Blackburn Energy's RelGen technology, which the company says eliminates dependency on a truck’s alternator to generate electricity, recently received a notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
RelGen, which applies the principles of kinetic energy recovery systems like those used in Formula One racing, captures energy that otherwise is lost while braking, converts it to electricity, then saves it into a battery array. The stored energy can then be used in many ways, including powering electric Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), liftgates and accessory systems.
“We’re thrilled that the USPTO has allowed our patent and are excited to focus on new RelGen sales to fleets and independent truckers,” said Peter Russo, president at Blackburn.
Russo recently was named to the board of directors of Greentown Learn, a not-for-profit spinout of Greentown Labs, and M-Corps, an accelerator for cleantech startups funded by NYSERDA.
The company says RelGen’s approach to capturing energy is easy to install and has a return on investment of less than a year. Other potential benefits of RelGen include saving fuel through the elimination of engine idling and improved overall fuel efficiency, as well as lowering maintenance costs by reducing engine wear and saving on diesel particulate after treatment costs—all by removing the electric load from the engine.
For more information on RelGen, which is available now, email [email protected].