POWER GENERATION DEVICE

• US 20120299527A1
• Filed: 05/26/2011
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hoang Luu Vo
• Original Assignee: Hoang Luu Vo
• Inventors: Vo, Hoang Luu
• Granted Patent: US 8,836,157 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 16/00 Arrangements in connection with power supply of propulsion units in vehicles from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind electric propulsion with power supply from forces of nature, e.g. sun or wind B60L8/00; marine propulsion by wind motors driving water-engaging propulsive elements B63H13/00; wind motors specially adapted for installation on vehicles F03D9/32
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/28 Trailers
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/0046 relating to electric energy storage systems, e.g. batteries or capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/15 Preventing overcharging
• 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: F03D 13/20 Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 3/02 having a plurality of rotors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/00 Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations hybrid wind-photovoltaic energy systems for the generation of electric power H02S10/12
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/007 the wind motor being combined with means for converting solar radiation into useful energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/11 storing electrical energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/32 on moving objects, e.g. vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/941 which is a land vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/12 Hybrid wind-PV energy systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/74 Wind turbines with rotation axis perpendicular to the wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• 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

Abstract

A power generation device for a vehicle comprises a housing adapted to removably affix to a rear of a vehicle and a rotatable support member for rotatably supporting a first device, the rotatable support member operatively connected to the housing, wherein the first device includes rotor blades for producing electrical energy when exposed to a flow of air. Further, the rotatable support member is adapted to be articulated between a range from a first position, wherein the rotatable support member and the rotor blades of the first device are disposed within the housing, and a second position, wherein the rotatable support member and the rotor blades of the first device are disposed outside of the housing.

Claims

1. A power generation device for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to removably affix to a rear of a vehicle;

a rotatable support member for rotatably supporting a first device, the rotatable support member operatively connected to the housing;

the first device including a rotor blade for producing electrical energy when exposed to a flow of air; and

the rotatable support member adapted to be articulated between a range from a first position, wherein the rotatable support member and the rotor blade of the first device are disposed within the housing, and a second position, wherein the rotatable support member and the rotor blade of the first device are disposed outside of the housing.

2. The power generation device according to claim 1 wherein:

the housing further includes a trailer hitch mount adapted to be removably received within a trailer hitch receiver disposed on a rear of a vehicle, the trailer hitch mount adapted to support the housing.

3. The power generation device according to claim 1 wherein:

a height of the housing is less than a distance between a first surface of a vehicle and a second surface of the vehicle; and

a width of the housing is less than a width of a rear surface of a vehicle.

4. The power generation device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a second device for producing electrical energy when exposed to a source of radiant light, the second device disposed on a surface of the housing adapted to receive radiant light.

5. The power generation device according to claim 1 wherein:

the housing further comprises an articulated cover.

6. The power generation device according to claim 5 wherein:

the housing is closed to air flow on a first side, a second side, and a rear portion thereof when the articulated cover is in a closed position.

7. The power generation device according to claim 1 wherein:

the rotor blade comprises at least one pair of axially balanced airfoils, the airfoils having a chord length greater than a span of the airfoils.

8. The power generation device according to claim 1 wherein:

the rotor blade comprises first and second ends, the first end connected to the second end through a plurality of spaced blades.

9. The power generation device according to claim 8 wherein:

a first end of each spaced blade, connected to the first end of the rotor blade, is radially offset from a second end of each spaced blade, connected to the second end of the rotor blade, thereby forming a spiral blade configuration.

10. The power generation device according to claim 4 further comprising:

a power storage system for storing solar and wind energy, the power storage system adapted to be disposed within the housing.

11. A vehicle mountable power generation system comprising:

a housing, wherein a height of the housing is less than or equal to a distance between a rear lower surface of a vehicle and a rear upper surface of the vehicle and wherein a first width of the housing is less than or equal to a second width of a rear portion of the vehicle;

the housing including a trailer hitch mount adapted to be removably received within a trailer hitch receiver disposed on a rear of the vehicle, the trailer hitch mount adapted to support the housing;

at least one pivotable support member operatively connected to the housing, the at least one support member rotatably supporting at least one wind turbine assembly;

the wind turbine assembly adapted to convert kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy when rotated; and

the support member and the wind turbine assembly adapted to be articulated between a range from a first stored position, wherein the support member and the wind turbine assembly are disposed within the housing, and a second deployed position, wherein the support member and the wind turbine assembly are disposed outside of the housing.

12. The power generation system according to claim 11 further comprising:

a first lower pivotable support member operatively connected to the housing, the first support member rotatably supporting a first wind turbine assembly in a vertical direction; and

a second upper pivotable support member operatively connected to the housing, the second support member rotatably supporting a second wind turbine assembly in a vertical direction; and

the first and the second support members adapted to pivot in opposite directions when articulated between the first and the second positions.

13. The power generation system according to claim 12 further comprising:

A solar panel for producing electrical energy when exposed to a source of radiant light, the solar panel disposed on a surface of the housing adapted to receive radiant light.

14. The power generation system according to claim 13 wherein:

the housing further comprises an articulated cover and the housing is closed to air flow on a first side, a second side, and a rear side when the articulated cover is in a closed position.

15. The power generation system according to claim 13 wherein:

the wind turbine assembly comprises at least one pair of axially balanced airfoils, the airfoils having a chord length greater than a span of the airfoils.

16. The power generation system according to claim 13 wherein:

the wind turbine assembly comprises first and second ends, the first end connected to the second end through a plurality of spaced blades.

17. The power generation system according to claim 16 wherein:

a first end of each spaced blade, connected to the first end of the wind turbine, is radially offset from a second end of each spaced blade, connected to the second end of the wind turbine, thereby forming a spiral blade configuration.

18. The power generation system according to claim 14 further comprising:

a power storage system for storing solar and wind energy created by the solar panel and wind turbine, the power storage system adapted to be disposed within the housing.

19. A power generation device removably mountable to a trailer hitch of a vehicle comprising:

a housing, wherein a height of the housing is less than a distance between a rear lower surface of a vehicle and a rear upper surface of the vehicle and wherein a width of the housing is less than a width of a rear portion of the vehicle;

the housing including a trailer hitch mount extending therefrom and adapted to be removably received within a trailer hitch receiver disposed on a rear of the vehicle, the trailer hitch mount adapted to support the housing;

a lower pivotable support member operatively connected to the housing, the lower support member rotatably supporting a first wind turbine assembly in a an upwardly vertical direction;

a upper pivotable support member operatively connected to the housing, the upper support member rotatably suspending a second wind turbine assembly in a downwardly vertical direction;

the first and the second wind turbines adapted to convert kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy when rotated;

the lower and upper support members and the first and the second wind turbines are adapted to pivot between a range from a first stored position, wherein the support members and the wind turbines are disposed within the housing, and a second deployed position, wherein the support members and the wind turbines are disposed outside of the housing;

wherein the lower and the upper support members are adapted to pivot in opposite directions when moved between the first and the second positions;

a solar panel for producing electrical energy when exposed to a source of radiant light, the solar panel disposed on a surface of the housing adapted to receive radiant light;

a power converting system for converting rotational energy produced by the rotation of the wind turbines into an electrical charge; and

a power storage system for storing the electrical charge of the power converting system and the electrical charge of the solar panel.

20. The power generation device according to claim 19 wherein:

the wind turbine assembly comprises at least one axially balanced airfoil, the airfoil having a chord length greater than a span of the airfoils.

21. The power generation device according to claim 19 wherein:

the first and the second wind turbine assembly comprise first and second ends, the first end connected to the second end through a plurality of spaced blades.

22. The power generation device according to claim 21 wherein:

a first end of each blade connected to the first end of the first and second wind turbine assembly is radially offset from a second end of each blade connected to the second end of the first and second wind turbine assembly, thereby forming a spiral blade configuration.

23. A trailer hitch mountable power generation device comprising:

a housing adapted to removably affix to a trailer hitch, the housing allowing airflow therethrough; and

a first device including rotor blades operatively configured to produce electrical energy when exposed to a flow of air, the first device operatively connected to the housing and disposed therein.

24. The power generation device according to claim 23 wherein:

the housing is open to air flow on a first side, a second side, and a rear side.

25. A method of charging a vehicle with a rechargeable power source comprising:

providing a vehicle with a power generation device comprising;

a housing adapted to removably affix to a rear of a vehicle;

a rotatable support member for rotatably supporting a wind turbine, the rotatable support member operatively connected to the housing;

the wind turbine adapted to produce electrical energy when exposed to a flow of air; and

the rotatable support member and the wind turbine adapted to be articulated between a range from a first position, wherein the rotatable support member and the wind turbine are disposed within the housing, and a second position, wherein the rotatable support member and the wind turbine are disposed outside of the housing; and

a photovoltaic device for producing electrical energy when exposed to a source of radiant light, the photovoltaic device disposed on a surface of the housing adapted to receive radiant light;

providing a charge sensor adapted to measure a charge of a power storage system;

providing a motion sensor adapted to measure vehicle movement;

providing a first charging circuit adapted to charge the power storage system from the wind turbine;

providing a second charging circuit adapted to charge the power storage system from the photovoltaic device;

detecting when a charge of the rechargeable power source is reduced by a predetermined amount, and if so;

activating the second charging circuit for the photovoltaic device thereby allowing the power storage system to receive the charge from the photovoltaic device;

detecting vehicle movement and if movement is detected;

activating the first charging circuit for the wind turbine thereby allowing the power storage system to receive the charge from the wind turbine; and

detecting when the charge of the power storage system exceeds a second predetermined amount, and if so deactivating the first and the second charging circuit so as to prevent an overcharge condition to the power storage system.

26. The method of charging a vehicle according to claim 25 wherein:

when movement is detected; and

deploying the wind turbine to a second position and activating the first charging circuit for the wind turbine thereby allowing the power storage system to receive the charge generated from the wind turbine when in the second position.