Self-electric-powered vehicle

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United States Patent Office 3,444,946 Patented May 20, 1969

3,444,946 found possible to apply a great enough power source in

SELF-ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLE order to charge the battery necessary to supply the elec Nelson J. Waterbury, New York, N.Y., assignor of one tric power for the running of the automobile without half to Nicholas R. duPont, Wilmington, Del. greatly inconveniencing the driver from a time standpoint. Filed Oct. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 583,889 5 Thus, while the concept of employing electric power is Int, C. B60k 1/02, 1/04, B601 11/18 known in the operation of automobiles, such electric power U.S. C. 180-65 6 Claims has not been successfully utilized in the operation of standard size automobiles because of the lack of a method, or means, to charge the batteries necessary to supply the

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE O electric power for the running of the automobiles. An electric motor driven vehicle having at least one In accordance with the present invention, however, a electric motor to supply power to said vehicle, the im system which charges and maintains a full charge on bat provement which comprises a system associated with each teries to operate an electric motor for the running of an electric motor to supply electric power thereto comprising automobile has been discovered. By the use of Such System batteries arranged in series, and either a solar cell supply 15 to charge and maintain the charge on batteries, it is pos sible to run a vehicle successfully on electric power with ing energy to said batteries, a power-generating means out the use of a gasoline engine, thereby eliminating the with paddle wheel and venturi tube or both adapted to supply power to said batteries. The above combination noxious and poisonous fumes which are expelled to the atmosphere by the employment of a gasoline engine. The may be used either alone or in conjunction with a con ventional internal combustion engine. 20 unique system discovered comprises the employment of an air scoop or vent or venturi tube which supplies air to a paddle wheel to run a generator or alternator which

The present invention relates to an automobile, boat or supplies the electric charge for the batteries necessary to other vehicle that may be driven by electric power or a run the electric motor-driven automobile. In a further combination of electric power and gasoline power, and, 25 embodiment, the present invention comprises the employ ment of a solar cell which supplies the charge to the bat more particularly, to an automobile in which electric tery by the employment of sunlight. In a further embodi motors are powered by batteries, which batteries are ment of the present invention, the batteries to be employed charged by the action of air currents, sunlight, or a com to drive electric motors of the automobile are charged, bination of both.

In recent years, air pollution has become an ever in 30 cell and the charge maintained by the combination of a solar creasing problem, especially in the area around and in obtaining energy from sunlight, and a generator or large cities. The automobile is considered as the major alternator driven by a paddle wheel in connection with a factor in creating this problem of air pollution, the auto venturi tube through which air is drawn. The batteries mobile contributing approximately 80% to 90% of all of behind eacharewheel, employed generally encased in a fender well, or recess, each fender containing four batteries, the air pollution found in and around large metropolis 35 two of which are in operation while the other two are be

The carbon monoxide gases and other poisons that are ing charged. These batteries in the fender well behind each spewn in the atmosphere by gasoline-driven vehicles post wheel drive an independent electric motor associated with a serious threat to life expectancy. The life of the people of each wheel of the vehicle.

today is being shortened, according to reports, from seven 40 It is, therefore, a principal object of the present inven to ten years because of such air pollution. tion to provide an electric motor-driven vehicle which is Carbon monoxide gases are said to be one of the main free from the inherent deficiencies of previous vehicles. causes of lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and seri It is a further object of the present invention to provide ous eye trouble as well as the dizzyness that often causes an electric motor-driven vehicle which electric motor a driver to have a serious or fatal accident while operating driven vehicle eliminates the noxious and poisonous fumes a vehicle. associated with the exhaust of gasoline-driven vehicles. Various attempts to eliminate the air pollution problem It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an electric motor-driven automobile in which an associated with the noxious and poisonous fumes given off electric by an automobile have not been completely successful. 50 driven bymotor associated with each wheel of the vehicle is batteries in series, which batteries are charged

Thus, for example, attempts have been made to install an by the employment of an alternator, or generator, asso after-burner device on the exhaust of an automobile so that the fumes that are egiven off by the burning of the ciated with a paddle wheel and venturi tube through gasoline will not be expelled directly into the atmosphere which air is drawn.

but will be subsequently burned to produce less noxious 55 It is yet a further object of the present invention to materials. While such devices have in some instances provide an electric-driven motor automobile wherein the eliminated some of the problem associated with the fumes batteries which drive the electric motor associated with given off by automobiles, such after-burner devices have each wheel of the vehicle are charged by the use of a Solar not been completely successful since it is impossible to cell obtaining energy from sunlight. completely eliminate all of the noxious material that is 60 It is still a further object of the present invention to expelled to the atmosphere. Thus, even with such mate provide an electric motor driven automobile wherein the rials, there still is expelled to the atmosphere sufficient batteries which drive the electric motor in association with noxious and poisonous material tending to create serious each wheel of the vehicle are charged by a combination air pollution problems. of a solar cell obtaining its energy from sunlight, and an In recent years there has been considerable experi 65 alternator, or generator, associated with a paddle wheel mentation with an electric car. Electric cars, per se, have and a venturi tube through which air is drawn. been known for years. These include the small battery Still further objects and advantages of the vehicle of the operated vehicles such as golf carts, which need to be present invention will become more apparent from the foll plugged in to a power source over night in order to charge lowing more detailed description of the present invention the battery so that they can be employed. Attempts to 70 and the accompanying drawings, wherein: apply this principle to larger cars requiring greater power FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle of sources have not beeen successful since it has not been the present invention;

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FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of such vehicle previously, in most instances, four batteries are placed in showing the electric motor operating system of the present a well or recess in each fender of the automobile So that invention; while two batteries are operating by Supplying electrical FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view in cross section showing energy to drive the electric motor associated with each the battery-charging means of the present invention; wheel of the vehicle, the remaining two batteries can be FIGURE 4 is a further enlarged view of a generator, charging. It is not necessary that such batteries be any or alternator, containing a paddle wheel for the charging specific type of battery since any conventional battery em of the batteries in accordance with the present invention; ployed in automobiles, boats, etc., (i.e., four-volt, six-volt, FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of a drive shaft in twelve-volt, etc.) can be employed. A particularly pre accordance with the present invention; ferred battery is a nickel-cadmium battery, which battery FIGURE 6 is a view showing an electric motor drive 10 is capable of supplying a great deal of power without be mechanism for the vehicle wheel, in accordance with the ing too great in size.

present invention; In accordance with the present invention, it is possible FIGURE 7 is a view showing a further embodiment to operate the vehicle with less than all four of the elec of the present invention; 15 tric motors operating. In other words, it is possible to have FIGURE 8 is a further view showing such further em one, two, three or four of the electric motors in the vehicle bodiment of the present invention; operating at any one particular time. Thus, FIGURE 5 FIGURE 9 is an enlarged view showing a solar cell and illustrates an electric switch 20, which electric Switch motor in accordance with the present invention; controls the operation of the motor associated with the FIGURE 10 is a schematic view of a circuit employed 20 drive shaft 22 and wheel of the vehicle. When it is desired in operating the electric motors of the present invention; to eliminate one electric motor, it is necessary only to and throw such control switch on a dashboard-located control FIGURE 11 is a view illustrating an automobile con board.

trol panel employed to control the electric motors of the FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view illustrating the location present invention. 25 of the motor 12 and gearing 14 associated with the wheel In the various figures, like numerals represent like ele of the vehicle in accordance with the present invention. ments throughout. As shown in this figure, each wheel of the vehicle has as In FIGURE 1 there is represented an automobile 2. As sociated therewith a small electric motor 12, which small shown in FIGURE 2, the automobile has embodied in the electric motor 12 operates through gears 14 to rotate the fender, an air scoop in the form of a venturi tube 4. When 30 wheel and cause the vehicle to move. the vehicle is in motion, the air rushes through the venturi FIGURE 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of tube or orifice 4, and impinges upon a flywheel or pad the present invention. In such alternate embodiment of dle wheel 6, which is aligned in the path of the air pass the present invention, the vehicle 2 is driven by a small ing through the venturi tube 4. Such flywheel or paddle electric motor 12 driving gear 14, which electric motor wheel 6 is attached to an alternator or generator 8, so that 12, associated with the wheel of the vehicle, is operated the rotational movement of the flywheel 6 caused by the by batteries 10, which batteries 10 are charged by a solar impinging air from the venturi tube or orifice 4, causes the cell 30 located in the fender of the vehicle. This solar alternator or generator 8 to spin, thereby producing elec cell 30 can be any of the conventional cells which convert trical energy supplied to batteries 10 located within a re solar energy into electrical energy. Exemplary of such cess, or well (not shown) in the fender of the vehicle. In 40 materials are the group of solar cells known as photo general, four batteries, arranged in series, are employed in voltaic cells. The electrical energy produced by the solar each fender of the vehicle so that while two batteries are cell 30 is employed to charge the batteries 10 in a recess, being charged, the remaining two batteries can be em or well, located in the fender of the vehicle. Again, it is ployed as a source of energy to operate an electric motor advantageous to employ four batteries so that the two 12 associated with each wheel of the vehicle 2. The elec can be charging while the other two are employed to tric motor 12 operates to work gears 14, which gears can operate the electric motor 12 associated with each wheel be arranged on the drive shaft of the vehicle, or can be of the vehicle.

directly attached to the wheel thereof. By the use of this FIGURE 8 is a further representation of this alternate system for operating an electric motor associated with embodiment of the present invention showing the rela each wheel of the vehicle, it is possible to run a vehicle 50 tionship of the solar cell 30, the batteries 10, and the elec such as an automobile, without the employment of gaso tric motor 12. The solar cell 30 and the electric motor 12 line. This is because the air impinging the flywheel 6 at are shown in a further enlarged view, FIGURE 9. tached to the alternator or generator 8 will cause the bat While these embodiments have been described primarily teries 10 to be charging so that there will be a constant in the alternative, it is important to note that they can be and full supply of power for running the electric motors employed alternatively as a source of electric power for associated with the wheels of the vehicle. Therefore it will the vehicle, or can be employed together so as to provide not be necessary to plug in the vehicle, or use any aux reserve power for the automobile. In other words, by the iliary source of power or energy for charging the batteries conjoint use of these two systems for charging batteries to 10. In order that the batteries 10 do not become over drive the electric motor associated with the wheel of the charged, a valve 16 is placed in the venturi tube or orifice 60 vehicle, it is possible to prevent a shortage of power that 4, as shown in FIGURE 3. This valve 16 can be auto may be present because of an unexpected failure of either matically controlled so as to shut off the supply of air to of the systems. An electrical circuit showing the conjoint, the flywheel 6 and attached generator 8, thereby allowing or alternative, use of these two systems for the charging the energy stored in the batteries 10 to be utilized to op of the batteries to supply the electric power for the auto erate the electric motor 12 without further charging of 65 mobile is shown in FIGURE 10.

such batteries. The valve 16 can be automatically con In addition to the alternative, or conjoint, employment trolled by an electric switch (not shown) operated by the of these two systems for charging the batteries of the driver of the vehicle when an indicator (not shown) shows present invention, it is possible to employ one or both of the batteries 10 to be charged to the desired level. these systems in conjunction with a conventional gasoline FIGURE 4 illustrates how the flywheel or paddle wheel 70 engine. In other words, it is possible to employ, in addi 6 is attached to the alternator or generator 8, such that the tion to one or more of these systems for the operation of rotational movement of the alternator or generator 8 an automobile or other vehicle, a conventional gasoline caused by the impinging air from the venturi tube or ori engine which can be put into operation in case of an fice 4 causes the generator or alternator 8 to spin, thereby electrical failure. Moreover, the systems of the present supplying electrical hergy to the batteries 10. As stated 75 invention can be employed as a back-up system for a con

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ventional gasoline engine, which electrical systems can wheel of the vehicle is provided with at least one electric be made operational in case of a failure in the gasoline motor to supply power for said vehicle, the improve engine of the vehicle. Because of the great health hazard ment which comprises an individual system associated with associated with the employment of a gasoline engine and each electric motor to supply electric power thereto com the associated noxious and poisonous fumes given off to prising batteries charged by electric power generating the atmosphere, it is, of course, preferred to employ the means, a paddle wheel element attached thereto, and a electrical system for operating the automobile as the prin venturi tube formed in the body of said vehicle, said cipal system of operation of the automobile, with the venturi tube and paddle wheel element being so aligned gasoline system employed only as a back-up system, or that air through said orifice impinges upon said paddle auxiliary system, for use in case of an unexpected failure O wheel element to rotate same and operate said power gen in the electrical operation of the automobile. Because of erating means, a separate control for each said motor for the fewer working parts, i.e., fan belts, pistons, etc., how independently operating each individual motor, and means ever, associated with the electrical operation of the auto for shutting off the air flow through each venturi tube. mobile failure of such electrical operation will occur 2. The electric motor-driven vehicle of claim 1 wherein much less frequently than occurs by the use of a conven 5 said vehicle further contains a conventional gasoline tional gasoline engine in the operation of a vehicle. The driven engine for auxiliary power which engine is con employment of a solar cell as a source of energy for the nected by drive shaft means to at least one wheel of the charging of batteries is an additional factor which tends vehicle.

to prevent loss of electrical power when the automobile 3. In an electric motor driven vehicle wherein each remains for a substantial length of time without being 20 wheel of the vehicle is provided with at least one electric driven. The use of a gasoline engine will necessitate use motor to supply power for said vehicle, the improvement of conventional gearing connections including drive shaft which comprises an individual system associated with each means, clutch, differential gear means for a wheel or electric motor to supply electric power thereto comprising wheels of the vehicle. batteries arranged in series, said batteries charged by elec When great speeds are desired, it may be advantageous 25 tric energy supplied by solar cells placed in the body of to employ a combination of gasoline power and electrical said vehicle and by electric power generating means, a power so as to prevent a substantial drain on the electrical paddle wheel element attached thereto, and a venturi tube system of the automobile. Even when the vehicle is operat formed in the body of said vehicle, said venturi tube and ing on gasoline power alone, which may be desired in paddle wheel wheel being so aligned that air through said some instances, it is important to note that the batteries 30 tube impinges upon said paddle wheel element to rotate are being constantly charged so as to always maintain a same and operate said electric power generating means, full supply of power for immediate operation of the ve and wherein each motor of said vehicle further has a motor hicle by the electrical system. Since these batteries are control for independently operating the individual electric therefore fully charged at all times, there is no problem motors associated with each wheel of said vehicle. starting the automobile after it has not been used for a 35 4. Electric motor driven vehicle of claim 3 wherein said substantial period of time. vehicle further contains a conventional gasoline driven FIGURE 11 illustrates a typical control panel 32, which engine for auxiliary power which engine is connected by can be employed on a dashboard of a vehicle driven by drive shaft means to at least one wheel of the vehicle. electric power in accordance with the present invention. 5. In an electric motor-driven vehicle wherein each Such control panel can operate to disengage one or more 40 wheel of the vehicle is provided with at least one electric of the electric motors of the vehicle when such are not motor to supply power for said vehicle, the improvement necessary for operation. Thus, when the vehicle is being which comprises an individual system associated with each driven in city traffic at a relatively slow speed, it may not electric motor to supply electric power thereto, comprising be necessary to operate on not more than one or two batteries arranged in series, said batteries charged by of the four electric motors, and thus the life of the elec electric energy supplied by one or several of a plurality tric motors can be greatly increased. This similarly in 45 of sources including Solar cells, an alternator, and a gen creases the life of the batteries. erator selectively adapted to be arranged in series with said While the systems of the present invention have been battery and with each other and placed in the body of said described primarily with respect to automobiles, it should vehicle, wherein each said motor is provided with a sepa be understood that other land vehicles, e.g., buses, etc., rate control for independently operating each said motor. can be similarly equipped with the electric power systems 50 6. The electric motor-driven vehicle of claim 5 wherein of the present invention. Furthermore, the nature of the said vehicle further contains a conventional gasoline driven present invention is such that air and sea vehicles can be engine for auxiliary power which engine is connected by similarly equipped. drive shaft means to at least one wheel of the vehicle. Moreover, while the present invention has been pri References Cited marily described by reference to an electric powered ve 55 hicle wherein each wheel thereof has an electric motor as UNITED STATES PATENTS sociated therewith, the electrical power system of the pres 757,800 4/1904 Williams ----------- 290 55 ent invention can be similarly utilized in a vehicle con 1,831,071 11/1931. Jones --------------- 180-65 taining only one, two, or three electric motors. For exam 1,863,504 6/1932 Schmid ------------- 180 -6.5 ple, a single electric motor associated with the drive shaft 60 2,581,596 1/1952 Nims --------------- 180-65 of the vehicle can be advantageously powered by the 2,780,765 2/1957 Chapin et al. ---------- 320-2 electrical power generating systems of the present inven 3,311,184 3/1967 Beck ---------------- 180-1 tion. Thus, a single electric motor can be powered by FOREIGN PATENTS batteries arranged in series which batteries are charged by a combination of venturi tube and alternator or generator 65 877,563 9/1942. France.

and attached paddle wheel, a Solar cell, or a combination 887,902 8/1943 France. of such systems. OTHER REFERENCES Accordingly, while the present invention has been di rected primarily to certain preferred embodiments, it is Popular Mechanics, June 1960, page 122 "Sun Powers to be understood that the present invention is in no way O Old Car.'

to be deemed as limited thereto, but should be construed LEO FRIAGLIA, Primary Examiner. as broadly as all or any equivalents thereof. MILTON L. SMITH, Assistant Examiner. Having adequately described my invention, what is de sired to be protected by Letters Patentis: U.S. C. X.R. 1. In an electric motor-driven vehicle wherein each 75 290-54