Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TtTLE OF THE INVENTION
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING A CONVENTIONAL VEHICLE
INTO A HYBRID VEHICLE
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is
subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent
disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or
records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of hybrid vehides and in particular to a
method
and system for converting a conventional vehicle having a conventional engine
and systems into a hybrid vehicle with a secondary battery.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As the search for readily accessible crude oil intensifies, the search for
more
economical means of transportation will become increasingty important.
Automobile manufacturers have attempted to quell their products' thirst for
gasoline by introducing gasoline-electric hybrid vehides, or simply, hybrid
vehicles.
Hybrid vehicles typically include the following elements:
Gasoline engine - are much like the engines found on conventional
vehides but are typically smaller and use advanced technologies to
reduce emissions and increase efficiency.
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Electric motor - supplies power to the transmission in combination with
the gasoline engine.
Batteries - are the energy storage device for the electric motor. Unlike
the gasoline in the fuel tank, which can only power the gasoline engine,
the electric motor on a hybrid car can put energy into the batteries as well
as draw energy from them.
Generator - is similar to an electric motor, but it acts only to produce
electrical power.
Transmission - performs the same basic function as the transmission on
a conventional car.
Hybrids generally combine the two power sources (gasoline engine and electric
motor) in parallel or in series. A parallel hybrid has a fuel tank that
supplies
gasoline to the engine and a set of batteries that supplies power to the
electric
motor. Both the engine and the electric motor can turn the transmission at the
same time. In contrast, a series hybrid turns a generator, and the generator
can
either charge the batteries or power an electric motor that drives the
transmission.
The current crop of hybrid vehicles are vastly expensive in comparison to
their
conventionai vehicle counterparts, which has led to their slow adoption by the
public. Although there are waiting lists of purchasers ready to buy hybrid
vehicles, the adoption of such vehicles has not been as'~ widespread as first
predicted.
More importantly, traditional hybrid vehicles continue to charge the batteries
by
running the gasoline engine. Charging the batteries with the engine burns fuel
which is less efficient than simply charging the batteries with public
electricity.
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As the cost of fuel rises, so too will the cost of charging the batteries of a
hybrid
vehicle.
Accordingly, there is a need overcome the deficiencies of current hybrid
technology. Moreover, given the reluctance of people to abandon their
conventional vehicles for their more expensive hybrid counterparts, there is a
need for providing a method and system for converting a conventional vehicie
into a hybrid vehicle. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from
the
description that follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A conventional vehicle generally comprises a conven#ional engine having a main
electrical system and an electrical ignition system in communication with the
engine. An atternator is connected to the engine and a serpentine belt is
connected to the alternator and to multiple vehicle accessories. A primary
battery is connected to the alternator and to the main electrical and
eCectrical
igni6on systems of the engine. A drive shaft is generally connected to the
engine via a transmission and a propulsion device is connected to the drive
shaft for propelling the vehicle_
-)0
According to the present irtvention there is provided a method and system for
converting a conventional vehicle into a hybrid vehicle.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the method includes
disconnecting the primary battery from the main electrical system of the
engine,
providing a secondary battery and connecting the secondary battery to the main
electrical system of the engine. The main electrical system of the engine is
then
operated with the secondary battery.
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The method may further include measuring the voltage level of the secondary
battery, determining an inoperable voltage level of said secondary battery and
then disconnecting the secondary battery from the main electrical system of
the
engine when the voltage of the secondary battery reaches the inoperable level.
Then, reconnecting the primary battery to the main electrical system of the
engine.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the method includes
disconnecting the aitemator from the engine and disconnecting the primary
] 0 battery from the alternator, and from the main electrical and electrical
ignition
systems of the engine. A secondary battery is provided. The secondary battery
is connected to and operates the main electrical system of the engine. The
secondary battery is also connected to and operates the electrical ignition
system of the engine. A device is provided to drive the serpentine belt and is
also operated by the secondary battery.
The method may further include disconnecting the secondary battery from the
electrical ignition system and reconnecting the primary battery to the
electrical
ignition system of the engine.
The method may further include measuring the voltage level of the secondary
battery, determining an inoperable voltage level of the secondary battery and
then disconnecting the secondary battery from the main electrical system of
the
engine and from the device to drive the serpentine belt when the voltage of
the
2S secondary battery reaches the inoperable level. The 'itfethod may further
include reconnecting the primary battery to the alternator and to the main
electrical system of the engine and reconnecting the altemator to the engine.
In accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, the method includes
disconnecting the alternator from the engine and disconnecting the primary
battery from the a{ternator, and from the main electrical and electrical
ignition
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systems of the engine. A secondary battery is provided. The secondary battery
is connected to and operates the main electrical system of the engine. A
device
is provided to drive the serpentine belt and is also operated by the secondary
battery. A device is provided to drive the propulsion device and is also
operated
by the secondary battery.
The method may further include measuring the voltage level of the secondary
battery, determining an inoperable voltage level of the secondary battery and
then disconnecting the secondary battery from the main electrical system of
the
engine, from the device to drive the serpentine belt, and from the device to
drive
the propulsion device when the voltage of the secondary battery reaches the
inoperable level. The method may further include reconnecting the primary
battery to the alternator, and to the main electrical and electrical ignition
systems
of the engine and then firing the electrical ignition system of the engine
with the
primary battery.
The method may further include providing a regenerativeiy charging system to
the secondary battery which is connectable to the propulsion device and
regeneratively charging the secondary battery during braking of the propulsion
devicec.
The method may further include providing a torque control device connectable
to
the propulsion devices for transitioning power delivery to the propulsion
device
between the device to drive the propulsion device and the gasoline engine.
An inoperable voltage level of the secondary battery may be less than 11.5
volts
or user defined.
The secondary battery may be a rechargeable battery rechargeable through a
household's altemating current outlet or through solar energy.
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In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, the system includes a
secondary battery and a controller in communication with the primary battery,
the main electrical system of the engine, and the secondary battery. The
controller is operable to disconnect the primary battery from the main
electrical
system of the engine and operable to connect the secondary battery to the main
electricai system of the engine.
The controller may further be operable to disconnect the secondary battery
from
the main electrical system of the engine and to reconnect the primary battery
to
the main electrical system of the engine.
In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention, the system includes a
secondary battery and a controller in communication with the primary battery,
the main electrical system and electrical ignition systems of the engine, the
alternator, and the secondary battery. The controller is operable to
disconnect
the atternator from the engine, disconnect the primary battery from the
al#ernator
and from the main electrical and electrical ignition systems of the engine and
to
connect the secondary battery to the main eiectrical and electrical ignition
systems of the engine. The system further includes a device in communication
with the secondary battery and with the controller and connectable to the
serpentine belt for driving the serpentine belt, the device for driving the
serpentine belt being operable by the controller.
The controller may further be operable to disconnect the secondary battery
from
the electrical ignition system of the engine and to reconnectthe primary
battery
to the electrical ignition system of the engine.
The controller may further be operable to disconnect the secondary battery
from
the main electrical system of the engine and to reconnect the primary battery
to
the main electrical system of the engine.
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The controller may further be operable to reconnect the alternator to the
engine
and further operable to reconnect the primary battery to the alternator.
The controller may further be operable to disconnect the secondary battery
from
the device for driving the serpentine belt. The device for driving the
serpentine
belt may be an accessory electric motor.
In accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention, the system includes a
secondary battery and a controller in communication with the primary battery,
the main electrical system and electrical ignition systems of the engine, the
alternator, and the secondary battery. The controller is operable to
disconnect
the alternator from the engine, disconnect the primary battery from the
alternator
and from the main electrical and eiectrical ignition systems of the engine and
to
connect the secondary battery to the main electricat system of the engine. The
system further includes a device in communication with the secondary battery
and with the controller and connectable to the serpentine belt for driving the
serpentine belt, the device for driving the serpentine belt being operable by
the
controller. The system further includes a device in communication with the
secondary battery and with the controller and connectable to the propulsion
device for driving the propulsion device with the secondary battery, the
device
for driving the propulsion device also being operable by said controller.
The controller may be further operable to reconnect the primary battery to the
electrical ignition system of the engine and further operable to disconnect
the
secondary battery from the main electrical system of ''the engine and to
reconnect the primary battery to the main electrical system of the engine.
The controller may be further operable to reconnect the aitemator to the
engine
and to further operable to reconnect the primary battery to the altemator.
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The controHer may be further operable to disconnect the secondary battery from
the device for driving the serpentine belt and further operable to disconnect
the
secondary battery from the device for driving the propulsion device.
~ The device for operating the serpentine belt may be an accessory electric
motor
while the device for operating the propulsion device may be a propulsion
electric
motor.
The system may further include a device in communication with the secondary
battery and the controller and connectable to the propulsion device for
regeneratively charging the secondary battery during braking of the propulsion
device, the regeneratively charging device being operable by the controller.
The system may further include a torque controller in communication with the
controller and connectable to the propulsion device for transitioning power
delivery to the propulsion device between the device to drive the propulsion
device and the gasoline engine.
The systems may further include a device, such as a voltmeter, in
communication with the controlier for measuring the voitage of the secondary
battery.
The secondary battery may be a rechargeable battery, preferably, made from
lithium ion.
The controller may be a programmable microprocessor.
Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the
detailed
description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims that follow.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by reference to
the
drawings thereof in which:
Fig. I is a schematic diagram of components of a conventional vehicle along
with components of an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2. is a flow chart illustrating a hybrid controller routine of the
embodiment of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of components of a conventional vehicle along
with components of another embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4. is a flow chart illustrating a hybrid controller routine of the
embodiment of
Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of components of a conventional vehicle along
with components of another embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a hybrid controller routine of the
embodiment of
Fig. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figure 1, a conventional vehicle is typically equipped with a
conventional engine 10 having a main electrical system 12 and an electrical
ignition system 14 in communication with the engine. An alternator 16 is
connected to the engine 10 to charge a car's primary battery 18 by converting
mechanical energy to direct current electrical energy. The alternator 16 sends
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the direct current electrical energy to the primary battery 18 which in turn,
sends
the energy to the main electrical 12 and electrical ignition 14 systems of the
engine 10. A serpentine belt 19 is connected to the altemator 16 and generally
to multiple vehicle accessories (not illustrated). The engine 10 is connected
to a
drive shaft 20 via a transmission 22. The drive shaft 20 is connected to a
propulsion device 24, for example, the wheels of a car.
In a first embodiment of the invention, the system includes a secondary
battery
26 and a controller 28 which is in communication with the primary battery 18,
the main electrical system 12 of the engine 10, and the secondary battery 26.
The controller 28 is operable to connect and disconnect the primary battery 18
to and from the main electrical system 12 of the engine 10 and further
operable
to connect and disconnect the secondary battery 26 to and from the main
etectrical system of the engine. The system includes a device in communication
with the controller 28 for measuring the voltage of the secondary battery 26,
for
example, a voltmeter 30.
In this embodiment, the system merely employs the secondary battery 26 to
operate the main electrical system 12 of the engine 10. Operation of the rest
of
the vehicle's systems is by way of the conventional engine 10.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, once the secondary battery 26 has been fully
charged and installed into the vehicle, the controller 28 disconnects the
primary
battery 18 from the main electrical system 12 of the engine 10 and connects
the
secondary battery to the main electrical system of the engirid. The controller
28
then operates the main electrical system 12 of the engine 10 from the
secondary
battery 26. To start the vehicle a user simply conventionally fires the
electrical
ignition system 14 of the engine 10 which is still powered by the primary
battery
18. The engine continues to run on gasoline and only elements of the vehicle
powered from the main electrical system 14, such as the vehicle's lights, are
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powered by the secondary battery 26. To ensure proper operation of the main
electrical system 12, the voltage level of the secondary battery 26 is
constantly
measured by the voltmeter 30. When the voltage of the secondary battery 26
reaches an inoperable voltage level, the controller 28 disconnects the
secondary
battery from the main electrical system 12 of the engine 10 and reconnects the
primary battery 18 to the main electrical system of the engine, causing the
vehicle to return to a conventional gasoline powered vehicle.
Referring Figure 3, in a second embodiment of the invention, the system also
includes the secondary battery 26 and the controller 28 which is now in
communication with the primary battery 18, the main electrical system 12 and
the electrical ignition system 14 of the engine 10, and the secondary battery
26.
The controller 28 is now operable to connect and disconnect the primary
battery
18 to and from the main electrical system 12 and to and from the electrical
ignition system 14 of the engine 10. The controller is further operable to
connect
and disconnect the secondary battery 26 to and from the main electrical system
12 and to and from the electrical ignition system 14 of the engine 10. The
system also includes a device in communication with the controller 28 for
measuring the voltage of the secondary battery 26, for example, a voltmeter
30.
In this embodiment, the system further includes a device in communication with
the controller 28 and connectable through conventional means, as those skilled
in the art will appreciate, to the serpentine belt for driving the serpentine
belt, for
example an accessory electric motor 32.
In this embodiment, the system employs the secondary battery 26 to operate the
main electrical system 12 of the engine 10 and to fire the electrical ignition
system 14. In addition, the secondary battery 26 operates various vehicle
accessories such as the water pump and HVAC unit via the accessory electric
motor 32 which is connected to the serpentine belt 19. As those skilled in the
art
will appreciate, the accessories powered by the serpentine belt vary from
vehicle
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to vehicle and therefore, the accessory electric motor may be responsible for
powering one or several various accessories via the serpentine bel#. Again,
operation of the remaining portions of the vehicle's systems is by way of the
conventional engine 10.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, once the secondary battery 26 has been fully
charged and installed into the vehicle, the controller 28 disconnects the
alternator 16 from the engine 10. The controller 28 then disconnects the
primary
battery 18 from the altemator 16, from the main electrical system 12 and from
the electrical ignition system 14 of the engine 10. The controller 28 connects
the
secondary battery 26 to the main electrical system 12, to the accessory
electric
motor 32, and to the electrical ignition system 14. The controller 28 then
operates the main electrical system 12, electrical ignition system 14 and the
accessory electric motor 32 from the secondary battery 26. To start the
vehicle
a user simply conventionally fires the electrical ignit'ion system 14 of the
engine
10. However, in this embodiment, the electrical ignition system 14 of the
engine
10 is now powered by the secondary battery 26. The engine continues to run on
gasoline and only elements of the vehicle powered by the main electrical
system
14, such as the lights, and elements powered from the serpentine belt, such as
the HVAC unit, are powered by the secondary battery 26. Once the electrical
ignition system 14 of the engine 10 has been fired, the electrical ignition
system
of the engine is no longer required to keep the engine running. Consequently,
the controller 28 may then disconnect the secondary battery 26 from the
electrical ignition system 14 and reconnect the primary battery 18 to the
electrical ignition system in the event that the vehicle requires restarting.
To
ensure proper operation of the main electrical system 12 and the accessory
electric motor 32, the vottage level of the secondary battery 26 is constantly
measured by the voltmeter 30. When the voltage of the secondary battery 26
reaches an inoperable voltage level, the controller 28 disconnects the
secondary
battery from the main electrical system 12 and from the accessory electric
motor
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32 and reconnects the primary baftery 18 to the alternator 16 and to the main
electrical system 12 of the engine. The controller then reconnects the
aitemator
16 to the engine 10, causing the vehicle to return to a conventional gasoline
powered vehicle.
Referring to Figure 5, in a third embodiment of the invention, the system also
includes a secondary battery 26 and a controller 28 which is in communication
with the primary battery 18, the main electricat system 12 and electrical
ignition
system of the engine 10 and the secondary battery 26. The controller 28 is
again operable to connect and disconnect the primary battery 18 to and from
the
main electrical system 12 and to and from electrical ignition system 44 of the
engine 10. The controller is again further operable to connect and disconnect
the secondary battery 26 to and from the main electrical system 12 and to and
from the eiectrical ignition system 14 of the engine 10. The system again
] 5 includes a device in communication with the controller 28 for measuring
the
voltage of the secondary battery 26, for example, a voltmeter 30. The system
again includes a device in communication with the controller 28 and
connectable
through conventional means, as those skilled in the art wiA appreciate, to the
serpentine befit for driving the serpentine belt, for example an accessory
electric
motor 32. In this embodiment of the invention, the system further includes a
device in communication with the controller 28 and connectable through
conventional means, as those skilEed in the art will appreciate, to the
propulsion
device 24 for driving the propulsion device with the secondary battery 26, for
example, a propulsion electric motor 34.
In this embodiment, the system employs the secondary battery 26 to operate the
entire vehicle until the voltage level in the secondary battery reaches an
inoperable level.
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Referring to Figures 5 and 6, once the secondary battery 26 has been fully
charged and installed into the vehicle, the controller 28 disconnects the
alternator 16 from the engine 10. The controller 28 then disconnects the
primary
battery 18 from the altemator, from the main electrical system 12 and from the
electrical ignition system 14 of the engine 10. The controller 28 then
connects
the secondary battery 26 to the main electrical system 12, to the accessory
electric motor 32 and to the propulsion electric motor 34. The system then
operates the main electrical system 12, the accessory motor 32 and the
propulsion electric motor 34 from the secondary battery 26. Now that the
propulsion device 24 is powered by the propulsion electric motor 34, there is
no
need to engage the gasoline engine and the user may simply drive the vehicle
with the secondary battery 26. To ensure proper operation of the main
electrical
system 12, the accessory electric motor 32 and the propulsion electric motor
34,
the voltage level of the secondary battery 26 is constantly measured by the
voltmeter 30. When the voltage of the secondary battery 26 reaches an
inoperable voitage level, the controller 28 disconnects the secondary battery
from the main electrical system 12, from the accessory electric motor 32 and
from the propulsion electric motor 34. The controller 28 then reconnects the
primary battery 18 to the alternator 16, to the main electrical system 12 and
electrical ignition system 14 of the engine 10. The controller 28 then
reconnects
the alternator 16 to the engine 10 and conventionally fires the eiectrical
ignition
system 14 of the engine 10 causing the vehicle to to return to a conventional
gasoline powered vehicle.
In this embodiment, the system may further include a device in communication
with the secondary battery 26 and the controller 28 and connectable through
conventional means, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, to the
propulsion
device for regeneratively charging the secondary battery during braking of the
propulsion device. Such devices are well-known in the art. Additionally, the
system may include a torque controller connectable through conventional
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means, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, to the propulsion device
and in
communication with said controller to smooth the transition between the
propulsion electric motor operation to the conventional gasoline engine
operation of the propulsion device. Again, such torque controllers are well-
known in the art and may be powered by either the primary 18 or secondary
battery 26 depending upon vehicle configuration.
In all embodiments, the secondary battery 26 may be a rechargeable battery.
Utilizing a rechargeable battery instead of the vehicle's primary battery 18
saves
gasoline as the engine no longer has to bum gasoline in order to recharge the
primary battery via the alternator 16. The secondary battery 26 is preferably
made from lithium ion, however, as those skilled in the art will appreciate,
any
suitable high capacity rechargeable battery may be used. The secondary
battery 26 may be configured, via conventional means as those skilled in the
art
[5 will appreciate, for recharging through a household's alternating current
outlet, in
which case, the battery may simply be charged ovemight before each use.
Attematively, the secondary battery 26 may be configured, via conventional
means as those skilled in the art wilt appreciate, for recharging through
solar
energy, in which case, solar panels may be mounted directly to the secondary
'?0 battery or even to the vehicle itself.
As conventionai vehicles vary in configuration with some operating an
individual
vehicle accessory through a separate electric motor rather than from the
serpentine bei# 19, it is also contemplated by the present invention that the
25 secondary battery 26 may be used to directly power the individual electric
motors. It is contemplated that such individual motors are part of the
vehicle's
main electrical system 12 of the engine 10.
The controller 28 in all of the above embodiments, may be a programmable
30 microprocessor programed to perform the necessary functions. The controller
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28 communicates and connects to the various components of the various
embodiments of the present invention via conventional means as those skilled
in
the art will appreciate.
A touchscreen LCD in communication with the controller 28 may be placed
inside the vehicle to display various information to the user, such as the
voRage
level of the secondary battery 26, and deployed components of the invention. A
user may also use the touchscreen LCD to override the system according to
local driving conditions and/or user preference.
Before operation of the vehicle a user may predefine and program into the
controller 28 via the touchscreen LCD an inoperable voltage. A user's choice
of
an inoperable voltage level may be based on a number of factors including the
vehicle's type, weight, and size andlor the secondary battery's 26 age,
capacity,
and initial voltage. Alternatively, given that a standard battery for a car is
a
nominal 12 vofts, an inoperable voltage level for a car may be preset for
safety
reasons at less than 11.5 volts.
It will thus be seen that a new and novel method and system for converting a
conventional vehicle having a conventional engine and systems into a hybrid
vehicle with a secondary battery and controller has been illustrated and
described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes
and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
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