Electric vehicle (EV) charging system with down-sun wind turbine
AssigneeBeam Global
InventorDesmond Wheatley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for collecting renewable energy includes a solar panel and a down-sun wind turbine that are mounted on a same crossbeam. In this combination, as the crossbeam is rotated on a support pole, the solar panel is simultaneously rotated through a directional arc θ and an inclination arc Φ in accordance with a predetermined daily schedule that is based on the time of day and the latitude of the system. Also, as the solar panel is moved, the wind turbine is free to follow wind direction and maximize its collection of wind energy. To further maximize the energy collection capability of the system, the wind turbine is located on the crossbeam to remain down-sun from the solar panel and to remain free from wind flow interference that may be caused by the solar panel.
Claims20
A system for generating renewable energy, the system comprising:
- a support base defining a support axis, wherein the support axis is vertical;
- an extension arm mounted to the support base, wherein the extension arm has an end extending outward from the support base, and the extension arm rotates about the support axis:
- a solar panel mounted to an attachment point at the end of the extension arm, wherein a first portion of the solar panel extends above the attachment point and the extension arm, a second portion of the solar panel extends below the attachment point and the extension arm, and the solar panel is rotatable through an inclination angle about the attachment point;
- a first motorized mechanism configured to rotate the extension arm about the support axis;
- a second motorized mechanism mounted at the end of the extension arm, and connected with the solar panel for rotating the solar panel through the inclination angle;
- a controller in combination with the first motorized mechanism and the second motorized mechanism, and the controller and the first motorized mechanism collectively configured to rotate the solar panel along a directional arc about the support axis to keep the solar panel facing a direction toward the sun;
- and
- a wind turbine mounted with respect to the extension arm and/or the support base, wherein the wind turbine rotates about a turbine axis that is parallel to the support axis, wherein the wind turbine also rotates around the support axis so that the wind turbine is and remains down-sun of the solar panel during a rotation of the solar panel along the directional arc to prevent the wind turbine from shading the solar panel, and the wind turbine is mounted above the support base and/or the solar panel whereby the solar panel does not block wind from contacting the wind turbine during the rotation along the directional arc.
A system for generating renewable energy, the system comprising:
- a support base defining a support axis;
- an extension arm mounted to the support base, wherein the extension arm has a first end and a second end each extending outward from the support base and rotates about the support axis;
- a solar panel mounted to an attachment point at the first end of the extension arm, wherein a first portion of the solar panel extends above the attachment point and the extension arm, a second portion of the solar panel extends below the attachment point and the extension arm, and the solar panel is rotatable through an inclination angle about the attachment point;
- a first motorized mechanism configured to rotate the extension arm and the solar panel about the support axis;
- a second motorized mechanism mounted at the attachment point, and configured to rotate the solar panel through the inclination angle;
- a controller in combination with the first motorized mechanism and the second motorized mechanism, and the controller and the first motorized mechanism collectively configured to rotate the extension arm along a predetermined and limited directional arc about the support axis to keep the solar panel facing a direction toward the sun;
- and
- a wind turbine mounted at the second end of the extension arm, wherein the wind turbine rotates about the support axis, wherein the wind turbine is and remains down-sun of the solar panel during a rotation of the solar panel along the predetermined and limited directional arc, and the wind turbine is mounted vertically above the extension arm whereby the solar panel does not block wind from contacting the wind turbine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.