Personal renewable-energy fueling and storage station for electric-powered vehicles
First Claim
1. A personal refueling station for a personal-sized electric vehicle comprising:
- (a) a polygonal base structure adapted to be installed on horizontal ground;
(b) a plurality of flat panels, each being substantially triangular in shape and having a mounting edge mounted by a hinge to a corresponding edge of the polygonal base structure and side edges extending from the mounting edge to an upper tip;
(c) an electric-vehicle refueling system housed below an upper surface of the polygonal base structure; and
(d) means for opening and closing the plurality of flat panels between an open position wherein they lie substantially flat on the ground forming a substantially flat surface with the base structure which allows the vehicle to be parked on the surface of the base structure and refueled by the electric-vehicle refueling system housed therein, and a closed position wherein the flat panels are folded to an upright pyramidal position with their side edges and tips coming together to form an enclosed housing for the vehicle therein.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A personal refueling station for a personal-sized electric vehicle has a polygonal base structure housing a refueling system and a plurality of flat panels hinged thereto which open to form a flat surface and close up to an upright pyramid for storage. The flat panels have solar PV arrays mounted on their inside surfaces which generate electricity from sunlight in the open position. The electricity is used to generate hydrogen for hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicles, or is stored for recharging non-hydrogen electric vehicles. Alternatively, hydrogen or electricity may be provided from an external renewable power source. The station can also have utility hookups to provide excess hydrogen or electricity to an external energy usage, such as a home, business, or other station. The personal refueling station has a compact design that can be installed at home or business locations. It is designed to accommodate a personal-use electric vehicle such as an electric car or cart or a personal VTOL hovercraft. It can be used in a stationary location or transported for remote use, as well as operated by remote control.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A personal refueling station for a personal-sized electric vehicle comprising:
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(a) a polygonal base structure adapted to be installed on horizontal ground; (b) a plurality of flat panels, each being substantially triangular in shape and having a mounting edge mounted by a hinge to a corresponding edge of the polygonal base structure and side edges extending from the mounting edge to an upper tip; (c) an electric-vehicle refueling system housed below an upper surface of the polygonal base structure; and (d) means for opening and closing the plurality of flat panels between an open position wherein they lie substantially flat on the ground forming a substantially flat surface with the base structure which allows the vehicle to be parked on the surface of the base structure and refueled by the electric-vehicle refueling system housed therein, and a closed position wherein the flat panels are folded to an upright pyramidal position with their side edges and tips coming together to form an enclosed housing for the vehicle therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification