Solar generator panel for an electric or hybrid vehicle
OwnerGeorge Michel Roseninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for charging a battery of a vehicle includes at least one photovoltaic cell that is adapted to convert solar insolation into electricity. The position of each photovoltaic cell is varied so that it faces toward a current location of the sun whether the vehicle is stationary or moving whenever the sun is visible. The apparatus is preferably disposed in a spoiler. The spoiler is either permanently attached to or is detachably-attachable with respect to the vehicle. The spoiler helps improve stability and handling at higher vehicle speeds as well as providing for the supplemental charging of the battery. The spoiler adds to the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle while helping to camouflage its primary purpose as that of a solar charging device.
Claims12
A solar generator panel for an electric or a hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- (a) means for sensing the current position of the sun and including means for aligning at least one photovoltaic device to face toward the sun;
- (b) wherein said means for sensing the current position of the sun includes continually sensing the current position of the sun and wherein said means for aligning includes periodically altering a position of said at least one photovoltaic device to face toward a current location of the sun;
- (c) wherein said means for sensing the current position of the sun and said means for aligning is attached to said vehicle;
- (d) a covering over said at least one photovoltaic device, and wherein said covering is attached relative to said electric or hybrid vehicle, and wherein a position of said covering relative to said vehicle does not change in response to said periodically altering a position of said at least one photovoltaic device;
- (e) wherein means for sensing the current position of the sun includes said covering and wherein said covering includes a dome that is adapted to allow a portion of solar radiation to pass therethrough, and including a phototransistor array that includes a plurality of phototransistors, each of said phototransistors adapted to provide an output when a sufficient quantity of said solar radiation is impinging thereon, and means for directing said solar radiation that passes through said dome to said phototransistor array;
- and
- (f) wherein said means for directing said solar radiation includes a plurality of fiber optic filaments that are each disposed at a first end thereof over certain of said phototransistors of said phototransistor array and which are each disposed at an opposite end thereof proximate an interior surface of said dome.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.