WO2014145224A1 - Continuous electrical charge for electrical vehicles methods - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosed methods provide a system of keeping all electric vehicles batteries always "charged" with a trickle charge generated from wind power. The wind is generated from the forward motion of the vehicle. The disclosed methods comprise a series of wind turbines located on the exterior of the car and positioned to catch the optimal wind and yet be un-noticeable to the common eye. These wind vanes generate enough energy which is convert kinetic energy and then to electrical energy which is stored in the battery.

Description

CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL CHARGE FOR ELECTRICAL VEHICLES METHODS

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This Application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/787,145 filed March 15, 2013 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure relates to methods that are effective in charging and supplying a continuous flow of electricity to keep batteries of electric vehicles fully charged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are several types of electric automobiles in the market place today that have a limited battery life and are constantly required to be recharged. This requires the vehicle to be stationary and to be connected to an electrical source. [0004] An electric car is an automobile that is propelled by one electric motor or more, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric motors give electric cars instant torque, creating strong and smooth acceleration.

[0005] Electric cars were popular in the late 19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass production of cheaper gasoline vehicles led to a decline in the use of electric drive vehicles. Since the mid-2000s, the production of electric cars is experiencing a renaissance due to advances in battery and power management technologies, concerns about increasingly volatile oil prices and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

[0006] As of January 2013, series production highway-capable models available in some countries include the Tesla Roadster, REVAi, Buddy, Mitsubishi i MiEV, Nissan Leaf, Smart ED, Wheego Whip LiFe, Mia electric, BYD e6, Bollore Bluecar, Renault Fluence Z.E., Ford Focus Electric, BMW ActiveE, Coda, Tesla Model S, Honda Fit EV, RAV4 EV second generation, Renault Zoe, and Roewe E50. [0007] Electric cars have several benefits over conventional internal combustion engines, because

1. They have no tailpipe, and therefore do not emit harmful exhaust pollutants, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions, 2. Depend on the fuel and technology used for electricity generation to charge the batteries; and

3. Less dependence on foreign oil.

[0008] As of 2013, electric cars are significantly more expensive than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles due to the additional cost of their lithium-ion battery pack. Battery prices are coming down with mass production and will continue to do so.

[0009] Other factors discouraging the adoption of electric cars are the lack of public and private recharging infrastructure and the driver's fear of the batteries running out of energy before reaching their destination due to the limited range of existing electric cars. Several governments have established policies and economic incentives to overcome existing barriers, promote the sales of electric cars, and fund further development of electric vehicles, more cost-effective battery technology and their components. Several governments have pledge large grants, tax credits, subsidies and other incentives to reduce the purchase price of electric cars and other plug-ins. [00010] The Tesla Roadster's very large battery pack is expected to last seven years with typical driving and can travel 245 miles (394 km) per charge; more than double that of prototypes and fleet cars currently on the roads. This Roadster can be fully recharged in about 3.5 hours from a 220-volt, 70-amp outlet which can be installed in a home.

[00011] One way automakers can extend the short range of electric vehicles (EV) is by building them with battery switch technology. An EV with battery switch technology and a 100 miles (160 km) driving range will be able to go to a battery switch station and switch a depleted battery with a fully charged one in 59.1 seconds giving the EV an additional 100 miles (160 km) driving range. The process is cleaner and faster than filling a tank with gasoline and the driver remains in the car the entire time, but because of the high investment cost, its economics are unclear. As of late 2010 there were only 2 companies with plans to integrate battery switching technology into their electric vehicles.

[00012] Another way is the installation of DC Fast Charging stations with high-speed charging capability from three-phase industrial outlets so that consumers could recharge the 100 mile battery of their electric vehicle to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. A nationwide fast charging infrastructure is currently being deployed in the US that by 2013 will cover the entire nation. DC Fast Chargers are going to be installed at 45 BP and ARCO locations and will be made available to the public.

[00013] The different types of EV batteries are lead acid golf cart batteries, nickel- based batteries, and a couple of different lithium ion batteries - including LiFeP04 varieties. Other battery technologies include:

1. Lead acid batteries are the most used form of power for most of the electric vehicles used today

2. NiCd - Largely superseded by NiMH 3. Nickel metal hydride

4. Nickel iron battery which are known for its comparatively long lifetime and low power density.

5. Zinc-air battery

6. Molten salt battery 7. Zinc-bromine flow batteries or Vanadium redox batteries are refilled, instead of recharged.

[00014] Lead-acid batteries use a sulfuric acid electrolyte and can be charged and discharged without exhibiting memory effects that occurs over time. Usually these sulfated batteries are replaced with new batteries, and the old ones recycled.

[00015] Nickel-metal hydride batteries are now considered a relatively mature technology. While less efficient (60%-70%) in charging and discharging than lead-acid batteries. They boast an energy density of 30-80 Wh/kg, far higher than lead-acid. Nickel- metal hydride batteries have exceptionally long lives, as has been demonstrated in their use in hybrid cars and still operating well after 100,000 miles (160,000 km) and over a decade of service. Nickel-metal hydride battery has poor efficiency, high self-discharge and poor performance in cold weather. [00016] Variants such as Lithium iron phosphate and Lithium-titanate attempt to solve the durability issues with traditional lithium-ion batteries. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFeP04) is a slightly tamer form of the lithium ion battery than you find in your laptop, but it will still take you 100 miles on a single charge. It comes in three basic shapes: a. prismatic b. cylindrical c. pouch

[00017] The pouch shape is best because it has the benefit of being thin and easy to build into large "proprietary packs". They have a higher energy density, are more expensive and require greater attention to temperature. [00018] Lithium Ion battery technology have the advantage over other battery types because:

1. Lithium lasts longer. A lithium pack will last 10-12 years which brings the price down to where it costs the same as, or even less than, a comparable lead acid battery pack.

2. Lithium is lighter. A typical 144 volt system will have around 720 pounds worth of lithium batteries compared to 1500 pounds of a lead unit.

3. Lithium mining is environmentally gentle and human friendly. Lithium is not mined but rather comes naturally in a salt form that is sun-dried. I contains no toxic waste and is trucked to its destination.

4. Lithium likes speed. The battery is very tolerant of rapid charging and discharging. 5. LiFeP04 is safer lithium. 6. LiFeP04 is tolerant of a deeper discharge. The best quality of lithium is the DOD (depth of discharge). Lead batteries should not be taken below 50% DOD. So lithium not only has a higher energy density, but it has a deeper use of stored energy.

[00019] Fast charging requires very high currents often derived from a three-phase power supply. Some types of batteries such as Lithium-titanate, LiFeP04 and even certain NiMH variants can be charged almost to their full capacity in 10-20 minutes.

Re-char2in2 Treatments

[00020] EV converted electric vehicle battery chargers come in a variety of brands and characteristics. These chargers vary from 1 KW to 7.5 KW maximum charge rate. Some use algorithm charge curves, others use constant voltage, constant current. Some are

programmable by the end user through a CAN port, some have dials for maximum voltage and amperage; some are preset to specified battery pack voltage, amp-hour and chemistry.

[00021] A 10 Ampere-hour battery could take 15 hours to reach a fully charged state from a fully discharged condition with a 1 Ampere charger as it would require roughly 1.5 times the battery's capacity.

[00022] Public EV charging heads (aka: stations) provide 6 kW (host power of 208 to

240 VAC off a 40 amp circuit). 6 kW will recharge an EV roughly 6 times faster than 1 kW overnight charging.

[00023] Rapid charging results in even faster recharge times and is limited only by available AC power and the type of charging system.

[00024] On board EV chargers (change AC power to DC power to recharge the EV's pack) can be:

1. Isolated - they make no physical connection between the A/C electrical mains and the batteries being charged. These typically employ some form of Inductive charging. Some isolated chargers may be used in parallel. This allows for an increased charge current and reduced charging times. The battery has a maximum current rating that cannot be exceeded; and 2. Non-isolated - the battery charger has a direct electrical connection to the A/C outlet's wiring. Non-isolated chargers cannot be used in parallel.

[00025] Power Factor Correction (PFC) chargers can more closely approach the maximum current the plug can deliver, shortening charging time. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[00026] The disclosed methods provide a system of keeping all electric vehicles batteries always "charged" with a trickle charge generated from wind power. The wind is generated from the forward motion of the vehicle. The disclosed methods comprise a series of wind turbines located on the exterior of the car and positioned to catch the optimal wind and yet be un-noticeable to the common eye. The wind vanes generate enough energy, which is then converted to kinetic energy, and then to electrical energy, which is stored in the battery.

[00027] Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the aspects described below. The advantages described below will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [00028] In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings:

[00029] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word

"comprise," or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising," will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[00030] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a carrier" includes mixtures of two or more such carriers, and the like. [00031] The term "effective amount" as used herein means "an amount of a composition as disclosed herein, effective at dosages and for periods of time necessary to achieve the desired results.

[00032] "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

[00033] Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one particular value, and/or to "about" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations by use of the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[00034] "Admixture" or "blend" as generally used herein means a physical combination of two or more different components.

[00035] "Battery storage system" as used herein refers to a combination of batteries to hold a surplus of electrical charges.

[00036] "A battery charger" as used herein refers to a device used to put energy into a secondary cell or rechargeable battery by forcing an electric current through it. [00037] "A charging current" as used herein refers to the electrical power required to charge a capacitor.

[00038] "A trickle charge" as used herein refers to a relatively small amount of current, only enough to counteract self-discharge of a battery that is idle for a long time.

[00039] "Slow battery charger" as used herein refers to a charge that may take several hours to complete a charge;

[00040] "High-rate charge" as used herein refers to a charge to restore most capacity within minutes or less than an hour. [00041] "Turbine" as used herein refers to is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind.

[00042] "Vent" as used here in refers to and opening that allows air to enter or pass through. [00043] "Kinetic energy" as used herein refers to the energy an object possesses due to its motion.

[00044] "Mechanical energy" as used herein refers to is the energy that is possessed by an object due to its motion or due to its position.

[00045] The present disclosure addresses solutions to several unmet needs as defined below:

1. Providing a charge to the EV battery system to keep the battery at least 25% or higher of its electrical storage capacity;

2. Providing a trickle charge to the EV battery system to maintain at least a 25% or higher of its electrical storage capacity; 3. Providing a method of collecting and converting wind power to electrical energy; and

4. Providing a method of storing the converted electrical energy in the EV battery supply.

[00046] An embodiment of the invention is directed to a system for keeping the battery in all electric vehicles batteries' always charged comprising:

1. one or more vents located to maximize the ability to catch the wind;

2. one or more turbines/vanes to convert the wind to kinetic energy; and

3. at least one converter to convert the kinetic energy to electrical energy that is stored in the battery. [00047] In certain embodiments of the invention, the vents are located on the vehicle. The system according to claim 1 wherein the electrical energy stored in the battery is relayed back to the battery as a "trickle" charge.

[00048] A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind, also called wind energy, into mechanical energy; a process known as wind power. If the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a wind turbine or wind power plant. It may also be referred to as a wind charger when used for charging batteries.

[00049] Small wind turbines may be used for a variety of applications including on- grid or off-grid residences, telecom towers, offshore platforms, rural schools and clinics, remote monitoring and other purposes that require energy where there is no electric grid, or where the grid is unstable. The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) defines small wind turbines as those smaller than or equal to 100 kilowatts. Small units often have direct drive generators, direct current output, aeroelastic blades, and lifetime bearings and use a wind-vane to point into the wind.

[00050] Wind energy is the kinetic energy of air in motion, called wind. Total wind energy flowing through an imaginary area A during the time t is expressed as:

E ·---- -nw ·---· ^™( !ί }ΐ^!~ ·---- ~Atp

[00051] where p is the density of air; v is the wind speed; Avt is the volume of air passing through A ; Avtp is therefore the mass m passing per unit time.

[00052] Power is energy per unit time, so the wind power incident on A is equal to the rotor area of a wind turbine and calculated as

[00054] Since wind power is in an open air stream it is proportional to the third power of the wind speed. The available power increases eightfold when the wind speed doubles. Wind energy is usually extracted to make electricity by means of a wind turbine. [00055] Separate charging allows each battery to receive a specific current to optimize its recharge. A charging current also refers to the electrical power required to charge a capacitor. A capacitor is a solid-state device containing two plates made of a material that can conduct or pass electrons. The two plates are separated by a dielectric material, which resists electron flow to some degree. When the capacitor is charging, current flows to one plate, creating an excess negative charge. At the same time, the opposite plate is developing a positive charge.

[00056] This stored electrical charge acts as a battery, and can be stored for long periods of time. When a switch connects the capacitor to an electrical circuit, the electrons pass through the dielectric and into the positively charged plate, creating a flow of electricity. The electric current will flow until the capacitor is discharged, at which time it can be recharged repeatedly. Capacitors are used widely in electronics to provide different functions, including voltage and power control.

[00057] However, other non-limiting embodiments and combinations are possible as further disclosed herein.

Char2in2

[00058] Electric vehicles need high-rate chargers for public access. Installation of such chargers and the distribution support for them is an issue in the proposed adoption of electric cars. [00059] A trickle charger is typically a low-current (500-1,500 mA) battery charger. A trickle charger is generally used to charge small capacity batteries (2-30 Ah (ampere hour)). These types of battery chargers are also used to maintain larger capacity batteries (> 30 Ah) that are typically found on cars, boats, RVs and other related vehicles. Depending on the technology of the trickle charger, it can be left connected to the battery indefinitely. Some battery chargers that can be left connected to the battery without causing the battery damage are also referred to as smart or intelligent chargers.

Methods of Use

[00060] The disclosed methods can be used for various vents/turbines combinations.

The vents collect the winds which move the turbines, creating kinetic energy. That kinetic energy is converted to mechanical energy and stored in batteries. The batteries are charged in a "trickle" process. If the battery is fully charged, the extra charge is sent to a back-up battery located in the battery storage system.

[00061] The charging protocol depends on the size and type of the battery being charged. Some battery types have high tolerance for overcharging and can be recharged by connection to a constant voltage source or a constant current source; simple chargers of this type require manual disconnection at the end of the charge cycle, or may have a timer to cut off charging current at a fixed time.

[00062] An air dam with a 3 inch by 1 high opening was able to trap enough air in a vehicle moving at 15 mph was able to turn a fan producing a current of 1.6 A over a 25 minute period. When the speed of the vehicle was increased to 25 mph the charge was measured to 2.5 A. the charge increased as the speed increased. At 60 mph the charge was 5.8 A.

Table 1

[00063] Also as the number of air dam increased and connected in series, the charge total the sum of each charge whereby increasing the current output. Hence, at 15 mph and using 3 air ducts system a 4.8 A were produced. At 25 mph and using 3 air dams 7.5 A were generated.

Table 2

[00064] The charge was then sent and stored in a smaller battery and fed slowly to the main battery on the vehicle. This was typically referred to as a trickle charge. A trickle charge is generally used to charge small capacity batteries (2-30 Ah) and used to maintain larger capacity batteries (> 30 Ah) that are typically found on cars, boats and other related vehicles. In larger applications, the current of the battery charger is sufficient only to provide a maintenance or trickle current.

[00065] While particular embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are with the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A system for keeping the battery in all electric vehicles batteries' always charged comprising: a. one or more vents located to maximize the ability to catch the wind; b. one or more turbines/vanes to convert the wind to kinetic energy; and c. at least one converter to convert the kinetic energy to electrical energy that is stored in the battery.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the vents are located on the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the electrical energy stored in the battery is relayed back to the battery as a "trickle" charge.