GB2410012A

GB2410012A - Vehicle with vertical axis wind powered generator

Info

Publication number: GB2410012A
Application number: GB0407270A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ivan Mendez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-19
Filing date: 2004-03-31
Publication date: 2005-07-20
Also published as: GB0401150D0; GB0407270D0

Abstract

A vertical axis wind turbine electric vehicle with a number of battery banks supplying electricity to a drive motor and the vehicle's other environmental and mechanical support systems such as lights and heater. It includes an air compressor system which concentrates the air stream flow resulting from the forward motion of the vehicle into a jet stream which acts directly on the rotor blades of the specially designed generator, the "IMGEN", thus causing the rotor assembly to rotate. The function of the 'Imgen' is to convert the mechanical energy of the air stream, produced through the forward motion of the vehicle into electrical energy which is then used to charge the battery banks and to power the drive motor of the vehicle. The Imgen enables the vehicle to have unlimited travel range and mileage thus obviating the necessity for down-time to recharge the batteries.

Description

DESCRIPTION.

VEI-IICLE WITH WIND POWERED GENERATOR.

This present invention relates to electric vehicles which obtain electricity from wind powered generators. More specifically, it relates to a particular electric vehicle, the 'IMCA', which is powered by a specific type of vertical axis wind powered generator called an 'TMGEN'. The Imgen is a novel and innovative type of wind generator, which is a mechanism for converting the energy of natural wind into useful mechanical power which in turn is transformed into electric power. The electricity thus obtained is used to charge the various battery banks and to power the drive motor of the Imca. The Imgen is an electricity generating machine which can provide unlimited electrical power for the Imca through the . use or air power.

Historically, generators installed in wind powered electric vehicles have been, in the main, "off the shelf 'generators'. Those that are not, for example US57605 15, GB2299223, employ the same traditional mechanical arrangement for producing electricity. These generators produce electricity indirectly from the wind as the wind power is used to drive the rotor blades which are attached to a hub which rotates a slow rotating shaft connected to gears which steps up the speed of a faster rotating shaft linked to the generator' rotor. Thus these generators have a very low efficiency in converting mechanical wind energy into electrical energy.

In the embodiment of this present invention of the electric powered vehicle, the Imca, all the mechanical power derived from the air stream due to its forward movement, leaving the lip of the air compressor, which interfaces with the rotor blades of the Imgen is utilised directly in electricity production. The Imgen is a radically new type of electricity generating machine which produces electricity directly from wind power over a wide range of wind velocities resulting from varying vehicle speeds. Once the vehicle is in forward motion, even at very low speed, the Imgen quickly moves to operating speed because the air stream becomes highly concentrated through the air compressor throat and forced to impact directly on the rotor blades of the Imgen.

In the embodiment of this present invention of a vertical axis wind powered vehicle, the Imca, the Imgen is the main integral part as it is the heart of the vehicle. The Imgen is the power source of the Imca. The Imca is dependent upon the Imgen to produce the electric power necessary to supply the vehicles' battery banks and the drive motor.

DESCRIPTION OF TO PRIOR ART.

Vehicles that are powered by wind powered generators are well known in the prior art. In all of these examples the generators are highly sensitive to the variations in wind speed. Most, if not all, of these wind powered electric vehicles utilise variations on Horizontal and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines which are connected to generators which feed the resultant power output from the generators to batteries. T hese are "off the shelf" generators.

Although theoretically it is possible to extract a maximum of over 59% of the power in the wind in practice, however, power extraction has not been much greater that 40% and maybe as low as 0%. This is as a result of a significant percentage of the energy reaching the rotor blades in these wind powered vehicles, whether of the Horizontal or Vertical type, is dissipated before it can be converted into electricity because these wind turbines are linked to rotor shafts, gears, drive belts, generators, flywheels, batteries and drive motors which all absorb energy. The batteries, in turn, provide the energy which propels the vehicle via the drive motor. The performance rating and the life-cycle costs of such electric vehicles depend primarily on the performance and life of the batteries.

In the majority of the examples of wind powered vehicles the wind turbines are located at various positions on the vehicle. For example; front, US4254843, WO0006413, US2003057707; roof, US5038049, W09832626, GB2215292; along the frame structure, US5986429; rear, US5280827, GB2126963, US5760515; top, US5280827, GB212693, US4168759; and bottom, GB2302848.

In the space that would normally be occupied by an internal combustion engine, US5296746, IJS568Q032. lhere are examples also of turbines housed in the fender wells, US4423368; under the rear seat, US4141425; the lower part of the vehicle, WO0112984, GB2292718; on top of the vehicle outside its body, US5844324, US4314160, US5038049; and taking the place of the 'spoiler' at the rear, US5287004. Examples exist of axel mounted alternators, GB2299223; under the floor of the vehicle, EP1]29890 and US4141425 has the air intake duct situated beneath the vehicle.

In examples where a wind channel/tunnel is employed the turbines are located in various parts of the vehicle. In the prior art the 'wind channel' directs the fluid flow e.g. winds, and the turbine/s are situated in various positions along the channel. Examples exist in the prior art where there are more than one turbine situated in the wind/air channels, US5986429, W09843847. These turbines are generally situated side by side, behind each other, or occupying separate channels.

There are also many 'Hybrid Electrical Vehicles' combining the use of air with other power sources including the internal combustion engine and solar power.

In the prior art many electric vehicles, which depend primarily on the use of wind power to operate the generators which produce electrical power to drive the vehicle, have been designed to take their power directly from the national grid using battery chargers either at home or through public charging stations.

Attempts have been made to increase the intervals between charges. Vehicles so designed have to rely to some extent on the power stations which generate their electricity through the use of other forms of power including non-renewable fossil feels, for example; natural gas, coal, oil, nuclear. Such vehicles do not, in fact, reduce the negative impact on the environment through the use of fossil fuels as they have to depend, in part, upon the energy produced through the use of such fuels. Universal use of such vehicles would place a heavy demand to increase electricity generation frown such environmentally unfriendly fossil fuels.

One of the most significant disadvantage of electric vehicles, in the prior art, is their dependence on having to recharge periodically their batteries. This severely limits their mileage range between recharging. Currently, most electric vehicles have a range of between 40 to 95 miles per charge. Their low top speed between to 40 mph is another. The need to constantly recharge batteries and to improve top speed has resulted in placing more batteries on the vehicle in order to improve mileage and increase top speed. The use of more batteries adds sigrniEcantly to the curb weight of the vehicle which is an added limitation. The positioning of the wind turbine, either outside or inside of the vehicle's body, for example, in wheel arches and under the floor, renders maintenance very difficult. In most of the prior art wind powered vehicles have no air filter and thus rotor blades are subject to impact from foreign matter in the air. Those that have been situated low to the ground or in the space occupied by internal combustion engines are subjected to reduced efficiency and failure due to slush, water, dirt and grit, etc. In the prior art, electric vehicles powered by the wind have another important disadvantage in that they are not aesthetically pleasing to the eye in their over all design concept.

In the prior art, in most of these examples of wind turbines, the energy derived from the wind acting on the 'wind turbine' is not fully utilised. This is as a result of a significant percentage of that energy being used to power the rotor blades, rotor drive shaft, gears, flywheels, the generator and the drive motor. Loss also occurs in wind energy through wind spillage around the turbine blades. For these reasons the efficiency of these turbines are not as high as is the want. 4.

THE INVENTION

This present invention relates to an electric vehicle powered by a vertical axis wind turbine generator and to an electric vehicle including such a device. More specifically the electric vehicle relates to a vehicle incorporating the vertical axis wind turbine of a specific type called an 'IMGEN'.

In this present invention the 'lmgen' is located at the top of the vehicle above the passenger compartment in a specifically designed housing which maximises the mechanical energy of the air stream emanating from the air compressor throat and acting directly on the rotor blades due to the forward motion of the vehicle. The generator compartment forms a unified and continuous whole with the overall body design of the vehicle and is not distinct from it. From the side view one should not be able to distinguish the generator compartment as it is uniform with the vehicle of which it is a part.

The Imgen electric generator compartment forms a continuous whole with the air compressors and is covered by the generator bonnet. The bonnet could be opened by the operator to gain easy access to the generator compartment, the top storage battery hanks and to facilitate easy maintenance.

In the present invention, the front of the vehicle is designed with a smooth surface with a flat clear fetch rising from the front bumper to the air compressor, a relative height of seven feet, so as to take account of the maximum natural air speed and where there is minimum 'turbulence'. As the wind speed increases significantly at the top of the vehicle the air flow would be reasonably smooth and free from turbulence.

In the present invention, through the use of an air guide the air stream is forced towards the air compressor located to the front at the top of the vehicle. The air stream is forced into the air compressor through the air filter then into the air compressor throat through which it exits as a powerful air jet to power the Imgen.

The air compressor throat acts as a nozzle which compresses and further concentrates the air flow before it impacts on the rotor blades through its lips.

Because the air engaging the rotor blades of the first Imgen would naturally lose some of its energy through powering the rotor, as the rotor blades of the first Imgen rotate the air trapped between the rotor blades gap is fed into an air heating channel, air heater', forces the air to expand, then compressed and formed into an air jet stream which powers the second Imgen to finally exit through the air exhaust at the rear of the vehicle to the outside atmosphere. The air heating channel connects the first and second Imgens chambers. Thus little or no air power is dissipated apart s from that directly concerned with acting upon the rotor assembly and used in cooling of the Imgen. Thus the mechanical energy of the air stream is maximised as a power source to drive the Imgen rotor assembly which converts it into electrical energy.

In the present invention, the air channel extends the length of the vehicle from the air compressor, at the front and top of the vehicle, through the Imgen generator chambers, which are defined by the generator housing, to the air exhaust. This channel forms a continuous whole. Depending on the length of the vehicle there can be more than one Imgen. The size of the Imgen, that is, its total diameter, including the rotor blades, is dependent on the vehicle's width. The height of the lmgen is dependent upon the aesthetic design of the vehicle. The number of Imgens is dependent on the length of the vehicle and its design.

In the present invention the electric vehicle, the Imca, has two Imgens situated one behind the other and connected by a channel, the 'air heater', through which the air stream flowing from the first Imgen chamber is heated up, further concentrated, used to propel the second Imgen and then is allowed to pass through the "air exhaust" to the outside atmosphere. The advantage of this system is that as the force of the air stream impacting on the first Imgen looses a small percentage of its original energy; that loss can be restored and utiiised to power the second Imgen. The power loss is equal to the rotor assembly mass plus the energy required to produce electricity generation. The weight of the rotor assembly mass is dependent upon the

construction specifications of the Imgen

In this present invention, therefore, the original amount of energy from the air stream emanating from the lips of the air compressor throat is reduced by the sum of the rotor assembly mass plus the energy required to generate electricity. Stated another way flee residual power entering the connecting chamber to the second Imgen is equal to the original air energy striking the rotor blades of the first Imgen minus the sum of the rotor assembly mass plus the energy required to generate electricity. The power loss 'PEP due to the impact upon the first Imgen is equal to the sum of the rotor assembly mass 'RM' plus that required to obtain power generation 'PG'.

Therefore, (RM+PG) = PL. Stated another way the residual power 'RP' is equal to the original power POP' minus the power loss 'PL', (RP = 0P PL). Thus the inter- connecting heating chamber compensates for the loss of power streaming through the first Imgen chamber to the second chamber and provides added impetus to the air stream by heating the air, thus expanding it, and further concentrating it before the air stream is focused on the rotor of the second Imgen.

The arrangement of the Imgens in this present invention does not limit other arrangements as Imgenc can be manufactured in various sizes to suit the design specification of the vehicle in which they are to be installed.

The spent air being forced through the air exhaust, at the rear of the vehicle, expands and creates a low negative pressure area which acts as an 'air suction', contributes to the speed of the air stream passing through the Imgens and improves the rotor blades performance.

lain this present inversion, the air guide charnels the air stream towards the air compressor which collects, compresses, and channels it through the air filter and then the air compressor throat where the air stream exits from the air compressor throat lip in the form of a high power jet stream to act directly on the rotor blades.

The first Imgen is positioned immediately behind the air compressor throat which is located to the front of the vehicle forming an integral part of the air compressor.

The tip of the Imgen rotor blades is separated from the air compressor throat lip by a clearance which enables the rotor to rotate freely whilst simultaneously preventing any air spillage around the rotor blades The circumference of the Imgen rotor blades support cylinder determines the number of rotor blades, the rotor blades 'outlet', the distance between blades, the working depth and length of the blades which should be arranged on the rotor blades support cylinder. The walls of the rotor blades support cylinder have to be of sufficient thickness and strength to provide adequate support to the rotor blades and to prevent wobble or oscillation when the rotor assembly is spinning. The rotor blades are aligned with a variable pitch to the axis of the rotor blades support cylinder in order to maximise the rotor blade face area exposed to the air jet stream flowing through the wind compressor throat which exits through its lips.

In the present invention, the air acting upon the rotor blades should be clean and free from any foreign matter which can impede the smooth rotation of the rotor assembly and thus the efficiency of the generator. To scrub the air stream clean from foreign matter, for example; debris, insects, heavy dust particles, snow, rain, grit, it is filtered through an air filter before it becomes further concentrated through the air compressor throat, which acts as a nozzle, into a high power air jet. The air filter is removable and washable and could be made from a very fine wire or nylon type mesh.

The construction of the rotor blades, preferably epoxy resin or Kevlar, Is such that it is both light weight and durable so as to withstand the force of the air stream at the vehicle's maximum speed, minimises oscillation, and enables the rotor to start spinning at the minimum speed required.

The electricity generated by the Imgens is then transmitted to the various battery banks. Each battery bank has its specific function in the overall operation of the vehicle. The drive battery bank provides the drive motor with its energy directly at start up. Once the vehicle has obtained its required minimum vehicle speed the Imgens begin to operate and generate power.

In this present invention the wind powered electric vehicle, the Imca, relies upon the energy stored in its drive battery bank to initiate forward or reverse movement from a standing start or at speeds below minimum vehicle speed, MVS, necessary for electricity power generation.

In order for the Imgen generator rotor to rotate and commence producing electricity, the minimum mechanical power required from the prime mover, air, has to be equivalent to the rotor mass 'RM' plus that needed to produce the mini- num rotor cylinder speed 'RCS' at which the copper rotor cylinders, revolving between the fixed magnetic stator cylinders, begin to produce electricity. This is equivalent to the required minimum vehicle speed 'MVS'. The minimum vehicle speed is equal to the minimum mechanical power extracted from the prime mover, air. This principle can be stated in the formula, MVS = RM + RCS where MVS = 'minimum vehicle speed', RM = 'rotor mass' and RCS = 'rotor cylinders speed'. The weight of the rotor assembly, its rotor mass, is dependent upon the

design specifications and size of the Imgen.

In the embodiment of this present invention the Imgen starts to provide full energy supply at very low speeds. This characteristic gives the vehicle excellent off the line' acceleration, good drive control, and fault tolerance, low noise and high efficiency, acceptable mass production costs and high aesthetic value.

According to the present invention the electric vehicle, the Imca, substantially departs from all conventional concepts and designs of the prior art in that it is powered by a specifically designed vertical axis wind generator, the Imgen. Thus the present invention of the electric vehicle embodies a machine developed primarily for the purpose of exploiting the air flow, through forward motion of the vehicle, which acts as the external mechanical force to be converted into electrical energy, to power the vehicle and constantly recharge its batteries.

The present invention is characterized as an electric vehicle which obtains its electrical energy through a self contained vertical axis wind turbine, the Imgen.

In this present invention the vehicle includes a body supported on wheels, a number of battery banks, a drive motor, an accelerator which acts both to increase the vehicle's speed as it is depressed and to slow the vehicle as it is released, a break pedal, to provide added breaking, an instrument panel which provides constant information to the vehicle's operator on all aspects of the vehicles performance including vehicle speed, wind speed, status of the various battery banks, internal and external environment temperature, the condition of the various electrical systems and Imgen function. The personal identification number key pad, located outside the vehicle on the central stanchion on the operator's side is a basic feature of the Imca. This enables the vehicle operator to input a P.l.N. number which informs the vehicle that the operator is legitimate and is authorised to move the vehicle. The wind guide and air compressor situated to the front of the vehicle, and the Imgens situated on the top of the vehicle are also integral characteristics of the present invention. The wind guide, air compressor and Imgens are also salient characteristics of the Imca.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a new type of wind powered electric vehicle with a distinctive turbine generator, the Imgen, which is not anticipated, is obvious, suggested or even implied by any of the prior art relating to electric wind powered generators, either alone or in combination thereof. Vehicles, for the purpose of this invention, mean all vehicles except aircraft, space vehicles, hand carts, bicycles, animal-drawn vehicles, and sledges.

Thus the term 'vehicle' includes vehicular characteristics which are common to more than one of the above-listed types of certain characteristics limited to automobiles, road or cross-country trailers.

A second aspect of the present invention is to provide a radically new type of wind powered generator, the Imgen, which can effectively naximise the use of wind power for generating electricity for use in this type of vehicle.

A third aspect of this present invention is to provide a high performance electric vehicle with a specially designed and highly efficient wind powered generator, the Imgen.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the provision of additional electrical power through maximising the force of the air stream as it flows through the air compressor, situated at the top and front of the vehicle, to activate the vertical axis wind generator, the Imgen. The air stream forced through the compressor throat will generate increased mechanical energy to drive the rotor thus producing increased electricity.

A fifth aspect of this invention is to overcome the need for recharging the batteries Mom the national grid either at home or charging stations. The reliance upon electricity supplies from the national grid to power vehicles would place an added burden on the power stations to supply electricity from unrenewable fossil and nuclear fuels, thus adding to the damaging environmental effects resulting from the use of such fuels.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is to provide as near a fail-safe security system as possible for the vehicle through preventing entry to the vehicle by unauthorized persons. A complete shutdown of all the electrical systems would be initiated should illegal entry be attempted. This fail-safe system functions through the need to use a personal identification card in the personal identification key pad located outside the vehicle on the central stanchion on the operator's side and to enter a personal identification number.

The embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.

FIG. 1. Front view of vehicle.

FIG.2. Side elevation of vehicle.

FIG.3. View of vertical axis wind generator, the linger.

FIG.4. Top view of vehicle showing Imgens in series.

FIG.5. Top view of the first Imgen.

FIG.6. View of a section of the Imgen.

FIG.7. View of air stream flow through the vehicle from compressor to exhaust FTG.8. View of the air compressor, air filter, air compressor throat, rotor blades, rotor blades support cylinder and the air heating chamber.

FIG.9. Top view of stator cylinders support on generator housing.

FIG. 10. Cross-section view of Imgen showing the relationship and clearance between rotor and stator cylinders.

FIG. I 1. Cross-section view of Imgen.

FIG. 12. View of Imgen with air cooling ducts.

FIG. 13. View of relationship between the Imgen copper rotor and magnetic stator cylinders.

FIG. l 4. An exploded view of the Imgen.

FIG. I 5. View of rotor blades and rotor blades support cylinder.

FIG. l 6. View of rotor assembly.

FIG. 17. View of stator assembly.

FIG. 18. View of rotor and stator cylinders.

FIG. 19. Schematic view of Imgen.

FIG.20. Schematic view of stator.

FTG.2] . Schematic view of rotor.

FIG.22. Operational circuit of vertical axis wind powered vehicle, the Imca.

(The lettering employed in this figure is particular to it.)

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT.

In accordance with the present invention, an electrically powered vehicle 1, with a vertical axis wind powered generator 52, includes a body 13 mounted on wheels 35. The vehicle can be either a front or a rear wheel drive is illustrated in FIGS. 1;2&3 In this present invention to gain access to the interior of the vehicle the operator has to place a personal identification card in the personal identification card slot which is in the key pad 44 located on the central support stanchion 43 on the operator' side of the vehicle, FIGS.1 & 2. Once the card has been verified, the operator enters the operator's personal identification number. When the correct PIN number has been entered, entry to the vehicle can be gained. Use of the wrong card or failure to enter the correct PIN number would result in the total 11.

shutdown of all the electrical systems, the card will not be returned, no entry could be gained and the vehicle cannot be driven.

The body 13 of the Imca should be made of lightweight 100% recyclable materials of a polyurethane type and the base frame of the vehicle, the chassis, could be made of a moulded honeycombed aluminium material. All materials used in flee manufacture of the Imca should be as light as technology allows and recyclable. All the occupants' viewing windows 41, including the windscreen 42, FIGS. 1 & 2, should be made from a lightweight unbreakable material such as a Lexon type plastic. This would contribute also to reducing the vehicles' weight.

The vehicle has all the modern safety and luxury features including, for example; air bags, anti-lock breaking system, electric door locks, power windows, de-icing, defogger, headlights, entertainment systems, etc. In the present invention, the vertical axis air powered generator, Imgen, 52, FIG.3, is located at the top of the vehicle in the generator chamber 36 which is covered by a generator bonnet 6, FIG.1. The bonnet 6 can be opened by the operator to gain easy access to the Imgen and the top battery storage area 12, FIG. I. When closed the bonnet 6 forms a homogenous whole with the air compressor 3, FIG.1, to form a sealed unit which protects the Imgen from the elements and is uniform with the general aesthetic design of the vehicle.

A number of battery banks of 12volt batteries are located in the vehicle battery storage areas 12, FIG. l & 7. The battery banks can be located throughout the vehicle, for example, under the rear seat and in the boot, and can be made in varying shapes to fit into fit specific areas.

In the present invention the entire wiring system, not shown, for the wind powered electric vehicle is conducted through insulated wiring conduits which are situated, for the most part, away from the passenger compartment and where the circuits can be easily maintained.

The air compressor 3 is located at the front and top of the vehicle. Its length conforms to the width of the vehicle, its height is dependent on that of the rotor blades 8 and its depth on the vehicles' design. The vehicle air compressor 3 is concave in shape and has in its centre an air filter 4 and an air compressor throat 5 which acts as a nozzle. The compressor throat has a lip 39 through which the air stream exits to act on the rotor blades. The compressor throat 5 tapers towards the rotor blades 8 and its height corresponds to that of the rotor blades 8. The air compressor lip 39 interfaces directly with the rotor blades 8, FIGS. 1 & 8.

Occupying the full width of the vehicle, the air compressor 3 compresses the air stream 17 channelled to it via the air guide 2, FIG. 1. The angle of fetch at the front of the vehicle, as suggested by the air guide 2, is best illustrated in FIG.2.

The compressed air stream 17 is scrubbed clean from foreign matter by the air filter 4 and is compressed further in flee air compressor throat 5 where it emerges into the Imgen generator chamber 36 as a high powered jetstream from the air compressor throat lip 39 to interface directly with the rotor blades 8 of the first Imgen, FIGS. 1 & 8.

In the present invention, the Imgen, the rotor assembly means the windengaging parts of the wind generator; the rotor blades 8, rotor blades support cylinder 18, copper rotor cylinders 22, rotor shaft 11 and commutator 19, rotor blades base plate 24 and the rotor base plate insulator 25. The rotor base plate 24 is bonded to the rotor base plate insulator 25, FIGS. 10, 14 & 16. The rotor blades 8 are connected to the rotor blades support cylinder l 8, the rotor cylinders 22, the rotor shaft 11 and commutator 19 by the rotor base plate 24 which is bonded to the rotor base plate insulator 25. These parts form the 'rotor assembly' which is one complete unit FIG. 16.

In the present invention the clearance 37 between the rotor blades 8 and the generator housing 7 is such so as to negate air spillage around the rotor blades 8 as illustrated in the position of the first Imgen in relation to the air jet stream emanating from the air compressor throat 5 in FIGS. 5 & 7. The rotor assembly unit rotates on its axis, the rotor shaft 11, as the air stream impacts on the rotor blades 8, FIG. 8.

When the air stream 17 directly interfaces as a jet stream through the compressor throat 5 with the rotor blades 8 the rotor assembly; comprising the rotor blades 8, rotor blades support cylinder 18, rotor cylinders 22, the rotor shaft 11 and commutator l 9, rotor base plate 24, rotor base plate insulator 25, rotates, FIGS. 5 & 16. As a result the copper rotor cylinders 22 rotate between the stationary magnetic stator cylinders 21 FIGS. 3 & 5.

The basic principle of the Imgen is that it generates electricity as the copper rotor cylinders 21 rotating through the magnetic held of the stator cylinders 22 cut through the electromagnetic field established by the magnetic stator cylinders.

The electrical energy, the electromagnetic force, thus produced in the copper cylinders 22 and, therefore' the current which flows through them is transmitted through the wiring in the rotor base plate 24 up the hollow core of the rotor shaft 11 to the commutator 19 where it is picked up by the brushes 20 for distribution to where the electrical power is required FIGS. 3 & 9.

The rotor shaft 11 and the rotor assembly, of which it is a part, are supported and held in a fixed position relative to the stator assembly, which is formed from the magmetic stator cylinders 21, FIG. 17, by the upper rotor shaft support bearing 29 and the lower rotor shah support bearing 2S, FIGS. 11 & ] 3. The rotor shaft base plate 24 is bonded to an insulator, the rotor base plate insulator 25. The rotor thus spins on its vertical axis, the rotor shaft 11. The two ends of the rotor shaft 11 are situated in wells 45 in the upper 29 and the lower 28 rotor shaft support bearings where they are free to rotate, FIGS. 11 & 13.

As the speed of rotation of the rotor shaft 11 is concomitant with that of the rotor it is expected that the ends of the rotor shaft 11 would need to be friction free and cooled. A friction less lubricating oil is contained in both wells 45 in the rotor shaft support bearings 28 & 29, FIGS. 13 & 18. This lubricating oil is air cooled through the lubricating oil cooling ring 34 which is shown for the lower rotor shaft support bearing 28 FIG. l O. The rotor assembly spins on top of and is also supported by the rotor turn table 26 which acts as a supporting base for the rotor. The rotor assembly does not rest directly on the rotor turn table 26, as there is a clearance between the rotor base plate 24 and the rotor turn table 26, and is thus free to rotate, FIG. 3 & 10.

The thin rotor cylinders 22 of similar thickness radiate outwards concentrically from the rotor shaft 11 equidistant from each other towards the rotor blades support cylinder 18, FIGS. 10 & 16. The copper rotor cylinders 29 are fixed to the rotor base plate 24. The thickness of the rotor cylinders is such that they can rotate freely between the stator cylinders 21, FIG. 17. The type of material fonning the rotor cylinders would be copper. Both the rotor blades 8 and the rotor blades support cylinder 18 could be formed from the same epoxy or Kevlar type material. All the necessary wiring for the copper rotor cylinders 22 is conducted through the rotor base plate 24 which is of a strong honeycombed material to minimise weight and acts as conduits for the wiring of the copper rotor cylinders then up the hollow core of the rotor shaft 11 to the commutator 19. The rotor shaft] 1 hollow core extends from the rotor base plate up to the commutator 19 in order to carry the wiring from the rotor cylinders 22 which pass through the base plate 24 to the commutator 19. The generated output is picked up from the commutator via the brushes 20, FIGS. 11, 19 & 20, and then conducted to the various battery banks and the drive motor' FIG. 22. The electrical power flows from the Imgen generators throughout the operational circuit of the Imca are best diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 22.

The fixing of the rotor shaft 11 in position by the upper 29 and lower 28 rotor shaft support bearings prevents lateral movement of the rotor and minimises oscillation of the rotor cylinders 22 as they spin FIG. 11 & 19. The oscillation tolerance of the rotor cylinders 22 is calibrated so as not to exceed the clearance 27 between the rotor cylinders 22 and the stator cylinders 21, FIGS. 10 & 19.

Thus the rotor cylinders 22 are fixed in such a manner so as to retain them in position against centrifugal force and locking the rotor cylinders 22 against radial movement while allowing slight relative axial movement.

In order to maintain the temperature necessary for optimising the efficiency of the Imgen generator, air cooling ducts 23 are located on the rotor blades support cylinder, the copper rotor 22 and the magnetic stator 21 cylinders, FIG. 11, 12 & 13. The air ducts 23 contribute also to decreasing the weight of the rotor so that less air power is required to rotate it.

In the present invention, the rotation of the first Imgen transports the body of air contained within the rotor blades outlet towards the interconnecting heating chamber]4, FIGS. 7 & 8, where it combines with the spent air from the air cooling ducts 23 to undergo further expansion and compression before it emerges as a re-energised air stream to be applied as the motive power for the second Imgen generator, FIGS. 4 & 7.

In the embodiment of the present invention the air stream 17 having been applied to the rotor in the second generator chamber 36 is then expelled through the air exhaust 9, FIGS. 1, 4 & 7, at the rear of the vehicle into the outside atmosphere where it expands creating a low negative pressure area which acts as an 'air suction'. The air pressure differential between the outside rear of the vehicle at the air exhaust 9 and the internal Imgen generator chambers 36 results in a force similar to aerodynamic lift. Since the rotor blades of the Imgens are constrained to move in a vertical plane with the rotor shaft 11 at its centre, the lift force causes rotation about the rotor shaft. Thus this negative low pressure area at the rear of the vehicle, acting as an air suction, contributes further to the speed of the air stream flowing through the Imgen generator chambers and improves the rotor blades performance.

In the embodiment of the present invention the stator comprises a series of magnetic cylinders 21 radiating concentrically from the rotor shaft 11, FIGS. 4 & 17. The first magnetic stator cylinder immediately surrounds the rotor shaft 11, FIGS. 5, 9, 1 l & 17. These stator cylinders are joined at the top by the stator cylinders linking arms 4O, FIGS. 17 & 20. Thus the rotor shaft l I spins freely within the first magnetised stator cylinder of the stator assembly FIGS. 9, 11 & 13. The type of magnetic material used in forming the stator would be dependent upon its cost. In this example rear earth magnets, neodymium, are considered to be the best suited for this purpose. The thickness of both the magnetic stator 21 and the copper rotor 22 cylinders is such that it minimises the weight of these parts and provides the maximum generated electrical output.

In order to stabilise the stator assembly 21 so that it cannot move in any direction and does not touch the rotor cylinders 22 or the rotor base plate 24 and maintains it's rated clearance 27 from the rotor cylinders, the stator 21 is bolted to the generator housing sides 7A by the stator stabilising bolts 33 FIG. 11& l9. The stator stabilising bolts 33 screw the generator housing 7A to the stator stabilising rods 32. The stator stabilising rods 32 are insulated front the stator cylinders 21 by the stator stabilising rod insulator 3 l, FIG. 17 & 19.

In the embodiment of the present invention all the parts of the Imgen including the rotor and stator assemblies are contained within the generator housing which comprises semi-circular sides 7A, a lid 7B and a base 7C. To reduce vibration a vibration absorbers 16 are placed at the top and base of the generator. Fixing bolts 38 are used to fix the lid 7B, base 7C, both rotor shaft bearings, 28 & 29 and the rotor assembly turn table 26 to the generator sides 7A, FIGS. l 1 & l 9.

In the embodiment of this present invention for the vertical axis wind turbine electric vehicle, the Imca, the 'operational circuit diagram' is illustrated in FIG.22. The lettering of its components, therefore, has to be different and distinct from that employed in illustrating the embodiment of the present invention.

In the present invention at 'start-up' the start-up switch 22B is switched on and power is obtained from the start-up battery bank 22A which enables the 'systems monitor battery bank' 22Q to boot up and monitor the vehicle's electrical systems. The systems monitor automatically activates the lighting system for the systems display screen and authorises the use of the vehicle.

The drive switch 22E can be engaged and power is provided from the drive battery bank 22D to the drive motor 22G. The batteries which make up the 'drive battery bank' have to be high performance batteries as the ampere hour capacity is seldom required but where the batteries have to supply high currents for short periods. They should be also of the deep-cycle type to withstand constant repeated discharge and charging.

The drive motor 22G converts the electrical energy from the drive battery bank 22D into mechanical energy which drive the wheels of the vehicle. Unlike a traditional vehicle where the engine must 'ramp up' before full torque can be provided, the drive motor provides ful] torque at low speeds. This characteristic gives the Imca excellent 'offthe line acceleration'. Other important characteristics of the Imca include good drive control, fault tolerance, low noise, high efficiency, flexibility in relation to voltage fluctuations, acceptable low mass production costs, is disabilities friendly and, one of the most important, has high aesthetic value.

The vehicle operator can reverse the vehicle through engaging the reverse switch 22F. The operator can control the vehicle's speed through the use of the accelerator 22H and the brake pedal 221. The accelerator pedal 22H both increases the power supplied to the drive motor 22G from the drive battery bank 22D as it is depressed and reduces the power to the drive motor 22G as it is released thus slowing or bringing the vehicle to a halt. The break pedal 22I slows the vehicle or brings it to a halt. The emergency break lever, not shown, is also a feature of tl1e vehicle and when applied prevents it from moving. As illustrated in Fig. 22, when the vehicle slows or stops the reserve battery bank 22N automatically comes on line to restore the required voltage in the drive battery bank 22D if so required.

In FIG. 22, once the systems monitor, which is displayed on the systems display screen, has authorised the use of the vehicle and the vehicle proceeds in a forward s direction and attains the minimum m.p.h. to achieve the minimum vehicle speed necessary for activating the Imgen vertical axis wind generators 22K, the Imgen supplies power directly to the various battery banks through a transformer 22L and the battery charger 22M. The battery charger 22M is a smart battery charger which senses when the voltage in the various battery banks is low and will boost charge the battery banks. In a fully charged state the charger will only use a small charge to float charge the battery banks. The battery charger 18M should be permanently connected to the battery banks without fear of over charging.

In the embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 22 there are eight battery banks, Nos. A, D, N. O. P. Q. R. & S. each with its own voltage regulator 22C.

Battery bank 22A is the start-up battery bank. Battery bank 22D is the drive battery bank.

Battery bank 22N is the reserve battery bank. It automatically kicks in when the power supply to the drive battery 22D is lower than the minimum limit required to power the drive motor 22G and assists any other battery bank if its power falls below requirements.

Battery bank 220 is the lighting systems battery bank. The lighting systems are manually switched on by the vehicle operator as required and the power for the various lighting systems, for example; indicator lights, head lights, passenger compartment lights, bonnet lights, tail lights are all derived from the lights battery bank 220.

Battery bank 22P is the environmental control battery bank. It can be both manually switched on or off by the operator or placed on automatic. When on automatic the system monitors the preset passenger compartment environment temperature and maintains it.

Battery bank 22Q is the systems monitor battery bank. It monitors all the electrical systems in the Imca. Most important of all it is the primary self- activating system. When the operator attempts to gain entry to the vehicle by inserting the operator's card, the systems monitor energises itself, scans the card for authenticity and then demands the operator to input a PIN number using the key pad, 44, FIG.1 & 2, with numbers O to 9, which has to correspond to that encrypted on the card.

Once authorization has been granted the card is returned and the operator gains entry to the vehicle. The systems monitor informs the start-up battery bank 22A that authorization has been granted and the start-up battery bank 22A boots up the entire electrical systems including the drive bakery 22D. The drive battery z2D can be switched on to drive mode via the drive switch 22E which starts the drive motor 22G. The operator can place the vehicle in reverse mode by switching on the reverse switch 22F.

Battery bank 22R is the instrumentation battery bank. All the instruments employed in the efficient operation of the vehicle including its entertainment systems; radio, cassette and disc player, auto-location fmder and hands free phone are powered and monitored by the instrumentation battery bank.

Battery bank 22S is the emergency battery bank. It is activated through the operator manually engaging the emergency switch 22J.

In the present invention the electric vehicle, the Imca, 1 and its power plant, the Imgen generator, 52 can be scaled up or down. Various electrical conducting materials can be used and that the design of the vehicle, which can influence the product, altered to customer choice. The example of this present invention is, therefore, subject to variations, modifications and alterations in detail. The Imgen is designed to be easy to manufacture having only one moving part, the rotor assembly, and at an economical cost. It is family orientated, sporty and stylish. It is easily assembled, requires low maintenance and service charges should be mlnlma. ..

The present invention of the wind powered electric vehicle, the Imca, 1 is both user and gender friendly. It is aesthetically designed and takes account of the needs of persons with disabilities. It should be appreciated that the specific form of this present invention, as described and illustrated, is representative only as certain alterations can be made during manufacture without departing from its simple description and ethical principle. Therefore all subject matter described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as descriptive and not limiting in any sense.

Thus references should be made to the appended 'Claims' in determining the full extent of the present invention. lq

Claims

CLAIMS.

01. The present invention is characterized as an electric vehicle which obtains its electrical energy through a self contained vertical axis wind turbine, the 'Imgen'.

It includes a body supported on wheels, a vertical axis wind generator, the Imgen, a number of battery battles, a drive motor, accelerator, which acts both to increase the vehicle's speed as it is depressed and to slow the vehicle as it is released, a break pedal, to provide added breaking, an instrument panel which provides constant information to the vehicle's operator on all aspects of the vehicles performance including vehicle speed, wind speed, internal and external environment temperature, status of the various batteries, the condition of the various electrical systems and Imgen function, voltage regulators, transformer, and battery charger. The 'Personal Identification Number' key pad is located on the outside central stanchion on the operator's side of the vehicle. This enables the vehicle operator to input a P.I.N. number which would inform the vehicle that the operator is legitimate and is authorised to move the vehicle. The wind guide and air compressor situated to the front of the vehicle, and the 'Imgens' situated at the top of the vehicle are also integral characteristics of the present invention.

02. A vehicle according to claim 1, comprising an entry control system, which acts as a security system, which enables the operator to gain initial access to the vehicle by placing a personal card in the personal card slot situated on the driver's door panel and then entering the authorised operator's PIN number.

03. An electrical power driven vehicle according to claim 1 provided with a vertical axis wind driven generator of a specific type, an Imgen.

04. A vehicle according to claim 3, comprising of an assembly consisting of an air compressor, an air filter, air compressor throat, Imgen generators, an air heating chamber and an air exhaust.

05. A vehicle according to claim 4, comprising of a vertical axis wind turbine generator, an Imgen, which provides the electrical power to charge various battery banks and propel the vehicle via a drive motor.

06. A generator according to claim 5, consisting of rotor and stator assemblies.

07. According to claim 6, the rotor assembly consists of rotor blades mounted on a rotor blades support cylinder, concentric copper rotor cylinders, a rotor shaft, with a hollow core, and a commutator joined and supported by a rotor base plate and base plate insulator.

08. According to claim 7, the rotor base plate has hollow channels which connect with the rotor shaft which has a hollow core extending from the rotor base plate to the commutator. The electricity generated by the Imgen is transmitted via the necessary windings from the copper rotor cylinders to the commutator and the brushes through these windings to the operational circuit.

09. According to claim 8 the operational circuit includes the Imgen generators, a number of battery banks, transformer, voltage regulators, battery charger, accelerator and brake pedals, and various switches.

]0. According to claim 7, the rotor assembly; comprising the rotor blades, the rotor blades support cylinder, the rotor cylinders, the rotor base plate, the rotor base plate insulator and the rotor shaft, is supported by the upper and lower rotor shaft bearings.

ll. According to claim 10, the rotor assembly rotates on the rotor turn table between the fixed magnetic stator cylinders which form the stator assembly.

12. According to claim 6, the stator assembly is formed from concentric magnetic cylinders so that the copper rotor cylinders can Deely rotate between them.

13. According to claim 12, the stator is fixed to the generator housing by the stator stabiiising rods and the fixing bolts.

14. According to claim 1, both the rotor and the stator assemblies are contained within the generator housing.

15. According to claim l 4 all the various parts of the Imgen are contained within the sides, lid and base of the Imgen which form the generator housing.