GROUP OF SYSTEMS FOR MAKING A SOLAR ELECTRIC VEHICLE MORE PRACTICAL
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle which uses electric power for at least a portion of its propulsion;
- a) a solar array which covers a smaller footprint in the undeployed configuration and a larger footprint in the expanded or deployed configurationb) tilting means connected to the solar array and wherein said tilting means is adapted to at least impart to said array, when in the deployed configuration, a restorable tiltc) wherein the portion of the array located near either the front perimeter or the back perimeter of the vehicle will be closer to the ground than the average height of all the solar cells in the vehicle solar arrayd) wherein said solar panel array is firmly affixed sufficiently in the retracted and undeployed state to permit highway travel and so as to withstand wind.
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Abstract
The device is a group of mechanisms and three types of related computer functions that work together and with the driver to optimize the operation of an electric vehicle with a deployable solar array. The purposes of doing so are to keep the vehicle and its constituent parts undamaged and safe, to orient the solar array towards the sun for maximal electricity generation and to make sure that the vehicle'"'"'s battery array maintains a proper and appropriate charge.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A vehicle which uses electric power for at least a portion of its propulsion;
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a) a solar array which covers a smaller footprint in the undeployed configuration and a larger footprint in the expanded or deployed configuration b) tilting means connected to the solar array and wherein said tilting means is adapted to at least impart to said array, when in the deployed configuration, a restorable tilt c) wherein the portion of the array located near either the front perimeter or the back perimeter of the vehicle will be closer to the ground than the average height of all the solar cells in the vehicle solar array d) wherein said solar panel array is firmly affixed sufficiently in the retracted and undeployed state to permit highway travel and so as to withstand wind. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of parking a vehicle having a rooftop solar collector array further comprising the steps of
a) elevating the front or the rear of the array; -
b) selecting a parking location so as to maximize solar collection; c) periodically adjusting the lateral tilt of the array as appropriate to maximize solar collection d) selecting a parking direction for the vehicle such that the solar panels which are lower are south of the solar panels that are higher off the ground; - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute a control method for an electric vehicle solar array recharging apparatus comprising;
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a) a solar panel position calculating unit, b) a light sensor providing information to the processor c) a solar power temporal prediction unit d) a vehicle operation modification evaluation unit and e) wherein said information is based on an evaluation of those costs and benefits of vehicle operation which impact effectiveness of different available solar charging options and f) is directed to said processor to calculate ideal orientation of the solar cells. g) a solar panel repositioning unit which generates signals based on calculations produced by said solar panel position calculating unit, h) wherein said operation modification unit provides information affecting gross behavior of the vehicle i) wherein said processor further monitors environmental safety conditions provided at least in part by said light sensor to determine whether to retract the solar array to the safer undeployed and unexpanded position - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification