ELECTRIC VEHICLE SOLAR ROOF KIT

• US 20130335002A1
• Filed: 06/17/2013
• Published: 12/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sean Moore
• Original Assignee: Sean Moore
• Inventors: Moore, Sean
• Application Number:
  US13/919,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20130335002A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/48 for electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells

Abstract

A solar kit according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a solar module including a solar cell. A converter is configured to provide a continuous amount of power from said solar module to a battery pack.

Claims

1. A solar kit comprising:

a solar module including a solar cell; and

a converter configured to provide a continuous amount of power from said solar module to a battery pack.

2. The solar kit of claim 1, wherein said converter is configured to convert an open current voltage of said solar module to a predetermined float voltage of the battery pack.

3. The solar kit of claim 1, wherein said converter includes a bypass circuit configured to regulate at least one of an amount of voltage and an amount of current between said converter and the battery pack.

4. The solar kit of claim 1, comprising a shunt electrically disposed between said converter and the battery pack.

5. The solar kit of claim 4, comprising a gauge configured to measure an amount of voltage of said shunt.

6. The solar kit of claim 5, wherein said gauge includes a first controller operable to calculate an operating condition based upon said voltage of said shunt.

7. The solar kit of claim 6, wherein said gauge includes a visual display operable to provide a visual representation based upon said operating condition.

8. The solar kit of claim 6, wherein said gauge includes a warning indicator configured to provide a status based upon said operating condition.

9. The solar kit of claim 1, wherein said solar cell has a non-linear rate of current output with respect to an instantaneous voltage of said solar cell.

10. An electric vehicle comprising:

a battery pack including a battery cell;

a solar module including a solar cell having a non-linear rate of current output with respect to an instantaneous voltage of said solar cell; and

a converter configured to provide a continuous amount of power from said solar module to said battery pack.

11. The electric vehicle of claim 10, comprising a shunt electrically disposed between said converter and said battery pack.

12. The electric vehicle of claim 11, comprising a gauge configured to measure an amount of voltage of said shunt.

13. The electric vehicle of claim 12, wherein said gauge includes a first controller operable to calculate an operating condition based upon said voltage of said shunt.

14. The electric vehicle of claim 13, wherein said gauge includes a data interface in data communication with a remote device configured to receive said operating condition from said remote device.

15. The electric vehicle of claim 14, wherein said remote device is in data communication with a server configured to receive said operating condition.

16. The electric vehicle of claim 12, comprising a speedometer configured to provide a wheel rotation signal to said gauge.

17. The electric vehicle of claim 11, wherein said shunt is electrically connected to a regenerative braking system.

18. A method of charging a battery, comprising:

connecting a solar cell to a battery, wherein said solar cell has a non-linear rate of current output with respect to an instantaneous voltage of said solar cell; and

providing a continuous amount of current from said solar cell to said battery.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein said step of providing a continuous amount of current from said solar cell to said battery is performed when said instantaneous voltage of said solar cell is below a predetermined operating voltage.

20. The method as recited in claim 18, comprising the steps of:

calculating an operating condition based upon a measurement of at least one of said solar cell, said battery and a component in electrical communication with at least one of said solar cell and said battery;

connecting to a remote server; and

providing said operating condition to said remote server.