Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
AUTOMATED MOBILE POWER SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Present Disclosure
[1] This disclosure relates generally to mobile power systems, and more
particularly
to an automated mobile power system capable of storing energy in electrical,
hydraulic and pneumatic subsystems for driving a wide range of interchangeable
tools
and in particular saving energy by shutting down a recharging engine when not
needed for recharging.
Description of Related Art
[2] Surgi, US 2733661, discloses a wheel supported platform and an engine base
supported from said platform and spaced thereabove, an internal combustion
engine
mounted on said base, a generator including a casing on said internal casing
engine
and having a generator tail shaft extending rearwardly from the casing above
the
platform, a second shaft in alignment with said generator tail shaft, a pump
supported
on said platform and having a driving shaft extending forwardly beneath the
first
mentioned shaft, belt pulleys mounted on said second shaft and said driving
shaft, a
belt connecting said belt pulleys, an electric clutch connecting said
generator tail
shaft and said second shaft, said clutch being provided with a circuit
connection to
said generator and a frame extending from the pump forwardly toward the
generator
and supporting said driving shaft.
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[3] Robbins et al., US 4133572, discloses a utility trailer having folding and
retractable sides and end panels, tool and equipment storage bins, and a power
winch,
and further characterized by power operated tools and equipment which may be
driven by a power take-off unit on the towing vehicle or an optional auxiliary
engine.
In a preferred embodiment, the utility trailer is mounted on a conventional
style
chassis and includes a set of brackets for mounting gin poles to facilitate
lifting of
equipment and supplies.
[4] Labrum, US 5013055, discloses a small, mobile, tool caddy, characterized
by
having an on-board generator so that the power tools carried in the caddy can
be
operated anywhere. The caddy comprises a wheeled frame with some type of
superstructure which will hold the power tools and hand tools needed in a
particular
profession, with the preferred or illustrated embodiment being a utility box
mounted
in the frame. The utility box has tool mounting brackets on its sides, front,
and top,
and also mounts a collapsible cloth refuse bag just behind the utility box.
[5] Schwaiger, US 5678982, discloses a mobile hydraulic system with a
hydraulic
pump, which is powered by a battery powered motor and fed from a hydraulic
reservoir, whereby the pump, the battery, the motor and the hydraulic
reservoir are a
compact, portable hydraulic unit, to which a working tool, which is separated
from
the portable hydraulic unit and is exchangeable, can be connected via a
hydraulic
connecting line of the hydraulic pump.
[6] Douglas et al., US 5732764, discloses a heater for heating an enclosure
associated
with a motor vehicle having a liquid coolant system for storage of materials
that may
damaged by freezing temperatures, such as a truck utility box. The heater
comprises
an enclosure with an aperture in communication with the enclosure, a heat
exchange
means for transferring heat from coolant from the cooling system of the
vehicle
flowing through the heat exchange means to the air flowing adjacent to the
heat
exchange means, and an electrical blower means for forcing air through the
heat
exchange means and out of the enclosure into the enclosure through the
aperture.
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The blower means has an electrical control means for controlling its function
by a
driver of the vehicle.
[7] Glidden et al., US 6065942, discloses a utility package for installation
in the bed
of a pickup truck that includes a frame having a relatively narrow, lower
vertical
section of a width narrower than the interior spacing between the sides of the
pickup
truck bed while substantially spanning the entire interior distance between
such sides
and a relatively wide, upper horizontal section of a width greater than the
interior
spacing between the sides and no greater than about the distance between the
exteriors of the sides and adapted to be supported on the tops of the sides.
An
elongated pressure vessel is located within the vertical section and a pair of
upright
housing sections are mounted on the horizontal section oppositely of the
vertical
section. The housing section have access openings at respective ends of the
horizontal section. An air compressor unit is mounted on the frame between the
housing section and a tool box is located in the vertical section adjacent to
one end
and above the pressure vessel to be accessible through the housing section. At
least
one hose reel is mounted in the vertical section adjacent to the other end of
the
horizontal section and is accessible through the housing section at the end of
the
horizontal section.
[8] Burrus IV et al., US 6571949, discloses a power toolbox for vehicles that
charges
power tools and batteries while the vehicle is driven. A preferred embodiment
is
intended to be placed in a pick-up truck bed. The toolbox is coupled to the
vehicular
automotive system, and electrical power is delivered through electrical
contacts in the
toolbox to modular compartments that hold power tools or batteries in a nested
fashion. When the vehicle is running, any battery or tool coupled to a
compartment is
charged. The compartments may be of different shapes and sizes and may include
electrical circuitry to modulate the voltage and current from the vehicular
electrical
system. An optional manual switch is provided to disengage the toolbox from
the
vehicular electrical system.
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[9] Tripoli, US 6596941, discloses an AC electrical power delivery system for
installation into a utility box attached to the bed of a pickup truck. This
system
delivers AC electrical power for operating light-duty equipment including
power
hand tools and electrical equipment to an included AC outlet connectable to a
side
wall of the utility box. An electrical power inverter is provided of the type
which
converts incoming DC electrical power to AC electrical power. The inverter is
installable into the utility box in proximity to, and having an AC power
output in
electrical communication with, the AC outlet. This system may also include a
separate DC electrical power storage battery or utilize the battery of the
pickup truck.
A wiring harness is connectable at one end thereof to a DC input of the
inverter and
extendable along the body of the pickup truck and connectable at another end
of the
wiring harness to the DC storage battery whereby DC electrical power is
transferred
by the wiring harness from the storage batter to the inverter when AC
electrical
power is demanded at the AC outlet.
[10] Cutler et al., US 7182147, discloses a system, and a method of using a
system, for
controlled tool operation. The method includes providing a tool used in a
force
application such as a such torque application. The tool communicates with a
controller which can communicate with the tool, and to a display in
communication
with the tool and the controller. The controller can be programmed with
operational
information about a tool operation. Information related to the operational
information
is displayed to a user during use. Service information including at least
information
about an amount of force applied during use is recorded and stored in the
controller.
Also disclosed is a computerized system for controlled tool operation which
sends
operational instructions to the tool before use and retrieves service
information from
the tool after use.
[11] The related art described above discloses power units capable of powering
electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic devices, In addition, the related art
discloses
such power units that are capable of being installed in a utility truck, as
well as units
that have a dedicated engine separate from that of the utility truck. However,
the prior
art fails to disclose an integrated apparatus that provides electrical,
hydraulic, and
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pneumatic power sources configured for operating tools within the truck and
nearby
the truck. The present invention discloses details of such an integrated
apparatus
having a dedicated engine and capable of either being installed in a utility
vehicle or
self-contained in a compact housing that, itself, may be carried by a utility
vehicle, as
for instance, in the bed of a truck. The present apparatus stores energy,
monitors
energy resources and replenishes the stored energy automatically.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[12] This disclosure teaches certain benefits in construction and use which
give rise to
the objectives described below.
[13] The use of electric, pneumatic, and hydraulic tools for utility
construction and
repair is a well mature technical field. Such machines are commonly used in
conjunction with utility vehicles where they draw power primarily from the
vehicle
engine. In most cases the vehicle's engine is operated non-stop during work
hours on
site, typically at least six hours each operating day. This is typical routine
since at
many times during the working shift, power is required and is readily
available to
workers. However, this is a wasteful practice since power is only required for
limited
periods of time when tools are actually being operated, and also, an engine
used to
operate a truck is much more powerful than typically necessary to operate work
tools.
The truck engine, at idle, typically uses ten to twenty times the actual
horsepower
required to operate worker's tools. Therefore, the energy efficiency of such
practice is
below five percent, with a great waste of fuel and much more truck engine
maintenance necessary over time, than for simple commuter utility alone.
[14] In a work environment, it is estimated that the amount of time a worker
actually
uses his pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric tools is approximately 10% to 20%
of his
work day. In other words, the tools are only used approximately 36 to 72
minutes per
work day. Thus, if a vehicle's battery and/or engine were left running the
entire work
day, this would be significant waste of energy. On the other hand, turning the
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vehicle's engine on and off every time it is needed to deliver power to a tool
is time
consuming and tedious.
[15] The present invention solves these problems by providing an automated
mobile
tool-driving apparatus capable of storing energy in electrical, hydraulic and
pneumatic subsystems for driving a range of interchangeable tools. The system
charges three storage means: electrical batteries for providing electrical
energy, a
hydraulic accumulator for providing hydraulic energy and an air accumulator
for
providing pneumatic energy. Power is provided by a small diesel engine to
recharge
each of these three subsystems as needed. Between recharging cycles, the
engine is
shut down. When any one or more of the storage means requires recharging, the
engine is started up and operated until the storage means are brought up to a
desired
level (topped-off). The tool driving apparatus draws its power from an
auxiliary
battery and the truck's fuel tank or an auxiliary fuel tank; thus, the
vehicle's much
more massive engine is shut down at all times the truck is not in operation. A
controller unit enables the apparatus in one of two modes: an automatic mode,
which
starts and stops the auxiliary engine automatically based on a plurality of
sensors that
detect when energy recharging is necessary; and a manual mode. In addition,
the
apparatus may provide a heating unit for climate control within a work area in
the
truck, or the cab of the truck. Preferably, the apparatus may be "built-in" to
the truck
with components of the apparatus mounted within the truck and integrated with
it
appropriately, or the apparatus may be contained in a compact housing, such as
a
steel box, allowing for relatively easy transport from one truck to another
and for use
with a truck only when desired. In such an embodiment, the apparatus is
mounted
into a standard pick-up truck, service body, or flat-bed vehicle.
[16] A primary objective inherent in the above described apparatus and method
of use
is to provide advantages not taught by the prior art.
[17] Another objective is to provide a mobile tool-driving apparatus that
provides it's
own power source; not requiring power from an outside source.
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[18] A further objective is to provide such an apparatus that can be installed
into a
standard pick-up truck, service body, or flat bed vehicle.
[19] A still further objective is to provide such an apparatus that can be
contained in a
compact, relatively portable, housing.
[20] A still further objective is to provide such an apparatus that is capable
of driving
electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic tools.
to [21] A still further objective is to provide such an apparatus including a
climate
control unit for assuring comfort in a work area in a vehicle.
[22] A still further objective is to provide such an apparatus that is capable
of
automatically recharging each one of the energy storage devices during
operations to
maintain a "topped-off' condition.
[23] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent from
the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently
described apparatus and method of its use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[24] Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is a preferred embodiment of
the
present invention In such drawing(s):
[25] Figure 1 is an electrical schematic diagram of the present invention; and
[26] Figure 2 is an association diagram thereof showing the interrelationship
of the
major components of the invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[27] The above described drawing figures illustrate the described apparatus
and its
method of use in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is
further
defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in
the art
may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein
without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it must be understood
that
what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and that it
should not
be taken as a limitation in the scope of the present apparatus and method of
use.
[28] Described now in detail is a mobile tool-driving apparatus and its method
of use.
The schematic diagram of Fig. I defines the primary operating characteristics
of the
present invention. A 12 volt battery 10 provides current to inverter 20E which
converts this DC current to 110 AC current to drive an electrical tool 30A
such as a
drill, circular saw, or the like. An alternator 40E, driven by engine 50,
maintains
battery 10 at full charge in accordance with the present inventions preferred
operation
as described below. When on/off switch 60 is made, power from battery 10 is
delivered to controller 70 through manual switch 80M directly, or alternately
through
automatic switch 80A if one or more of: air sensor switch 90A, hydraulic
sensor
switch 90H, or battery sensor switch 90B is made. Sensor switches 90A, 90H and
90B are made only when air pressure, hydraulic pressure or battery charge,
respectively, falls below an operational set point selected for each of the
sensors.
[29] In manual operation, switch 80M is made and controller 70 starts-up
engine 50
until switch 80M is opened, causing controller 70 to shut down engine 50. When
switch 80A is made, the system is in automatic operation. In automatic
operation,
engine 50 is not started up unless either one or more of switches 90A, 90H or
90B is
made. When this occurs engine 50 is started up. Engine 50 continues to operate
as
long as any one of the sensor switches is closed. When, the last of sensor
switches
90A, 90H and 90B has opened because it senses that a high limit has been
reached,
controller 70 starts timer 100 which has a selectable time-out duration. When
timer
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100 times-out, if sensor switches 90A, 90H and 90B are still open, controller
70
shuts engine 50 down.
[30] From the foregoing it should be understood that engine 50 is only
operated when
necessary and is shut down as long as none of sensor switches 90A, 90H and 90B
calls for recharging operation. The reason for timer 100 will be described
presently.
[31] In the diagram of Fig. 2 we see that engine 50 is mechanically engaged
with
alternator 40E, air compressor 40A, and hydraulic pump and cooler 40H. When
to engine 50 is operating, alternator 40E, air compressor 40A and hydraulic
pump and
cooler 40H deliver electricity, air and hydraulic pressure, respectively, to
battery 10,
air accumulator 20A, and hydraulic accumulator 20H. Electrically driven tool
30E,
air driven tool 30A and hydraulically driven tool 30H may be connected to
delivery
lines from inverter 20E, air accumulator 20A and hydraulic accumulator and
cooler
20H respectively, and are operated by the energy delivered by these stored
energy
devices and means. As further shown in Fig. 2, we see that controller 70 is
interconnected with engine 50 for controlling operation thereof in accordance
and as
shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 also shows that engine 50 is operated from fuel supply
5.
Battery 10 is typically large enough to operate an electrical tool 30E for a
considerable amount of time. When a team of craftsmen are all using electrical
tools
30E at the same time, the energy stored in battery 10 is depleted more rapidly
and
will drop to the low set point of sensor switch 90B, whereby recharging is
necessary,
sooner. The air accumulator 20A also provides enough air pressure to operate a
single air tool 30A for some time. When more than one air tool 30A is being
operated at the same time, the low set point of sensor switch 90A will be
reached
sooner and recharging will then be called-for sooner as well. In contrast to
the
operation described for electrical and air tools above, hydraulic tool
operation
requires engine 50 to be operated whenever a hydraulic tool 30H is being used.
As
soon as a hydraulic tool 30H is started into operation, the low set point at
hydraulic
sensor switch 90H is reached and the sensor switch is closed. Therefore, it is
clear
that engine 50 must be operated whenever any hydraulic tool 30H is in use.
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[32] In using any tool, it will be understood that such tool may be used
continuously,
as for instance, a grinding wheel might be. On the other hand, many tools are
used
intermittently. For instance, a jack hammer typically is used for several
seconds at a
time, with intermittent stops. Further, a tool may be used for periods of time
with
rests in-between periods of use for inspecting progress, as only one example.
Because of such usages, timer 100 is used to assure that engine 50 is not shut
down
for each and every pause in tool usage. The startup of engine 50 typically
takes a few
moments. Therefore, timer 100 is set to prevent immediate cutoff of engine 50
by
maintaining its operation for at least a few seconds even after none of the
sensor
switches 90A, 90H or 90E are calling for engine operation.
[33] The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the
prior art
of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect
of the
apparatus and its method of use and to the achievement of the above described
objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant
embodiments
are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings,
but
to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or
acts beyond
the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be
understood
in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then
its use
must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the
specification and by the word or words describing the element.
[34] The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are
meant to
include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth,
but all
equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same
function
in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this
sense it is
therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements
may
be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or
that a
single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.
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[35] Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with
ordinary
skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as
being
equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore,
obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art
are
defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is
thus meant
to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described
above, what
is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what
incorporates the essential ideas.
[36] The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction
with the
appended claims and it is made clear, here, that each named inventor believes
that the
claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented.
