Solar Shipping Containers for Onboard Freight Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Freight transportation vehicles emit harmful pollutants due to their reliance on carbon-based fuels, and while alternative energy sources like hydrogen and batteries are being explored, there is a need for more efficient energy production methods.
Innovation Solution
The integration of solar panels on intermodal shipping containers to generate renewable energy, which can be stored or used immediately to power vehicles or ancillary devices, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If carbon-based fuels are used to power freight transportation vehicles, then vehicles can operate with high energy density and extended range, but harmful emissions such as particulate matter, hydrocarbons, nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines solar energy generation with fuel production by integrating photovoltaic panels with electrolysis systems. The solar panels generate electrical energy that directly powers the electrolysis of water or carbon dioxide to produce hydrogen or other fuels, merging two previously separate functions into a unified system that eliminates harmful emissions while maintaining energy production.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by using solar energy to produce the fuel it needs for operation. The vehicle's own solar panels generate electrical energy that is used to electrolyze water or carbon dioxide onboard, creating hydrogen or other fuels that power the vehicle without requiring external fuel supply infrastructure or producing harmful emissions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If alternative energy sources such as hydrogen and batteries are employed to reduce harmful emissions, then emissions are reduced when in use, but large amounts of energy are required for their production which itself may produce harmful emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by producing fuel onboard before it is needed for vehicle operation. Solar panels continuously generate electrical energy during the day, which is used to electrolyze water or carbon dioxide and store hydrogen or other fuels in tanks. This preliminary fuel production eliminates the need for energy-intensive external fuel production and distribution infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water or carbon dioxide as an intermediary substance that can be readily converted into hydrogen fuel through electrolysis. These abundant, non-polluting materials serve as mediators between solar energy and vehicle propulsion, eliminating the need for energy-intensive traditional fuel production methods while producing no harmful emissions.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If solar panels are integrated on intermodal shipping containers to generate renewable energy, then harmful emissions are reduced, but additional weight and structural complexity are added to the containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes shipping containers multi-functional by equipping them with both cargo transport capabilities and solar energy generation systems. The containers serve dual purposes: transporting goods and producing renewable electrical energy through integrated photovoltaic panels and electrolysis systems, thereby reducing harmful emissions without requiring separate dedicated energy production infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into modular components that can be independently configured and assembled. Solar panels, electrolysis chambers, fuel storage tanks, and power management systems are divided into separate modular units that can be easily integrated onto standard shipping containers, minimizing structural modifications while maximizing energy generation capability.
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
This solution enables the efficient production and storage of renewable energy, significantly reducing harmful emissions from freight transportation vehicles and aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change.
Implementation Method 1
The integration of solar panels on intermodal shipping containers to generate renewable energy
Implementation Method 2
which can be stored or used immediately to power vehicles or ancillary devices
Data Source
AI summary
A transportation vehicle includes one or more spaces to accept one or more moveable shipping containers. Certain of the shipping containers has attached to one or more exterior surfaces one or more photovoltaic panels that together occupy substantially all of the corresponding exterior surface and wherein none of the one more photovoltaic panels extends beyond an outer boundary of the corresponding exterior surface. Each shipping container with a photovoltaic panel includes a first container electrical connector to provide electrical energy generated by the one or more photovoltaic panels attached to the shipping container. An electrical grid includes one or more first grid connectors, where each first grid connector is adapted to attach to a first container electrical connector. One or more energy storage units is connected to the electrical grid to store energy generated by the shipping containers that has a photovoltaic panel.