Septic Methane EV Charging for Grid Outage Resilience

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric vehicle owners face challenges in charging their vehicles during power outages and high electricity bills due to the scarcity of charging stations and reliance on grid power, necessitating a solution for economical and grid-free power generation using natural methane gas from septic systems.

Innovation Solution

An electric vehicle charging device comprising a septic tank with a domed cover for methane gas collection, connected to a gas collection system and a gas-powered generator, which converts methane into electrical energy for charging vehicles and providing power during grid outages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electric vehicles are charged using grid power, then charging is reliable and convenient, but electricity bills increase and charging is impossible during power outages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharging availabilityVSAvoidelectricity cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by capturing and utilizing methane gas produced by the vehicle's own exhaust system and the household septic tank to generate electricity for charging, making the vehicle self-sufficient and independent of external power sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts harmful elements (vehicle exhaust methane and septic tank gas) into beneficial electrical energy through the generator, transforming waste products into a useful resource for vehicle charging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If methane gas collection system is installed, then grid-free power generation is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid-free operation capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves multi-functionality by combining the vehicle exhaust system, septic tank gas collection, and generator into a single integrated power generation system that serves multiple purposes: vehicle charging and household power supply

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges previously separate components (exhaust system, gas collection infrastructure, generator) into an integrated unit, reducing overall system complexity while enabling grid-free operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device enables efficient, economical, and grid-free charging of electric vehicles, reducing electricity bills and ensuring continuous travel capabilities even without grid power, while also providing emergency power for homes.

Implementation Method 1

a gas-powered generator, which converts methane into electrical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS20250091462A1Electric Car Charging Station Device

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 CARTER DAN

AI summary

An electric vehicle charging device is disclosed that provides users with an economical, natural, and electrical grid-free device to charge an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle charging device is a septic tank gas collection device which harnesses and stores methane gas to power an electrical generator. The device can be used in areas where no power grid is available.