Patent · US Active

Trucks and trailers with power conversion elements and suspension systems accommodating power conversion elements inboard of a wheel

US12330458B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
18References
15Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 27, 2023
Grant dateJun 17, 2025
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 27, 2043

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16H3/724
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A truck or trailer includes a wheel, a stub axle spindle extending through the wheel and having a through bore, a step-up drive ratio unit inboard of said stub-axle spindle, an axle shaft extending through the through bore of the stub-axle spindle, and a power conversion unit operatively connected to the step-up drive ratio unit. The axle shaft is operatively connected to the step-up drive ratio unit, such that, as the axle shaft rotates with the wheel, mechanical energy from rotation of the axle shaft is converted into electrical energy. A special suspension system allows for installation of the stub axle spindle, and such suspension systems are a separate focus herein as well as being usable in combination with the power conversion elements.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.