U.S. patent application number 17/693599 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-23 for power generating system using induced currents from vehicle wheel rotation.
The applicant listed for this patent is Look For The Power LLC. Invention is credited to John Alan Saavedra.
Application Number | 20220200403 17/693599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220200403 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saavedra; John Alan |
June 23, 2022 |
POWER GENERATING SYSTEM USING INDUCED CURRENTS FROM VEHICLE WHEEL
ROTATION
Abstract
Vehicles with integrated power generation produced by rotation
of the wheels are provided. In exemplary implementations, a vehicle
includes a frame, a wheel assembly coupled to the frame, and a
power generating unit. The wheel assembly includes a wheel defining
a wheel axis. The wheel is configured to rotate about the wheel
axis during operation of the vehicle. The wheel assembly further
includes supporting components fixed about the wheel axis during
operation of the vehicle. The power generating unit includes a
rotating assembly rotatable with the wheel about the wheel axis,
including at least one of a magnet assembly or a coil assembly,
and, also includes a stationary assembly mounted to at least one of
the supporting components of the wheel assembly or the frame and
including the other of the magnet assembly or the coil assembly
such that rotation of the wheel rotates the rotating assembly
relative to the stationary assembly for generating electrical
power.
Inventors: |
Saavedra; John Alan; (Irmo,
SC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Look For The Power LLC |
Irmo |
SC |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/693599 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16182986 |
Nov 7, 2018 |
11277054 |
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17693599 |
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International
Class: |
H02K 7/18 20060101
H02K007/18; B60K 7/00 20060101 B60K007/00; H02K 11/00 20060101
H02K011/00 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame; a wheel assembly coupled
to the vehicle frame and comprising a wheel that is rotatable about
a wheel axis, the wheel defining a geometric cylinder, the wheel
having two opposing outer surfaces defined by the geometric
cylinder, the wheel configured to rotate about the wheel axis
during operation of the vehicle, the wheel assembly further
comprising supporting components fixed non-rotatably with respect
to the vehicle frame during operation of the vehicle; a power
generating unit comprising: a rotating assembly rotatable with the
wheel about the wheel axis and comprising a magnet assembly that is
directly attached to one of the two outer surfaces of the wheel,
and includes at least one magnet attached to and touching the wheel
without any intervening structure between the at least one magnet
and the wheel; and a stationary assembly coupled to the vehicle
frame and comprising a coil assembly such that rotation of the
wheel rotates the rotating assembly relative to the stationary
assembly for generating electrical power, the coil assembly being
located entirely outside the geometric cylinder defined by the
wheel.
22. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the vehicle is at least one of
a car, a truck, a sports utility vehicle, or a commercial tractor
trailer truck.
23. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the vehicle is a bicycle.
24. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the vehicle is a train.
25. The vehicle of claim 21, further comprising an electric motor
being configured to propel the vehicle with at least a portion of
the generated electrical power;
26. The vehicle of claim 25, further comprising: an electric energy
storage unit, wherein the power generating unit is in electrical
communication with the electric energy storage unit for providing
electrical power to the electric energy storage unit.
27. The vehicle of claim 25, further comprising: a controller,
wherein the controller is operable with the power generating unit
to selectively operate the power generating unit to generate
electrical power.
28. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the coil assembly comprises a
single coil.
29. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the coil assembly comprises a
plurality of coils and wherein the magnet assembly compri ses a
plurality of magnets.
30. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the wheel assembly of the
vehicle is a first wheel assembly, wherein the power generating
unit is a first power generating unit, and wherein the vehicle
further comprises: a second wheel assembly coupled to the vehicle
frame and comprising a second wheel defining a second wheel axis,
the second wheel configured to rotate about the second wheel axis
during operation of the vehicle, the second wheel assembly further
comprising supporting components fixed about the second wheel axis
during operation of the vehicle; and a second power generating unit
comprising a second rotating assembly rotatable with the second
wheel about the second wheel axis and comprising at least one of a
second magnet assembly or a second coil assembly, and a second
stationary assembly mounted to at least one of the supporting
components of the second wheel assembly or the vehicle frame and
comprising the other of the second magnet assembly or the second
coil assembly.
31. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the second rotating assembly
comprises the second magnet assembly, and wherein the second
stationary assembly comprises the second coil assembly.
32. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the second coil assembly
comprises a single coil.
33. The vehicle of claim 30, wherein the second magnet assembly
comprises a single magnet.
34. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the vehicle comprises an
electric vehicle or a gas-electric hybrid vehicle.
35. A power generating unit for a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a
vehicle frame and a wheel assembly coupled to the vehicle frame and
comprising a wheel that is rotatable about a wheel axis, the wheel
defining a geometric cylinder, the wheel having two opposing outer
surfaces defined by the geometric cylinder, the wheel configured to
rotate about the wheel axis during operation of the vehicle, the
wheel assembly further comprising supporting components fixed
non-rotatably with respect to the vehicle frame during operation of
the vehicle, the power generating unit comprising: a rotating
assembly rotatable with the wheel about the wheel axis and
comprising a magnet assembly that is directly attached to one of
the two outer surfaces of the wheel, and includes at least one
magnet attached to and touching the wheel without any intervening
structure between the at least one magnet and the wheel; and a
stationary assembly coupled to the vehicle frame and comprising a
coil assembly such that rotation of the wheel rotates the rotating
assembly relative to the stationary assembly for generating
electrical power, the coil assembly being located entirely outside
the geometric cylinder defined by the wheel.
Description
FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for
generating power on a vehicle, and more specifically to vehicles
with integrated power generation.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent times, hybrid-electric and fully electric vehicles
have become much more prevalent, and technological developments
have allowed for great strides to be made in the practicality of
such vehicles. For example, hybrid-electric vehicles have been
developed that facilitate higher fuel economies than would
otherwise he available in traditional combustion engine powered
vehicles. Additionally, fully electric vehicles have been developed
that may allow for even greater efficiencies, utilizing, of course,
solely electric power. In addition to the efficiencies associated
with using electric power, the electrical power provided to the
vehicles may be generated through sustainable or renewable means,
such as through wind turbines, solar panels, etc.
[0003] Additionally, Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) have
been implemented in some conventionally powered and electrically
powered vehicles, Existing KERS systems use flywheels, either
mounted on the same drive shaft as the motor or internal combustion
engine, or on the wheels themselves. These flywheels add weight,
parts, and complexity to the vehicle.
[0004] An additional problem with current fully electric vehicles
is the available driving range for the vehicle. Despite
improvements in this area, further improvements would be welcomed.
Accordingly, a system capable of increasing a driving range of a
fully electric vehicle, or increasing a fuel economy of a
hybrid-electric vehicle, would be useful. Furthermore, a system
capable of reducing the size, weight, and cost of an alternator in
a conventionally-powered internal combustion vehicle, would also be
useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0005] Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present
disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description,
or may be learned from the description, or may be learned through
practice of the embodiments.
[0006] One exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is directed
to a vehicle with integrated power generation using induced
currents from vehicle wheel rotation. The vehicle includes a frame,
a wheel assembly coupled to the frame, and a power generating unit.
The wheel assembly includes a wheel defining a wheel axis. The
wheel is configured to rotate about the wheel axis during operation
of the vehicle. The wheel assembly further includes supporting
components fixed about the wheel axis during operation of the
vehicle. The power generating unit includes a rotating assembly
rotatable with the wheel about the wheel axis, including at least
one of a magnet assembly or a coil assembly, and, also includes a
stationary assembly mounted to at least one of the supporting
components of the wheel assembly or the frame and including the
other of the magnet assembly or the coil assembly such that
rotation of the wheel rotates the rotating assembly relative to the
stationary assembly for generating electrical power.
[0007] Other exemplary aspects of the present disclosure can
include apparatus, systems, methods, control systems, and other
technology for vehicles with integrated power generation using
induced currents from vehicle wheel rotation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of
ordinary skill in the art are set forth in the specification, which
makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a portion of a vehicle with
integrated power generation using induced currents from vehicle
wheel rotation, according to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a portion of a vehicle with
multiple wheels having integrated power generation, according to
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure:
[0011] FIG. 3A is a simplified view of a wheel assembly, according
to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3B is a simplified view of a wheel assembly, according
to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of integrated power
generation in a vehicle using induced currents from vehicle wheel
rotation, according to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic of an electric vehicle with integrated
power generation using induced currents from vehicle wheel
rotation, according to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a bicycle with integrated power
generation using induced currents from vehicle wheel rotation,
according to exemplary, embodiments of the present disclosure;
and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic of a large truck trailer with
integrated power generation using induced currents from vehicle
wheel rotation, such as an 18-wheeler truck or a 16-wheeled
trailer, according to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or
more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each
example is provided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not
limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from
the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. For instance,
features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be
used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.
Thus, it is intended that aspects of the present disclosure cover
such modifications and variations.
[0018] Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed to
vehicles with integrated power generation using induced currents
from vehicle wheel rotation. According to one aspect, a vehicle
includes a frame, a wheel assembly coupled to the frame, and a
power generating unit. The wheel assembly includes a wheel defining
a wheel axis. The wheel is configured to rotate about the wheel
axis during operation of the vehicle. The wheel assembly further
includes supporting components fixed about the wheel axis during
operation of the vehicle. It is noted that tires, bearings, brakes,
and other components are not specifically called out for
simplicity.
[0019] According to this aspect, the power generating unit includes
a rotating assembly rotatable with the wheel about the wheel axis,
and including at least one of a magnet assembly or a coil assembly.
The magnet assembly may have one or more magnets, including many
magnets. The coil assembly may have one or more coils, including
many coils.
[0020] The power generating unit also includes a stationary
assembly mounted to at least one of the supporting components of
the wheel assembly or the frame. The stationary assembly includes
the other of the magnet assembly or the coil assembly. Accordingly,
rotation of the wheel rotates the rotating assembly relative to the
stationary assembly for generating electrical power through the
coils. For example, if the coils are stationary, electrical leads
from the coils can be accessed to receive electrical power.
Alternatively, if the coils are on the rotating assembly, a set of
electrical brushes can be used near the wheel axis to access and
receive electrical power.
[0021] The power generated through the rotating and stationary
assemblies may be selectively controlled with a controller, for
example, a dedicated controller or simplified computer apparatus.
The selective control may include turning the power generating unit
completely off, turning the power generating unit completely on,
and selectively turning the unit on/off in varying circumstances.
Furthermore, one or more electrical energy storage units can be
used to store the received electrical power for use onboard the
vehicle or otherwise.
[0022] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic of a
portion of a vehicle 100 with integrated power generation,
according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As
used herein, the term "integrated power generation," with reference
to a vehicle, refers to the vehicle including structure integrated
therein/therewith for producing power, such as electrical power. As
illustrated, the vehicle 100 includes a frame 102. The frame 102
has been simplified in illustration due to the great many vehicles
that can be applicable to examplary embodiments. For example, the
vehicle 100 can include a car, a truck, a sports utility vehicle, a
motorcycle, a commercial tractor trailer truck, andlor any other
suitable vehicle, including but not limited to trains. Furthermore,
the vehicle 100 can include a bicycle, a tricycle, or another
pedaled vehicle. Moreover, the vehicle 100 can include a passive
vehicle, such as a trailer coupled to a powered vehicle or the
non-powered wheels of a train. These and other variations should be
understood to be within the scope of this disclosure. One or more
specific implementations of the present disclosure are described
below with reference to FIGS. 5 through 7.
[0023] As further shown, the vehicle 100 includes a wheel assembly
104 coupled to the frame 102. For example, the wheel assembly 104
may be bolted, welded, or otherwise fixedly attached to the frame
102. Furthermore, although not illustrated, the wheel assembly 104
may be in suspension attachment to the frame 102, for example,
through a suspension assembly.
[0024] The wheel assembly 104 may include a wheel 106 defining a
wheel axis 108. Generally, the wheel 106 is configured to rotate
about the wheel axis 108 during operation of the vehicle. For
example, a drive shaft coupled to a transaxle or transmission may
be used to rotate the wheel 106. For further example, mere motion
forward or backward of the vehicle 100 may rotate the wheel 106 due
to contact with the ground. As further illustrated, the wheel
assembly 104 also includes supporting components 105 (such as
struts, rods, upper arms, lower arms, spindles, etc.) fixed about
the wheel axis 108 during operation of the vehicle 100. The wheel
106 may be rotatably coupled to the supporting components 105
through one or more hearings, and the supporting components 105 may
be attached to the frame 102.
[0025] The vehicle 100 may also include a power generating unit
110. Generally, the power generating unit 110 includes a rotating
assembly 112 rotatable with the wheel 106 about the wheel axis 108.
The rotating assembly 112 includes at least one of a magnet
assembly or a coil assembly (illustrated in FIG. 3A). As will be
described in greater detail below, the rotating assembly 112 (i.e.,
magnet assembly or coil assembly) of the power generating unit 110
included with, or coupled to, the wheel 106 may not extend 360
degrees about the wheel axis 108. Accordingly, for the embodiment
depicted, the wheel 106 further includes balancing weights 115
positioned opposite the rotating assembly 112 to facilitate even
rotation of the wheel 106. According to at least one exemplary
embodiment, however, the balancing weights 115 may be replaced with
an additional magnet or coil assembly to facilitate even rotation
of the wheel 106, It is also noted that balancing weights 115 may
be omitted in some implementations,
[0026] Referring still to FIG. 1, the power generating unit 110
further includes a stationary assembly 116 mounted to at least one
of the supporting components 105 of the wheel assembly 104 or the
frame 102. The stationary assembly 116 includes the other of the
magnet assembly or the coil assembly, More clearly, if the rotating
assembly 112 includes magnet assembly, then the stationary assembly
116 will include the coil assembly. Similarly, if the rotating
assembly 112 includes the coil assembly, then the stationary
assembly 116 will include the magnet assembly. In this manner,
rotation of the wheel 106 rotates the rotating assembly 112
relative to the stationary assembly 116 for generating electrical
power through the coils.
[0027] Specifically, for the embodiment depicted, the rotating
assembly 112 includes the magnet assembly 113 and the stationary
assembly 116 includes the coil assembly 117. For the embodiment
shown, the magnet assembly 113 includes three individual magnets
113', which may be permanent magnets or electro magnets. Further
for the embodiment shown, the coil assembly 117 includes three
individual coils 117'. In such a manner, the entirety of the magnet
assembly 113 (and all of the magnets 113') occupy an angular range
of the wheel 106 less than about 90 degrees, such as less than
about 45 degrees, as will be explained in greater detail below with
reference to FIG. 3B. Similarly, the entirety of the coil assembly
117 occupies an angular range less than less than about 90 degrees,
such as less than about 45 degrees. No other coils or magnets of
the power generating unit 100 lie outside of these respective
angular ranges.
[0028] It will be appreciated, however, that in other exemplary
embodiments, the magnet assembly 113 may include any other suitable
number or configuration of magnets 113' and similarly the coil
assembly 117 may include any other suitable number or arrangement
of coils 117'.
[0029] Generally, the power generated may be accessed and
selectively controlled with a controller 120. The controller 120
may be a specialized controller, simplified computer apparatus, or
analog controller. The controller 120 may include one or more power
electronics or other features for conditioning the electric power
generated through the power generating unit 100 (e.g., to modify a
voltage and/or current of the electric power, convert from
alternating current to direct current or vice versa, etc.). The
controller 120 is operable with the power generating unit 110 to
selectively operate the power generating unit 110 to generate
electrical power. Additionally, the controller 120 is operative to
completely shut off the power generating unit 110, or completely
turn on the power generating unit 110.
[0030] As additionally illustrated, the vehicle 100 can include an
electric energy storage unit 122 configured to store electrical
energy. As shown, the power generating unit 110 is in electrical
communication with the electric energy storage unit 122 for
providing electrical power to the electric energy storage unit 122.
The electrical power can be stored in a single cell or multiple
cells of the electrical energy storage unit 122. According to at
least one exemplary embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit
122 comprises at least one rechargeable battery, such as a
lead-acid battery, lithium-ion battery, nickel-metal-hydride
battery, or any other suitable batter. According to some exemplary
embodiments, the electrical energy storage unit 122 comprises at
least one capacitor cell, such as an electrolytic capacitor cell or
supercapacitor cell.
[0031] As described above, a vehicle with integrated power
generation may include a frame, a wheel assembly coupled to the
frame, and a power generating unit. As the wheel rotates a rotating
assembly of the power generating unit is brought into proximity
with stationary assembly such that changing magnetic flux induces a
current, thereby providing electrical power accessible at the
individual wheel or wheel assembly. However, vehicles may also
include multiple wheels, with two or more wheels having integrated
power generating units.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a portion of a vehicle 200 with
multiple wheels having integrated power generation, according to
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It is noted that
exhaustive description of the same or similar components as those
described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 are omitted herein for
the sake of brevity and clarity of disclosure.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 200, in addition to the
first wheel assembly 104 and power generating unit 110, includes a
second wheel assembly 204 coupled to frame 202. The second wheel
assembly 203 includes a second wheel 206 defining a second wheel
axis 208. The second wheel 206 is also configured to rotate about
the second wheel axis 208 during operation of the vehicle 200.
Additionally, the second wheel assembly 204 also includes
supporting components 205 fixed about the second wheel axis 208
during operation of the vehicle 200.
[0034] As further shown, the vehicle 200 further includes a second
power generating unit 210. It is noted that although particularly
illustrated as having only two wheel assemblies and power
generating units, the same may be varied in many ways. For example,
two or more wheel assemblies with associated power generating units
may be included, without departing from the scope of this
disclosure. For instance, this may be beneficial in the instance of
multiple: train wheels spread across many train carriages, or other
suitable scenarios.
[0035] Referring still to FIG. 2, the second power generating unit
210 includes a second rotating assembly 212 rotatable with the
second wheel 206 about the second wheel axis 208. As illustrated,
for clarity, the second rotating assembly 212 is shown to be
rotating into a power-generating position as compared to the first
rotating assembly 112. The same power-generating position repeats
on a cycle dependent upon wheel rotation. The second rotating
assembly includes at least one of a second magnet assembly 213 or a
second coil assembly 217, similarly to those assemblies 113, 117
described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0036] Finally, the second power generating unit 210 also includes
a second stationary assembly 216 mounted to at least one of the
supporting components 205 of the second wheel assembly 204 or the
frame 202. The second stationary assembly includes the other of the
second magnet assembly 213 or the second coil assembly 217, such
that differing components are used in either assembly, as explained
in detail above.
[0037] As noted above, in certain exemplary embodiments, the magnet
assembly 113 may include any suitable number of magnets 113' and
the coil assembly 117 may include any suitable number of coils
117'. Referring now to FIG, 3A. a simplified view 300 is provided
of a wheel assembly 104, according to exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure. As explained above, each of the rotating
assembly 112 and the stationary assembly 116 includes either a
magnet assembly 113 or a coil assembly 117. As shown in detail
here, the magnet assembly 113 includes a single magnet 113' and the
coil assembly 117 includes a single coil 117'. As with the
embodiment described above, the magnet assembly 113 is included
with the rotating assembly 112 and the coil assembly is included
with the stationary assembly 116. However, in other embodiments,
the positioning of the magnet and coil assemblies 113, 117 may be
reversed. With such a configuration, the exemplary power generating
assembly 100 does not include any other magnets 113' or coils 117'
operable with the wheel assembly 104 outside the magnet and coil
assemblies 113, 117 shown.
[0038] As also noted above, in certain exemplary embodiments, the
rotating assembly 112 and stationary assembly 116, including the
magnet assembly 113 and coil assembly 117, may not extend
completely about an axis 108 of the wheel 106. For example,
referring now to FIG. 3B. a wheel assembly 104 is provided
including a power generating unit 100 with a rotating assembly 102
extending less than three hundred and sixty degrees about the axis
108,. Specifically, the exemplary rotating assembly 102 (which may
include one of a coil assembly or magnet assembly, and more
specifically includes a single magnet assembly 113 for the
embodiment shown) extends less than about ninety degrees about the
wheel axis 108, such as less than about forty-five degrees about
the wheel axis 108, such as less than about thirty degrees about
the wheel axis 108. These angular ranges are noted in FIG. 3B by
range 124A (90 degrees), range 124B (45 degrees), and range 124C
(30 degrees), respectively. Although the rotating assembly 112 is
described in such a manner in FIG. 3B, it will be appreciated that
the stationary assembly 116 may extend in a similar manner (i.e.,
extend less than about ninety degrees about the wheel axis 108,
such as less than about forty-five degrees about the wheel axis
108, such as less than about thirty degrees about the wheel axis
108).
[0039] It will be appreciated that although the rotating assembly
112 and stationary assembly 116 are each described as extending
less than 360 degrees about the axis 108 of the wheel 106, in other
embodiments, one or both of the rotating assembly or stationary
assembly may extend further than ninety degrees about the axis 108,
such as up to 360 degrees about the axis 108. For example, in
certain embodiments both the rotating and stationary assemblies
112, 116 may extend up to 360 degrees, or only one of the rotating
assembly 112 or the stationary assembly 116 may extend up to 360
degrees. In such a manner, the magnet assembly 113 may extend
farther about the axis 108 than the coil assembly 117, or vise
versa.
[0040] As presented above, the systems and apparatuses described
above may be operated selectively, for example, according to any
suitable methodology, as further described below.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method 400 of integrated power
generation in a vehicle, according to exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure. The method 400 includes retaining a stationary
assembly of a power generating unit fixedly attached to a
stationary portion of a vehicle, at block 402. The method 400 also
includes rotating a rotating assembly of the power generating unit,
relative to the stationary assembly, using the wheel of the
vehicle, at block 404.
[0042] As explained above, the relative motion between the two
assemblies is used to generate electrical power. Thus, the method
400 further includes selectively operating the power generating
unit with a controller, at block 406. Finally, the method 400
includes storing electrical energy from the selective operation of
the power generation unit in an electrical energy storage unit, at
block 408.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 7, various specific
embodiments of the present disclosure are depicted.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 5 an electric vehicle 500 can include a
chassis 502 and rotating wheels 504. Furthermore, the system 100
may be integrated therein such that the controller 120 and
electrical energy storage 122 are arranged within or on the chassis
502. Moreover, rotating assemblies 112 and stationary assemblies
116 may be arranged to provide electrical power through rotation of
at least one wheel 504.
[0045] The electric vehicle 500 may also include an electric motor
510, controller 514, and one or more battery packs 516, 517. It is
noted that during certain operations, or under certain conditions,
the system 100 can communicate electrical power to the controller
514 for use by motors 510 and/or storage at the battery packs 516,
517. Turning now to FIG. 6 a bicycle 600 with integrated power
generation is shown. As illustrated, the bicycle 600 may include a
frame 602 and rotating wheels 604. The bicycle 600 may also include
a motor 610 coupled to a rear wheel to assist with propelling the
bicycle 600. As further shown, the system 100 may be integrated
onto the frame 602 and wheel 604 such that electrical power
generated at stationary member 116 is communicated to the
controller 120 for storage at electrical energy storage 122, or
provided to motor 610.
[0046] Turning now to FIG. 7 a truck 700 with a trailer 701 coupled
thereto having integrated power generation is shown, As
illustrated, the trailer 701 may include a frame 702 and rotating
wheels 704. The trailer 701 may also include the system 100
integrated thereon that electrical power generated at stationary
member 116 is communicated to the controller 120 for storage at
electrical energy storage 122. For the embodiment shown, the
stationary assemblies 116 are mounted to the frame 702 of the
trailer 701, such as directly to the frame 702 of the trailer
701.
[0047] While the present subject matter has been described in
detail with respect to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it
will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining
an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations
to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments.
Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of
example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject
disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such modifications,
variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would
be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
* * * * *