Patent Application
20220314829
The present invention relates generally to the field of eco-friendly power systems for vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel wind powered vehicle power system used for providing power to vehicles, reducing frequent stops for recharging the vehicle's batteries. The system includes a wind turbine coupled to a generator. The generator is used for recharging three batteries and one of the three batteries can be used for providing power to the vehicle. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, fossil fuels such as diesel and petrol are used for running conventional vehicles. The use of fossil fuels is not only costly but is also harmful for the environment. These fossil fuels are refined from crude oil and produce many harmful emissions when burned. Further, fossil-fueled vehicles are major sources of harmful pollutants, such as ground-level ozone and particulate matter. Pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, etc., are also released from the combustion of fossil fuels in conventional vehicles.
Vehicular pollution caused by conventional vehicles leads to poor air quality and climate change. Governments, automobile manufacturers and environmental organizations are making an effort to reduce vehicular pollution and thus have launched electric vehicles. The electric vehicles typically have a single electric battery for providing power to the vehicle. However, the energy provided by the battery is limited and keeping the battery charged for a long period of time is challenging. To recharge batteries, drivers need to stop at electric charging stations, which is time consuming, as a single battery results in low mileage coverage. Users desire a system that does not require frequent stops to recharge batteries, while also eliminating dependency on fossil fuels.
Existing means, such as fossil fuels and electricity provided by charging stations to power electric vehicles can be exhausted easily and drivers then have to spend valuable time and energy recharging batteries or refilling fuel, while the vehicle is not running. Users desire a power means that can effectively charge batteries and a charging system that has a plurality of batteries for providing a higher storage capacity.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a power generation system for vehicles, that enables vehicles to stay on the road for a longer duration. There is also a long felt need in the art for a vehicle power generation system, that does not cause pollution and is environmentally friendly. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a power system for vehicles, that provides a plurality of batteries to maintain constant battery power to the vehicle engine. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a power generation mechanism, that reduces frequent stops to recharge the battery or refill fuel during a trip. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a power generation mechanism that uses clean energy and is cost effective. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a clean power generation mechanism, that improves the overall charging experiences for an electric and conventional vehicle in a cost-effective manner.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a wind powered system for providing power to an electric vehicle. The system is designed to produce electrical power from environmentally friendly and inexhaustible wind energy. The system further comprises at least one wind turbine mounted onto an electric vehicle, and an electromechanical generator configured to rotate or spin using the captured wind from the turbine to convert wind power into electrical power. The system further comprises a battery pack comprising three batteries, that are configured to be charged and recharged by the electrical power generated by the electromechanical generator and an auto changer module, which selects one of said batteries for providing power to the DC motor of the electric vehicle. Further, the auto changer automatically selects a second battery to replace a first battery, when the power level of the first battery is lower than a predefined threshold.
In this manner, the eco-friendly vehicle power generation system of the present invention, accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a system that uses a wind turbine system that turns a generator to produce electrical energy. The system eliminates dependency on carbon-based fuels, which in turn eliminates air pollution and maintains constant battery power, to prevent vehicle owners from losing power or spending unnecessary time charging batteries.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a wind powered system for providing power to an electric vehicle. The system is designed to produce electrical power from environmentally friendly and inexhaustible wind energy. The system further comprises at least one wind turbine, an electromechanical generator configured to rotate or spin, using the captured wind from the wind turbine to convert the wind power into electrical power. The system further has a battery pack, comprising three batteries that are configured to be charged and recharged by the electrical power generated by the electromechanical generator and an auto changer module, which selects one of said batteries for providing power to the DC motor of the electric vehicle. Further, the auto changer automatically selects a second battery for replacing a first battery, when the power level of the first battery is lower than a predefined threshold.
In yet another embodiment, the wind turbine has an associated flywheel for storing mechanical energy produced by the wind turbine.
In yet another embodiment, the wind turbine is coupled to one or more wind inlets, positioned on an exterior surface of the vehicle, wherein wind flows from the wind inlets to the turbine through a channel having a plurality of vanes.
In yet another embodiment, a wind power system for vehicles is disclosed. The wind power system includes at least one wind inlet located at a front of the vehicle; a wind turbine installed at the bottom of the vehicle; a channel extending from the wind inlet to the wind turbine acting as a medium for the wind, the channel having a plurality of vanes for increasing wind flow of the wind before it reaches the wind turbine; a generator connected to the turbine through a substantially horizontal shaft, the generator is configured to turn along the shaft when the wind turbine rotates using the wind flow; and a battery pack including three batteries which is configured to charge and recharge the batteries using electric energy produced by the generator, wherein one of the three batteries is used for providing power to the vehicle and the two remaining batteries are charged or recharged based on a predetermined power level.
In yet another embodiment, the battery pack has a third battery included as a backup battery, wherein the excess load from the generator is dumped on the third battery when the other two batteries are fully charged by the generator.
In yet another embodiment, the system has a front mounted wind inlet and a side mounted wind inlet.
In yet another embodiment, the range of the vehicle is between 300 miles and 800 miles using the battery pack.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing clean electric energy to an electric vehicle, thereby reducing frequent stops for recharging the vehicle's battery and preventing pollution is disclosed. The method includes the steps of recharging a battery pack installed at a bottom of the vehicle using electrical power produced from wind energy, the wind energy is captured by one or more wind turbines installed on the vehicle; then, converting stored wind energy to electrical power by an electromechanical generator to charge and recharge the battery pack. The battery pack includes three batteries that are each configured to provide uniform electrical power to the vehicle.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As stated supra, there is a long felt need in the art for a power generation system for vehicles, that enables the vehicles to stay on the road for a longer duration. There is also a long felt need in the art for a vehicle power generation system, that does not cause pollution and is environmentally friendly. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a power system for vehicles, that provides a plurality of batteries to maintain constant battery power to an engine. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a power generation mechanism that reduces frequent stops to recharge batteries or refill fuel during a trip. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a power generation mechanism that uses clean energy and is cost effective. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a clean power generation mechanism that improves the overall charging experiences for electric and conventional vehicles in a cost-effective manner.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel wind powered system for vehicles. The wind powered system includes one or more wind inlets located at the front, side and top of the vehicle; at least one wind turbine installed at the bottom of the vehicle; separate channels extending from the wind inlets to the wind turbine and acting as a medium for the wind; the channels having a plurality of vanes for increasing the wind flow of the wind before reaching the wind turbine; a generator connected to the turbine through a substantially horizontal shaft, the generator is configured to turn along the shaft when the wind turbine rotates using the wind flow; and a battery pack including three batteries, that is configured to charge and recharge the batteries using electric energy produced by the generator, wherein one of the batteries is used for providing power to the vehicle while the other two batteries are charging. Further, the battery providing power to the vehicle can also be auto changed with another of the two remaining batteries based on a predetermined power level.
Referring initially to the drawings,
More specifically, the system 100 comprises at least one wind turbine 102 having a plurality of blades (as shown in
The electromechanical generator 108 is configured to produce electric energy using the mechanical energy of the wind turbine 102. The efficiency of the generator 108 is dependent on the mechanical energy produced by the rotation of the wind turbine 102. In the power system 100, the rotation of the wind turbine 102 depends on the flow rate of wind in cubic meter per second from the wind inlets 104. Further, a minimum rotation of the wind turbine 102 can be achieved by rotating the generator 108 to generate electricity even when the vehicle is in a stationary position due to the design and positioning of the wind turbine 102. The electricity generated by the generator 108 is used for recharging a plurality of batteries, more specifically three separate batteries referenced here collectively, as battery pack 112. The battery pack 112 is recharged using a charging circuitry 110. The charging circuitry 110 also has a changeover component (shown in
It should be noted that the wind turbine 102 can have any suitable number of blades as is known in the art, but in a preferred embodiment, the wind turbine 102 comprises between two to four blades, for creating minimal drag while the vehicle is in a moving state. Further, the wind turbine 102 can be mounted in any suitable position on the vehicle, such as on a vertical plane or a horizontal plane with a substantially horizontally or a substantially vertically disposed shaft within the vehicle. Also, the minimum wind speed required by the wind turbine 102 for rotating and generating electricity using the generator 108 is approximately 8 MPH, but can be any suitable speed as is known in the art, and the wind turbine 102 is designed to generate electricity even when the vehicle is stationary.
The wind inlets 104 positioned on the vehicle can also be positioned at any suitable position on the vehicle, as per the design of the vehicle. Further, any suitable electrical vehicle as is known in the art, such as cars, semi-trucks, etc., can be integrated with the wind powered vehicle system 100 during manufacturing of the vehicles, or the system 100 can be added to the vehicles aftermarket.
In this embodiment, the wind turbine 102 is positioned below the trailer 208, such that the wind flow from the wind inlets 104 directly reaches the wind turbine 102 to rotate the blades 202 of the wind turbine 102. The wind turbine 102 is connected to the electromechanical generator 108 through a substantially horizontal shaft 204, thereby rotating the generator 108 to generate electricity. The flywheel 106 is disposed on the horizontal shaft 204 and positioned preferably between the wind turbine 102 and the generator 108. The flywheel 106 stores mechanical energy from the rotating wind turbine 102. Further, the generator 108 has an associated gearbox 210 for controlling the speed of the generator 108. The flywheel 106 is coupled to the gearbox 210 and the control from the flywheel 106 actuates the gearbox 210 to control the speed at which the generator 108 turns to generate electricity. The flywheel 106 may not be a separate component but can be integrated into the rotor (not shown) of the wind turbine 102 in some embodiments. Notwithstanding the depiction in
Further, the system 100 comprises a battery pack 112 that comprises approximately three batteries (as best shown in
It should be appreciated, that since electricity by the system 100 is generated using wind power, which is an unlimited natural resource, the system 100 can easily replace fossil fuel power generation and eliminate the need for an internal combustion engine. Therefore, fuel expenses can be reduced as unnecessary fuels are not used. In addition, air pollution is reduced as there are no exhaust gases emitted.
Further, the wind turbine 102 of the system 100 operates in conjunction with the flywheel 106, which stores electrical energy created by the generator 108. The charging circuitry 110 connects to the generator 108 and then to the batteries 302, 304, 306. As shown, the charging circuit 110 has separate wires from the generator 108 to the batteries 302, 304, 306. More specifically, the first battery 302 is connected through the first wire 312, the second battery 304 is connected through the second wire 314, and the third battery 306 is connected through the third wire 316 for individual and separate connections. The batteries 302, 304, 306 can be of the same capacity or alternatively, the first battery 302 can have the maximum storage capacity followed by the second battery 304 having less storage capacity and then the third battery 306 having the least storage capacity.
The battery pack 112 allows the DC motor of the vehicle to receive consistent and uniform electrical power from one of the three batteries 302, 304, 306, thereby increasing the mileage and decreasing the stops required for recharging batteries, and thus saving effort and cost. Any suitable number of batteries can be utilized within the battery pack 112 as is known in the art depending on the wants and/or needs of a user. However, in a preferred embodiment, the battery pack 112 comprises three batteries 302, 304, 306. Each battery 302, 304, 306 can have the power capacity in the range of approximately 15 kWh-30 kWh, or any other suitable power capacity as is known in the art.
In vehicles having more than one wind inlet 104, separate channels 404 and vanes 402 may be positioned inside, outside or under the vehicle to carry the wind flow to the wind turbine 102, or in any other suitable position as is known in the art. In one embodiment, there may be a plurality of wind turbines 102, wherein each wind turbine 102 is associated with one or more wind inlets 104. The multiple wind turbines 102 may be connected to the battery pack, for recharging the batteries to provide electrical power to the DC motor of the vehicle.
If the second battery is enabled, the process continues, then at 510, when the electrical power from the second battery is used, it is determined if the second battery power is less than the predetermined threshold value. If it is determined that the second battery power value is less than the predetermined threshold value, then at 512, the third battery or back up battery is used for providing power to the vehicle. If the second battery power value is more than the predetermined threshold value, then at 514, the second battery is continued to be used for providing power to the DC motor of the vehicle.
The wind turbines 606, 608 are connected to the shaft 614, such that the generator 616 is turned in a synchronous manner by both the wind turbines 606, 608 for effectively generating electricity. Further, the batteries 618, 620, 622 are used for storing the electrical energy generated by the generator 616. Any one of the batteries 618, 620, 622 is then used for providing power to the DC motor 624 of the vehicle 600. The autochanger 626 is then used for automatically changing over the batteries based on the available power in the batteries and is also used for providing uniform and continuous power to the vehicle 600.
It should be noted that although the vehicles shown in various embodiments are an exemplary semi-truck model or a car model, the wind power system 100 described herein may be used in connection with any other suitable type of vehicle on land, air and sea as is known in the art. For example, the system 100 described herein can be used in connection with any suitable automobile, tractor, boat, etc. Such vehicles may be wholly or partially electrically powered.
Further, the system 100 can be built as separate modules and connected or manufactured as one integrated module. Also, the system 100 can be mounted horizontally or vertically on any vehicle/unit that uses kinetic energy. Further, the sizes of the components may vary depending on the physical size of the existing electric vehicle, the capacity of the required batteries and/or the charging time required for each battery.
In some implementations, the wind turbines (including their blades) may be made out of a carbon fiber type material that may or may not need to be reinforced with Kevlar to aid in the strengthening and efficiency of capturing the wind.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “wind powered vehicle power system”, “eco-friendly power generation system”, “power system”, “renewable power generation system”, and “system” are interchangeable and refer to the wind powered vehicle power system 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the wind powered vehicle power system 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the wind powered vehicle power system 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/169,518, which was filed on Apr. 1, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63169518 | Apr 2021 | US |
