John Deere applies for patent for energy storage device

John Deere has applied for a patent for an energy storage device. The information indicates that this device aims to store energy generated from the operation of a work vehicle. According to the company's graphic schemes, it can be used on tractors.

The new technology includes a ballast that provides weight to the work vehicle, a stator and a rotor, both part of an electrical machine mounted on the vehicle. The rotor is fixed for rotation with the ballast and is configured to generate electrical current from the rotation of the rotor itself and the ballast relative to the stator.

Additionally, a gap modulator, coupled to the stator or rotor, is employed to selectively adjust the gap between the rotor and stator, based on the operation of the electrical machine.

The patent claims indicate several variants of this mechanism. In the devices, the rotor and stator may be spaced radially or axially by gap, and the gap modulator is configured to selectively adjust this gap by moving at least one of the two elements.

There are also options regarding the shape of the rotor and stator, which can be cylindrical, flat or have a conical surface. Depending on the operation of the electrical machine, which can act as a generator, a motor or a flywheel, the gap modulator is configured to reduce or increase the gap between the rotor and stator.

The patent application also describes a method for adjusting the gap between the rotor and stator. The procedure involves operating the electrical machine to rotate the rotor and ballast with the supplied electrical current and generating electrical current from the magnetic coupling between the rotor and stator. The method also involves movement of the rotor or stator to increase the gap between them, reducing magnetic coupling.

When contacted, the company has not yet commented on the matter.

Some time ago, the Cultivar Magazine informed about the company's battery-electric tractor project. See at: John Deere introduces battery-powered autonomous electric tractor.