Fluid turbine systems for harnessing light radiant energy, thermal energy and kinetic energy in vehicles and methods of operating thereof

A system for storing electrical energy in a battery of a vehicle, the system comprising:

• at least one upper fluid tube containing a fluid configured to expand in response to receiving thermal energy or solar radiant energy, at least a portion of the at least one upper fluid tube positioned proximal to at least one of a roof, a top surface of a trunk, or a hood of the vehicle;
• at least one lower fluid tube containing the fluid and fluidly coupled with the at least one upper fluid tube, at least a portion of the at least one lower fluid tube positioned proximal to an underbody panel of the vehicle;
• at least one lower valve or pump for controlling a flow of the fluid in the at least one lower fluid tube;
• at least one upper-lower valve or pump for controlling a flow of the fluid between the at least one upper fluid tube and the at least one lower fluid tube;
• at least one fluid turbine coupled with the at least one upper fluid tube or the at least one lower fluid tube, and having blades configured to be rotated by the fluid;
• a generator coupled with the at least one fluid turbine for converting kinetic energy from the rotation of the blades of the at least one fluid turbine to electrical energy stored in the battery;
• and
• an electronic control unit configured to control, using the at least one lower fluid valve or pump and the at least one upper-lower valve or pump, the flow of the fluid in the at least one lower fluid tube and the flow of the fluid from the at least one upper fluid tube to the at least one lower fluid tube and from the at least one lower fluid tube to the at least one upper fluid tube to enhance generation of electrical energy stored in the battery.

A method for storing electrical energy in a battery of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• storing, by an upper fluid tube and a lower fluid tube, a fluid configured to expand in response to receiving thermal energy or solar radiant energy, at least a portion of the upper fluid tube positioned proximal to at least one of a roof, a top surface of a trunk, or a hood of the vehicle, and at least a portion of the lower fluid tube positioned proximal to an underbody panel of the vehicle, the upper fluid tube being fluidly coupled with the lower fluid tube;
• controlling, by a lower valve or pump, a flow of the fluid in the lower fluid tube;
• controlling, by an upper-lower valve or pump, a flow of the fluid between the upper fluid tube and the lower fluid tube;
• rotating, by the fluid, blades of a fluid turbine coupled with the upper fluid tube or the lower fluid tube;
• converting, by a generator coupled with the fluid turbine, kinetic energy from the rotation of the blades of the fluid turbine to electrical energy stored in the battery;
• controlling, by an electronic control unit using the lower fluid valve or pump and the upper-lower valve or pump, the flow of the fluid in the lower fluid tube and the flow of the fluid from the upper fluid tube to the lower fluid tube and from the lower fluid tube to the upper fluid tube to enhance generation of electrical energy stored in the battery.