Integral Electric Power/Compact Construction Equipment System

Abstract

A system and method for charging a rechargeable battery for a vehicle are disclosed. The system may comprise an electrical generation apparatus that is a source of electric charge, a mobile unit to transport a vehicle, and a tie down having an input end and an output end. The tie down may be configured to releasably secure the vehicle to the mobile unit and to provide electrical charge generated by the electrical generation apparatus to the battery.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of charging a battery, the method comprising:
 providing an electrical generation apparatus configured to generate electrical charge, a trailer portion having a bed, a first vehicle disposed on the bed, and a tie down, the first vehicle including a frame, a rechargeable battery disposed on the frame and a mount, the tie down including an input end and an output end, the input end electrically connected to the electrical generation apparatus and the output end configured to be attached to the mount of the vehicle and to be electrically connected to the battery;   releasably securing the vehicle to the trailer portion with the output end of the tie down;   electrically connecting the output end to the battery;   generating electrical charge by operating the electrical generation apparatus; and   charging the battery via the output end of the tie down with charge that results from the generating step.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a truck attached to the trailer portion; and   towing the trailer portion during the charging step.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , the electrical generation apparatus comprises an engine and an alternator coupled to the engine, the alternator configured to convert mechanical energy received from the engine to electrical charge. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 providing a power source separate from the truck and the trailer portion;   connecting the power source to the input end of the tie down; and   charging the battery with charge from the power source.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , in which the output end includes a first connector configured to be electrically connected to the battery and a second connector configured to be lockingly attached to the mount of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , the electrical generation apparatus is an electrical generator mounted on the trailer. 
     
     
         7 . A method of reducing downtime for an electric charge machine, the method comprising:
 providing mobile unit that includes an electrical generation apparatus configured to generate electrical charge, a first electric charge machine disposed on the mobile unit, and at least one tie down, the first electric charge machine including a frame, a first rechargeable battery disposed on the frame and a mount, the tie down including an input end, an output end, a restraint member extending from the input end to the output end, and first and second electrical cables extending from the input end to the output end and disposed adjacent to the restraint member, the restraint member different from the first and second electrical cables, the input end electrically connected to the electrical generation apparatus;   releasably securing the electric charge machine to the mobile unit with the output end of the tie down;   electrically connecting the output end to the first rechargeable battery;   generating electrical charge by operating the electrical generation apparatus; and   charging the rechargeable battery via the output end of the tie down with charge that results from the generating step.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the charging is during transit of the mobile unit. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 providing a spare rechargeable battery disposed on the mobile unit, wherein the at least one tie down is a plurality of tie downs; and   charging the spare rechargeable battery, via the second tie down of the plurality of tie downs, with charge that results from the generating.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 replacing a second rechargeable battery disposed on a second electric charge machine with the spare rechargeable battery after the charging of the spare rechargeable battery.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 after the replacing, charging the second rechargeable battery, via one of the plurality of tie downs, with charge that results from the generating.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 charging a second rechargeable battery while the second rechargeable battery is disposed on a second electric charge machine, via one of the plurality of tie downs, with charge that results from the generating.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the charging is conducted indoors. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the charging is conducted at a green construction site. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the charging is conducted in an urban area. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 providing a power source that is not part of the mobile unit; and   charging the first rechargeable battery, via the tie down, with electrical charge generated by the power source.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 providing a power source that is not part of the mobile unit; and   charging a spare rechargeable battery via the tie down, with electrical charge generated by the power source.   
     
     
         18 . A method of reducing downtime for an electric charge vehicle, the method comprising:
 providing an electrical generation apparatus that is a source of electric charge, a mobile unit including first and second tie downs, the mobile unit configured to transport a first vehicle and a rack, the first vehicle including a frame, a reciprocal receiving receptacle disposed in the frame, and a rechargeable battery disposed on the frame, the first tie down having an input end and an output end, the first tie down including a restraint member extending from the input end to the output end, and first and second electrical cables extending from the input end to the output end and disposed adjacent to the restraint member, the restraint member including a male prong-like connector disposed at the output end of the first tie down, the restraint member different than the first and second electrical cables, the first tie down attached to the mobile unit and the male prong-like connector configured to releasably immobilize the first vehicle to the mobile unit when the male prong-like connector is inserted into the reciprocal receiving receptacle in the frame of the first vehicle, the input end electrically connected to the electrical generation apparatus, and the output end configured to be electrically connected to the rechargeable battery disposed on the frame to provide electrical charge to the rechargeable battery, a spare rechargeable battery disposed in the rack, the second tie down having a second tie down input end and a second tie down output end, the second tie down including a second restraint member extending from the second tie down input end to the second tie down output end, and third and fourth electrical cables extending from the second tie down input end to the second tie down output end and disposed adjacent to the second restraint member, the second tie down attached to the trailer portion and configured to releasably secure the rack to the mobile unit, the second tie down input end electrically connected to the electrical generation apparatus, and the second tie down output end configured to be electrically connected to the spare rechargeable battery to provide electrical charge to the spare rechargeable battery;   charging the rechargeable battery during transit of the mobile unit;   charging the spare rechargeable battery; and   replacing a second rechargeable battery mounted on a second vehicle, with the spare rechargeable battery.