WO2013041907A1

WO2013041907A1 - Wind and solar energy collector for vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2013041907A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/054117
Authority: WO
Inventors: Caton Basil LAI; Kenny Kang Yiu LAI
Original assignee: Lai Caton Basil
Priority date: 2011-09-20
Filing date: 2011-09-20
Publication date: 2013-03-28

Abstract

This invention would allow continuous charging of the vehicle battery through solar panels and wind turbines, allowing for maximum conservation of energy and extended range of purely electric vehicles, greatly reducing or even eliminating the need to plug them in and strain our electricity grid. Vehicles can charge up in the parking lot during the day and conserve energy while driving using the wind turbines and solar panels. My system utilizes a roof mounted apparatus with a solar panel and wind turbines to assist with recharging the batteries. This roof design was chosen for simplicity and ease of maintenance. Solar panels can be placed on the hood and truck for more area coverage and additional wind turbines can be added to lower bumper air intakes or hood intakes to improve charging.

Description

WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTOR FOR VEHICLES

BACKGROUND

The depletion of fossil fuels and more importantly, the pollution created by combustion engines, warrants the need for alternate sources of fuel for vehicles. Many solutions have been proposed and developed to some degree but electric vehicles have gained the most traction - whether hybrid or fully electric, using electricity to power vehicles have become increasingly popular. However, current solutions are not without faults; hybrids still pollute and do not offer substantial improvement at highway speeds, and the range of electric vehicles are short and not adequate for those who do not live in the city.

The key to making electric vehicles more practical and appealing to the average driver is conservation of energy, which is where my invention serves its purpose. Pure solar powered cars have unlimited range but are abysmally weak since - even in the sunniest conditions - they can only capture around four horsepower due to the maximum irradiance of the sun (energy measured in watts per square meter). Due to the limits of modern technology however, solar cells can only capture forty percent of the sun's energy, resulting in most solar powered cars running on approximately two horsepower. Given the fact that most modern sedans need around twenty horsepower to sustain highway speeds of one hundred kilometers per hour, exclusively running on solar power is improbable. Because of this, my invention uses solar power only to supplement energy conservation and range extension of a vehicle.

In addition to solar energy, wind energy is also captured to enhance energy conservation. Air that moves over a vehicle's body creates drag and air resistance; capturing some of this fast moving air with the use of wind turbines and electric generators can recharge an electric vehicles battery, thereby increasing range.

Given the advent of wind and solar technology, one cannot expect to cover a vehicle with fans and solar panels, as design, manufacturing and maintenance would be difficult and expensive. My design calls for a simple roof mounted attachment consisting of a solar panel and wind turbine housing connected to the battery - recharging it continuously - whether by wind or solar power.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The construction of my invention includes two variations; the first one (Variation l)consists of two main parts, a solar panel top and multiple wind turbines sandwiched in between the solar panel and roof, which rotate and generate electricity as air moves through the collection of turbines (ideally five to ten). The second variation (Variation 2) also has a solar panel top but underneath has a duct that channels air into one side of a large, vertical-fin(centrifugal-like) fan, rotating one single generator in the middle and generating much more electricity than one of the small turbines in variation one.

Both variations device would be connected to the battery at all times with feedback to stop charging when the battery is full. In addition, the solar panels would still operate when the vehicle is parked, allowing for battery recharge over the course of a workday. In addition, an electric socket can be fitted to this vehicle just like any other electric vehicle on the market in the case that the solar power generated isn't sufficient.

Simplicity is key here, as the whole assembly can be removed for ease of maintenance or replacement. Size of each apparatus would vary for each vehicle and this would probably be manufactured in conjunction or alongside major automobile manufacturers to insure proper fit and can be sold as an OEM option.

As the design of my invention improves, other energy conserving technologies could be implemented as well, such as regenerative braking. In addition, as electric charging station technologies improve and possibly become widespread, an upgraded level 2 or 3 charging socket could be fitted for faster charging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows Variation 1 in top, side, front and 3d view. Note that the 3d view has a cutaway portion to see the wind turbines in the inside.

Fig. 2 shows Variation 2 in top, side, front and 3d view. Note that the 3d view has made the solar panels transparent, shown by hidden lines to provide a better view of the wind turbine. In addition, bearings are there but not shown in the 3d view to make the drawing clearer.

Fig. 3 Shows how my invention would be installed on a car, van and tractor trailer.

INDEX OF DRAWING REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. Solar panel for Variation 1

2. Fan component of micro wind turbine

3. Electric generator component of micro wind turbine

4. Shell/enclosure for Variation 1

5. Support stems needed to hold wind turbines in place

6. Solar panel for Variation 2

7. Shell/enclosure for Variation 2

8. Duct

9. Vertical fin

10. Bearings

11. Electric generator for large, vertical finned fan

12. Cylinder component of vertical finned fan

13. Supports connecting cylinder to ring

14. Supports connecting cylinder to electric generator rotor

15. Optional socket for charging stations 16. Optional solar panels for increased solar energy collection

17. Optional regenerative braking for increased conservation of

18. Molding to compensate for curved sedan roof

19. Large ring component of vertical finned fan

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In Variation 1: a shell encasing [4] would hold the individual wind turbines inside and a solar panel [l]on top. Electric generators of the wind turbine [3] would be ideally 5 cm in diameter as to not interfere with air flow in the device, fan blades [2] should be as large as possible without hitting anything

(approximately 10 cm). The wind turbines would be held up by stems [5] that contain cables and wires which transfer created electricity and also provide feedback to prevent overcharging of the battery. Wind turbines would be arranged in positions that would maximize coverage and generate the most electricity. The solar panel would be mounted directly on top of this shell. This apparatus would be mounted onto the roof of the vehicle using bolts with a cable running into the vehicle connected to the battery and ECU to recharge and control respectively.

Extensive testing will have to be conducted to find the most aerodynamic and beneficial design. An ideal design will have to be achieved where as much air gets directed into the wind turbines as possible while reducing the amount of air that would otherwise cause drag. In addition, controlling the coefficient of drag is key to the success of this design, as too many fans will impede the overall aerodynamics of the vehicle, causing more air resistance, and too little fans won't generate enough electricity

Variation 2: a shell casing [7] is again used to house a large fan mounted inside and a solar panel [6] on top. The fan is mounted flat with bearings [10] to minimize frictional losses. The fan is physically connected to the generator rotor and the generator stator is rigidly fixed onto the shell. Therefore, as the fan spins, the generator [11] stays put and the rotor rotates at the same angular speed as the fan and generates electricity. A duct [8] is fitted in front of the fan to direct air and concentrate it to one side of the fan, essentially decreasing the flow area to a fraction of the original, increasing air flow speed and density. This "concentrated air" causes the fan the spin faster and generate more electricity. Again, extensive testing will be required to find out how to channel the most air into the apparatus while keeping a low coefficient of drag.

Additionally, more electricity could be generated if additional solar panels [16] are installed on the trunk and hood of the vehicle, as well as wind turbines in intake ducts located on the front bumper or hood. However this would complicate assembly and maintenance and take away from the simplicity factor of this invention.

Tractor trailers would also benefit greatly from this apparatus. Due to their large overall surface area, solar panels could be laid out on the trailer, collecting solar energy across a much greater area compared to cars and vans. Due to the fact the trailer is rectangular in shape, Variation 1 would be recommended as distributing wind turbines along the length of the trailer would capture the most wind energy. However, more aerodynamic designs are needed since tractor trailers produce very high drag

Claims

1. A wind and solar energy collection apparatus comprising of:

-a solar panel [1,6];

-a fan/fans [2];

-electric generators that are connected to the fan/fans, making a wind turbine/turbines [3,11];

-a shell or enclosure to house all the components needed, with the solar panel installed on top and wind turbine/turbines installed within the shell/enclosure [4,7];

2. A system defined in claim 1, wherein wind turbines small enough to fit are positioned front facing within the shell/enclosure [Fig.l];

3. the system defined in claim 2, wherein wires and cables are fed through stems [5] that support the wind turbines within the shell/enclosure;

4. the system defined in claim 2, wherein a moulding [18] can be attached at the bottom of flat shell/enclosure underside to ensure proper fitting onto curved roof if necessary;

5. the system defined in claim 4, wherein apparatus is installed on any vehicle roof or trailer roof and side;

6. A system defined in claim 1, wherein a large, vertical finned fan generates energy when spinning due to the flow of air [Fig.2];

7. the system defined in claim 6, wherein the stator of an electric generator [11] is rigidly connected to the shell/enclosure while the rotor is rigidly connected to the vertical finned fan to convert rotational movement into electrical energy, thus making a large wind turbine;

8. the system defined in claim 7, wherein the vertical finned fan is constructed of vertical fins [9] held in place top and bottom by large rings [19], said large rings are rigidly connected [13] to a cylinder [12] top and bottom that surrounds the electric generator, said cylinder is rigidly connected [14]to the electric generator rotor through the use of small rods;

9. the system defined in claim 8, wherein bearings [10] are located along the ring [19] and cylinder [12] portion of vertical finned fan to minimize frictional losses;

10. The system defined in claim 9, wherein vertical fins [9] can be positioned at a 90 degree angle perpendicular to the fan circle or any other angle deemed most effective in capturing wind energy;

11. The system defined in claim 10, wherein a duct [8] located at the front of shell/enclosure opening is used to direct air to one side of the vertical finned fan;

12. the system defined in claim 6, wherein a moulding [18] can be attached at the bottom of flat shell/enclosure underside to ensure proper fitting onto curved roof if necessary;

13. the system defined in claim 12, wherein apparatus is installed on any vehicle roof or trailer roof and side.