SOLAR BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM AND OPTIONAL SOLAR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE PROPULSION
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A product comprising:
- a vehicle battery capable of being charged using solar energy;
a plurality of photovoltaic cells, arranged in series, parallel, or series and parallel forming an array that produces a self-regulating voltage and current for charging the vehicle battery using solar energy; and
an electrical connection linking the array to the vehicle battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A product includes a vehicle battery, capable of being charged using solar energy, a plurality of photovoltaic cells, arranged in at least one of series or parallel, forming an array that produces a self-regulated voltage and current for charging the vehicle battery using solar energy, and an electrical connection linking the array to the vehicle battery.
79 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A product comprising:
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a vehicle battery capable of being charged using solar energy; a plurality of photovoltaic cells, arranged in series, parallel, or series and parallel forming an array that produces a self-regulating voltage and current for charging the vehicle battery using solar energy; and an electrical connection linking the array to the vehicle battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A product comprising:
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a battery capable of being charged with solar energy; a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged in series, parallel, or series and parallel according to the voltage and power of each photovoltaic cell, forming an array capable of charging the battery, wherein the voltage and current drawn from the array are controlled by the charge of the battery; and an electrical connection linking the array to the battery. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A product comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic cells, arranged in series, parallel, or series and parallel forming an array that produces a self-regulating voltage and current for charging the vehicle battery using solar energy; a first battery capable of storing electric energy generated by the plurality of photovoltaic cells, wherein the first battery is substantially stationary; a first link electrically connecting the plurality of photovoltaic cells and conveying the self-regulating voltage and current from the plurality of photovoltaic cells to the first battery; a second battery mounted on a vehicle capable of receiving charge from the first battery; and a second link electrically connecting the first battery and the second battery, wherein the first battery applies a charge to the second battery through the second link. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A product comprising:
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an array of photovoltaic cells capable of charging a battery arranged in series, parallel, or series and parallel according to the voltage and power of each photovoltaic cell, wherein the array produces a maximum power point voltage that substantially equals a set point voltage of the vehicle battery; a first battery remaining in a substantially stationary position capable of receiving a charge from the array; a second battery mounted in a vehicle capable of receiving a charge from the first battery; an electrolyzer for producing hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen is stored in tanks adjacent to the electrolyzer or on the vehicle; and a control system for selectively directing the energy generated by the array to the first battery, the second battery, the electrolyzer, or an electric grid.
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34. A method comprising:
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(a) determining a set point voltage of a vehicle battery; (b) calculating a photovoltaic power to charge the vehicle battery; (c) establishing the number of photovoltaic cells to be electrically connected in series by determining maximum power point voltage per photovoltaic cell and dividing the set point voltage by the maximum power point voltage per photovoltaic cell; (d) establishing the number of photovoltaic cells to be electrically connected in parallel by determining the photovoltaic power per cell and dividing the photovoltaic power by the photovoltaic power per cell; (e) arranging a plurality of photovoltaic cells in an array according to the established number of photovoltaic cells in series and the established number of photovoltaic cells in parallel; and (f) electrically linking the array to the vehicle battery in order to charge the vehicle battery to the set point voltage using solar energy.
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35. A method comprising:
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(a) determining a set point voltage of a vehicle battery; (b) determining an operating voltage of an electrolysis system; (c) calculating a photovoltaic power for charging the vehicle battery and generating hydrogen; and (d) forming an array of photovoltaic cells arranged in series, parallel, or series and parallel according to the set point voltage of the vehicle battery and the operating voltage of an electrolysis system. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification