Systems and methods for generating power for an electric sub-assembly of a motor vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMahmoud A. Abou-Nasr, Dimitar Petrov Filev, Cynthia Mowery Flanigan, David Scott Rohweder, Janice Lisa Tardiff
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for generating power for an electric sub-assembly of a motor vehicle may include at least one reverse electrowetting energy harvesting element coupled to a tire of the motor vehicle. The system may further include at least one controller configured to accumulate electric energy generated by the at least one reverse electrowetting energy harvesting element and supply the accumulated electric energy to at least one sub-assembly mounted on the tire.
Claims20
A system for generating power for an electric sub-assembly of a motor vehicle, the system comprising:
- at least one reverse electrowetting energy harvesting element coupled to a tire of the motor vehicle;
- and
- at least one controller configured to accumulate electric energy generated by the at least one reverse electrowetting energy harvesting element and supply the accumulated electric energy to at least one sub-assembly mounted on the tire.
A method for generating power for an electric sub-assembly of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
- generating an electric current via at least one reverse electrowetting energy harvesting element coupled to a tire of the motor vehicle;
- powering at least one sub-assembly associated with the tire with the electric current.
A method of assembling a system for generating power for an electric sub-assembly of a motor vehicle, the method comprising:
- embedding at least one reverse electrowetting energy harvesting element within a tire of the motor vehicle;
- and
- coupling the at least one reverse electrowetting energy harvesting element to at least one controller configured to accumulate electric energy generated by the at least one reverse electrowetting energy harvesting element and supply the accumulated electric energy to at least one sub-assembly mounted on the tire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.