Electrical generator system for capturing wind energy on a moving vehicle

A system comprising:

• at least one processing unit;
• a memory, operatively connected to the at least one processing unit and storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing unit, cause the at least one processing unit to perform a method, the method comprising:
• monitoring speed of a vehicle, the vehicle including an electric motor configured to provide torque to a drivetrain of the vehicle;
• directing wind flow to a wind turbine using a wind channeling funnel having a rigid, conical housing, forming an interior chamber, the housing having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having a larger diameter than the outlet end, the outlet end coupled to the wind turbine;
• generating electrical energy utilizing the wind turbine mounted on the vehicle, the wind turbine mechanically connected to an electrical generator, the electrical generator electrically connected to an electrical energy storage device configured to store electrical energy on-board the vehicle, said electrical generator further including a mechanical shaft that is connected to a driveline of the vehicle;
• storing electrical energy in the electrical energy storage device when the monitored speed is less than a predetermined threshold;
• and
• powering the electric motor with the generated electrical energy when the monitored speed is greater than a predetermined threshold.

A wind deflection apparatus for an articulated vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

• a wind turbine;
• an electrical generator mechanically connected to the wind turbine and configured to connect to an electrical energy storage device configured to store electrical energy on-board the vehicle, wherein the electrical generator is further configured to generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy provided by the wind turbine;
• a wind deflecting apparatus having an angled front section and an overall shape that functions to aerodynamically form to a roof of the vehicle, and to reduce drag when the vehicle is in motion,
• the wind deflecting apparatus functioning to divert wind flow into a contiguously attached wind channeling funnel that includes a conical housing, forming an interior chamber, the funnel having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having a larger diameter than the outlet end, and configured to direct wind flow into the wind turbine;
• and
• a plurality of wind turbines each having a wind channeling funnel connected thereto;
• and a plurality of electrical generators that are mechanically connected to one or more of the plurality of wind turbines, said generators being configured to connect to the electrical energy storage device on-board the vehicle,
• said wind deflecting apparatus being contiguously attached to each of the wind channeling funnels,
• wherein at least one of the plurality of electrical generators further includes a mechanical shaft that is configured to connect to a driveline of the vehicle.