Electricity: motive power systems – Armature circuit control – Plural sources of voltage
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-05-22
Ro, Bentsu (Department: 2837)
Electricity: motive power systems
Armature circuit control
Plural sources of voltage
C320S116000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236181
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to electrical power cells for supplementing an electrical power source and, in particular, electrical power cells for coupling to a pre-existing electrical power source used in remote controlled devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Remote controlled (RC) devices or vehicles such as RC cars, trucks, airplanes, helicopters and boats provide hobby enthusiasts, including both serious and casual participants, with an enjoyable form of entertainment and recreation. Many associations and clubs have developed in support of and to promote recreational and competitive RC vehicle racing.
A typical RC vehicle includes a motor that is powered by electricity, such as provided by a dry cell battery for example an alkaline battery or mercury battery or a rechargeable battery, such as a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery or Lithium (Li) battery or by combustible liquid fuel, such as provided by gasoline. In competitive RC vehicle racing or during recreational use of RC vehicles, the speed of the vehicle contributes to the overall excitement and entertainment derived from RC vehicle racing or recreational use. Consequently, RC vehicle manufacturers have designed RC vehicle motors and their corresponding power supplies to enable RC vehicles to travel at high rates of speed.
However, once a hobby enthusiast purchases an RC vehicle, the performance of the RC vehicle is limited by the original parts of the RC vehicle. To increase the upper limit of speed of the RC vehicle, the enthusiast can upgrade to a more powerful motor. Several problems arise with upgrading and outfitting an RC vehicle with a more powerful motor. One such problem is that an upgraded motor is typically more expensive than the cost of the original RC vehicle, and most enthusiasts initially spend a small fortune to purchase the RC vehicle. Another problem is that upgrading RC vehicle parts is generally a time-consuming task and requires an intimate knowledge of RC vehicle building. Most recreational RC vehicle users or purchasers of RC vehicles that are pre-assembled avoid RC vehicle building altogether.
Another problem with upgrading the motor or any other part of an RC vehicle is a limited availability of parts that fit the original RC vehicle. When manufacturing and designing RC vehicles, many factors are taken into account, including the weight tolerances of the vehicle frame, the availability of space on the RC vehicle for additional accessories, the maximum weight allowance of the assembled vehicle, the power requirements of the motor, the torque output requirement of the motor, and the compatibility between the power supply and the motor and other design characteristics specific to a particular RC vehicle application. For example, if the enthusiast desires to upgrade the RC vehicle motor, a replacement motor must be compatible with the power output of the power supply and, typically, must also fit within the space available with the vehicle for the original motor.
What is needed is a relatively inexpensive apparatus that increases the upper limit of speed of an RC vehicle and that requires only minimal effort for installation. Further needed is a supplemental power cell that increases the upper limit of speed of an RC vehicle and that can be coupled to an existing RC vehicle power supply with minimal cost and effort to the hobby enthusiast.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is an apparatus that increases the upper limit of speed of an RC vehicle, which apparatus requires only minimal effort for installation. The invented apparatus is a supplemental power cell that increases the speed of an RC vehicle and that can be coupled to an existing RC vehicle power supply with minimal cost and effort to a hobby enthusiast.
In its basic form, the supplemental power cell includes a rechargeable power cell, preferably a conventional rechargeable nickel cadmium battery, or a plurality of nickel cadmium batteries, a coupling device for connecting the power cell between an RC vehicle power source and an RC vehicle motor and securing means for removably securing the supplemental power cell to an RC vehicle. The rechargeable power cell includes a cathode and an anode for conducting electrical current.
Each coupling device includes a cathode lead connected to the cathode, an anode lead connected to the anode, a first connector that receives the cathode lead, a second connector that receives the anode lead and a tie lead for connecting the first connector to the second connector. The securing means is preferably a hook and loop fastener having a first portion that is securable to a second portion. The first portion is fixed to the power cell housing and the second portion is fixed to the RC vehicle. In an alternative embodiment, the securing means is a carriage for receiving and holding the power cell housing. The carriage may be affixed to the RC vehicle by an adhesive.
The supplemental power cell can be secured to the RC vehicle by: cleaning the supplemental power cell and the location where the supplemental power cell will be secured to the RC vehicle with isopropyl alcohol; pealing the adhesive tape off the back of the hoop and loop fastener; affixing a single portion of either the hoop or loop fastener to the supplemental power cell and fastening the remaining portion to the RC vehicle; connecting the supplemental power cell leads to the RC vehicle leads; and, securing the power cell in place with the hook and loop fastener.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that increases the upper limit of speed of an RC vehicle with a minimal cost and effort to the enthusiast.
Another, object of the invention is to provide a supplemental power cell that increases the upper limit of speed of an RC vehicle and that can be coupled to an existing RC vehicle power supply with minimal cost and effort to the hobby enthusiast.
Another, object of the invention is to provide a supplemental power cell that increases the top-end speed of an RC vehicle, minimally modifies the original configuration of the RC vehicle and does not negatively interfere with the performance of the RC vehicle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4131833 (1978-12-01), McAuliffe et al.
patent: 5015545 (1991-05-01), Brooks
patent: 5223351 (1993-06-01), Wruck
patent: 5233282 (1993-08-01), Iwashita
patent: 5422558 (1995-06-01), Stewart
patent: 5487099 (1996-01-01), Maekawa
patent: 5709964 (1998-01-01), Christensen et al.
McGuireWoods LLP
Ro Bentsu
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