Low-speed towed power generating apparatus

摘要

A low-speed towed power generating apparatus may include a mobile base comprising a platform and an axle with a pair of wheels and a differential gear set and a pair of axle shafts extending from the differential gear set and having a said wheel mounted on each of the axle shafts such that rotation of the wheels rotates the shafts and the differential gear set. The axle may include an output pulley mounted on the differential gear set. A generator assembly on the mobile base may comprise an electrical generator having an input shaft with an input pulley mounted on the input shaft, a drive belt being mounted on the input pulley and the output pulley, and a power output circuit electrically connected to the generator. A battery may be electrically connected to the generator for receiving power from the power output circuit of the generator assembly.

主权项

1. A low-speed towed power generating apparatus comprising:
a mobile base comprising a platform and an axle with a pair of wheels being mounted on the axle, the axle including a differential gear set and a pair of axle shafts extending from the differential gear set and having a said wheel mounted on each of the axle shafts such that rotation of the wheels rotates the shafts and the differential gear set, the axle including an output pulley mounted on the differential gear set to be rotated by the differential gear set; a generator assembly mounted on the mobile base, the generator assembly comprising
an electrical generator, the generator having an input shaft, an input pulley being mounted on the input shaft;a drive belt being mounted on the input pulley and the output pulley;a power output circuit electrically connected to the generator; and a battery electrically connected to the generator for receiving power from the power output circuit of the generator assembly; wherein the differential gear set, the output pulley and the input pulley are configured to rotate the generator input shaft at a speed suitable to charge the battery when the mobile base is towed at a speed of less than approximately 15 miles per hour; wherein the generator has a base and is positioned above the platform, a support frame mounting the generator on the platform and extending upwardly from the platform; wherein the support frame includes an adjustment structure configured to adjusting a distance between the input pulley on the generator and the platform to adjust a tension in the drive belt; wherein the adjustment structure comprises a plurality of legs, at least one of the legs having an adjustable effective length, each of the adjustable legs including a threaded shaft, at least one lower nut threaded onto the threaded shaft and positioned above the platform to bear upon the platform, and at least one upper nut threaded onto the threaded shaft and positioned below the base of the generator to support the base.