Solar powered ventilating system for vehicles

• US 4,804,140 A
• Filed: 12/24/1987
• Issued: 02/14/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ricky L. Cantrell
• Original Assignee: Ricky L. Cantrell
• Inventors: Cantrell, Ricky L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tapolcai, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/137,588
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 236/49 D, 98/900, 98/2.11, 98/2.01, 98/2.18, 62/235.1
• US Class Current: 236/49.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00428 electric
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

A solar ventilating system utilizes a plurality of intake and exhaust ducts having small electric fans. The ducts include vents which are provided with electrical actuators. Power for the ventilating system is derived from solar panels mounted at various locations on the vehicle. The vent actuators and the electric fans are controlled by a thermostat to regulate the temperature within a parked vehicle. The ventilating system is electrically isolated from the vehicle'"'"'s battery, thus allowing the system to operate indefinitely, without draining the battery.

Claims

1. A solar powered ventilating system for a vehicle, comprising:

a pair of spaced air intake vents disposed adjacent a front portion of said vehicle;

a pair of spaced air exhaust vents disposed adjacent a rear portion of said vehicle;

each of said vents formed as a thin plate provided with a series of spaced apertures;

a pair of connected slide plates slidably disposed beneath said air intake and said air exhaust vents, each pair of said slide plates having a series of spaced apertures for registry with said vent plate apertures;

a rod connecting each pair of said slide plates together and to an electrical solenoid actuator for moving said slide plates into and out of registry with said vent plates;

an air duct communicating with each of said vents;

an electrical air blower fan received in each of said air ducts;

a first solar panel on an exterior surface of said vehicle, between said air intake vents;

a second solar panel on an exterior surface of said vehicle, between said air exhaust vents;

a third solar panel on an exterior roof surface of said vehicle;

a first switch connected to be closed when an ignition switch of said vehicle is turned off;

a thermostatic switch which is closed when the temperature in the interior of said vehicle rises above a predetermined level;

said air blower fans, said solar panels, and said solenoid actuators connected in parallel;

and

said first switch and said thermostatic switch connected in series whereby, when said vehicle ignition switch is turned off and the temperature in said vehicle interior exceeds said predetermined level, said intake and exhaust vents will be opened, and air will be drawn through said vehicle interior by said air blower fans.