Mobile vehicle having solar cell arrays for providing supplemental electric power
First Claim
1. An energy conversion system that is on-board a mobile vehicle for converting incident solar radiation into electricity for use in an electrical system of the vehicle, the energy conversion system comprising:
- multiple solar cell arrays, each of which has a face oriented differently relative to the direction from which solar radiation is incident on the vehicle and comprises a characteristic voltage/current output correlated with the intensity of incident solar radiation, for converting the incident solar radiation into electricity;
and a processor for processing data related to the voltage/current output from each array as it is converting solar radiation into electricity for selectively connecting the arrays in configurations correlated with the intensity of solar radiation incident on the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Each of multiple solar cell arrays has a face oriented differently relative to the direction from which solar radiation is incident on a motor vehicle and a characteristic voltage/current output correlated with the intensity of incident solar radiation for converting the incident solar radiation into electricity. A processor processes data related to the voltage/current output from each array as the array is converting solar radiation into electricity for selectively connecting the arrays in configurations correlated with the intensity of incident solar radiation. The arrays provide supplemental electricity to keep the vehicle battery charged preventing certain small loads from draining the battery while the vehicle is parked with its engine off. The arrays can be advantageously mounted in outside rearview mirror assemblies.
38 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An energy conversion system that is on-board a mobile vehicle for converting incident solar radiation into electricity for use in an electrical system of the vehicle, the energy conversion system comprising:
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multiple solar cell arrays, each of which has a face oriented differently relative to the direction from which solar radiation is incident on the vehicle and comprises a characteristic voltage/current output correlated with the intensity of incident solar radiation, for converting the incident solar radiation into electricity;
and a processor for processing data related to the voltage/current output from each array as it is converting solar radiation into electricity for selectively connecting the arrays in configurations correlated with the intensity of solar radiation incident on the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A motor vehicle comprising:
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an electrical system comprising one or more batteries providing electricity;
an engine that is turned on and off by operation of a switch in the electrical system;
an on-board energy conversion system for converting incident solar radiation into electricity for use in the electrical system, the energy conversion system comprising one or more solar cell arrays collectively providing a characteristic voltage/current output correlated with the intensity of incident solar radiation for converting the incident solar radiation into electricity;
one or more loads in the electrical system that draw electricity when the switch is off;
wherein the one or more arrays are configured to provide an open circuit voltage for overcoming the charge acceptance voltage of the one or more batteries when the intensity of solar radiation incident on the one or more arrays is greater than a defined minimum intensity but less than a maximum intensity, and for delivering, with the switch off, sufficient electric current for the one or more loads when the intensity of solar radiation incident on the one or more arrays is greater than the defined minimum. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An energy conversion system that is on-board a mobile vehicle for converting solar radiation into electric power for use in an electrical system of the vehicle that comprises one or more batteries providing electricity for the electrical system, the energy conversion system comprising:
a solar cell array that converts incident solar radiation into electricity, that is disposed in an outside rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle, and that is electrically connected to the electrical system to supply electricity to the electrical system for aiding in maintaining state of charge of the one or more batteries. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An outside rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle comprising:
a mirrored surface for providing a driver of the vehicle with a field of view rearward of the vehicle;
a solar cell array for converting incident solar radiation into electricity; and
a connection for connecting the array to supply electricity to an electrical system of the vehicle.- View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. An energy conversion method on-board a mobile vehicle for converting incident solar radiation into electricity for use in an electrical system of the vehicle, the method comprising:
processing data related to the voltage/current output of multiple solar cell arrays, each of which has a face oriented differently relative to the direction from which solar radiation is incident on the vehicle and comprises a characteristic voltage/current output correlated with the intensity of incident solar radiation, for converting the incident solar radiation into electricity; and
selectively connecting the arrays in configurations correlated with the intensity of solar radiation incident on the vehicle.- View Dependent Claims (22)
Specification