US5091687A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for exchanging and charging of energy storages of transport vehicles
Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Rieter AG
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Filing: 1990-07-11
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Granted: 1992-02-25
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Expires: 2010-07-11
Abstract
Abstract The charging station includes a circular magazine which is pivotable about a central axis. Above or beneath the circular magazine, which forms a first disk-shaped partial region of the charging station, there is arranged a second partial region, and specifically a device carrier or support. The latter carries the charging and control devices. In the circular magazine there are a plurality of deposit positions or places for energy storage devices where discharged energy storage devices of transport vehicles are again recharged. A transport carriage with gripper devices serves to displace the energy storage devices from the transport vehicle into the circular magazine and is arranged at the region between the central axis and the periphery of the circular magazine. The exchange and charging apparatus is very compact and space-saving in construction and affords the direct and automatic transfer of energy storage devices between transport vehicles and the charging station.
Inventors
- 👤 Urs Meyer
- 👤 Niklaus Gartenmann
- 👤 Hanspeter Ulrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:44
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K1/00; B60K1/04; B60L; B60L50/00; B60L50/50; B60L50/60; B60L50/66; B60L53/00; B60L53/80; B60K2001/0455; B60K2001/0461; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/70; Y02T10/7072; Y02T90/00; Y02T90/10; Y02T90/12; Y02T90/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for exchanging and charging of energy storage devices of transport vehicles each having an outer surface, comprising: a positioning device defining an exchange position for a transport vehicle; a displacement device for said energy storage devices: a charging station having an outer surface and cooperating with said displacement device and possessing a plurality of deposit positions for said energy storage devices; said charging station comprising a substantially circular magazine; means defining a central axis about which said circular magazine pivots; said circular magazine containing the deposit positions for the energy storage devices; the circular magazine having an outer surface; said outer surface of said circular magazine being disposed in adjacent relationship with respect to said outer surface of said transport vehicle; and said displacement device for said energy storage devices being arranged between said central axis and said outer surface of said charging station.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
An apparatus for exchanging and charging of energy storage devices of transport vehicles each having an outer surface, comprising: a positioning device defining an exchange position for a transport vehicle; a displacement device for said energy storage devices: a charging station having an outer surface and cooperating with said displacement device and possessing a plurality of deposit positions for said energy storage devices; said charging station comprising a substantially circular magazine; means defining a central axis about which said circular magazine pivots; said circular magazine containing the deposit positions for the energy storage devices; the circular magazine having an outer surface; said outer surface of said circular magazine being disposed in adjacent relationship with respect to said outer surface of said transport vehicle; and said displacement device for said energy storage devices being arranged between said central axis and said outer surface of said charging station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said outer surface of said charging station and said outer surface of said circular magazine merge with an intermediate space at said outer surface of said transport vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said charging station comprises two substantially disc-shaped superimposed partial regions defining first and second partial regions; said first parallel region comprising said circular magazine and said deposit positions for said energy storage devices; and said second partial region comprising a device carrier and containing charging devices and supplementary devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein: said device carrier is conjointly pivotable with said circular magazine about said central axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein: an intermediate space is located between said partial regions of said charging station; and said displacement device is located in said intermediate space between said partial regions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein: an intermediate space is located between said partial regions of said charging station; and said displacement device is located in said intermediate space between said partial regions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including: means for driving said circular magazine of said charging station for pivotal movement about said central axis; wherein said pivotal movement of said circular magazine about said central axis is less than 360°.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: said driving means comprises a band.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein: said driving means comprises a chain.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, further including: electrical conductor means for physically connecting each charging device with a predetermined deposit position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: each of said energy storage devices is structured as a compact unit; said compact unit comprising: a frame; a plurality of energy storage elements arranged in said frame; a central coupling means for coupling energy lines; a locking device and a coupling device provided for engagement with said displacement device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein, said coupling device is connected with said locking device and said coupling device guides said displacement device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including: auxiliary storage means provided for said transport vehicle; and said auxiliary storage means serving to supply the control of said transport vehicle with emergency energy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said transport vehicle comprises a contact arrangement for contacting and receiving electrical energy from one of said energy storage devices.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including: sensor means provided for said transport vehicle for detecting an exchange position; and a mechanical positioning device arranged between said transport vehicle and said circular magazine of said charging station.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: each of said energy storage devices comprises substantially maintenance-free electrical batteries.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: each of said energy storage devices comprises substantially maintenance-free accumulators.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-02-24 | 1995-08-26 | 1996-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-24 | 1999-08-26 | 2000-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-24 | 2003-08-26 | 2004-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |