SOLAR BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC AND/OR HYBRID AUTOMOBILES

• US 20120098480A1
• Filed: 10/17/2011
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sean R. David
• Original Assignee: Sean R. David
• Inventors: David, Sean R.
• Application Number:
  US13/274,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20120098480A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2270/40 related to technical updates when adding new parts or software
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 55/00 Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 8/003 Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007194 of the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/126 the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]

Abstract

A solar powered battery charging system for an existing hybrid or electric vehicle is provided. The system includes a photovoltaic panel attachable to a vehicle and connectable to a battery apparatus of the vehicle. The vehicle may be attached to an electric utility power grid to provide excess energy in the form of electricity to the power grid.

Claims

1. A solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle comprising:

a photovoltaic panel attached to an outer surface of the vehicle;

a battery apparatus located within the vehicle, and electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel; and

wherein the system is constructed and arranged to be added into the vehicle, wherein the vehicle is an existing, non-solar powered vehicle.

2. The solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle of claim 1 further comprising:

a regulator configured to provide a regulated voltage from the photovoltaic panel to the battery apparatus; and

a controller configured to control and optimize battery charging by the system.

3. The solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle of claim 2 wherein the regulated voltage is constant.

4. The solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle of claim 2 wherein the system further comprises a smart computer, the smart computer in electronic communication with the regulator and the controller.

5. The solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle of claim 4 wherein the smart computer is further configured to transfer an excess amount of energy from the photovoltaic panel to a utility company grid.

6. The solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle of claim 5 further comprising a high voltage direct current cable extendable from the vehicle and connectable to a socket, the cable and socket providing electronic communication between the photovoltaic panel attached to the vehicle and a utility company electronic grid.

7. The solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the photovoltaic panel is attached to a hood of the existing, non-solar powered vehicle.

8. The solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle of claim 1 wherein the battery apparatus further comprises a plurality of energy canisters, and wherein a smart computer transfers energy from the photovoltaic cell to each of the plurality of energy canisters via a plurality of direct current cables.

9. The solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle of claim 2 further comprising:

a thermometer, attached to the battery apparatus and in electronic communication with the controller, the controller configured to adjust the regulated voltage according to a temperature recorded by the thermometer; and

a sensor configured to record a number of occurrences of recharge of the battery apparatus and accumulated ampere-hours, the controller further configured to apply an equalizing charge to the battery after assembly after a predetermined number of recharge occurrences and accumulated ampere-hours since a last equalizing charge.

10. The solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle of claim 9 wherein the controller is configured to adjust the regulated voltage inversely with temperature.

11. The solar powered battery charging system for a vehicle of claim 9 wherein the controller is further configured to overcharge the battery apparatus.

12. A method of solar charging of a battery of a vehicle comprising the steps of:

installing a photovoltaic panel on an existing vehicle having a battery apparatus;

connecting the photovoltaic panel to the battery apparatus;

providing a regulated voltage to the battery apparatus from the photovoltaic panel using a regulator positioned on an electric path between the battery and the photovoltaic panel;

controlling an amount of ampere-hours for charging the battery apparatus using a controller.

13. The method of solar charging of a battery of a vehicle of claim 12 further comprising transferring an excess amount of energy from the photovoltaic panel to a utility company grid.

14. The method of solar charging of a battery of a vehicle of claim 13 further comprising extending an electronic cable from the vehicle, and connecting the cable to a socket, thereby providing electronic communication between the cable and a utility company grid.

15. The method of solar charging of a battery of a vehicle of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

parking the vehicle;

charging the battery apparatus while parked; and

wherein the step of transferring an excess amount of energy is performed after the battery apparatus is fully charged.

16. The method of solar charging of a battery of a vehicle of claim 12 wherein the step of providing a regulated voltage comprises providing a constant voltage.

17. The method of solar charging of a battery of a vehicle of claim 12 further comprising:

recording a temperature of the battery apparatus;

adjusting the regulated voltage according to a temperature recorded by the thermometer;

recording a number of occurrences of recharge of the battery apparatus and accumulated ampere-hours; and

applying an equalizing charge to the battery after assembly after a predetermined number of recharge occurrences and accumulated ampere-hours since a last equalizing charge.

19. The kit for allowing solar battery charging of an existing vehicle of claim 13 further comprising a quantity of cable configured to allow a transfer of an excess of amount of energy from the photovoltaic panel to a utility company grid.

20. The kit for allowing solar battery charging of an existing vehicle of claim 13 further comprising:

a thermometer, configured to be attached to the battery apparatus and in electronic communication with the controller, the controller configured to adjust a recharge voltage according to a temperature recorded by the thermometer; and

a sensor configured to record a number of occurrences of recharge of the battery apparatus and accumulated ampere-hours, the controller further configured to apply an equalizing charge to the battery from the photovoltaic panel after assembly after a predetermined number of recharge occurrences and accumulated ampere-hours since a last equalizing charge.

18. A kit for allowing solar battery charging of an existing vehicle having a battery apparatus, the kit comprising:

a photovoltaic panel constructed and arranged to be attached to an outer surface of an existing vehicle;

a quantity of cable for electronically connecting the photovoltaic panel to the battery apparatus;

a regulator for attachment along the electronic connection between the photovoltaic panel and the battery apparatus;

the regulator configured to provide a constant voltage from the photovoltaic panel to the battery apparatus; and

a controller for attachment along the electronic connection between the photovoltaic panel and the battery apparatus;

the controller configured to control and optimize battery apparatus charging by the kit; and

an instruction manual and schematic for configuring an on-board computer of the vehicle to receive the kit and for installing the kit on the vehicle.