Challenge
Complete electrification of the drivetrain requires a rapid charging system for plug-in cars. Currently, charging the traction battery up to 80% of its capacity in about 30 minutes still seems too long. How can the recharging process be accelerated while remaining silent?
Invention
The RES Plug-in Car uses two reservoirs of stored energy. During the recharging process, the traction battery is cooled independently of electric energy. This provides a highly efficient cooling system for the traction battery and enables the recharging process to be completed in under 15 minutes. This invention is a drive and charge system that uses compressed air as a coolant for the traction battery, as well as an additional energy source for the drive train. Existing fuel tanks at former gas stations can be converted into compressed air storage tanks.
The advantages
- Speeding up the recharge process
- Steady energy transfer throughout the recharging process
- Silent cooling of the traction battery
- Making use of existing infrastructure
Applications
- Electric charge stations with one or more rapid recharge points
- Converting existing gas tanks into compressed air storage tanks