising:

a load device;

N a power element configured to power the load device; and

a plurality of storage elements, each of the storage elements comprising:

a housing comprising:

an outer surface;

an inner surface; and

at least one opened end;

first attachment devices disposed at the outer surface; and

second attachment devices disposed at the outer surface,

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage elements are configured to provide structural support for the system.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the load device comprises an electric motor, the power element comprises a plurality of batteries.