Roadway-powered electric vehicle system having automatic guidance and demand-based dispatch features

Claim 2

A roadway-powered electric vehicle comprising: a vehicle frame supported by front and rear suspension systems, including front and rear wheels; an onboard power receiving module mounted on underneath side of said vehicle frame that receives electrical power coupled thereto from a roadway power transmitting module embedded in a roadway over which the EV travels; an onboard energy storage means for storing and delivering electrical energy, said on—board energy storage means exhibiting a specific power of at least 5 kW/kg; an electric drive means coupled to at least one of said front or rear suspension systems for driving said front and rear wheels; an onboard power controller means for receiving electrical power from said on-board power module and directing it to said energy storage means, and for selectively delivering electrical energy from said energy storage means to said electric drive means in order to provide operating power for said EV; and a location determining system for determining a location of the roadway powered electric vehicle and for generating a location signal in response thereto.

Claim 3

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 1 further including modulation means coupled to said onboard power receiving mocdule for modulating a communications signal onto the electrical power, said communications signal including information indicative of said location of said roadway-powered electric vehicle.

Claim 4

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said onboard power controller means includes: means for generating a set of control signals for controlling operation of said roadway-powered electric vehicle operated, and coupling means for coupling said set of control signals to a second Roadway-powered electric vehicle, said second roadway-powered electric vehicle including: means for electronically responding to said set of control signals so that the second roadway-powered electric vehicle is operated as controlled by said set of control signals, whereby said second Roadway-powered electric vehicle follows said Roadway-powered electric vehicle.

Claim 5

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second roadway-powered electric vehicle includes: a regenerative braking system including a second electric drive system for electromagnetically producing a mechanical resistance and generating electrical power when braking is applied in response to said set of control signals.

Claim 6

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second roadway-powered electric vehicle includes: a frictional braking system for frictionally producing a mechanical resistance, the frictional braking system including an electronic actuator responsive to said set of control signals.

Claim 7

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second roadway-powered electric vehicle includes: a steering system for steering wheels of the second roadway-powered electric vehicle including an electronic actuator for turning the wheels of the second roadway-powered electric vehicle in response to said set of control signals.

Claim 8

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein coupling means comprises a flexible cable connected between said roadway-powered electric vehicle and said second roadway-powered electric vehicle through which said set of control signals may be transferred from the roadway-powered electric vehicle to the second roadway-powered electric vehicle.

Claim 9

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said coupling means includes an rf transmitter carried onboard said roadway-powered electric vehicle through which the set of control signals may be transmitted, and rf receiver carried onboard said second roadway-powered electric vehicle through which the set of control signals transmitted from the rf transmitter may be received.

Claim 10

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein said coupling means includes an ir transmitter carried onboard said roadway-powered electric vehicle through which the set of control signals may be transmitted, and ir receiver carried onboard said second roadway-powered electric vehicle through which the set of control signals transmitted from the ir transmitter may be received.

Claim 11

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said second roadway-powered electric vehicle includes a second location determining system for determining a location of the second roadway powered electric vehicle and for generating a second location signal in response thereto, and wherein said second roadway-powered electric vehicle further includes means for comparing the second location signal to the location signal generated by the location determining system in the roadway-powered vehicle, means for determining whether said second roadway-powered electric vehicle is properly located following said roadway-powered electric vehicle, and means for generating said set of control signals to adjust the location of said second roadway-powered electric vehicle following said roadway-powered electric vehicle in the event the second roadway powered electric vehicle is not properly located following said roadway-powered electric vehicle.

Claim 12

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said Roadway-powered electric vehicle comprises a multiple occupancy vehicle (MOV) adapted for transporting at least 15 passengers, and wherein said MOV includes a passenger compartment that includes: a door system that includes a side door that slides open and an upper door that swings up, thereby increasing the vertical entry space afforded a passenger entering or exiting said NOV through said door system; and a seating arrangement that includes two rows of chairs set in a curved pattern.

Claim 13

The roadway-powered electric vehicle as set forth in claim 1 including means for positioning the roadway-powered electric vehicle at a platform for loading and unloading passengers, including: a steering system for steering the front or rear wheels of the roadway-powered electric vehicle as it approaches the platform, including electronic actuators for turning the front or rear wheels in response to a set of control signals; and means for periodically comparing the location signal with a desire approach location as the roadway-powered electric vehicle approaches the platform and for generating the set of control signals in response thereto; whereby the roadway-powered electric vehicle is positioned for loading and unloading passengers at the platform.

Claim 14

A roadway-powered electric vehicle system comprising: a network of roadways electrified with a multiplicity of roadway power transmitting modules embedded in the roadways at select locations, each of said roadway power transmitting modules being connected to receive power from an electrical utility; a plurality of roadway-powered electric vehicles for traversing said network of roadways using electrical power coupled to said roadway-powered electric vehicles from the electrified roadways as said roadway-powered electric vehicles travel over the locations of the roadways that have been electrified; and a communications control and monitoring station for generating a command signal including a command to at least one of the roadway-powered electric vehicles; and communications means for establishing a communications channel between each of the plurality of roadway-powered electric vehicles and the communication control and monitoring station, the command signal being communicated to each of the roadway-powered electric vehicles by the communications means.

Claim 15

A roadway-powered electric vehicle system comprising: a network of roadways electrified with a multiplicity of roadway power transmitting modules embedded in the roadways at select locations, each of said roadway power transmitting modules being connected to receive power from an electrical utility; a plurality of roadway-powered electric vehicles for traversing said network of roadways using electrical power coupled to said roadway-powered electric vehicles from the electrified roadways as said roadway-powered electric vehicles travel over the locations of the roadways that have been electrified; and a communications control and monitoring station for generating a command signal including a command to at least one of the roadway-powered electric vehicles; and communications means for establishing a communications channel between each of the plurality of roadway-powered electric vehicles and the communication control and monitoring station, the command signal being communicated to each of the roadway-powered electric vehicles by the communications means.

Claim 16

A roadway-powered electric vehicle (RPEV) comprising: a vehicle frame supported by front and rear suspension systems, including front and rear wheels; an onboard power receiving module mounted on an underneath side of said vehicle frame that receives electrical power coupled thereto from a roadway power transmitting module embedded in a roadway over which the EV travels; an onboard energy storage means for storing and delivering electrical energy, said on-board energy storage means exhibiting a specific power of at least 5 kw/kg; an electric drive means coupled to at least one of said front or rear suspension systems for driving said front and rear wheels; an onboard power controller means for receiving electrical power from said onboard power module and directing it to said energy storage means, and for selectively delivering electrical energy from said energy storage means to said electric drive means in order to provide operating power for said EV; and an onboard power meter electrically connected to the onboard power receiving module to monitor the electrical power received through said onboard power receiving module from said roadway power transmitting module, said onboard power meter means thereby providing a measure of the amount of electrical power that has been coupled to the RPEV.

Claim 17

A roadway-powered electric vehicle (RPEV) comprising: a vehicle frame supported by front and rear suspension systems, including front and rear wheels; an onboard power receiving module mounted on an underneath side of said vehicle frame that receives electrical power coupled thereto from a roadway power transmitting module embedded in a roadway over which the EV travels; an onboard energy storage means for storing and delivering electrical energy, said on-board energy storage means exhibiting a specific power of at least 5 kw/kg; an electric drive means coupled to at least one of said front or rear suspension systems for driving said front and rear wheels; an onboard power controller means for receiving electrical power from said onboard power module and directing it to said energy storage means, and for selectively delivering electrical energy from said energy storage means to said electric drive means in order to provide operating power for said EV; and an onboard power meter electrically connected to the onboard power receiving module to monitor the electrical power received through said onboard power receiving module from said roadway power transmitting module, said onboard power meter means thereby providing a measure of the amount of electrical power that has been coupled to the RPEV.

Claim 18

The RPEV as set forth in claim 14 further including demodulation means coupled to said onboard power receiving module to demodulate a communication signal included with the electrical power received by the onboard power receiving module, said communication signal being directed to said onboard power controller means to provide information to said onboard power controller means that it uses to operate said RPEV more efficiently and/or more safely.

Claim 19

The RPEV as set forth in claim 15 wherein there are included a plurality of roadway sensors in the roadway over which the RPEV travels that monitor whether the roadway has ice or moisture thereon, said roadway sensors being spaced apart from each other by at least approximately 300 m, each of said sensors generating a sensor signal that identifies each sensor and provides an indication of whether snow or moisture is present at such identified sensor, said sensor signal being coupled to the roadway power transmitting module and comprising the communication signal that is transmitted to the RPEV with the electrical power received by the onboard power receiving module, whereby each RPEV receives an indication of whether ice or moisture is present at a location on the roadway corresponding to the identified sensor.

Claim 20

The RPEV as set forth in claim 16 wherein said RPEV includes modulation means for modulating an RPEV identification signal that identifies a particular RPEV, and onboard transmitting means for transmitting the RPEV signal to a numbered roadway receiver located by each of said roadway power transmitting modules, each of said roadway receivers being linked td a communication station, whereby the communication station can determine when the particular RPEV is located near the numbered roadway receiver.

Claim 21

The RPEV as set forth in claim 14 wherein said onboard power controller means includes means for generating a set of control signals that control how said RPEV is being operated, and coupling means for coupling said set of control signals to a second RPEV, said second RPEV including means for electronically responding said set of control signals so that the second RPEV is operated as controlled by said set of control signals, whereby said second RPEV follows said RPEV.

Claim 22

The RPEV as set forth in claim 18 wherein coupling means comprises a flexible cable that is connected between said RPEV and said second RPEV through which said set of control signals may be transferred from the RPEV to the second RPEV.

Claim 23

The RPEV as set forth in claim 19 wherein said coupling means further includes an rf transmitter carried onboard said RPEV through which said set of control signals may be transmitted, and wherein said second RPEV includes an onboard receiver through which the' set of control signals transmitted from said RPEV may be received.

Claim 24

The RPEV as set forth in claim 14 wherein said RPEV comprises a multiple occupancy vehicle (MOV) adapted for transporting at least 15 passengers, and wherein said NOV includes a passenger compartment that includes: a door system that includes a side door that slides open and an upper door that swings up, thereby increasing the vertical entry space afforded a passenger entering or exiting said NOV through said door system; and a seating arrangement that includes two rows of chairs set in a curved pattern.

Claim 25

A roadway-powered electric vehicle (RPEV) system comprising: a network of highways and roadways that have been electrified with a multiplicity of roadway power transmitting modules embedded in the highways and roadway at select locations, each of said roadway power transmitting modules being connected to receive power from an electrical utility; a plurality of RPEV's for traversing said network of highways an roadways using electrical power coupled to said RPEV's from the electrified highways and roadways as said RPEV'S travel over the locations of the highways and roadways that have been electrified; and communication means for establishing a communication channel with each of said plurality of RPEV's that transfers communication signals to and from said RPEV's through the electrified highways and roadways.

Claim 26

A roadway-powered electric vehicle (RPEV) system comprising: a network of highways and roadways that have been electrified with a multiplicity of roadway power transmitting modules embedded in the highways and roadway at select locations, each of said roadway power transmitting modules being connected to receive power from an electrical utility; a plurality of RPEV's for traversing said network of highways an roadways using electrical power coupled to said RPEV's from the electrified highways and roadways as said RPEV'S travel over the locations of the highways and roadways that have been electrified; and communication means for establishing a communication channel with each of said plurality of RPEV's that transfers communication signals to and from said RPEV's through the electrified highways and roadways.

Claim 27

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 22 wherein each of said plurality of RPEV's includes an onboard power meter connected to monitor the amount of electrical power coupled from the electrified highways and roadways.

Claim 28

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 23 wherein the onboard power meter is coupled to said communication means and the amount of electrical power monitored by said onboard power meter may be included within the communication signals transferred through said communication channel.

Claim 29

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 22 wherein the network of highways and roadways includes parking/garaging locations, and further wherein said parking/garaging locations are electrified with a power transmission module connected to receive power from the electrical utility.

Claim 30

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 25 further including a charging control circuit coupled to the power transmission module, said charging control circuit including means for sensing the presence of a parked RPEV at the parking/garaging location, and means for automatically coupling power to the parked RPEV only preselected times during the day when power rates from the electrical utility are the lowest.

Claim 31

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 26 wherein the charging control circuit at each parking/garaging location further includes means for coupling power to the parked RPEV in one of two coupling modes; a first coupling mode that couples 200 W to 500 of electrical power to the parked RPEV on command, and which coupled electrical power is used by the RPEV to bring the interior temperature of the RPEV to a comfortable level; and a second coupling mode that couples 6 kW to 10 kW of electrical power to the RPEV over a one to four hour time period at the preselected times during the day when power rates are the lowest, which coupled electrical power is used to replenish an onboard energy storage system of the parked RPEV.

Claim 32

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 27 wherein said charging control circuit further includes a communication receiver for receiving a command signal that automatically begins said first coupling mode, whereby an operator of the parked RPEV may selectively begin the first coupling mode shortly before entering the parked RPEV to bring the interior temperature of the RPEV to a comfortable level prior to entering the parked RPEV.

Claim 33

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said communication channel comprises power lines used by the electrical, utility to distribute electrical power to the roadway power transmitting modules and elsewhere.

Claim 34

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said communication channel comprises commercial communication lines provided by telecommunication providers.

Claim 35

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said communication channel comprises dedicated wide bandwidth communication lines installed to connect each of said roadway power transmitting modules with a central monitoring location.

Claim 36

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said communication channel further includes means embedded in highways and roadways for establishing a communication link with each of the plurality of RPEV's when said RPEV is over non-electrified portions of said highways and roadways, whereby continuous communications may be made with said RPEV as it traverses said network of highways and roadways, whether on electrified or non-electrified portions of the network of highways and roadways.

Claim 37

The RPEV system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said roadway power transmitting modules receive 3-phase, 50/60 Hz electrical power from the utility company, and wherein a power conditioner converts the 3-phase, 50/60 Hz electrical power from the utility company to a 1-phase, 2500-3500 kHz electrical power for use by said roadway power transmitting modules, said RPEV system further comprising heater means embedded in the surface structure along the side of the highway or roadway adjacent selected ones of said roadway power transmitting modules, said heater means being powered by electrical power from the power conditioner to prevent the formation of ice and the accumulation of snow at the location of said heater means.