ELECTRIC VEHICLE SOLAR CHARGING SYSTEM

• US 20110241604A1
• Filed: 05/29/2011
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lawrence Anderson
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Anderson
• Inventors: ANDERSON, LAWRENCE E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,236,637 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/16 Connectors, e.g. plugs or sockets, specially adapted for charging electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/30 Constructional details of charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/35 Means for automatic or assisted adjustment of the relative position of charging devices and vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/51 Photovoltaic means
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 53/52 Wind-driven generators
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/006 Converting flow of air into electric energy, e.g. by using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/12 Electric charging stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/14 Plug-in electric vehicles

Abstract

An assembly for recharging an electric vehicle comprising at least one solar panel positioned above surface of a vehicle; at least one motor assembly operatively connected to the at least one solar panel for positioning the at least one solar panel; the at least one solar panel operating to cover at least one window of the vehicle in a first position and to provide an unobstructed view in a second position; the panel moving from the first position to the second position by operation of the at least one motor assembly. A method of recharging an electric vehicle comprising placing a retractable solar collector on the roof of a vehicle, the retractable solar collector having an open position in which maximum exposure of the solar collector to the sun is enable, to a closed position in which the vehicle may be transported without the solar collector blocking the view of the driver, the retractor solar collector comprising interconnected sections which fold together in the closed position and which cover at least the windshield of the car in the open position.

Claims

1. An assembly for recharging an electric vehicle comprising:

at least one solar panel positioned above surface of a vehicle;

at least one motor assembly operatively connected to the at least one solar panel for positioning the at least one solar panel;

the at least one solar panel operating to cover at least one window of the vehicle in a first position and to provide an unobstructed view in a second position;

the panel moving from the first position to the second position by operation of the at least one motor assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one motor assembly operatively connected to move the at least one solar panel in response to the movement of the sun

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one solar panel comprises at least three inter connected sections, a rear section which covers at least a portion of the rear of the vehicle, a middle section which covers at least a portion of the central portion of the vehicle and a front section which covers at least a portion of the front the vehicle.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the at least one motor assembly controls the positioning of the front and rear sections.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the front and rear sections each positioned by movement of a gear which is operatively connected to the at least one motor assembly.

6. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the front and rear sections are each positioned using a pulley operatively connected to the at least one motor assembly.

7. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the front and rear sections move from a closed position in which the front, middle and rear sections are stacked on top of one another in close proximity to a position in which the front and rear sections cover at least portions of the front and rear of the vehicle.

8. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the movement of the front and rear sections is controlled by a processor, and wherein at least one of the front and rear sections may be individually positioned to obtain maximum exposure to the sun.

9. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the at least three sections are positionable in an open position in which the sections are positioned to collect solar radiation while the vehicle is not moving to a closed position while the vehicle is moving;

at least one section operating to absorb solar radiation for conversion to electricity while the vehicle is moving.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the assembly operates to substantially prevent sunlight from entering the front and rear windows of the vehicle while the vehicle is parked.

11. The solar energy conversion assembly for converting solar power into electricity to power and electric vehicle comprising:

a solar collector comprising a plurality of interconnected portions adapted to be mounted to the roof of a vehicle;

at least one motor assembly which operates to open the solar collector from a closed position on the top of the vehicle to an open position which covers a substantial portion of the upper surface of the vehicle including at least the front windshield, the at least one solar collector being electrically connectable to the electric system of the car for recharging the batteries of the vehicle.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the at least one motor assembly is operatively controlled by at least one processor, and wherein the assembly is removably attached to the vehicle.

13. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising a detector which detects the amount of light being absorbed by at least one of the interconnected portions, the at least one motor assembly operating to position the at least one of the interconnected portions in response to the amount of light detected by the detector.

14. The assembly of claim 11 further comprising a detector which detects the geographical orientation of the vehicle and a timer which regulates the position of at least one of the interconnected portions to control the amount of light being absorbed by at least one of the interconnected portions, the at least one motor assembly operating to position the at least one of the interconnected portions in response to the timer.

15. A method of recharging an electric vehicle comprising:

placing a retractable solar collector on the roof of a vehicle, the retractable solar collector having an open position in which maximum exposure of the solar collector to the sun is enable, to a closed position in which the vehicle may be transported without the solar collector blocking the view of the driver, the retractor solar collector comprising interconnected sections which fold together in the closed position and which cover at least the windshield of the car in the open position.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the retractable solar collector is opened from a closed position to an open position by at least one motor assembly.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one motor assembly is controlled by a controller which positions the interconnected sections from an open position to a closed position where the interconnected sections are overlapping on the top of the car, and wherein the solar collector is removably mounted to the roof of the vehicle by one of supports, straps or fasteners.

18. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the retractable solar collector is moved from an open position to a closed position through controls located inside the vehicle.

19. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the retractable solar collector is moved from an open position to a closed position using at least one motor assembly in connection with one of gear assemblies or pulley assemblies.