# US 10,309,373 B1 · Diffuser and turbine for vehicle

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- Number: US 10,309,373 B1
- Document ID: US10309373B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/203,724
- Filed: 2016-07-06
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-03-31
- Applicants: Pedro Serramalera; Hector Ortega
- Inventors: Pedro Serramalera; Hector Ortega
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309373B1

## CPC

- F03D 9/32: on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
- B60K 1/00: Arrangement or mounting of electrical propulsion units (B60K7/00 takes precedence; arrangement or mounting of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion B60K6/00)
- B60K 25/00: Auxiliary drives (arrangement of tyre-inflating pumps mounted on vehicles B60C23/10)
- B60L 8/006: {Converting flow of air into electric energy, e.g. by using wind turbines}
- B60L 53/00: Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
- B60W 20/00: Control systems specially adapted for hybrid vehicles {(hybrid vehicle design, B60K6/00; electric vehicles B60L)}
- F03D 3/002: {the axis being horizontal}
- F03D 3/04: having stationary wind-guiding means, e.g. with shrouds or channels (F03D9/35 takes precedence)
- F03D 3/0463: {with converging inlets, i.e. the shield intercepting an area greater than the effective rotor area}
- F03D 9/25: the apparatus being an electrical generator (F03D9/22 takes precedence)
- F15D 1/10: around bodies of solid material
- H02K 7/1823: {structurally associated with turbines or similar engines}
- B60K 2016/006: {wind power driven}
- B62D 35/00: Vehicle bodies characterised by streamlining
- F05B 2220/706: an electrical generator
- F05B 2240/133: with a convergent-divergent guiding structure, e.g. a Venturi conduit
- F05B 2240/2212: perpendicular to wind direction
- F05B 2240/941: which is a land vehicle
- Y02E 10/728: Onshore wind turbines
- Y02E 10/74: Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
- Y02T 10/70: Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
- Y02T 10/7072: Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
- Y02T 10/90: Energy harvesting concepts as power supply for auxiliaries' energy consumption, e.g. photovoltaic sun-roof
- Y02T 90/14: Plug-in electric vehicles
- Y10S 903/93: Conjoint control of different elements
- Y10S 903/952: Housing details
- F03D: WIND MOTORS
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60W: CONJOINT CONTROL OF VEHICLE SUB-UNITS OF DIFFERENT TYPE OR DIFFERENT FUNCTION; CONTROL SYSTEMS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR HYBRID VEHICLES; ROAD VEHICLE DRIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR PURPOSES NOT RELATED TO THE CONTROL OF A PARTICULAR SUB-UNIT
- F15D: FLUID DYNAMICS, i.e. METHODS OR MEANS FOR INFLUENCING THE FLOW OF GASES OR LIQUIDS
- H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53})
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- F05B: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A diffuser system for a vehicle comprises a diffuser component mounted on the vehicle in a position to receive airflow when the vehicle is in motion. Further, a turbine component is provided in or associated with the diffuser component. The turbine component is driven by the airflow when the vehicle is in motion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A diffuser system for a vehicle comprising:
a diffuser housing component mounted on the vehicle in a position to receive airflow when the vehicle is in motion, the diffuser housing component having a generally horizontal wall portion and an angled wall portion wherein the airflow has a substantially linear airflow pathway at the horizontal wall portion and a substantially nonlinear airflow pathway at the angled wall portion; and
a turbine component in or associated with the diffuser housing component, and moveable between a raised or lowered position relative to the diffuser housing component, the turbine component being driven by the airflow when the vehicle is in motion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the diffuser housing component is configured so as to create a first substantially linear airflow pathway and a second nonlinear airflow pathway, the turbine component being located in the second nonlinear airflow pathway.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine component comprises at least one roller having a series of peripheral fins thereon, the fins being positioned to receive airflow when the vehicle is in motion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine component comprises a central spindle having a plurality of circumferential blades thereon, the circumferential blades being positioned to receive airflow when the vehicle is in motion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 3 wherein a pair of lateral rollers are provided.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine component is contained wholly within the diffuser housing component.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine component is contained partially within the diffuser housing component and partially outside of the diffuser housing component.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine component is located on the outside of the diffuser housing component.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine component is mounted on a frame selectively moveable relative to the diffuser housing component depending upon the speed of the vehicle and to optimize performance.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine component is moveable between a raised or lowered relative to the diffuser housing component.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 when incorporated as an integrated component during vehicle manufacture.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 configured as an add-on device to a manufactured vehicle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an air shroud, the air shroud housing at least a portion of the turbine component.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a generator, the turbine component and generator being connected to each other by a belt.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine component is movable via pulleys, a continuously variable transmission, gears, and a combination thereof.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine component is driven by airflow and provides energy for charging a battery of a vehicle.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a battery for providing power to a hybrid or electrically driven vehicle.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the turbine component is selectively engaged or disengaged.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the turbine component is engaged or disengaged means of a clutch.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

A diffuser system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the turbine component is retracted when in the disengaged position.