Before the invention of pneumatic tires, elastic spring mechanisms were devised for absorbing impact. Those devices were subsequently discarded because of their complexity and high maintenance versus pneumatic tires. The energy conserving property of said devices was never utilized nor were all the aforementioned configurations as described by the present invention. The present invention comprises a new use for some of those wheels with identical configurations causing radially symmetric inward spring force.
The present invention relates to energy conservation and, more particularly, to energy conservation in moving vehicles with wheels.
In a critically energy intensive world, consumers are looking for a way to reduce energy consumption. The present invention reduces energy consumption in a wheeled vehicle by absorbing shock and converting to energy for moving a wheeled vehicle, thus reducing total energy consumption in a wheeled vehicle.
Many solutions for energy conservation exist, but that of converting road bumps into energy in a simple manner are few. There is an invention by Pirelli, converting shock absorption into electrical energy for later use.
The prior art inventions aren't close to the same method used. The prior art consists of energy return inventions comprising simple springs operating in a standard manner. A prior art tire assigned to Pirelli brand tires is used for collecting energy with piezoelectric devices. It has many moving parts, an energy storage system, and a corresponding control system.
It is therefore an object of the invention to conserve energy used by a wheeled vehicle.
It is another object of the invention to convert road bump shocks into energy used to move a wheeled vehicle.
It is another object of the invention to provide a simple and long lasting system for energy conservation for a wheeled vehicle.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved shock absorption system for a smoother ride.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a wheel hub for capturing energy created by road bumps and converting that into energy to be used in moving a vehicle in it's current direction of motion. The invention utilizes elastic spring means arranged in a radially symmetric manner. Any shock absorbed is converted into radially inward force in the elastic spring means which is dampened by increasing the rotational velocity of the wheel while in motion.
A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:
For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES.
The energy wheel hub assembly consists of an inner wheel rotor 1 fastened to elastic spring means 3 with fastening means. Alternatively a recessed groove may be cut into the inner wheel rotor 1 and a corresponding recessed groove in the outer wheel hub rotor 2 for holding elastic spring means 3. elastic spring means 3 must also be rigid enough to not be pinched between the outer wheel hub rotor 2 and wheel hub assembly components during operational movement. This can happen with soft rubber elastic spring means 3. The bore diameter in outer wheel hub rotor 2 and inner wheel rotor 1 inner shaft diameter must be selected so that a energy wheel hub assembly does not come apart during operation. Given an inner wheel rotor 1 inner shaft diameter, and elastic spring means 3 with known fully compressed and free state distances, an outer wheel hub rotor 2 bore diameter shall be at least as large as the sum of inner wheel rotor 1 inner shaft diameter, and double elastic spring means 3 fully compressed distance. An additional distance shall be included for operational elastic displacements. The amount of the additional distance shall be chosen according to a vehicle design and application. assembly fastening means 44 are used to fasten hub cover 55 upon an energy wheel hub assembly, thereby holding together all the components. assembly fastening means 4 may be used in any way but must be arranged so that an energy wheel is balanced. A wheel drive shaft 88 may be rigidly attached to an inner wheel rotor 11 and hub cover 55 in any prior art shaft attachment manner required.
A plurality of elastic spring means 3 shall be used and may be any material or assembly having elastic properties sufficient for supporting a vehicles weight. Elastic properties refers to the property of force being proportional to an applied displacement distance. Thus electromagnetic and atomic elastic spring means 3 may be used. elastic spring means 3 must be arranged radially symmetric around inner wheel rotor 1 so that the combined energy wheel elasticity is at all times radially symmetric, otherwise a wobble effect will arise. elastic spring means 3 may be placed in any way such that a displacement between inner wheel rotor 1 and outer wheel hub rotor 2 results in a force directed radially toward the center of inner wheel rotor 1.
Many alternative elastic spring means 3 may be used between inner wheel rotor 1 and outer wheel hub rotor 2 or an included internal inner wheel rotor 20. When incorporating internal inner wheel rotor 20 with elastic spring means 3 within, the wheel rim and tire 11 operate as outer wheel hub. A tire 11 on an energy wheel is required to function only to provide road traction since elastic spring means 3 provide for shock absorption. There is no need for air filled tires and in fact, air filled tires reduce the energy wheels functional energy return properties. Intermediary rotors provide improved radial and axial rigidity. An alternate inner wheel rotor 9 may be used for alternate configurations so as to accommodate, for example, said single segment elastic bag 13 or a split segment elastic bag 10.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.
The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,985, issued Oct. 15, 2008, for ENERGY RETURN WHEEL SYSTEMS AND METHODS, by Brian A. Russell, included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,034, issued Oct. 15, 2008, for ENERGY RETURN SOLE FOR FOOTWEAR, by Schmid; Rainer K., included by reference herein. The present application is related to U.S. Pat. No. 7,415,874, issued Oct. 15, 2008, for METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ELECTRICAL ENERGY WITHIN A VEHICLE TYRE, by Mancosu; Federico (Milan, IT), Rampana; Barbara (Milan, IT), Mariani; Fabio (Milan, IT), Calatroni; Andrea (Milan, IT), included by reference herein.