System and method to maintain charge of vehicle battery using light energy
AssigneeBell South Intellectual Property Corporation
InventorMark A. Kirkpatrick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for and method of charging or maintaining a charge of a battery of a vehicle is disclosed. The system utilizes a light-transforming cell that can transform light energy to current. The cell may be supported such that the cell is exposed to light energy. Current produced by the cell is communicated with the battery through electrical connectors, which may have a switch. This invention may decrease occasions when a vehicle operator faces a weakened or dead battery in a vehicle because the invention serves to maintain the charge of the vehicle's battery when the vehicle is not in use.
Claims13
A system for charging or maintaining a charge of a battery, the system comprising:
- plurality of parallel means for converting light energy received from a light source into electrical current;
- means for communicating electrical current from each converting means with a battery, wherein each converting means has its own independent communicating means distinct from communicating means of converting means;
- and
- means for controlling the rate of current flowing into the battery;
- wherein a charge of the battery is maintained or increased when each converting means converts light incident upon a cell into electrical current.
A method of charging or maintaining the charge of a battery, the method comprising:
- exposing a plurality of parallel energy-transforming cells to a light source, each cell being able to convert light energy received from a light source into electrical current;
- and
- communicating the electrical current produced by each cell with the battery using an electrical connector, wherein each cell has its own independent electrical connector and switch distinct from electrical connectors and switches of other cells, thereby maintaining the charge of the battery.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.