Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
A VEHICLE PNEUMATIC POWER AND DRAG REDUCTION
SYSTEM
by CRAIG ANTROBUS
Antrobus Consulting Ltd.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] Not applicable.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is
subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. The copyright owner has
no
objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or
patent
disclosure for the purposes of referencing as patent prior art, as it appears
in the Patent
and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyright rights
whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART
[0003] One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a
power
system. More particularly, certain embodiments of the invention relates to a
vehicle
power system.
[0004] The following background information may present examples of
specific
aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or
common wisdom)
that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to
additional aspects of
the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or
any embodiments
thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
[0005] Typically, conventional motor vehicles may be powered by
combustion.
Conventional combustion motors may include a combustible liquid such as
petrol,
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wherein an expansive force from heating the liquid may cause a piston of the
engine to
move, and thus creating work. This work may prorogate through a multiplicity
of shafts
and axels, typically known as a drivetrain, to a coupled wheel and may deliver
the work
to the wheel in a form of torque which may cause the wheel to turn. Some other
conventional motor vehicles may be powered by electricity. Conventional
electric
motors may include current supplied to a stator from a battery, wherein the
stator may
then become energized to create a rotating magnetic flux. The flux may
generate a
magnetic field which may result in a current being produce in a rotor position
within the
stator. The rotating flux and the current may produce a force wherein that
force may
propagate torque to a coupled wheel. The following is an example of a specific
aspect in
the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader
as to
additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the
present invention,
or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred
thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art
generally
useful to be aware of is that with conventional combustion motors, an exhaust,
after a
combustible liquid has gone through combustion, may need to be expelled.
Typically,
the exhaust may be expelled into the atmosphere. Furthermore, much of the
power
created by the combustion may be used to move moving parts of the drivetrain
before
torque may be delivered to a coupled wheel. With conventional electric motors,
a cost to
produce such a system may typically be more expensive than the conventional
combustion motor. Moreover, the battery which supplies current to the electric
motor
may only be recharged by plugging the battery into a power supplying station.
[0006] In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional
techniques are not
perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by
way of
limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like
reference
numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
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[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pneumatic power
and drag
reduction systems architecture of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment
of the
present invention
[0009] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate operational component diagrams of
an
exemplary pneumatic power and drag reduction systems, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A illustrates operational
air flow
components, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG.2B
illustrates operational electricity flow components thereof;
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of another exemplary embodiment of
a
pneumatic power and drag reduction systems architecture of a vehicle, in
accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4A and 4B illustrate a multiplicity of views of an exemplary
embodiment of some pneumatic power and drag reduction systems components of a
vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG.
4A
illustrate a front view, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention and
FIG. 4B illustrates a top view thereof;
[0012] FIG 5 illustrates some exemplary pneumatic power system
components in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG 6 illustrates an exemplary method embodiment of using an
exemplary
pneumatic power system vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present
invention.
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed figures
and description set forth herein.
[0015] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to
the
Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
detailed
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description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory
purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be
appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of
the present
invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches,
depending upon
the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any
given detail
described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the
following
embodiments described and shown. That is, there are modifications and
variations of the
invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope
of the
invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and
masculine as
feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not
necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
[0016] It is to be further understood that the present invention is not
limited to the
particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses,
and
applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood
that the
terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments
only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must
be noted that
as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and
"the" include
the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for
example, a
reference to "an element" is a reference to one or more elements and includes
equivalents
thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a
reference to "a
step" or "a means" is a reference to one or more steps or means and may
include sub
steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the
most
inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word "or" should be understood as having
the
definition of a logical "or" rather than that of a logical "exclusive or"
unless the context
clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be
understood also to
refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be
construed to
express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly
dictates
otherwise.
[0017] All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure and
claims
should be construed to mean "approximate," rather than "perfect," and may
accordingly
be employed as a meaningful modifier to any other word, specified parameter,
quantity,
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quality. or concept. Words of approximation, include, yet are not limited to
terms such
as "substantial", "nearly", "almost", "about", "generally", "largely",
"essentially".
"closely approximate", etc.
[0018] As will be established in some detail below, it is well settle
law, as early as
1939, that words of approximation are not indefinite in the claims even when
such limits
are not defined or specified in the specification.
[0019] For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off.
Bd. App.
1941) where the court said "The examiner has held that most of the claims are
inaccurate
because apparently the laminar film will not be entirely eliminated. The
claims specify
that the film is "substantially" eliminated and for the intended purpose, it
is believed that
the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the
view,
therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate."
[0020] Note that claims need only "reasonably apprise those skilled in
the art" as to
their scope to satisfy the definiteness requirement. See Energy Absorption
Sys., Inc. v.
Roadway Safety Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264, slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. July
3, 1997)
(unpublished) Hybridtech v. Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385,
231
USPQ 81, 94 (Fed. Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition,
the use of
modifiers in the claim, like "generally" and "substantial," does not by itself
render the
claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. Industrial Crating & Packing, Inc.,
731 F.2d
818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568, 575-76 (Fed. Cir. 1984).
[0021] Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like
"substantially"
includes "reasonably close to: nearly, almost, about", connoting a term of
approximation.
See In re Frye, Appeal No. 2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747
(B.P.A.1. 2010) Depending on its usage, the word "substantially" can denote
either
language of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering Precision
Instruments,
L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003)
(recognizing the "dual ordinary meaning of the term rsubstantially1 as
connoting a term
of approximation or a term of magnitude"). Here, when referring to the
"substantially
halfway" limitation, the Specification uses the word "approximately" as a
substitute for
the word "substantially" (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinary meaning of
"substantially
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halfway" is thus reasonably close to or nearly at the midpoint between the
forwardmost
point of the upper or outsole and the rearwardmost point of the upper or
outsole.
[0022] Similarly, the term 'substantially' is well recognized in case
law to have the
dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of approximation or a term of
magnitude. See
Dana Corp. v. American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004
U.S. App.
LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir. August 27, 2004) (unpublished). The term
"substantially" is commonly used by claim drafters to indicate approximation.
See Cordis
Corp. v. Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) ("The
patents do not
set out any numerical standard by which to determine whether the thickness of
the wall
surface is 'substantially uniform.' The term 'substantially,' as used in this
context, denotes
approximation. Thus, the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform
thickness.");
see also Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc.,
347 F.3d
1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003); Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc.,
279 F.3d
1022, 1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We find that the term "substantially" was used in
just such a
manner in the claims of the patents-in-suit: "substantially uniform wall
thickness" denotes
a wall thickness with approximate uniformity.
[0023] It should also be noted that such words of approximation as
contemplated in
the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims such as saying 'generally
parallel' such
that the adverb 'generally' does not broaden the meaning of parallel.
Accordingly, it is
well settled that such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing
(e.g., like
the phrase 'generally parallel') envisions some amount of deviation from
perfection (e.g.,
not exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation as contemplated in
the
foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used in patent claims to avoid a
strict
numerical boundary to the specified parameter. To the extent that the plain
language of
the claims relying on such words of approximation as contemplated in the
foregoing are
clear and uncontradicted by anything in the written description herein or the
figures
thereof, it is improper to rely upon the present written description, the
figures, or the
prosecution history to add limitations to any of the claim of the present
invention with
respect to such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing. That
is, under
such circumstances, relying on the written description and prosecution history
to reject
the ordinary and customary meanings of the words themselves is impermissible.
See, for
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example. Liquid Dynamics Corp. v. Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595,
1600-01 (Fed. Cir. 2004). The plain language of phrase 2 requires a
"substantial helical
flow." The term "substantial" is a meaningful modifier implying "approximate."
rather
than "perfect." In Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1361
(Fed. Cir.
2003), the district court imposed a precise numeric constraint on the term
"substantially
uniform thickness." We noted that the proper interpretation of this term was
"of largely or
approximately uniform thickness'. unless something in the prosecution history
imposed
the "clear and unmistakable disclaimer" needed for narrowing beyond this
simple-
language interpretation. Id. In Anchor Wall Systems v. Rockwood Retaining
Walls, Inc.,
340 F.3d 1298, 1311 (Fed. Cir. 2003)" Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain
language of
Claim I requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that returns
precisely to the
center after one rotation (a limitation that arises only as a logical
consequence of
requiring a perfectly helical flow).
[0024] The reader should appreciate that case law generally recognizes a
dual
ordinary meaning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in the
foregoing, as
connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude; e.g., see Deering
Precision
Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314,68 USPQ2d
1716, 1721
(Fed. Cir. 2003), cert. denied, 124 S. Ct. 1426 (2004) where the court was
asked to
construe the meaning of the term "substantially" in a patent claim. Also see
Epcon, 279
F.3d at 1031 ("The phrase 'substantially constant' denotes language of
approximation,
while the phrase 'substantially below' signifies language of magnitude, i.e.,
not
insubstantial."). Also, see, e.g., Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors,
Inc., 279
F.3d 1022 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (construing the terms "substantially constant" and
"substantially below"); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus., Inc., 206
F.3d 1408
(Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term "substantially inward"); York Prods.,
Inc. v. Cent.
Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d 1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term
"substantially the entire height thereof"); Tex. Instruments Inc. v. Cypress
Semiconductor
Corp., 90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term "substantially in
the common
plane"). In conducting their analysis, the court instructed to begin with the
ordinary
meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinary skill in the art. Prima Tek, 318
F.3d at
1148. Reference to dictionaries and our cases indicates that the term
"substantially" has
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numerous ordinary meanings. As the district court stated, "substantially" can
mean
"significantly" or "considerably." The term "substantially" can also mean
"largely" or
"essentially." Webster's New 20th Century Dictionary 1817 (1983).
[0025] Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, may also
be
used in phrases establishing approximate ranges or limits, where the end
points are
inclusive and approximate, not perfect; e.g., see AK Steel Corp. v. Sollac,
344 F.3d 1234,
68 USPQ2d 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003) where it where the court said [W]e
conclude that
the ordinary meaning of the phrase "up to about 10%" includes the "about 10%"
endpoint. As pointed out by AK Steel, when an object of the preposition "up
to" is
nonnumeric, the most natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g., painting
the wall up
to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out by Sollac, when the object is
a numerical
limit, the normal meaning is to include that upper numerical limit (e.g.,
counting up to
ten, seating capacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a
numerical limit
¨ "about 10%" ¨ the ordinary meaning is that that endpoint is included.
[0026] In the present specification and claims, a goal of employment of
such words
of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, is to avoid a strict
numerical
boundary to the modified specified parameter, as sanctioned by Pall Corp. v.
Micron
Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995)
where it
states "It is well established that when the term "substantially" serves
reasonably to
describe the subject matter so that its scope would be understood by persons
in the field
of the invention, and to distinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior
art, it is not
indefinite." Likewise see Verve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116,65
USPQ2d
1051, 1054 (Fed. Cir. 2002). Expressions such as "substantially" are used in
patent
documents when warranted by the nature of the invention, in order to
accommodate the
minor variations that may be appropriate to secure the invention. Such usage
may well
satisfy the charge to "particularly point out and distinctly claim" the
invention, 35 U.S.C.
112, and indeed may be necessary in order to provide the inventor with the
benefit of his
invention. In Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22, 6
USPQ2d
2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usages such as
"substantially equal"
and "closely approximate" may serve to describe the invention with precision
appropriate
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to the technology and without intruding on the prior art. The court again
explained in
Ecolab Inc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179
(Fed. Cir.
2001) that "like the term 'about,' the term 'substantially' is a descriptive
term commonly
used in patent claims to 'avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified
parameter, see
Ecolab Inc. v. Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir.
2001)
where the court found that the use of the term "substantially" to modify the
term
"uniform" does not render this phrase so unclear such that there is no means
by which to
ascertain the claim scope.
[0027] Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term "about,"
the term
"substantially" is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to "avoid
a strict
numerical boundary to the specified parameter."; e.g., see Pall Corp. v.
Micron Seps., 66
F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g., Andrew
Corp. v.
Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir.
1988)
(noting that terms such as "approach each other," "close to," "substantially
equal," and
"closely approximate" are ubiquitously used in patent claims and that such
usages, when
serving reasonably to describe the claimed subject matter to those of skill in
the field of
the invention, and to distinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior
art, have been
accepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In this case,
"substantially"
avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity boundary.
[0028] Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of approximation,
as
contemplated in the foregoing, has been established as early as 1939, see Ex
parte
Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where, for example, the
court said
"the claims specify that the film is "substantially" eliminated and for the
intended
purpose, it is believed that the slight portion of the film which may remain
is negligible.
We are of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently
accurate."
Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42 USPQ 90, 93 (C.C.P.A. 1939) the
court said
"It is realized that "substantial distance" is a relative and somewhat
indefinite term, or
phrase, but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon in patents in
cases
where, according to the art involved, the meaning can be determined with
reasonable
clearness."
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[0029] Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicants submit that it
is improper
for any examiner to hold as indefinite any claims of the present patent that
employ any
words of approximation.
[0030] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used
herein have
the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art
to which
this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials
are
described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or
equivalent
to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the
present invention.
Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional
equivalents of
such structures. The present invention will be described in detail below with
reference to
embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0031] References to a "device," an "apparatus," a "system," etc., in the
preamble of
a claim should be construed broadly to mean "any structure meeting the claim
terms"
exempt for any specific structure(s)/type(s) that has/(have) been explicitly
disavowed or
excluded or admitted/implied as prior art in the present specification or
incapable of
enabling an object/aspect/goal of the invention. Furthermore, where the
present
specification discloses an object, aspect, function, goal, result, or
advantage of the
invention that a specific prior art structure and/or method step is similarly
capable of
performing yet in a very different way, the present invention disclosure is
intended to and
shall also implicitly include and cover additional corresponding alternative
embodiments
that are otherwise identical to that explicitly disclosed except that they
exclude such prior
art structure(s)/step(s), and shall accordingly be deemed as providing
sufficient disclosure
to support a corresponding negative limitation in a claim claiming such
alternative
embodiment(s), which exclude such very different prior art
structure(s)/step(s) way(s).
[0032] From reading the present disclosure, other variations and
modifications will
be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications
may involve
equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which
may be used
instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
[0033] Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to
particular
combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the
disclosure of the
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present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of
features
disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization
thereof, whether or
not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and
whether or not
it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present
invention.
[0034] Features which are described in the context of separate
embodiments may
also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various
features
which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may
also be
provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby
give notice
that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such
features
during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further
Application derived
therefrom.
[0035] References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example
embodiment," "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "embodiments of the
invention," etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so
described may
include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every
possible
embodiment of the invention necessarily includes the particular feature,
structure, or
characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment," or
"in an
exemplary embodiment," "an embodiment," do not necessarily refer to the same
embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use of phrases like "embodiments"
in
connection with "the invention" are never meant to characterize that all
embodiments of
the invention must include the particular feature, structure, or
characteristic, and should
instead be understood to mean "at least some embodiments of the invention"
includes the
stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.
[0036] References to "user", or any similar term, as used herein, may
mean a
human or non-human user thereof. Moreover, "user", or any similar term, as
used herein,
unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplated to mean users at any
stage of the
usage process, to include, without limitation, direct user(s), intermediate
user(s), indirect
user(s), and end user(s). The meaning of "user", or any similar term, as used
herein,
should not be otherwise inferred or induced by any pattern(s) of description,
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embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (or may not) be
provided in the
present patent.
[0037] References to "end user", or any similar term, as used herein, is
generally
intended to mean late stage user(s) as opposed to early stage user(s). Hence,
it is
contemplated that there may be a multiplicity of different types of "end user"
near the end
stage of the usage process. Where applicable, especially with respect to
distribution
channels of embodiments of the invention comprising consumed retail
products/services
thereof (as opposed to sellers/vendors or Original Equipment Manufacturers),
examples
of an "end user" may include, without limitation, a "consumer", "buyer",
"customer",
"purchaser", "shopper", "enjoyer", "viewer", or individual person or non-human
thing
benefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of. or interaction,
with some aspect
of the present invention.
[0038] In some situations, some embodiments of the present invention may
provide
beneficial usage to more than one stage or type of usage in the foregoing
usage process.
In such cases where multiple embodiments targeting various stages of the usage
process
are described, references to "end user", or any similar term, as used therein,
are generally
intended to not include the user that is the furthest removed, in the
foregoing usage
process, from the final user therein of an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0039] Where applicable, especially with respect to retail distribution
channels of
embodiments of the invention, intermediate user(s) may include, without
limitation, any
individual person or non-human thing benefiting in any way, directly or
indirectly, from
use of, or interaction with, some aspect of the present invention with respect
to selling,
vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing, marketing, merchandising,
distributing,
service providing, and the like thereof.
[0040] References to "person", "individual", "human", "a party",
"animal",
"creature", or any similar term, as used herein, even if the context or
particular
embodiment implies living user, maker, or participant, it should be understood
that such
characterizations are sole by way of example, and not limitation, in that it
is contemplated
that any such usage, making, or participation by a living entity in connection
with
making, using, and/or participating, in any way, with embodiments of the
present
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invention may be substituted by such similar performed by a suitably
configured non-
living entity, to include, without limitation, automated machines, robots,
humanoids,
computational systems, information processing systems, artificially
intelligent systems,
and the like. It is further contemplated that those skilled in the art will
readily recognize
the practical situations where such living makers, users, and/or participants
with
embodiments of the present invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced
with such
non-living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present
invention.
Likewise, when those skilled in the art identify such practical situations
where such living
makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention
may be in
whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, it will be readily
apparent in
light of the teachings of the present invention how to adapt the described
embodiments to
be suitable for such non-living makers, users, and/or participants with
embodiments of
the present invention. Thus, the invention is thus to also cover all such
modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of such
adaptations and
modifications, at least in part, for such non-living entities.
[0041] Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be
taken as
limiting the disclosure in any way.
[0042] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of
the items
are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0043] It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/or
parameter
names are for example only and not meant to imply any limitations on the
invention. The
invention may thus be implemented with different nomenclature/terminology
utilized to
describe the mechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,
without
limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given its broadest
interpretation given the
context in which that term is utilized.
[0044] Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or
context
for terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):
[0045] "Comprising." This term is open-ended. As used in the appended
claims,
this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim
that recites: "A
memory controller comprising a system cache .... " Such a claim does not
foreclose the
13
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
memory controller from including additional components (e.g., a memory channel
unit, a
switch).
[0046] "Configured To." Various units, circuits, or other components may
be
described or claimed as "configured to" perform a task or tasks. In such
contexts,
"configured to" or "operable for" is used to connote structure by indicating
that the
mechanisms/units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry and/or
mechanisms) that performs the task or tasks during operation. As such, the
mechanisms/unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to (or be
operable) for
perform(ing) the task even when the specified
mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is not
currently operational (e.g., is not on). The
mechanisms/units/circuits/components used
with the "configured to" or "operable for" language include hardware--for
example,
mechanisms, structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program
instructions
executable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that a
mechanism/unit/circuit/component is "configured to" or "operable for"
perform(ing) one
or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C.§112, sixth
paragraph, for
that mechanism/unit/circuit/component. "Configured to" may also include
adapting a
manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components that are adapted to
implement
or perform one or more tasks.
[0047] "Based On." As used herein, this term is used to describe one or
more
factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional
factors that
may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on
those factors
or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase "determine A
based on B."
While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase
does not
foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other
instances, A may
be determined based solely on B.
[0048] The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly
specified otherwise.
[0049] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions,
concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification and claims
are to be
understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about."
Accordingly, unless
14
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following
specification
and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upon a
specific
analytical technique.
[0050] The term "comprising," which is synonymous with "including,"
"containing," or "characterized by" is inclusive or open-ended and does not
exclude
additional, unrecited elements or method steps. "Comprising" is a term of art
used in
claim language which means that the named claim elements are essential, but
other claim
elements may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the
claim.
[0051] As used herein, the phase "consisting of' excludes any element,
step, or
ingredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase "consists of' (or
variations thereof)
appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following
the
preamble, it limits only the element set forth in that clause; other elements
are not
excluded from the claim as a whole. As used herein, the phase "consisting
essentially of'
and "consisting of' limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements or
method steps,
plus those that do not materially affect the basis and novel characteristic(s)
of the claimed
subject matter (see Norian Corp. v Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32,70
USPQ2d
1508, Fed. Cir. 2004). Moreover, for any claim of the present invention which
claims an
embodiment "consisting essentially of' or "consisting of' a certain set of
elements of any
herein described embodiment it shall be understood as obvious by those skilled
in the art
that the present invention also covers all possible varying scope variants of
any described
embodiment(s) that are each exclusively (i.e., "consisting essentially of')
functional
subsets or functional combination thereof such that each of these plurality of
exclusive
varying scope variants each consists essentially of any functional subset(s)
and/or
functional combination(s) of any set of elements of any described
embodiment(s) to the
exclusion of any others not set forth therein. That is, it is contemplated
that it will be
obvious to those skilled how to create a multiplicity of alternate embodiments
of the
present invention that simply consisting essentially of a certain functional
combination of
elements of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set
forth
therein, and the invention thus covers all such exclusive embodiments as if
they were
each described herein.
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
[0052] With respect to the terms "comprising," "consisting of," and
"consisting
essentially of," where one of these three terms is used herein, the presently
disclosed and
claimed subject matter may include the use of either of the other two terms.
Thus in some
embodiments not otherwise explicitly recited, any instance of "comprising" may
be
replaced by "consisting of' or, alternatively, by "consisting essentially or,
and thus, for
the purposes of claim support and construction for "consisting of' format
claims, such
replacements operate to create yet other alternative embodiments "consisting
essentially
of' only the elements recited in the original "comprising" embodiment to the
exclusion of
all other elements.
[0053] Devices or system modules that are in at least general
communication with
each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless
expressly
specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at
least general
communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through
one or
more intermediaries.
[0054] A description of an embodiment with several components in
communication
with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the
contrary a
variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of
possible
embodiments of the present invention.
[0055] As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful
considerations and
compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture
of a
commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of
the
present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit
and
teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of
the particular
application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s),
component(s),
approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment
of the
present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and
matched, or
improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average
skills and
known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the
needs of the
particular application.
16
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
[0056] In the following description and claims, the terms "coupled" and
"connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be
understood that these
terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular
embodiments,
"connected" may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct
physical or
electrical contact with each other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more
elements are in
direct physical or electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean that
two or more
elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or
interact with
each other.
[0057] It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or
particular
construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of
suitable
configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on
the needs of
the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize,
in light of the
following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation
details.
[0058] Numerous conventional teachings for vehicles and related systems
have
been generally provided above. They may differ from many embodiments of the
present
invention in that they may not teach a recharging electric alternating power
and air
system for a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention of which
will be described in some detail below.
[0059] It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or
particular
construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of
suitable
configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on
the needs of
the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize,
in light of the
following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation
details.
[0060] In some embodiments, the pneumatic power system may also work in
conjunction with electric motors. The electric motors may provide electricity
to
components used in the pneumatic power system. This feedback functionality may
make
the pneumatic powering system more efficient and thus the cost of travel may
be quite
inexpensive as compared to conventional passenger vehicles.
[0061] It may be contemplated that in many embodiments, a cost to
manufacture,
use, and maintain a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention,
17
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
may be far less than conventional combustion vehicles or conventional all
electric
vehicles. In some embodiments, greenhouse gas emissions may be far less than
with
combustion vehicles or conventional all electric vehicles. In many
embodiments, the
pneumatic power system may be much safer than conventional all electric
vehicles or
conventional combustion vehicles. In many embodiments, it may be contemplated
that a
pneumatic system may refill faster than all-electric vehicles, a refilling may
take 7.7
minutes. Furthermore, it may be further contemplated that in some embodiments
a
driving range of a vehicle powered by the pneumatic power system may be
approximately 328km before needing to refuel.
[0062] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pneumatic power
and drag
reduction systems architecture of a vehicle 100, in accordance with an
embodiment of the
present invention. In the present embodiment, the pneumatic power system
architecture
may include a refueling attachment 100, a Liquid air storage device 101, a
liquid air
pump 102, an air storage tank 103, an ignition switch 104, a gas pedal 106, an
air flow
valve 108, regulator device 110, a multi directional supply air flow valve
112, four
adjustment valves 114, four airflow valve 116, four airflow valves 118, four
air flow
valves 120, four air flow valves 122, four pneumatic motors 124, an exhaust
multidirectional valve 126, an exhaust motor generator 128, a power invertor
130,
batteries 132, heating lines 133 and 134, cooling coil 136, a heating element
138,
impeller generators 140, wheels 142, a forward and reverse switch 144, a
steering control
146, air flow valve 148 and an electric charging attachment 150 and pressure
reducing
valve 152.
[0063] In many embodiments the pneumatic power system may be, for
example,
and without limitation, a compressed air power system, wherein the air storage
device
may be configured to store compressed air. Furthermore, in the present
embodiment,
liquid air storage device 101 may be operably coupled to a liquid air station,
such that,
the liquid air storage device may be connected to a liquid air pump and filled
with liquid
air. In some exemplary alternative embodiments, the liquid air storage device
may
include a multiplicity of operably coupled tanks, wherein each tank may be in
a range of
particular sizes, volumes, shapes, and structures. Liquid air storage tanks
may be
insulated steel tanks approximately 13 gallons in size.
18
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
[0064] In the present embodiment the air storage device 103 may also be
operably
coupled to regulator device 110. In some embodiments the regulator device may
include
a pressure regulator such as, without limitation, a single stage pressure
regulator or a
double stage pressure regulator. In the present embodiment, the regulator
device may
reduce an air flow pressure output from the air storage device to an optimal
operating
pressure.
[0065] In the present embodiment the liquid air storage device 101 may
be operably
coupled to liquid air pump 102 which pumps liquid air to the air storage
device 103. In
the present embodiment the air storage device may have heating lines 133
wrapped
around the device to maintain a device temperature and lines around all air
supply lines
between multi directional supply air flow valve 112 and air motors 124. In the
present
embodiment the air storage device 103 may have a heating element 134 inside it
to
increase the devices air temperature.
[0066] In the present embodiment, the regulator device may further be
operably
coupled to a control valve 108, which opens when pressure is applied to the
gas pedal 106
thereby allowing air to flow to multi directional supply air flow valve 112.
In the present
embodiment as the pressure on the gas pedal 106 is increased the air flow
valve 108
allows more air to flow through it. In the present embodiment when the
pressure is
removed from the gas pedal 106 air flow valve 108 closes and air flow valve
148 opens to
allow outside air to flow to the multi directional supply air flow valve 112.
In the present
embodiment, the heating lines 133 and 134 may utilize an electric charge from
battery
132, each of generators 128 and 140, plug-in charge system 150 air storage
device 103
and all air piping from the air storage device 103 to the air motors 124 to
maintain an
optimum operation temperature.
[0067] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, air may be directed from
the air
storage device 103 into, operably coupled, multidirectional supply air flow
valve 112,
wherein the multidirectional supply air flow valve may include at least one
input port for
receiving air from the air storage device 103, and may further include at
least four output
ports for directing the air to the four pneumatic motors 124.
19
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
[0068] In some exemplary alternative embodiments, the four pneumatic
motors
124, may include, for example, and without limitation, compound engine motors,
multi-
stage expansion motors, a four-stage expansion motor, rotary vane motors, a
turbine or
any combination thereof, wherein compressed air may travel through stages of
the motors
and impart energy, and thus expand, to move a multiplicity of pistons and a
central shaft
throughout the stages. Furthermore, downstream stages may use exhaust from
upstream
stages, such that a final exhaust may be of a lower energy state (expanded and
cooler)
than an initial energy state (compressed and warmer). In the present
embodiment,
respective central shafts of the four pneumatic motors 124, may be directly
connected to
respective wheels 142 of the vehicle, and thus power may be transmitted
directly to the
wheels as opposed to possibly having to propagate through a multiplicity of
powertrain
elements as with conventional vehicles. It may be contemplated that the direct
connection may greatly improve efficiency as it may eliminate a substantial
amount of
mechanical friction losses associated with moving the multiplicity of
powertrain
elements.
[0069] When air may be expanded with a large expansion ratio,
temperature of the
air may reduce dramatically, furthermore, if there may be any moisture in the
air, it may
cause freezing which affects the above described pneumatic motor operation. In
order to
possibly avoid this problem, this system requires heat addition before
expansion.
Increasing air temperature before entering the pneumatic motors may increase
system
work potential and may directly improve system efficiency. Furthermore, in the
present
embodiment, the pneumatic motors each may be operably coupled to exhaust
multidirectional valve 126, wherein used air from the four pneumatic motors
124, may be
directed to the exhaust multidirectional valve 126. The exhaust
multidirectional valve
126 may include at least four input ports for receiving air from each of the
pneumatic
motors and may further include at least one output port for directing the air
to the exhaust
motor generator 128 and then to the cooling coil 136 and then to impeller
generators 140.
[0070] The exhaust multidirectional valve 126 may also be operably
coupled to
exhaust motor generator 128 wherein the exhaust motor generator may be for
example,
and without limitation, an air turbine generator also be operably coupled to
the cooling
coil 136 and to impeller generators 140.
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
[0071] In some embodiments, intake grill system may include a single unit
comprising a multiplicity of portions substantially spread across an entire
front of the
vehicle, wherein an outer portion may further include diverters for diverting
intake air to
at least, impeller generators 140. The outer portion may include a
multiplicity of edge
portions. In the present embodiment the intake air that may be diverted may be
exhaust
air from the exhaust motor mixed with air from an external atmosphere of the
vehicle. In
some alternative embodiments, portions of the intake grill system may include
for
example, and without limitation, a mesh structure, vertical or horizontal
bars, open
scoops, hood scoops and side scoops, or any combination thereof that may
provide air to
be taken into the portions of the intake grill system.
[0072] In the present embodiment, portions of the grill intake system may
be
operably coupled to impeller generators 140. In some alternative embodiments
the
impellers may be configured to be, for example, and without limitation, open,
semi-open,
closed or shrouded. Furthermore, in the present embodiment the impeller
generators 140
may be air driven electric generators.
[0073] In the present embodiment, each of the three generators 128 and
140, may
be operably coupled to at least battery 132, wherein the battery may receive
the charge
produced by each generator. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, battery
132 may
be an advanced rechargeable Li-Ion battery with 0.875 MJ/kg total charge, 2
MJ/1 energy
density, and 90% charge discharge efficiency. In some embodiments, the battery
may be
used until the charge depletes to 20% of the total charge. Available battery
storage may
be of 0.7 MJ for 1 kg of battery. In some embodiments, an optimum battery may
be 125
kg with a capacity of 24 kWh and a battery volume of 75 1. In the present
embodiment,
battery 132 may include plug-in charging system 150, wherein the plug-in
charging
system may be a 12-volt trickle charge system for long session charging
periods, for
example, and without limitation, when an operator may wish to charge the
battery
overnight, and/or when an operator may be at work or other function, and/or
substantially
any time in which an operator may desire to spend a relatively long period of
time
charging battery 132. In many embodiments, heat trace lines may include cables
comprising high resistance wire in physical contact with air storage device
103 and air
21
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
piping wherein current applied to the heat trace lines may increase the
temperature of the
heat trace lines and thus increase the surface temperature of the air storage
device 103.
[0074] In the present embodiment battery 132 may also be operably coupled
to heat
element 138, wherein the heat element pump may be configured to heat incoming
outside
air to flow to the vehicle cabin.
[0075] In the present embodiment exhaust air from the exhaust motor
generator 128
may be operably coupled to the cooling coil 136 to cool outside or
recirculated air to the
vehicle cabin for air conditioning.
[0076] In the present embodiment, battery 132 may be operably coupled to
the
three generators, the exhaust motor generator 128, the heat pump 136,
auxiliary heating
element 138, and a charging station via the plug-in charging system 150, as
described
above.
[0077] In some alternative embodiments, a front of an intake grill system
may
include a relatively small diameter mesh, lining the front of the intake grill
to prevent
debris from entering the air flow system. In another alternative embodiment,
the intake
grill system may include a switch actuated wiper to remove debris that may be
blocking
an intake grill system.
[0078] In many alternative embodiments, a pneumatic power system may
include a
switching device which may be operably coupled to a power invertor 130,
heating lines
133 and heating element 134, a heat element 138, three generators 128, and
140, and
batteries 132 wherein the switch device may be configured with executable
instructions
to direct electricity to particular components for the needs of particular
applications, such
as, and without limitation, recharging the battery, powering the heating
units, and/or
receiving electricity from the generators. Furthermore, in some alternative
embodiments, the switching device may be configured to be a processor such as,
without
limitation, a microprocessor, programmable intelligent computer (PICTM) chip,
a
PlCmicroTM chip, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a programmable logic
relay
(PLR), a PLC on a Chip I m, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or any
combination
thereof. In some alternative embodiments, at least one of the three
generators, and any
combination thereof may be operably coupled to the power invertor 130,
batteries 132.
22
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
Furthermore, the electricity may be directly provided when a power saving mode
may be
switched on. In some alternative embodiments an operator may trigger buttons
to drive
electricity to or away from particular components operably connected to a
switching
device. In some other alternative embodiments driving electricity to or away
from
particular components may be automatically triggered by an on-board processor
receiving
data from temperature and pressure sensors installed throughout a vehicle. In
yet another
alternative embodiment, driving electricity to or away from particular
components may
be automatically triggered by a remote processor in wireless communication
with an on-
board processor, wherein temperature and pressure sensors installed throughout
the
vehicle may communicate data to the on-board computer. In some other
alternative
embodiments, a switching device may be configured to process sensed feedback
from a
device operably coupled to the switching device.
[0079] FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B illustrate operation component diagrams of an
exemplary pneumatic power and drag reduction systems 200, in accordance with
an
embodiment of the present invention. wherein FIG. 2A illustrates operational
air flow
components, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the
present
embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 1, a liquid air refueling attachment
100 may be
configured to inject and fill a liquid air storage device 101 with liquid air,
wherein a
liquid air refueling station may be a large size specialized station used for
fast filling of
the liquid air storage device with clean, liquid air. In the present
embodiment the liquid
air storage device 101 may be coupled to a liquid air pump 102 which pumps
liquid air
into the air storage device 103 to maintain a constant air pressure of
approximately 3000
PSI in the air storage device 103. In the present embodiment if the pressure
in the air
storage device 103 increases above the set desired pressure then the pressure
reducing
valve 152 opens to allow the excess air pressure to vent to the outside
atmosphere.
During acceleration, the air in the air storage device 103 may travel to
regulator device
110, wherein the regulator device may be configured to reduce the pressure to
the
operating pressure which can be varied by the operating system. The reduced
pressure air
may then pass through the air flow valve 108. The air may then travel to
multidirectional
output valve 112 wherein, the multidirectional output valve may be configured
to evenly
distribute the air and further may direct the distributed air toward four
pneumatic motors
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CA 3023062 2019-06-04
124. Each pneumatic motor may be configured to include a respective adjustment
valve
114 located upstream from each pneumatic motor such that the distributed air
may pass
through each of the adjustment valves respectively before reaching a
particular pneumatic
motor. The adjustment valves 114 may be configured to provide air adjustments
to the
pneumatic motors when the vehicle may be turning. Air flow valves 116, 118,
120 and
122 direct the air to the pneumatic motors so that the vehicle can travel in
the forward
direction or reverse direction as directed by the forward and reverse switch
146. Exhaust
(exiting air sent through the pneumatic motors) from each of the pneumatic
motors may
be combined together in the exhaust multidirectional valve 126, wherein the
exhaust
multidirectional valve may be further configured to pass the combined air back
to the
exhaust motor generator 128. The heating lines are attached to all air piping
and the air
storage device 102 to allow heating of the air. The exhaust motor generator
128 may be
configured to have the heated air pass through the exhaust motor and further
be
configured to possibly produce electrical output. The exhaust motor may also
be
configured to provide exhaust air to a portion of the intake grill system. The
portion of
the intake grill system may be configured to collect the exhaust air and may
also collect
external environment air which may have come through the intake grill system
from
outside the vehicle. The portion of the intake grill system may further be
configured to
pass the collected air through the impeller generators 140 simultaneously.
Each of the
impellers may be configured respectively to have the collected air pass
through each of
the impellers to produce electrical output. Furthermore, each of the impellers
may further
be configured to provide exhaust that travels to front tires, wherein an
airspeed of the
exhaust may provide an air screen as an active aerodynamic, which may divert
oncoming
air around a front tire which may reduce the drag of the vehicle and may
subsequently
increases a cruise driving range.
[0080]
Furthermore, FIG 2B, illustrates operational electricity flow components, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and with further
reference to
FIG 1, plug-in charging system 150 may be configured to be plug into an outlet
at an
electricity fueling station. In return, the electricity fueling station may be
configured to
provide electrical charge to the plug-in charging system. The plug-in charging
system
may be configured to provide electric charge to battery 132. In a case that
the heating
24
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
lines 133 may be receiving electrical charge, it may keep the air storage
device 103 and
all air piping warm during cold weather so the vehicle may be started easily.
In the
present embodiment the heating element 134 may receive electrical charge to
heat the air
inside the air storage device 103. Furthermore, the battery 132 may be
configured to
receive additional electric charge from the generators 128 and 140 the battery
132 may be
further configured to provide electricity to the vehicle for on-board power
needs. In the
present embodiment, battery 132 may further be configured to send electrical
charge to
the heat element 138 and the auxiliary heating element 138 and to the vehicle
for on-
board power needs.
[0081] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of another exemplary embodiment of
a
pneumatic power and drag reducing systems architecture of a vehicle 300, in
accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the
pneumatic
power system architecture may include an air storage device 340, wherein the
air storage
device 340 may include a multiplicity of storage devices. In the present
embodiment the
storage devices may be configured to be cylindrical or circular shaped tanks.
Furthermore, the multiplicity of storage devices may be fixed to the vehicle
at a different
position with respect to each other, wherein the different positions may
include a distance
large enough for a person to fit between. The different positions may also
include under
a front and back seat.
[0082] In the present embodiment, the pneumatic power system architecture
may
further include four pneumatic motors 310 and wheels 330, wherein the
pneumatic
motors may be positioned adjacent to each other directly on an axel of the
wheels 330.
[0083] In the present embodiment, the pneumatic power system architecture
may
also include a battery 350, wherein the battery may be position within a front
portion of
the vehicle. In some other embodiments, a battery may only provide electricity
to and
receive electricity from electrical components located in a same general
portion.
[0084] In the present embodiment, the pneumatic power system architecture
may
also include an intake grill system 345, an impeller generator 355, and a heat
pump
device 365 and auxiliary heating element 360. The intake grill system may
include a
multiplicity of air intake portions, wherein the air intake portions may
direct external
CA 3023062 2019-06-04
environmental air to flow to a multiplicity of portions of the vehicle. The
multiplicity of
air intake portions may direct external environmental air toward at least a
windshield
portion, an under-vehicle portion, and front tire portions of the vehicle. The
directed
external environmental air may act as an air blanket to reduce a drag
coefficient. One of
the multiplicity of air intake portions may direct environmental air to flow
through the
impeller generators and further to front wheels 330 and/or to the under
vehicle portion.
This may cause the impeller generators to provide electricity to the battery
system while
also reducing drag by the flow of air acting as a wind screen for the wheel.
Furthermore,
another one of the multiplicity of air intake portions may direct
environmental air to flow
through a portion of the heat pump device to provide heated or cooled air to a
windshield
portion of the vehicle, wherein the heat pump may include a coiled portion.
This may
further reduce a drag coefficient. The air entering the intake grill system
may also reduce
the air travelling under the vehicle and thus reduce drag, and create a smooth
surface
under the car, which may further reduce drag. Exhaust in front of the front
tires may act
as a wind curtain that may direct the air around the front tires thereby also
reducing drag.
The wind curtain and the air entering the intake grill system may also reduce
the air
travelling under the car and thus also reducing lift which again reduces a
drag coefficient.
[0085] FIG. 4A and 4B, illustrate a multiplicity of views of an exemplary
embodiment of some pneumatic power system components of a vehicle 400, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 4A
illustrate a front
view, in accordance with the embodiment, and FIG. 4B illustrates a top view
thereof. In
the present embodiment the pneumatic power system may include a multiplicity
of
portions of an intake grill system, wherein the intake grill system may
further include a
two side portions 405, and a central portions 430. The side portions may allow
external
environmental air to enter the intake grill system and be directed pass an
impeller
generator 418 (FIG. 4B) exiting towards the front tires 420. Also, external
environmental air travelling through the intake grill system may combine with
exhaust air
from the exhaust motor (not illustrated in FIG. 4A or FIG. 4B but is
illustrated in FIG.
1), and would generate electricity by turning the impeller generators 418
which may
charge batteries. In the present embodiment, the power system may also include
an
electrically powered auxiliary heating element wherein during extreme cold
temperatures,
26
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the electrically powered auxiliary heating element may provide heat for the
vehicle.
Furthermore, the central portion of the intake grill system may allow external
environmental air to enter the intake grill system and be directed toward both
the
electrically powered auxiliary heating element and the heat pump, wherein the
heat pump
may cool or heat the air as it may be further directed toward windshield 440.
[0086] Also, in the present embodiment, the vehicle may further include a
multiplicity of side mirrors, wherein at least one of the side mirrors may
include at least
two portions. A first portion 445 may be position inside a cabin of the
vehicle and a
second portion 450 may be positioned outside the cabin of the vehicle. The
second
portion may include a mirror and a high frame rate video camera, both pointing
in a
rearward and side direction with respect to the vehicle to possibly allow an
operator to
visualize rearward and side surroundings. The high frame rate video camera may
continuously capture images while the vehicle may be running. Furthermore, the
first
portion may include a display to continuously display image information
captured by the
high frame rate video camera of the second portion so as to possibly provide a
real-time
wide angle view which may eliminate potential blind spots. In some alternative
embodiments, the vehicle may further include a set of side mirror control
switches,
wherein the control switches may allow an operator to rotationally adjust the
mirror of
the second portion and further independently adjust the camera of the second
portion.
The control switches may allow for camera zooming, panning, translation, and a
transition into a night vision mode or thermal imaging mode to possibly allow
for better
operator visualization at night and/or in inclement weather. The control
switches may
also further provide an operator the ability to adjust display setting such as
brightness,
contrast, and sharpness etc., to better visualize the displayed image
information. In some
alternative embodiments a video camera may include image object detection
functionalities to visually mark particular image objects that may move into a
field of
view of the video camera.
[0087] FIG 5 illustrates an exemplary drag reduction and safety system
component
500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present
embodiment, the drag reduction and safety systems components may include a
blended
mirror camera display system, wherein the blended mirror camera display system
may
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further include at least two portions. A first portion 505 may be position
inside a cabin of
a vehicle, wherein the first portion may be configured to include a housing
that contains a
display device 510. A second portion may be position outside the cabin of the
vehicle,
wherein the second portion may be configured to include a housing that
contains a mirror
520 and a camera 525. In the present embodiment, mirror 520 may be configured
to be a
one-way mirror, wherein a reflective side may be directed toward the rear and
side of the
vehicle which may allow an operator to see rear and side surroundings of the
vehicle.
Furthermore, camera 525, may be configured to be a video camera to
continuously
capture image data in a field of view of the camera. The camera may be
positioned inside
of the second portion housing and may further be configured to point towards
the rear and
side of the vehicle and thus may be able to capture image data of rear and
side vehicle
surroundings. The captured image data may then be displayed to an operator by
display
device 510. Blending mirrors and cameras into a side body of a vehicle may
increase
safety by potentially providing a wider field of view for the operator.
Furthermore,
placing the first portion of the blended mirror camera display system inside
the cabin of
the vehicle may also improve fuel efficiency by potentially reducing a
substantial amount
of drag from the mirrors and thus possibly making the vehicle more
aerodynamic. It may
be contemplated that an improvement on fuel efficiency may be achieved.
[0088] FIG 6 illustrates an exemplary method embodiment 600 of using an
exemplary pneumatic power system vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of
the
present invention. In the present embodiment, and with reference to FIG. 1, an
operator
may start a vehicle, in a step 805, wherein the vehicle may be configured with
an
exemplary, and without limitation, pneumatic power system as illustrated in
FIG.!.
Next, the operator may apply pressure to an acceleration pedal of the vehicle.
In response
to pressure possibly being applied to the acceleration pedal 106, air flow
valve 108 opens
allowing air to flow to air storage device 103 which may release compressed
air into the
pneumatic power system if air is available, in a step 810. After the
compressed air may
travel through regulator device 110, an air flow valve 108, and
multidirectional output
valve 112, the compressed air may travel through each of pneumatic motors 124,
which
may cause the vehicle to accelerate, in a step 815. While the vehicle may be
accelerating,
the pneumatic motors may output exhaust air to the exhaust motor generator
128, via
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exhaust multidirectional valve 126 The exhaust gas may cause the exhaust motor
generator to produce electrical charge for battery 132. While the vehicle may
be
traveling, and/or while pressure may be applied to the acceleration pedal, the
battery may
continue to be charged via external environmental air entering the intake
grill system and
generator. When pressure is removed from gas pedal 106 air flow valve 108
closes and
air flow valve 148 opens allowing outside air to flow to multidirectional
output valve
112. After traveling a desired distance, the operator may decide to apply
pressure to a
brake pedal of the vehicle. The operator may completely depress the brake
pedal.
Completely depressing the brake pedal may actuate disc braking to potentially
stop wheel
motion completely. The operator may decide to continue driving. Processing may
continue back to step 810 and the process may be repeated until the operator
may have
reached a desired destination, may need to refuel in step 825 or may have
decided to stop.
[0089] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and
in accordance
with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the foregoing steps
may be
suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be inserted
depending
upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method
steps of
the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or
hardware
system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of
the foregoing
teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can
be carried
out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately
configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of
the
invention may be embodied.
[0090] All the features disclosed in this specification, including any
accompanying
abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the
same,
equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless
expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic
series of
equivalent or similar features.
[0091] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present
invention,
other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a pneumatic powering
system
according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. Various
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aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and
the
specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the
particular
forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the pneumatic powering
system may
vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example,
and not
limitation, the pneumatic powering system described in the foregoing were
principally
directed to providing a compressed air and direct powertrain powering system
to a car
implementation; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to
providing a
compressed gas direct powertrain powering system to motorcycles, boats,
airplanes, and
trains, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as
within the
scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all
modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
following claims. It
is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the
foregoing
specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects,
advantages, or
improvements described in the foregoing specification.
[0092] Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or
lettered
solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and
lettering in
itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of
elements
and/or steps in the claims.
[0093] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of
all means
or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any
structure,
material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements
as specifically claimed.
[0094] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of
all means
or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any
structure,
material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements
as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been
presented for
purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive
or limited to
the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be
apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and
spirit of the
invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain
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CA 3023062 2019-06-04
principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable
others of ordinary
skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with
various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0095] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)
requiring
an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the
technical
disclosure. That is, the Abstract is provided merely to introduce certain
concepts and not
to identify any key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. It is
submitted
with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the
scope or meaning
of the claims.
[0096] The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed
description,
with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
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