Energy efficient passenger vehicle
First Claim
1. An energy efficient electrically powered vehicle which comprises:
- an elongated substantially closed body having two spaced supporting wheels at each end;
a power module at each end of said body comprising electrical batteries and electrical drive means adapted to power said wheels;
an elongated solar panel substantially covered with photovoltaic cells located in the roof of said body adapted to generate electricity to charge said batteries;
means to pivot said solar panel about substantially the panel longitudinal centerline so that said panel may be oriented towards the sun;
flexible duct means attached to the longitudinal edges of said panel, extending around rollers overlapping the sides of said body, forming a substantially uniform volume duct parallel to said panel as said panel is pivoted;
vent means in said body adjacent to the forward and aft ends of said panel adapted to selectively connect said duct to the outside atmosphere and to the interior volume of said vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An energy efficient passenger carrying vehicle for road use. The vehicle basically comprises a long, narrow body carrying two passengers in a back-to-back relationship. The vehicle is basically a battery powered electric vehicle that can be charged by all free energy sources; namely, the sun, the wind, human muscles and momentum. The vehicle comprises four modules, namely body, solar, and two power modules. An electric power module is located within each end of the body module. This module includes electric motors driving the vehicle supporting wheels and rechargeable batteries to power the motors. Pedals, similar to those on a bicycle, located at each power module, drive generators to help recharge the batteries during operation of the vehicle, or directly help drive the vehicle wheels. A solar module comprising a large electricity generating solar cell panel covers most of the vehicle roof to aid in charging the batteries. Means are provided to tilt the solar cell panel toward the sun about a longitudinal axis. A unique flexible duct below the solar panel serves to cool the cells and, if desired, heat the passenger compartment. Further energy savings are obtained by canting the rear wheels while steering with the front wheels, so that the vehicle moves down the road at a crab angle which provides a sail effect when wind is from the vehicle beam or aft of the beam. Regenerative braking means can be used when slowing down, on a long down grade, when sailing speed is greater than required, or any other time when vehicle momentum is greater than necessary for vehicle operation, to use the excess forward momentum to drive generators to charge the batteries. Thus, a single battery charge will be conserved and vehicle operation will be assisted in a manner giving maximum vehicle range and speed.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. An energy efficient electrically powered vehicle which comprises:
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an elongated substantially closed body having two spaced supporting wheels at each end; a power module at each end of said body comprising electrical batteries and electrical drive means adapted to power said wheels; an elongated solar panel substantially covered with photovoltaic cells located in the roof of said body adapted to generate electricity to charge said batteries; means to pivot said solar panel about substantially the panel longitudinal centerline so that said panel may be oriented towards the sun; flexible duct means attached to the longitudinal edges of said panel, extending around rollers overlapping the sides of said body, forming a substantially uniform volume duct parallel to said panel as said panel is pivoted; vent means in said body adjacent to the forward and aft ends of said panel adapted to selectively connect said duct to the outside atmosphere and to the interior volume of said vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification