1235results about "Light to electrical conversion" patented technology

A system for charging a battery within an at least partially electric vehicle. The system includes a charging device wherein the charging device configured to electrically connect to the at least partially electric vehicle and charge at least one battery by a predetermined amount. The system also includes a network configured to determine the location of the charging device.

The present invention teaches a solar array, and also a network of solar arrays for providing energy for industrial, residential and transportation use. A solar array of the present invention can be made to resemble a palm tree, a deciduous tree, an evergreen tree, or other type of natural foliage, and meet the aesthetic demands of landscape architecture. A network of solar arrays can extend for many miles along transportation right of ways including, but not limited to, roads, highways, railways, pipelines, or canals, and can further include means for storing and transmitting energy. A solar array can include or be coupled with a recharging station for use by electric and hybrid transportation vehicles. Moreover, an individual solar array or network of solar arrays can include means for wireless communication and transmission of energy for recharging an energy storage device and provide energy to an electric or hybrid transportation vehicle.

A method and system for efficient distribution of power using wireless means, and a system and method for wireless power distribution to provide electric devices, such as vehicles with a way to continuously and wirelessly collect, use and charge their power systems and thereby use the transmitted power for operation. The system and method allows a hybrid, simplified and less costly way to charge devices, such as vehicles so that the devices continuously operate while charging / recharging.

The electrical vehicle energy storage system permits the electric refueling of the electric vehicle just like an automobile would be refueled with gasoline at a gas station. Circuitry on board the vehicle accessible by the electric refueling station enables the determination of the energy content of the battery module or modules returned to the electric refueling station and the owner of the vehicle is given credit for the energy remaining in the battery module or modules which have been exchanged. Selective refueling may take place for given battery modules by removing them from the battery system and charging them at home, office or factory. A process for operating an electric vehicle is also disclosed and claimed.

An ECU executes a program including a step of detecting a present location using a GPS system (S1000); a step of reading out data of a geographical map proximate to the present location (S1010) and presenting in the geographical map charging installations including a charging installation employing solar light, together with the location of its vehicle (S1020); a step of, if a presentation switching request is made (YES in S1030) and a real-time solar radiation correction request is made (YES in S1050), detecting a solar radiation amount (S1060) and correcting a charge amount per unit time provided by the power generation installation employing solar light, based on the detected solar radiation amount (S1070); and a step of detecting an SOC in the battery to calculate an amount of discharge done until arrival at the charging installation (S1080, S1090), calculating time required for charging up to a fully charged state (S1100), and presenting the time required for charging in the geographical map (S1200).

A system for charging a multiplicity of commuter EVs without dependence on the power grid is provided, using the EV batteries themselves as distributed off grid storage for all EVs connected to the system. The EV charging system comprises low cost solar modules and an intelligent charge management system capable of a providing flexible charge rate to EVs based on user demand, that is decoupled from the grid and thus does not add to peak power demands. Only a low capacity grid connection is provided for backup, and buffer solar panels may be provided for load balancing. Excessive solar energy is fed into the grid during times of low demand at the charging stations, such as on weekends.

Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries. Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers. Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil. Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency. Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger. Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached. Charging may occur at constant current and then at constant voltage.

Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries. Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers. Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil. Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency. Use of the variable frequency generator supply facilitates reduced component size and weight and better battery charging performance. Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger. Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached. Charging may occur at constant current and then at constant voltage.

Solar cells are attached to vehicle components such as a moon roof (2) or truck bed cover (12, 13) to create modular solar panels. An adjustable mount (4, 10) can be attached to the solar panels to adjust the angle of the solar cells in a direction of the sun. Sensing for solar tracking the sun angle can be performed using solar cells of the solar panel itself, or a separate sensor (7). A telescoping moon roof mount mechanism (16) can allow a first solar panel (17) to be extended above a vehicle roof to allow additional solar panels (18, 19) to be telescoped out and also exposed to the sun. An additional battery (15, 100) can be mounted in the truck bed cover and connected in parallel with the hybrid battery (42).

A charge controller for charging a battery of a plug-in vehicle with a plurality of electric power sources includes: a driving route estimation element; an estimated electric power consumption amount calculator; a weather information obtaining element; a sunshine information obtaining element; a solar photovoltaic generation electric power amount calculator; an electric power shortage amount calculator for calculating an electric power shortage amount when the solar photovoltaic generation electric power amount is smaller than an estimated electric power consumption amount; a charge schedule preparation element for preparing a charge schedule, which represents a first charge time for charging the battery with a solar photovoltaic generation system and a second charge time for charging the battery by the electric power shortage amount with another electric power source; and a charge control element for controlling to charge the battery according to the charge schedule.

A method and system for efficient distribution of power using wireless means, and a system and method for wireless power distribution to provide electric devices, such as vehicles with a way to continuously and wirelessly collect, use and charge their power systems and thereby use the transmitted power for operation. The system and method allows a hybrid, simplified and less costly way to charge devices, such as vehicles so that the devices continuously operate while charging / recharging.

A charging monitor has: a switch that is disposed between a load section having a storage battery and an external AC power supply supplying a current to the load section via a plurality of lines and interrupts the supply of the current from the external AC power supply to the load section; a current detection circuit that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a difference in level between currents flowing through the lines; a suppression circuit that suppresses a DC component contained in the detection signal; a filter circuit that filters a plurality of frequency components contained in the detection signal so that attenuation increases as a frequency becomes high; a rectifier smoothing circuit that rectifies and smoothens an output signal obtained when the detection signal passes through the filter circuit and the suppression circuit; and an electric leakage determination circuit that detects an electric leakage and shuts off the switch when the level of the signal smoothened by the rectifier smoothing circuit exceeds a preset reference level.

Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries. Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers. Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil. Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency. Use of the variable frequency generator supply facilitates reduced component size and weight and better battery charging performance. Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger. Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached. Charging may occur at constant current and then at constant voltage.

A vehicle equipped to provide to a docking facility at a home or business structure, electric power derived from solar collectors formed on the surface of the vehicle, and the docking facility for receiving such power. Also provided is a system for providing to the public electric power grid such power received from a plurality of vehicles, and for compensating the owners. Corresponding methods of operation are also provided.

To provide additional charge storage for an electric vehicle, an additional battery (100) is connected in parallel with a regenerative braking direct charged battery (22) through a current limiting circuit (104 or 120). The additional battery (100) is charged by an external charger such as a plug-in charger or a solar panel that supply minimal current to prevent generation of battery heat. Current flows from the additional battery (100) to the regenerative braking charged batteries (22) so that both batteries can be charged. However, when excessive charge is drawn to drive the vehicle electric motor (20), the current limiter circuit (104 or 120) serves to prevent the discharge of additional battery (100) from creating excessive heat in the additional battery (100). Further, when regenerative braking is applied the current limiter circuit (120), or a diode buffer (102) in combination with current limiter (104), serves to prevent charging from creating excessive heat in the additional battery (100) and eliminates the need for a cooling structure in the additional battery (100).

Disclosed is a vehicle using wind force. An object of the present invention is to provide a wind force power system driven by wind is provided within a hood panel of the vehicle, whereby the vehicle continuously charge a battery with electricity while being stopped or driving. The vehicle using wind force includes a wind force power system, the Power system comprising a ventilator that is rotated by the wind flowing along the roof panel in the rear of the vehicle, a shaft connected to the ventilator, a rotary gear connected to the shaft, a follower gear engaged with the rotary gear, and an electric generator for generating electricity as the follower gear rotates, wherein the electric generator of the wind force power system is electrically connected to the battery and the battery is electrically connected to the driving motor.

A charge transfer apparatus having an input and an output includes: an AC / DC converter coupled to the input of the charge transfer apparatus and configured to receive AC power at a first power level; and a charge storage device coupled to the AC / DC converter, where the charge storage device is configured to receive charge at the first power level and to transfer charge to the output of the charge transfer apparatus at a second power level, and the second power level is greater than the first power level.

Hybrid vehicles and other vehicles with one or more torque producing devices operate more effectively with proper resolution of torque requests. In one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of vehicle force and torque requests are resolved at different levels depending on the vehicle architecture. In another aspect of the present invention, torque requests are resolved into base requests and fast requests depending upon response times of torque devices satisfying these requests.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine may be started in one of two ways depending on operating conditions. In particular, the engine may be started via a lower power output electric machine or a higher power output electric machine.

A control system for an engineless, motor-driven lawnmower vehicle includes electric motors and controllers. At least one of the electric motors is an electric drive motor connected to a drive wheel of the lawnmower vehicle to enable transmission of motive power. At least one other electric motor is a mower-related electric motor connected to a lawnmower rotary tool to enable transmission of motive power. At least one of the controllers is a drive wheel controller which includes a drive wheel driver and which controls operation of the electric drive motor in response to a signal from at least one operator sensor for detecting an operation amount of at least one operator. At least one controller controls to activate or stop the mower-related electric motor. At least one controller is connected to the drive wheel controller and transmits a control signal thereto in response to a signal from the operator sensor.

An inverter includes a battery pack connection for supplying energy to or receiving energy from a photovoltaic string, a battery pack, an AC grid connection for supplying power to or receiving power from an AC grid, a connection for supplying power to a home back-up load, an electric vehicle connection for supplying to and receiving power from an electric vehicle (EV) battery, and a control input configured to receive one or more control signals for controlling the flow of power within the inverter. The inverter, under the control of the one or more control signals, converts power received from one of different power sources and provides the converted power to charge a battery of the EV.

The invention relates to a power charging device (10) for an electric vehicle (12) with an electric energy store (14). The power charging device (10) comprises at least one rectifier means (16) for converting a supply voltage (18) into a charging d.c. voltage (20), a contacting means (22) for contacting a plug-in connection supply point (24) of the electric vehicle (12), and a residual current monitoring device (26) for detecting a current difference in the contacting means (22) and / or the electric vehicle (12) during a charging process of the energy store (14) of the electric vehicle (12). The invention is characterised in that the residual current monitoring device (26) is designed at least for detection of a direct current difference ΔI and comprises a cutoff element (28) which can interrupt the charging process when a predeterminable direct current cutoff difference (36) is exceeded over a predeterminable cutoff time.

A power supply device mounted to a hybrid vehicle includes: a capacitor that is chargeable / dischargeable; an electric power input / output unit for inputting / outputting electric power between the capacitor and a charge / discharge device installed external to the hybrid vehicle; a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the capacitor; and a control device increasing the temperature of the capacitor by performing at least one of charging from the charge / discharge device to the capacitor and discharging from the capacitor to the charge / discharge device when the control device determines based on a detection result of the temperature sensor that the temperature of the capacitor is required to be increased. Thereby, the temperature of the capacitor can be increased without causing a load such as an inverter to consume electric power.

Hybrid vehicles and other vehicles with one or more torque producing devices operate more effectively with proper resolution of torque requests. In one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of vehicle force and torque requests are resolved at different levels depending on the vehicle architecture. In another aspect of the present invention, torque requests are resolved into base requests and fast requests depending upon response times of torque devices satisfying these requests.

Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an electrical load may be automatically activated to consume electrical energy produced during driveline braking so that driveline braking may be extended. The electrical load may be a windscreen heater or other device.

In a hybrid vehicle, selecting the relative usage of the electric motor and the fossil fuel powered engine from moment to moment and also managing the storage of energy in the battery. A computer is used for determining information about a complete trip between a start point and a destination, dividing said complete trip into a plurality of different intervals, and determining, for each of said different intervals, a power level to run the engine at said each of said intervals. An embodiment uses evolutionary computing techniques to determine the most efficient routes.

A pallet jack with a pallet engaging fork having separate and independently movable first and second fork arms connected to independently controlled and operable first and second fork arm elevating means, for lifting a pallet loaded with a stack of items so that when the stack of items leans and is out of balance one fork arm can be elevated higher than the other to compensate and restore balance to the stack of items.

A beach wagon is disclosed which is convertible from a beach-wagon to a table. The wagon is used for transporting goods and contains a large cargo container with an open top. The beach wagon is easily converted from motorized to manual and back again, through the disengagement and re-engagement of the drivetrain. When motorized, a d-c battery-driven motor drives the rear wheels, and the rechargeable battery thereof is optionally aided by a solar panel. Forward gearing includes low-speed for pavement and hard sand and high-speed for soft sand. A rectangular deck has a pair of table leaves hingedly attached thereto and operable between an open and closed position. The leaves form opposite sides of a cargo container and in the closed position form a table. A pair of container panels attach to the table leaves and deck to form the cargo container.