U.S. patent application number 11/498759 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-08 for multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition and method, solar energy harvesting buckyball, inductive coupling device; vehicle chassis; atmospheric intake hydrogen motor; electrical energy generating tire; and mechanical energy harvesting device.
Invention is credited to Kahrl L. Retti.
Application Number | 20070028958 11/498759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38957227 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070028958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Retti; Kahrl L. |
February 8, 2007 |
Multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition and method,
solar energy harvesting buckyball, inductive coupling device;
vehicle chassis; atmospheric intake hydrogen motor; electrical
energy generating tire; and mechanical energy harvesting device
Abstract
Provided is a multiple layer composition and method for
deposition of a solar energy harvesting strip onto a driving
surface that will allow electric cars to charge by an inductive
coupling. The multiple layer composition includes at least one
magnetic material for generating a magnetic field, wherein at least
one of the multiple layers comprises the magnetic material.
Further, the a multiple layer composition includes at least one
solar energy harvesting material for converting at least one of
thermal and photonic energy into electrical energy, wherein at
least one of the multiple layers comprises the at least one solar
energy harvesting material and wherein the at least one solar
energy harvesting material is located within a magnetic field
generated by the at least one magnetic material. An alternative
multiple layer composition includes a thermal energy harvesting
material for converting thermal energy into electrical energy,
wherein at least one layer comprises the thermal energy harvesting
material, and a photonic energy harvesting material for converting
photonic energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one layer
comprises the thermal energy harvesting material. Additionally
provided is a solar energy harvesting buckyball, inductive coupling
device, vehicle chassis for storing electrical energy, atmospheric
intake hydrogen motor, electrical energy generating tire and
mechanical energy harvesting device.
Inventors: |
Retti; Kahrl L.; (Parkville,
MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROYLANCE, ABRAMS, BERDO & GOODMAN, L.L.P.
1300 19TH STREET, N.W.
SUITE 600
WASHINGTON,
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
38957227 |
Appl. No.: |
11/498759 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60705484 |
Aug 5, 2005 |
|
|
|
60810162 |
Jun 2, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
136/244 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F02M 21/0296 20130101;
H01L 31/056 20141201; F02M 21/0227 20130101; H01L 31/0352 20130101;
B60M 7/00 20130101; H02J 7/00 20130101; H01L 41/113 20130101; H02S
99/00 20130101; Y02T 10/64 20130101; Y02T 10/7072 20130101; B60L
5/005 20130101; B60L 53/12 20190201; H02K 7/1876 20130101; H02J
7/35 20130101; Y02T 90/12 20130101; Y02E 10/52 20130101; Y02T 90/14
20130101; B60L 8/00 20130101; Y02T 10/70 20130101; H02N 2/18
20130101; Y02T 10/30 20130101; H01J 45/00 20130101; F02M 21/0206
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
136/244 |
International
Class: |
H02N 6/00 20060101
H02N006/00 |
Claims
1. A method for harvesting solar energy, the method comprising:
depositing a plurality of layers onto a surface area that is
incident to solar energy, wherein at least one of the plurality of
layers comprises at least one solar energy harvesting material and
at least one of the plurality of layers comprises at least one
magnetic material; and converting at least one of thermal and
photonic energy into electrical energy by the at least one solar
energy harvesting material, wherein the at least one solar energy
harvesting material is located within a magnetic field generated by
the at least one magnetic material.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one discharge
capacitor is comprised by one or among more than one of the
plurality of layers, the discharge capacitor comprising at least
two conductors that are spaced apart and substantially parallel and
at least one dielectric material between the conductors, wherein
the at least one discharge capacitor is charged by the electrical
energy and augments the magnetic field.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the depositing of the
plurality of layers onto a surface area comprises depositing one or
more of the plurality of layers by spraying, hand application, or
film deposition.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one
magnetic material is deposited as a line array of a plurality of
adjacent magnet portions substantially parallel to the surface area
and substantially parallel to each other, wherein opposing polar
regions of each of the plurality of magnet portions are oriented
such that a line between the opposing polar regions of each of the
plurality of magnet portions is perpendicular to the line array,
further wherein each of the plurality of magnet portions have a
substantially similar or opposite magnetic field orientation.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the magnetic material is at least
partially used for retaining and conveying information by
staggering or eliminating portions of the magnetic material, or by
adding diamagnetic material to the magnetic material to act as a
magnetic field modifier.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one solar
energy harvesting material is a thermal harvesting material for
converting thermal energy into electrical energy and a photonic
energy harvesting material for converting photonic energy into
electrical energy, wherein the thermal harvesting material and
photonic energy harvesting material are comprised by different
layers of the plurality of layers.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the
plurality of layers comprising the at least one solar energy
harvesting material further comprises a plurality of carbon
buckyballs or microballs with the at least one solar energy
harvesting material located thereon.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the buckyballs or
microballs comprise a magnetic material for orienting the
buckyballs or microballs in the magnetic field.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the at least one of the
plurality of layers comprising the buckyballs or microballs
comprises a doped substrate surrounding at least a portion of each
the plurality of buckyballs or microballs and an N-type material
surrounding the remaining portion of each the plurality of
buckyballs or microballs.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein one of the plurality of layers
comprises a basecoat on which the magnetic material is deposited
and another one of the plurality of layers comprises a transparent
sealant material.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the surface area that
is incident to solar energy is one of a driving surface and a body
panel of a vehicle.
12. A multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition for
deposition onto a surface area that is incident to solar energy,
the composition comprising: at least one magnetic material for
generating a magnetic field, wherein at least one of the multiple
layers comprises the magnetic material; and at least one solar
energy harvesting material for converting at least one of thermal
and photonic energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one of
the multiple layers comprises the at least one solar energy
harvesting material and wherein the at least one solar energy
harvesting material is located within a magnetic field generated by
the at least one magnetic material.
13. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 12, wherein at least one discharge capacitor is
comprised by one or among more than one of the multiple layers, the
discharge capacitor comprising at least two conductors that are
spaced apart and substantially parallel and at least one dielectric
material between the conductors, wherein the at least one discharge
capacitor is charged by the electrical energy and augments the
magnetic field.
14. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 13, wherein the deposition of the multiple
layers onto a surface area comprises depositing one or more of the
plurality of layers by spraying, hand application, or film
deposition.
15. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 12, wherein the at least one magnetic material
is deposited as a line array of a plurality of adjacent magnet
portions substantially parallel to the surface area and
substantially parallel to each other, wherein opposing polar
regions of each of the plurality of magnet portions are oriented
such that a line between the opposing polar regions of each of the
plurality of magnet portions is perpendicular to the line array,
further wherein each of the plurality of magnet portions have a
substantially similar or opposite magnetic field orientation.
16. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition of claim
12, wherein the magnetic material is at least partially used for
retaining and conveying information by staggering or eliminating
portions of the magnetic material, or by adding diamagnetic
material to the magnetic material to act as a magnetic field
modifier.
17. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 12, wherein the at least one solar energy
harvesting material is a thermal harvesting material for converting
thermal energy into electrical energy and a photonic energy
harvesting material for converting photonic energy into electrical
energy, wherein the thermal harvesting material and photonic energy
harvesting material are comprised by different layers of the
plurality of layers.
18. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 12, wherein the at least one of the plurality of
layers comprising the at least one solar energy harvesting material
further comprises a plurality of carbon buckyballs or microballs
with the at least one solar energy harvesting material located
thereon.
19. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 18, wherein the buckyballs or microballs
comprise a magnetic material for orienting the buckyballs or
microballs in the magnetic field.
20. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 19, wherein the at least one of the plurality of
layers comprising the buckyballs or microballs comprises a doped
substrate surrounding at least a portion of each the plurality of
buckyballs or microballs and an N-type material surrounding the
remaining portion of each the plurality of buckyballs or
microballs.
21. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition of claim
12, wherein one of the plurality of layers comprises a basecoat on
which the magnetic material is deposited and another one of the
plurality of layers comprises a transparent sealant material.
22. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 12, wherein the surface area that is incident to
solar energy is one of a driving surface and a body panel of a
vehicle.
23. A method for harvesting solar energy, the method comprising:
depositing a plurality of layers onto a surface area that is
incident to solar energy, wherein at least one of the plurality of
layers comprises thermal energy harvesting material and at least
one of the plurality of layers comprises a photonic energy
harvesting material; and converting thermal and photonic energy
into electrical energy by the thermal and photonic energy
harvesting materials, respectively.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the depositing of the
plurality of layers onto a surface area comprises depositing one or
more of the plurality of layers by spraying, hand application, or
film deposition.
25. The method according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the
plurality of layers comprises a magnetic material for generating a
magnetic field, the magnetic material being deposited as a line
array of a plurality of adjacent magnet portions substantially
parallel to the surface area and substantially parallel to each
other, wherein opposing polar regions of each of the plurality of
magnet portions are oriented such that a line between the opposing
polar regions of each of the plurality of magnet portions is
perpendicular to the line array, further wherein each of the
plurality of magnet portions have a substantially similar or
opposite magnetic field orientation.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein at least one
discharge capacitor is comprised by one or among more than one of
the plurality of layers, the discharge capacitor comprising at
least two conductors that are spaced apart and substantially
parallel and at least one dielectric between the conductors,
wherein the at least one discharge capacitor is charged by the
electrical energy and augments the magnetic field.
27. The method of claim 23, wherein the magnetic material is at
least partially used for retaining and conveying information by
staggering or eliminating portions of the magnetic material, or by
adding diamagnetic material to the magnetic material to act as a
magnetic field modifier.
28. The method according to claim 23, wherein the thermal
harvesting material and photonic energy harvesting material are
comprised by different layers of the plurality of layers.
29. The method according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the
plurality of layers comprises a plurality of carbon buckyballs or
microballs with the thermal energy harvesting material and photonic
energy harvesting material comprised on each of the plurality of
carbon buckyballs or microballs.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the buckyballs or
microballs comprise a magnetic material for orienting the
buckyballs or microballs by a magnetic field.
31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the at least one of
the plurality of layers comprising the buckyballs or microballs
comprises a doped substrate surrounding at least a portion of each
the plurality of buckyballs or microballs and an N-type material
surrounding the remaining portion of each the plurality of
buckyballs or microballs.
32. The method of claim 23, wherein one of the plurality of layers
comprises a basecoat and another one of the plurality of layers
comprises a transparent sealant material.
33. The method according to claim 23, wherein the surface area that
is incident to solar energy is one of a driving surface and a body
panel of a vehicle.
34. A multilayer solar energy harvesting composition for deposition
onto a surface area that is incident to solar energy, the
composition comprising: a thermal energy harvesting material for
converting thermal energy into electrical energy, wherein at least
one layer comprises the thermal energy harvesting material; and a
photonic energy harvesting material for converting photonic energy
into electrical energy, wherein at least one layer comprises the
thermal energy harvesting material.
35. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 34, wherein the deposition of the plurality of
layers onto a surface area comprises depositing one or more of the
plurality of layers by spraying, hand application, or film
deposition.
36. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 34, wherein at least one of the plurality of
layers comprises a magnetic material for generating a magnetic
field, the magnetic material being deposited as a line array of a
plurality of adjacent magnet portions substantially parallel to the
surface area and substantially parallel to each other, wherein
opposing polar regions of each of the plurality of magnet portions
are oriented such that a line between the opposing polar regions of
each of the plurality of magnet portions is perpendicular to the
line array, further wherein each of the plurality of magnet
portions have a substantially similar or opposite magnetic field
orientation.
37. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 36, wherein at least one discharge capacitor is
comprised by one or among more than one of the plurality of layers,
the discharge capacitor comprising at least two conductors that are
spaced apart and substantially parallel and at least one dielectric
between the conductors, wherein the at least one discharge
capacitor is charged by the electrical energy and augments the
magnetic field.
38. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition of claim
36, wherein the magnetic material is at least partially used for
retaining and conveying information by staggering or eliminating
portions of the magnetic material, or by adding diamagnetic
material to the magnetic material to act as a magnetic field
modifier.
39. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 34, wherein the thermal harvesting material and
photonic energy harvesting material are comprised by different
layers of the plurality of layers.
40. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 34, wherein at least one of the plurality of
layers comprises a plurality of carbon buckyballs or microballs
with the thermal energy harvesting material and photonic energy
harvesting material comprised on each of the plurality of carbon
buckyballs or microballs.
41. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 40, wherein the buckyballs or microballs
comprise a magnetic material for orienting the buckyballs or
microballs by a magnetic field.
42. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 41, wherein the at least one of the plurality of
layers comprising the buckyballs or microballs comprises a doped
substrate surrounding at least a portion of each the plurality of
buckyballs or microballs and an N-type material surrounding the
remaining portion of each the plurality of buckyballs or
microballs.
43. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition of claim
34, wherein one of the plurality of layers comprises a basecoat and
another one of the plurality of layers comprises a transparent
sealant material.
44. The multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition
according to claim 34, wherein the surface area that is incident to
solar energy is one of a driving surface and a body panel of a
vehicle.
45. A carbon buckyball for harvesting solar energy, comprising: a
thermal energy harvesting material on at least a portion of the
exterior of the buckyball for converting thermal energy into
electrical energy; and a photonic energy harvesting material on at
least a portion of the exterior of the buckyball for converting
photonic energy into electrical energy.
46. The carbon buckyball of claim 45, wherein the buckyball
comprises a first hemisphere with the thermal energy harvesting
material located thereon and a second hemisphere with the thermal
energy harvesting material located thereon.
47. The carbon buckyball of claim 46, wherein the carbon buckyball
is equatorially divided into a first and second hemisphere by a
carbon structure comprising a first dielectric coating on a first
side facing the first hemisphere and on a second dielectric coating
on a second side facing the second hemisphere.
48. The carbon buckyball of claim 47, wherein the first and second
hemisphere each comprise a hollow portion comprising one of a
dielectric and magnetic material and a first and second tuned
carbon nanotube, wherein in both first and second hemispheres, the
first tuned carbon nanotube exits the buckyball at a pole with a
given length so as to provide an electrode for a termination point,
and the second tuned carbon nanotube comprises a termination point
at the dielectric coating of the carbon structure.
49. The carbon buckyball of claim 48, wherein at least one of the
tuned carbon nanotubes comprises a hollow portion comprising
silicon nanocrystals and/or a magnetic material.
50. The carbon buckyball of claim 45, wherein the carbon buckyball
comprises a microball.
51. The carbon buckyball of claim 45, wherein the carbon buckyball
is a nanobattery or nanocapacitor.
52. An inductive coupling device for a vehicle, said vehicle being
at least partially powered by electrical energy, the inductive
coupling device comprising: a spherical inductive coupler for
inducing current in a magnetic field.
53. The inductive coupling device of claim 52, further comprising a
motor for rotating the spherical inductive coupler in the magnetic
field when the vehicle is stationary, wherein the spherical
inductive coupler generates electrical energy when rotated the
magnetic field.
54. The inductive coupling device of claim 52, wherein the
spherical inductive coupler comprises a plurality of spheres.
55. The inductive coupling device of claim 54, wherein at least two
of the plurality of spheres are different sizes.
56. The inductive coupling device of claim 54, wherein at least two
of the plurality of spheres are the same size.
57. The inductive coupling device of claim 54, wherein the
plurality of spheres comprise a first sphere surrounded by N second
spheres, wherein the N second spheres are smaller than the first
sphere, wherein N is greater than one.
58. The inductive coupling device of claim 57, wherein the first
sphere comprises a magnetic material and the N second spheres
comprise a dielectric material.
59. The inductive coupling device of claim 52, wherein the
inductive coupler converts electrical current into a magnetic
field.
60. A vehicle chassis for storing electrical energy for use in a
vehicle that is at least partially powered by electrical energy,
the vehicle chassis comprising: a first conductor; a second
conductor; and a material for energy storage disposed between the
first and second conductors, wherein the chassis supports a body of
the vehicle.
61. The vehicle chassis of claim 60, wherein each of the first and
second conductor comprise a carbon fiber sheet.
62. The vehicle chassis of claim 61, wherein a material for energy
storage comprises a honeycomb structure filled with an electrolyte
suspended in a polymer, wherein the vehicle chassis is a gel type
rechargeable battery.
63. The vehicle chassis of claim 61, wherein a material for energy
storage comprises a dielectric material, wherein the vehicle
chassis is a parallel plate discharge capacitor.
64. An atmospheric intake hydrogen motor that obtains hydrogen fuel
from condensed atmospheric water vapor, the atmospheric intake
hydrogen motor comprising: an atmospheric intake for intaking air;
at least one sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of the
intaken air; a condensation bladder for condensing water from the
air; and a cooling and/or heating device for cooling or heating the
condensation bladder according to the sensed at least one
characteristic of the intaken air, wherein the cooling and/or
heating device cools or heats the condensation bladder to
condensate the water from the air.
65. An electrical energy generating tire for a vehicle, the
electrical energy generating tire comprising: a first reinforcement
strip formed circumferentially on the tire, the first reinforcement
strip comprising a conductive material and forming as a positive
conductor; a second reinforcement strip formed circumferentially on
the tire, formed circumferentially on the tire, the second
reinforcement strip comprising the conductor material and forming
as a negative conductor; a annular strip comprised of piezo ceramic
material and/or thermal harvesting material that is disposed
between the first and second reinforcement strip; and at least one
sidewall conductor coupled to at least one of the first and second
reinforcement strips.
66. The electrical energy generating tire of claim 65, wherein the
at least one sidewall conductor is further coupled to a wheel
rim.
67. The electrical energy generating tire of claim 66, wherein the
wheel rim comprises two halves that are electrically insulated from
each other.
68. The electrical energy generating tire of claim 66, wherein the
wheel rim is electrically coupled to the vehicle.
69. A mechanical energy harvesting device for converting mechanical
motion into electrical current for use in a vehicle, the mechanical
energy harvesting device comprising: an electrical winding; and a
magnetic travel rod surrounded by the winding and moveable relative
to the winding, wherein electrical current is induced when the
magnetic travel rod moves relative to the winding.
70. A mechanical energy harvesting device of claim 69, wherein the
mechanical energy harvesting device is a shock absorber.
71. A linear mechanical energy harvesting device of claim 69,
wherein the travel rod moves relative to the winding as a result of
movement by one of a door, hood, hatchback, break pedal,
accelerator pedals, knob, switch or car seat.
72. A linear mechanical energy harvesting device of claim 69,
further comprising a diode bridge to orient the induced current
with respect to the mechanical movement of the magnetic travel rod
in either of a first or second direction.
73. A linear mechanical energy harvesting device of claim 69,
further comprising a thermal harvesting material to convert thermal
energy into electrical energy.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/705,484,
filed Aug. 5, 2005, and Provisional Patent Application No.
60/810,162, filed Jun. 2, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the generation of
electrical energy from solar energy for applications such as
powering electric vehicles by inductive coupling. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a multiple layer
solar energy harvesting composition and method used to form a solar
energy harvesting strip along a road surface that allows passing
electric vehicles to be powered by an inductive coupling thereto.
Further, the present invention relates to a solar energy harvesting
buckyball. Still further, the present invention relates to an
inductive coupling device. Even further, the present invention
relates to a vehicle chassis for storing electrical energy.
Additionally, the present invention relates to an atmospheric
intake hydrogen motor. Also, the present invention relates to an
electrical energy generating tire. Further, the present invention
relates to a mechanical energy harvesting device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] As expanding energy use and environmental concerns have
become of greater importance, interest has grown in available
energy sources that are alternatives to fossil fuels, hydroelectric
power and nuclear power. In today's alternate energy market, there
are a number of different alternative energy systems being used.
There are solar cells, known in the industry as photovoltaic cells,
wind turbines which generate electricity using electrical
generators driven by blades that catch the wind, solar furnaces
which generate electricity using electrical generators driven by
steam that is produced by catching and magnifying heat from the
sun, hydrogen fuel cells which derive hydrogen from gasoline or
methane, straight hydrogen motors for vehicles which burn hydrogen
that is stored thereon, and electric cars which rely on batteries
to power them. All of these technologies have significant hurdles
to overcome.
[0006] A significant problem with solar cell technology is that
large areas of land are needed to establish solar fields with a
high enough yield to be practical. Solar cells have been improved
over the years to be more effective at converting sunlight into
electricity, but even the best solar cells are only about 20%
efficient at conversion. Further, solar cells have limited wave
length efficiency and on cloudy or rainy days, there is little or
no generation of electricity. This means that in order to compete
with other methods of electrical generation, large numbers of solar
arrays must be directed at the sun during the daylight hours. It is
very expensive to build these arrays and they require extensive
amounts of land.
[0007] Like solar energy, wind fields are constructed to take
advantage of a natural process to generate electricity. The
disadvantages of wind generation are the amount of land required,
costs of construction, and inconsistent nature of wind. These
disadvantages all add up to, as with solar cell technology, relying
on natural processes that are undependable.
[0008] Solar furnaces also rely on the sun to fuel them. At night
and on cloudy days they become ineffective. Thus the generation of
electricity during a rainstorm becomes substantially impossible. As
with solar energy and wind fields, solar furnaces are inefficient
because they only generate energy for a part of a day.
[0009] Much has been written about the conversion of vehicles to
burn hydrogen or other natural gases to help curb the use of oil.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are now being constructed by every
major car manufacturer. Hydrogen's major drawbacks are production
and storage. In a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle the range is only
about 90 miles at best. Hydrogen fuel cells require hydrogen which
when produced generates greenhouse gases. Additionally, storing
hydrogen for consumption on a vehicle is complicated due to the
nature of hydrogen in its gaseous state. Thus, liquefying hydrogen
creates the problem of putting cold storage tanks in vehicles which
would vastly increase the cost of the vehicle. Also, a cold storage
tank would occupy a significant amount of space within a vehicle so
as to store enough hydrogen to get near the number of miles per
tank the average car gets now.
[0010] Electric vehicles which rely solely on batteries to power
them suffer from problems such as limited range, and this has
forced most auto producers to abandon the purely electric car as an
alternative to the internal combustion engine. Even when electric
vehicles are coupled with solar cell technology, most solar cells
are inefficient because of a number of limiting factors, including
wave refraction and reflection, weather problems, and so forth, and
therefore fall short of delivering enough energy. Hybrid cars
combine an internal combustion engine with a generator, electric
motors and batteries. However, such cars still produce greenhouse
gases, and other harmful pollutants.
[0011] In addition to the growing interest in alternative energy
sources, interest is growing in an energy economy of increased
efficiency. In a conventional energy economy, an open loop
consumption process is practiced. In the open loop energy
consumption process energy is purchased as it is utilized from a
centralized energy system. However, the open loop system is
inefficient as the energy consumer never generates and adds energy
to the system. On the other hand, in a closed loop consumption
process, the inefficiencies of the open loop system can be avoided
by having the consumer generate and add energy to the energy
system. By way of example, in the context of vehicles, if 20
million of the 100 million vehicles in the U.S. operated to
supplement one hour of electricity to the centralized energy
system, that would total 20 million hours a day of usable
electricity.
[0012] Accordingly, a need exists for an improved means to generate
energy where the generated energy could be used for a vehicle.
Additionally, a need exists for a system that allows for a
practical closed loop energy consumption process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] An aspect of the invention is to provide a multiple layer
solar energy harvesting composition and method used to form a solar
energy harvesting strip on a road surface that allows passing
electric vehicles to be powered by an inductive coupling thereto.
Solar energy includes at least thermal and/or photonic energy.
[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
solar energy harvesting buckyball for use in a solar energy
harvesting strip and an electric vehicle for use with the solar
energy harvesting strip.
[0015] A further aspect is to provide a method for harvesting solar
energy comprising depositing a plurality of layers onto a surface
area that is incident to solar energy, wherein at least one of the
plurality of layers comprises at least one solar energy harvesting
material and at least one of the plurality of layers comprises at
least one magnetic material. Further, the method comprises
converting at least one of thermal and photonic energy into
electrical energy by the at least one solar energy harvesting
material, wherein the at least one solar energy harvesting material
is located within a magnetic field generated by the at least one
magnetic material.
[0016] A still further exemplary embodiment of the present
invention provides a multiple layer solar energy harvesting
composition for deposition onto a surface area that is incident to
solar energy, comprising at least one magnetic material for
generating a magnetic field, wherein at least one of the multiple
layers comprises the magnetic material. Further, the composition
comprises at least one solar energy harvesting material for
converting at least one of thermal and photonic energy into
electrical energy, wherein at least one of the multiple layers
comprises the at least one solar energy harvesting material and
wherein the at least one solar energy harvesting material is
located within a magnetic field generated by the at least one
magnetic material.
[0017] A yet further exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides a method for harvesting solar energy, comprising
depositing a plurality of layers onto a surface area that is
incident to solar energy, wherein at least one of the plurality of
layers comprises thermal energy harvesting material and at least
one of the plurality of layers comprises a photonic energy
harvesting material. Further, the method comprises converting
thermal and photonic energy into electrical energy by the thermal
and photonic energy harvesting materials, respectively.
[0018] An additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides a multilayer solar energy harvesting composition for
deposition onto a surface area that is incident to solar energy,
comprising a thermal energy harvesting material for converting
thermal energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one layer
comprises the thermal energy harvesting material. Further, the
composition comprises a photonic energy harvesting material for
converting photonic energy into electrical energy, wherein at least
one layer comprises the thermal energy harvesting material.
[0019] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides a carbon buckyball for harvesting solar energy, comprising
a thermal energy harvesting material on at least a portion of the
exterior of the buckyball for converting thermal energy into
electrical energy. Further, the buckyball comprises a photonic
energy harvesting material on at least a portion of the exterior of
the buckyball for converting photonic energy into electrical
energy.
[0020] Still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides an inductive coupling device for a vehicle, said vehicle
being at least partially powered by electrical energy, the
inductive coupling device comprises a spherical inductive coupler
for inducing current in a magnetic field.
[0021] A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides a vehicle chassis for storing electrical energy for use in
a vehicle that is at least partially powered by electrical energy,
the vehicle chassis comprises a first conductor; a second
conductor; and a material for energy storage disposed between the
first and second conductors, wherein the chassis supports a body of
the vehicle.
[0022] An additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides an atmospheric intake hydrogen motor that obtains hydrogen
fuel from condensed atmospheric water vapor, the atmospheric intake
hydrogen motor comprises an atmospheric intake for intaking air; at
least one sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of the
intaken air; a condensation bladder for condensing water from the
air; and a cooling and/or heating device for cooling or heating the
condensation bladder according to the sensed at least one
characteristic of the intaken air, wherein the cooling and/or
heating device cools or heats the condensation bladder to
condensate the water from the air.
[0023] Yet an additional exemplary embodiment of the present
invention provides an electrical energy generating tire for a
vehicle, the electrical energy generating tire comprises a first
reinforcement strip formed circumferentially on the tire, the first
reinforcement strip comprising a conductive material and forming as
a positive conductor; a second reinforcement strip formed
circumferentially on the tire, formed circumferentially on the
tire, the second reinforcement strip comprising the conductor
material and forming as a negative conductor; a annular strip
comprised of piezo ceramic material and/or thermal harvesting
material that is disposed between the first and second
reinforcement strip; and at least one sidewall conductor coupled to
at least one of the first and second reinforcement strips.
[0024] Still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides a mechanical energy harvesting device for converting
mechanical motion into electrical current for use in a vehicle, the
mechanical energy harvesting device comprises an electrical
winding; a magnetic travel rod surrounded by the winding and
moveable relative to the winding; wherein electrical current is
induced when the magnetic travel rod moves relative to the
winding
[0025] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with
the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of
certain embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent
from the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a solar energy harvesting strip according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of the solar
energy harvesting strip in elemental form;
[0029] FIG. 3A illustrates a detailed view of the bonding layer and
magnetic layer;
[0030] FIG. 3B illustrates a detailed view of the bonding layer and
magnetic layer in an exemplary embodiment where the bonding layer
and magnetic layer are used to convey information;
[0031] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate cross sectional views of alternative
embodiments for the conductive layer;
[0032] FIGS. 4D-4F illustrate perspective views of the alternative
embodiments for the conductive layer illustrated in FIGS.
4A-4C;
[0033] FIG. 5A depicts a cross sectional view of the first
exemplary embodiment of the solar energy harvesting strip;
[0034] FIG. 5B depicts the magnetic field of the first exemplary
embodiment of the solar energy harvesting strip from a top
view;
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of the first
exemplary embodiment of the solar energy harvesting strip including
the effects of soft iron deposits on the magnetic field;
[0036] FIG. 7 illustrates the magnetic fields for each of the
layers of the first exemplary embodiment of the solar energy
harvesting strip;
[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of the
solar energy harvesting strip in elemental form;
[0038] FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of a first exemplary
embodiment of a buckyball for use with the second exemplary
embodiment of the solar energy harvesting strip;
[0039] FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of a second exemplary
embodiment of a buckyball for use with the second exemplary
embodiment of the solar energy harvesting strip;
[0040] FIG. 11 illustrates a detailed view of the second exemplary
embodiment of the buckyball illustrated in FIG. 10;
[0041] FIG. 12 illustrates an electric vehicle according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 13 illustrates a conventional induction coupling
device;
[0043] FIG. 14 illustrates an induction coupling device according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 15 illustrates an induction coupling device according
to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 16 illustrates conductions lines on the body panels of
the electric vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0046] FIG. 17 illustrates the body panels and chassis of the
electric vehicle in elemental form according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an
atmospheric intake hydrogen motor in elemental form.
[0048] FIG. 19 illustrates a shock absorber for converting linear
mechanical motion into electrical energy according an exemplary
embodiment of the invention.
[0049] FIG. 20 illustrates an electrical energy generating tire
according an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0050] Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals
will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and
structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0051] The matters defined in the description such as a detailed
construction and elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive
understanding of the embodiments of the invention and are merely
exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments
described herein can be made without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions
and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0052] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include
apparatuses, systems and methods for harvesting solar energy. Solar
energy includes both thermal and photonic energy. Preferably, a
multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition is embodied as a
strip provided on a driving surface that allows electric vehicles
to inductively receive energy as they traverse the driving surface.
FIG. 1 illustrates a solar energy harvesting strip according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a solar
energy harvesting strip 110 between about 1'' to about 24'' wide is
provided at the center of driving surface 120. The position at the
center of the driving surface 120 is presented as an example only,
and the solar energy harvesting strip 110 could be positioned at
any suitable position on the driving surface 120. Further, the
width of about 1'' to about 24'' is merely exemplary, and in other
exemplary embodiments of the present invention the width can be
varied as required by the application or location. Additionally,
while solar energy harvesting strip 110 is shown in FIG. 1 as being
provided on the driving surface 120, the solar energy harvesting
composition could be provided on any other permanent surface and
could be embodied in any form, as required by the application or
location. For example, the solar energy harvesting composition
could be applied to roadways, barrier walls, lampposts, rooftops,
curbs, and so forth and be formed according to the surface it is
applied on.
[0053] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a method of application for the solar energy harvesting
strip 110, described in greater detail below, comprises the steps
of spraying multiple coats in rapid succession onto the driving
surface 120. However any number of methods of deposition, such as
hand application, film deposition, and so forth, can be used for
any one or all of the constituent components of the solar energy
harvesting composition.
[0054] The above solar energy harvesting strip 110, according to
exemplary embodiments of the present invention, merges solar
harvesting and linear magnetic generation technologies. In
exemplary embodiments of the present invention, photonic harvesting
materials could be used for the conversion of photonic energy into
electrical energy. However, in other embodiments of the present
invention, thermal harvesting materials could be used to convert
thermal energy into electrical energy. The solar energy harvesting
composition may comprise only one or both of the photonic and
thermal harvesting materials. When using both photonic and thermal
energy to generate electricity, embodiments of the present
invention are up to 50% more efficient than conventional solar
cells. Conventional solar cells become less efficient as they heat
up, whereas embodiments of the present invention using both
photonic and thermal energy become more efficient.
[0055] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a solar
energy harvesting strip 110 comprises a linear magnetic field
generator for generating electrical flow. A linear magnetic field
generator requires great distances in order to create a magnetic
field capable of generating any appreciable current. Such distances
could be achieved by the placement of the solar energy harvesting
strip 110 on a length of driving surface 120 so as to produce a
linear magnetic field generator. In this case, since the magnetic
fields could be created over long distances, very little current
would be needed from the solar harvesting materials. Even weak
current flow creates magnetic fields of sufficient strength.
Further, since magnetic fields are unaffected by ice, snow, dirt
and so forth, keeping the surface clean and well maintained is of
less importance. According to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention a vehicle passes over the solar energy harvesting
strip 110 to power the vehicle. The vehicle receives power by
having an inductive coupling device affixed thereto that passes
through the magnetic field thereby producing electrical flow.
First Exemplary Embodiment of the Solar Energy Harvesting
Strip:
[0056] A first exemplary embodiment of the solar energy harvesting
strip 110 in elemental form is illustrated in detail in FIG. 2. The
solar energy harvesting strip 110 comprises a multiple layer solar
energy harvesting composition comprised of a bonding layer 210,
magnetic layer 220, a thermal harvesting layer 230, a conductive
layer 240, a photonic harvesting layer 250, and a sealing layer
260. These components are shown and arranged as one example, and in
other embodiments of the present invention, components can be
combined, added, removed and/or rearranged as required by the
application or location. Further, all of the layers may be formed
having the same width or the layers may be formed such that each
layer positioned on top of another layer is narrower than the layer
beneath it. Still further, the edged of any of the layers may be
squared, rounded, or tapered. In FIG. 2, the energy harvesting
composition is embodied as a strip, but may be formed in any
configuration as required by the application or location.
[0057] In operation, the thermal harvesting layer 230 and/or
photonic harvesting layer 250 convert thermal and/or photonic
energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy migrates
across and/or between the layers of the energy harvesting
composition. In one embodiment, the electrical energy migrates
along conductive traces on any of the layers and/or conductive
ladders between any of the layers. In another embodiment,
electrical energy flows through and between the layers of the
energy harvesting composition without any conductive traces or
ladders.
[0058] When a conductive layer 240 is included, the electrical
energy migrates to the conductive layer 240 under the influence of
a magnetic field generated by the magnetic layer 220 and/or bonding
layer 210. Conductive layer 240 stores the electrical energy and
generates an electric field which augments the magnetic field.
Further, conductive layer 240 may be attached to an electrical
energy consumption, transmission and/or storage device. When the
energy harvesting composition is embodied as a strip and conductive
layer 240 is attached to an electrical energy consumption,
transmission and/or storage device, one or more attachments may
occur along the strip.
[0059] When a conductive layer 240 is not included, electrical flow
occurs within and/or between the layers and generates an electric
field which augments the magnetic field. With or without conductive
layer 240, the augmented magnetic field couples the energy
harvested by the thermal harvesting layer 230 and/or photonic
harvesting layer 250 to an electric vehicle and/or other remote
devices. In another embodiment, the electrical energy is used to
energize inductive coils that are used to couple the energy
harvested by the thermal harvesting layer 230 and/or photonic
harvesting layer 250 to an electric vehicle and/or other remote
devices. A better understanding of the first exemplary embodiment
of the solar energy harvesting strip 110 will be achieved through
the following detailed discussion.
[0060] Bonding layer 210 is preferably comprised of a rubber or
asphalt type adhesive and functions as a bonding agent between a
surface on which the solar energy harvesting strip is applied and a
subsequent layer. Further, the bonding layer 210 may additionally
function to fill any cracks and/or fissures in the surface it is
applied to, such as driving surface 120. In an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, bonding layer 210 comprises a soft
ferromagnetic material suspended in a rubberized material. When
bonding layer 210 comprises the soft ferromagnetic material, the
bonding layer 210 additionally functions to generate a magnetic
field that becomes magnetized by magnetic layer 220. Further,
bonding layer 210 may function to electrically insulate the other
layers from the surface it is applied to. Exemplary soft
ferromagnetic materials include iron, soft iron, steel and
magnetite. However, any magnetic material may be used.
[0061] Magnetic layer 220 is comprised of a permanent magnetic
material. The magnetic layer 220 has a magnetic field that is
perpendicular to the field in place, such as the field generated by
the bonding layer 210 when the bonding layer 210 includes a soft
ferromagnetic material. Magnetic layer 220 functions to generate a
magnetic field, which will be described in greater detail below.
The permanent magnetic material of magnetic layer 220 may be a
permanent hard ferromagnetic material. Exemplary hard ferromagnetic
materials include strontium ferrite, strontium ferrite powder,
strontium ferrite powder in a polymer base, steel, iron, nickel,
cobalt, suspensions of magnetite, soft iron in epoxy, iron nickel
alloy, ceramic, alnico, and rare earth magnetic materials. However,
any permanent magnetic material may be used.
[0062] Thermal harvesting layer 230 is comprised of a thermal
electric and/or thermionic material. The thermal harvesting layer
230 converts thermal energy into electrical energy. It is not
necessary for the thermal energy to originate as solar energy.
Thermal harvesting layer 230 may be combined with one or both of
the bonding layer 210 and magnetic layer 220. Exemplary thermal
electric and/or thermionic materials include strontium and barium
strontium titanates. Barium strontium titanates is a material that
when heated causes electrical current to flow. Beside the above
exemplary thermal electric and/or thermionic materials, any thermal
electric and/or thermionic materials may be used.
[0063] Conductive layer 240 is comprised of at least two conductors
separated by a dielectric or insulative material. The conductors
collect the electrical energy from the thermal harvesting layer 230
and the photonic harvesting layer 250. When used with a dielectric,
the conductors form a parallel plate discharge capacitor. One of
the conductors functions as a positively charged plate whereas the
other functions as a negatively charged plate. Preferably, if
thermal harvesting layer 230 is comprised of a thermionic material
and is positioned adjacent to conductive layer 240, the conductor
closest to the thermal harvesting layer 230 may function as the
positively charged plate. Exemplary materials for the conductors
include aluminum oxide, aluminum dioxide, indium tin oxide, indium
tin oxide laced with graphite, any conducting metal, and thin film
mono pole plastics such as a polyamide. Additionally, the conductor
may be comprised of carbon modified epoxies or silicate modified
crynoacrylates, which have been developed to cope with strength and
durability issues. The conductors may be comprised of the same
material or may each be comprised of different materials. Exemplary
dielectric materials include graphite, carbon and activated carbon.
Further, it is preferred that conductive layer 240 is attached to
an electrical energy consumption, transmission and/or storage
device so as to be part of a complete circuit. Examples of which
includes street lights, power grids and batteries, respectively.
Attachments to the conductive layer 240 for the purpose of drawing
energy from it may occur at one or more positions. Further, one of
the plates of the conductors may be coupled to earth ground.
[0064] Photonic harvesting layer 250 is comprised of a photonic
harvesting material and converts photonic energy into electrical
energy. The photonic harvesting material may be a photovoltaic
material that comprises solid state junction diodes which comprise
an NPN type diode of purified silicon, doped with impurities such
as germanium. However, other impurities may be used as a dopant in
addition to or instead of germanium. In addition, the photonic
harvesting material may be MgZn oxides that are dye sensitized,
dirty silicates, polymer films laced with nanocrystals, and organic
based films such as phenylene. Moreover, the photonic harvesting
material may comprise a film deposition of the phototonic
harvesting material on a plastic that supports monopole charges. In
such an arrangement the film can then be bonded to the conductive
layer 240. In yet another example, the photonic harvesting material
may be comprised of conventional type solar cells that are bonded
to the conductive layer 240 and which have an N layer of silicon
applied by spray or film deposition. Alternatively, the photonic
harvesting material may be a composition that makes use of dye
sensitized zinc oxide enriched with magnesium. This composition
pushes the useable wavelength to 800 nanometers, thereby allowing
energy to be harvested from the infrared spectrum. Furthermore,
photonic harvesting layer 250 may comprise a fractal lens structure
or include clear N layers to allow for the transmission of photons
through the substrate to be used again on a second NPN type diode
and so forth.
[0065] Sealing layer 260 is comprised of a sealing material.
Exemplary sealing materials include PFTEE which is a member of the
Teflon family. However, certain epoxies modified by silicates or
carbon may be used as well. Additionally, a combination of
cynoacrylates and silicates may be used as well.
[0066] The layers described above with reference to FIG. 2 are
merely one exemplary arrangement. In other embodiments of the
present invention, components can be combined, added, removed
and/or rearranged as required by the application or location. For
instance, the use of strontium as a magnetic as well as thermal
electrical material may eliminate the need for the application of a
separate thermal harvesting layer. In other words, by using a
material that functions as both a magnetic as well as thermal
electrical material, the structures and/or functions of two or more
of the bonding layer 210, magnetic layer 220 and a thermal
harvesting layer 230 may be combined. Additionally, it is not
necessary for the thermal harvesting layer 230 to be located
between the magnetic layer 220 and the thermal harvesting layer
230, as the thermal harvesting layer 230 may be located at any
point in the layered structure of the solar energy harvesting
composition which forms the solar energy harvesting strip 110.
Furthermore, the structure and/or function of one or more of the
bonding layer 210, magnetic layer 220, thermal harvesting layer
230, conductive layer 240, photonic harvesting layer 250, and
sealing layer 260 may be omitted or combined. Additionally, other
layers with redundant and/or additional functions and/or structures
may be added.
Exemplary Structure of Bonding Layer and Magnetic Layer:
[0067] A better understanding of the bonding layer 210 and magnetic
layer 220 will be achieved through the following detailed
discussion with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A shows the
structure of bonding layer 210 and magnetic layer 220 in greater
detail, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 3A, bonding layer 210 comprises a soft ferro
magnetic material and magnetic layer 220 comprises a hard ferro
magnetic material. The soft ferro magnetic material of bonding
layer 210 generates a magnetic field 310. Preferably, the hard
ferro magnetic material of magnetic layer 220 is deposited on top
of the soft ferro material of bonding layer 210. However, the hard
ferro magnetic material of magnetic layer 220 may be positioned
beneath or within the soft ferro material of bonding layer 210. The
hard ferro magnetic material is illustrated on the bonding layer
210 as magnetic surfaces 340 and 350 that resemble bar magnets
whose polar regions lie in a substantially perpendicular state with
regards to the outer edge of the solar energy harvesting strip 110.
In other words, the magnetic field of the hard anisotropic ferro
magnetic material lies substantially perpendicular to the magnetic
field of the soft ferro magnetic material. While it is preferred
that the polar regions of the magnetic surfaces 340 and 350 lie in
a substantially perpendicular state with respect to the outer edge
of the solar energy harvesting strip 110, the magnetic surfaces 340
and 350 may be applied so that their polar regions align in a
direction parallel to the solar energy harvesting strip 110.
Preferably, the polar regions of adjacent magnetic surfaces 340 and
350 are oriented in opposite directions as shown in FIG. 3A.
However, the polar regions of adjacent magnetic surfaces 340 and
350 may be oriented in the same direction. Further, while only
magnetic surfaces 340 and 350 are illustrated, it is preferred that
the hard ferro magnetic material be applied along most of length of
solar energy harvesting strip 110.
[0068] The hard ferro magnetic material of magnetic layer 220
generates magnetic fields 320 and 330. The magnetic field strength
of the hard ferro magnetic material correlates to the mass of the
magnetic material. Accordingly, by way of example, a magnetic field
330 of half strength, as compared to magnetic field 320, is
generated at magnetic surface 350 by using a hard ferro magnetic
material that is half as thick. Accordingly, any thickness of hard
ferro magnetic material may be utilized as required by the
application or location. An image charge 360 is generated as a
result of the hard ferro magnetic material being in proximity of
the soft ferro magnetic material. By way of example, image charge
360 is depicted for the hard ferro magnetic material of magnetic
surface 340. The polar regions of the image charge 340 are opposite
of the polar regions for the hard ferro magnetic material of
magnetic surface 340.
[0069] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, in place of
the hard ferro material 340, a diagmagnetic material 370 such as
bismuth may be substituted. Areas of the soft ferro material 210
that are covered with diagmagnetic material 370 significantly
decrease the coercive and inductive forces of the magnetic field
380 generated by the soft ferro material 210 in those areas. Use of
these magnetic field modifiers in certain patterns along the along
the length of the strip allow information to be encoded in a
pattern. Devices that are able to sense the variations of the
magnetic field along the length of the strip will thereby be able
to ascertain the information. By way of example, for an electric
vehicle traveling along the length of the strip, the encoded
information may comprise traffic signals, speed limits, driver
assist programs, and so forth.
Exemplary Structure of Conductive Layer:
[0070] A better understanding of the conductive layer 240 will be
achieved through the following detailed discussion with reference
to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F which illustrate exemplary
structures of the conductive layer 240. FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C
illustrate cross-sectional views of the exemplary structures of the
conductive layer 240. FIGS. 4D, 4E and 4F illustrate perspective
views of the exemplary structures of the conductive layer 240. In
FIGS. 4A-4C and 4D-4F, a first conductor 410A, 410B and 410C is
spaced apart from a second conductor 420A, 420B and 420C with a
dielectric or insulative material 430A, 430B, 430C formed between.
When used with a dielectric, the conductors form a parallel plate
discharge capacitor. One of the first conductor 410A, 410B and 410C
and second conductor 420A, 420B and 420C functions as an
electrically positive plate while the other functions as an
electrically negative plate. Additionally, dielectric or insulative
material may additionally be formed adjacent to any combination of
the top, bottom, left or right side of the structures shown in
FIGS. 3A-3B. Moreover, any number of the bonding layer 210,
magnetic layer 220, thermal harvesting layer 230, conductive layer
240, photonic harvesting layer 250, and sealing layer 260 may be
form between the first conductor 410A, 410B and 410C and second
conductor 420A, 420B and 420C instead of or in addition to the
dielectric or insulative material 430A, 430B and 430C, and may have
a cross sectional width that is less than, greater than or equal to
the insulative material 430A, 430B and 430C. The cross sectional
height for each of the first and second conductors 410A, 410B and
410C and 420A, 420B and 420C and dielectric or insulative material
430A, 430B and 430C are shown as being the same. However, the
height of each can vary according to the application. FIGS. 4A and
4B are similar in that first conductors 410A and 4101B are situated
below the dielectric or insulative material 410A and 410B which is
below the second conductor 420A and 420B. FIGS. 4D and 4E are
similar for the same reasons as FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIGS. 4B and 4C
are similar in that the first conductor 4101B and 410C and second
conductor 420B and 420C are parallel, spaced apart and at least one
of the first conductor 410B and 410C and second conductor 420B and
420C has a cross sectional width less than the width of the strip.
FIGS. 4E and 4F are similar for the same reasons as FIGS. 4B and
4C. While FIGS. 4A-4C show particular exemplary structures of the
conductive layer 240, conductive layer 240 may be formed in other
ways as the application requires.
[0071] FIGS. 4A and 4D illustrates conductive layer 240 formed so
as to have the second conductor 420A formed on top of the
dielectric or insulative material 430A which is formed on top of
the first conductor 410A. Each of the first and second conductors
410A and 420A and dielectric or insulative material 430A are
substantially planer, with each lying in different planes, and each
have substantially the same cross sectional width. However, the
first and second conductors 410A and 420A and dielectric or
insulative material 430A may also be form so that dielectric or
insulative material 430A is narrower than the first conductor 410A
but wider than the second conductor 420A.
[0072] FIGS. 4B and 4E illustrates conductive layer 240 having
parallel spaced apart first and second conductors 410B and 420B
formed side by side with the dielectric or insulative material 430B
formed in between. Second conductor 420B is formed on top of the
dielectric or insulative material 430B which is formed on top of
the first conductor 410B. First and second conductors 4101B and
420B at least partially lie in different planes. Dielectric or
insulative material 430B is continuous and may have a cross
sectional width equal to or less than width of the strip. In an
alternative implementation, the first conductor 410B may be
positioned over the dielectric or insulative material 430B with the
second conductor 420B position beneath the dielectric or insulative
material 430B. The cross sectional width of at least one of the
first and second conductors 410B and 420B is less than the cross
sectional width of the strip.
[0073] FIGS. 4C and 4F illustrates conductive layer 240 having
parallel spaced apart co-planer first and second conductors 410C
and 420C formed side by side with a co-planer dielectric or
insulative material 430C formed in between. The cross sectional
width of each of the first and second conductors 410C and 420C and
dielectric or insulative material 430B is less then the cross
sectional width of the strip.
[0074] FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate particular exemplary structures of
the conductive layer 240, however, conductive layer 240 may formed
in other ways as the application requires.
Exemplary Embodiment of Operation of Solar Energy Harvesting
Strip:
[0075] In order to better understand the operation of the solar
energy harvesting strip 110, a study of the magnetic fields of the
individual elements is in order. FIGS. 5A and 5B depict the
magnetic field lines of solar energy harvesting strip 110 when the
layers of the solar energy harvesting composition are in place.
[0076] In FIG. 5A, a cross sectional view of the solar energy
harvesting strip 110 formed on surface 530 is shown. The magnetic
poles of the solar energy harvesting strip 110 are shown in the
cross sectional view. Upper magnetic field lines 510 are shown
oriented in direction A. Further, lower magnetic field lines 520
are shown passing through surface 530.
[0077] In FIG. 5B the orientation of the magnetic field from a top
view is shown. As can be seen in this view, the magnetic moments
550 are aligned parallel to the outer edge of the strip and have a
magnetic orientation such that their north pole points in direction
B. As a result of this method of polarization, a number of small
anisotropic regions are created whose net field effect emulates
that of a bar magnet. Further, a net field effect of the combined
components of the solar energy harvesting strip 110 along the
length of the solar energy harvesting strip 110 is a helical field
540 along the length of the solar energy harvesting strip 110. The
helical field 540 orientation resembles a torus and the net effect
on an unbounded electron is torrisional. This torrisional effect
influences electron flow in the solar energy harvesting strip
110.
[0078] The magnetic fields depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B are merely
exemplary and are shown in the absence of any magnetic
interference. However, as is exemplified in FIG. 6, soft iron
deposits 610 may be located beneath the surface 530 that interfere
with the magnetic fields of the solar harvesting strip 110. These
soft iron deposits form image charges 620 above the anisotropic
permanent magnetic material. As a result, spike lines 630 are
created above the magnetic field that are random modifiers of the
field at large. In order to facilitate an ease of understanding,
the effects of the soft iron deposits 610 located beneath the
surface 530 will be omitted from further discussions.
[0079] The individual magnetic fields of the components of solar
harvesting strip 110 will now be discussed. FIG. 7 depicts the
magnetic field lines for each successive layer including
alternative embodiments for conductive layer 240 that are
exemplified in FIGS. 4A-4D and 4C-4F. The magnetic field lines for
the conductive layers 240 exemplified in FIG. 4B are substantially
similar to the magnetic field lines illustrated with respect to
FIG. 4C, and therefore a discussion thereof is omitted.
[0080] The magnetic field 320 generated by bonding layer 210 and/or
magnetic layer 220 has been discussed above with reference to FIG.
3 and therefore any further discussion will be omitted for the sake
of brevity. The thermal harvesting layer 230 alters the magnetic
field generated by bonding layer 210 and/or magnetic layer 220 and
results in altered magnetic field lines 710.
[0081] The conductive layer 240 generates a magnetic field when
current flows through the conductors. However, the current flow is
affected by conductive layer 240 being located within the magnetic
field generated by the bonding layer 210 and/or magnetic layer 220.
The net effect on electron flow due to the magnetic field generated
by the bonding layer 210 and/or magnetic layer 220 is to force the
electrons to the outer edges of the conductors. This phenomenon is
known in the art as magnetic field line fringing and becomes
important when using mono-pole plastics because many of the
available electrons become trapped by the atoms of the other
constituent elements. The use of an external magnetic field to
force electron flow out to the edge of the conductors overcomes the
tendency of electrons to be randomized in their migration. The
magnetic field generated by the conductive layer 240 increases the
net magnetic field strength due to the electromagnetic force in the
conductors. Thereby, the potential of the magnetic inductance field
is increased.
[0082] The magnetic fields generated around the conductors of the
conductive layer 240 vary according to the structure of the
conductive layer 240. By way of example, exemplary conductive
layers 240 of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A-4D and 4C-4E are
depicted in FIG. 7.
[0083] In the conductive layer 240 of the type exemplified in FIGS.
4A and 4D, magnetic field lines 720 follow a circular pattern
around the flat conductors. A spike in the magnetic field strength
occurs at the midpoint of the separation between the two
conductors. However, when saturation occurs, the spike collapses at
the meridian and forms in the direction of the current flow in the
conductors.
[0084] In the conductive layer 240 of the type exemplified in FIGS.
4C and 4E, magnetic field lines 730 reach a max spike at the center
of the max distance between the two conductors that are separated
by a dielectric. A secondary field spike occurs between the
anisotropic and dielectric material at the midpoint between the two
conductors.
[0085] The dielectric of the conductive layer 240 further results
in a modified magnetic field 740 which is a magnetic field of the
bonding layer 210 and/or magnetic layer 220 which has been modified
by the thermal harvesting layer 230.
[0086] When all the layers of energy harvesting strip 110 are in
place, the magnetic fields of the various conductors and the
magnetic layers produce a linear magnetic field 750 that follows
the right hand rule of field direction when there is a current
present in the conductors.
Second Exemplary Embodiment of Solar Energy Harvesting Strip:
[0087] A second exemplary embodiment of the solar energy harvesting
strip 110 in elemental form is illustrated in detail in FIG. 8. The
solar energy harvesting device, according to the second exemplary
embodiment, comprises a second multiple layer solar energy
harvesting composition comprising a bonding layer 210, a magnetic
layer 220, a conductive layer 240, a thermal-photonic harvesting
layer 810, and a sealing layer 260. When the components of the
thermal-photonic harvesting layer 810 are combined as shown in FIG.
8, they form N type solid state junction diodes. These components
are shown and arranged as one example, and in other embodiments of
the present invention, components can be combined, added, removed
and/or rearranged as required by the application or location. In
FIG. 8, the energy harvesting strip 110 is embodied as a strip, but
may be formed in any configuration as required by the application
or location. Further, all of the layers may be formed having the
same width or the layers may be formed such that each layer
positioned on top of another layer is narrower than the layer
beneath it. Still further, the edged of any of the layers may be
squared, rounded, or tapered. In the second exemplary embodiment,
bonding layer 210, magnetic layer 220, conductive layer 240, and
sealing layer 260 are identical to their respective layer in the
first exemplary embodiment, and a description thereof will be
omitted. It is further noted that thermal harvesting layer 230
and/or photonic harvesting layer 250, as described with respect to
the first exemplary embodiment, may be provided in the second
exemplary embodiment.
[0088] In operation, the thermal-photonic harvesting layer 810
converts thermal and/or photonic energy into electrical energy.
When a conductive layer 240 is included, the electrical energy
migrates to the conductive layer 240 under the influence of a
magnetic field generated by the magnetic layer 220 and/or bonding
layer 210. Conductive layer 240 stores the electrical energy and
generates an electric field which augments the magnetic field.
Further, conductive layer 240 may be attached to an electrical
energy consumption, transmission and/or storage device. When the
energy harvesting composition is embodied as a strip and conductive
layer 240 is attached to an electrical energy consumption,
transmission and/or storage device, one or more attachments may
occur along the strip.
[0089] When a conductive layer 240 is not included, electrical flow
occurs within and/or between the layers and generates an electric
field which augments the magnetic field. With or without conductive
layer 240, the augmented magnetic field couples the energy
harvested by the thermal harvesting layer 230 and/or photonic
harvesting layer 250 to an electric vehicle and/or other remote
devices. In another embodiment, the electrical energy is used to
energize inductive coils that are used to couple the energy
harvested by the thermal-photonic harvesting layer 810 to an
electric vehicle and/or other remote devices. A better
understanding of the first exemplary embodiment of the solar energy
harvesting strip 110 will be achieved through the following
detailed discussion.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 8, thermal-photonic harvesting layer 810
comprises a doped silicate barrier solution layer 830, a clear N
type silicate barrier layer 840 and a plurality of nanostructures.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
nanostructures are 60 sided carbon buckyballs 820. Preferably, at
least a portion of the lower hemisphere of the buckyballs 820 is
suspended within the doped silicate barrier solution layer 830 and
at last a portion of the upper hemisphere of the buckyballs 820 is
suspended within clear N type silicate barrier layer 840.
Buckyballs 820 carry a structurally negative charge, and therefore
are preferable for forming solid state junction diodes of the NPN
type.
[0091] The buckyballs 820 are situated in the thermal-photonic
harvesting layer 810 such that electrical fields generated by the
buckyballs 820 align in a perpendicular manner with respect to the
magnetic field produced by the magnetic layer 220 and/or bonding
layer 210. The individual buckyball structures generate electrical
flow, behaving like parallel plate discharge capacitors in series.
Because electrical fields generate magnetic fields, the field
strength of the solar energy harvesting strip 110 will be
augmented.
[0092] The buckyballs 820 have had solid state junction diodes
formed on the facets of their exterior structure for the
conversation of thermal and/or photonic energy into electrical
energy which is discharged into the solar harvesting strip 110. In
order to convert the thermal and/or photonic energy into electrical
energy, thermal and/or photonic energy harvesting materials are
deposited on the facets of the buckyball 820. The thermal and
photonic energy harvesting materials could be any of the material
discussed above with respect to the thermal harvesting layer 230
and photonic harvesting layer 250 of FIG. 2. Further, the photonic
energy harvesting material could include doping the facets of the
buckyball 820 with nanocrystals that are doped by any number of
dopants, such as germanium, phosphorous and boron, and the like.
Preferably, a lower hemisphere of the buckyballs 820 comprises the
thermal harvesting material and an upper hemisphere of the
buckyballs 820 comprises the photonic energy harvesting material.
However, the thermal and photonic energy harvesting materials may
be comprised on any of, and include any number of, the facets of
the buckyballs 820. Moreover, buckyballs 820 may comprise only
thermal or photonic energy harvesting materials. Additionally, any
combination of thermal only, photonic only and mixed
thermal-photonic buckyballs 820 may be utilized. The buckyballs 820
are prepared by conventional methods known to the art.
[0093] Preferably, the facets of the buckyballs 820 comprise
spacing between the applications of thermal and/or photonic
harvesting material so as to provide excellent electron path
migration. The advantages of cutting channels in silicon for
electron migration occurs naturally in this structure.
[0094] The structure of the buckyballs 820 are advantageous in that
when applied to the solar harvesting strip 110, they have up to 30
facets that face the sky at every angle to catch sunlight from dusk
to dawn, thereby eliminating the need to constantly reorient solar
cells. While embodiments of the present invention are described
utilizing 60 sided carbon buckyballs 820, epoxy and carbon
microballs could be substituted for the buckyballs 820. For
example, hollow carbon microballs with a dielectric having poles
formed from nanotubes would substantially perform the same function
as the buckyballs.
First Exemplary Embodiment of a Buckyball:
[0095] FIG. 9 illustrates a first exemplary construction of a
buckyball 820 of the thermal-photonic harvesting layer 810
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In
FIG. 9, a carbon nanotube 910 is located in the upper hemisphere
920 of the buckyball 820 and functions as an electrode for the
buckyball 820. The nanotube 910 comprises a hollow interior and may
contain silicon nanocrystals and/or a magnetic material within its
hollow interior. FIG. 9 further illustrates a second electrode 930
at a lower hemisphere of the buckyball 820. Depending on the
composition of the buckyballs 820 they may operate as either a
nanobattery or a nanocapacitor.
[0096] When buckyballs 820 are formed as a nanobattery the
buckyballs are filled with an electrical energy storing chemical
and are provided with the carbon nanotubes 910 and 940 to form a
nanobattery. These nanobatteries use thermal and/or photonic energy
to produce electricity, which is discharged into solar energy
harvesting strip 110, then recharged and discharged repeatedly. In
an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the rate of discharge and
recharge is on the order of millions of times a second.
[0097] When the buckyballs 820 are formed as nanocapacitors, the
buckyballs 820 comprise the tuned carbon nanotubes 910 and 940 and
a dielectric material introduced to the interior of the hollow
carbon structure. Exemplary dielectric materials include tantalum
pentoxide (Ta.sub.20.sub.5) and manganese dioxide (Mn0.sub.2).
However, any other dielectric material may be used. When tantalum
pentoxide (Ta.sub.20.sub.5) and/or manganese dioxide (Mn0.sub.2) is
used as the dielectric material, the buckyball 820 is formed as a
nanoelectrolytic nanocapacitor. When buckyballs 820 are formed as a
nanocapacitor they use thermal and/or photonic energy to produce
electricity, which is then discharged into the solar harvesting
strip 110.
Second Exemplary Embodiment of a Buckyball:
[0098] FIG. 10 illustrates a second exemplary structure of carbon
buckyball 820, which is illustrated in a partially exploded view.
In FIG. 10, a tuned carbon nanotube 1010 is located at the upper
pole of an upper hemisphere 1020 of the buckyball 820. Further, a
tuned carbon nanotube 1050 is located at a lower pole in the lower
hemisphere 1040 of the buckyball 820. Additionally, a carbon
barrier 1030 is equatorially placed within the hollow center of the
buckyball 820. Carbon barrier 1020 preferably comprises a coating
of a dielectric material that serves as a collection medium for
electrons flowing into the solar energy harvesting strip 110.
[0099] FIG. 11 illustrates a comprehensive exploded view of the
second embodiment from FIG. 10 shown in greater detail. A
dielectric coating 1120, is located on the upper side of barrier
1030. An exemplary dielectric coating includes tantalum pentoxide,
however any other dielectric material could alternatively be used.
Barrier 1030 further comprises a dielectric coating 1130 on the
bottom of the barrier 1030. Dielectric coating 1120, barrier 1030
and dielectric coating 1130 perform the function of a parallel
plate discharge capacitor with a high leakage rate.
[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 11, tuned carbon nanotube 1010
functions as an electrode with anode and cathode termination
points. The nanotube 1010 exits the carbon structure of buckyball
820 at the upper pole and includes a protruding portion 1110 with a
cathode termination point. Further, carbon nanotube 1010 includes
an anode termination point located at dielectric coating 1120.
Protruding portion 1110 illustrates an exemplary length for the
portion of nanotube 1010 exiting the buckyball 820. Likewise, tuned
carbon nanotube 1050 functions as an electrode with anode and
cathode termination points. The nanotube 1050 exits the carbon
structure of buckyball 820 at the lower pole and includes a
protruding portion 1110 with an anode termination point. Further,
carbon nanotube 1050 includes a cathode termination point located
at dielectric coating 1130. Protruding portion 1150 illustrates an
exemplary length for the portion of nanotube 1050 exiting the
buckyball 820.
[0101] In operation, electrical field charges migrate to the
exterior of the buckyball 820. Alignment of electrical field lines
occurs at the dielectric coating 1120 which functions as a
collection plate for the anode termination point of nanotube 1010
and thereby carries a net negative charge which saturates the
barrier 1030. The barrier 1030 is also saturated by dielectric
coating 1130 which functions as a collection plate for the cathode
termination point of nanotube 1050 and thereby carries a net
positive charge.
[0102] A magnetic material 1140, whose field is opposite of the
magnetic field of the magnetic layer 220 and/or bonding layer 210,
is shown filling the hollow portion of the lower hemisphere of the
buckyball 820. The purpose of the magnetic material 1140, according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is to orient
the buckyball 820 so that facts comprising the photonic harvesting
material are oriented upward. For example, if the nanostructure 820
is being sprayed upon a surface, the magnetic material 1170 within
the sphere is attracted to the magnetic material in bonding layer
210 and/or magnetic layer 220 and rotates the sphere to a proper or
desired orientation. Magnetic material may also be deposited in the
hollow anode as well. To further ensure alignment, a diamagnetic
material may be placed in the cathode.
[0103] As noted above, the individual buckyballs 820 generate
electrical flow, behaving like parallel plate discharge capacitors
in series. Because electrical fields generate magnetic fields, the
magnetic field strength of the solar energy harvesting strip is
augmented for inductance. The electrons flow to the conductive
layer 140 which itself acts as a parallel plate capacitor.
First Exemplary Embodiment of a Method of Application of a Solar
Energy Harvesting Composition
[0104] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
the solar energy harvesting strip comprises a solar energy
harvesting composition for use with an applicator to spray apply
the layers of the solar energy harvesting composition on a driving
surface. The solar energy harvesting composition comprises about
10% to about 20% rubber type adhesive to act as bonding agent
between the driving surface and subsequent applications, about 20%
to about 60% magnetic material, about 20% to about 40% specially
prepared solid state junction diodes, a conduction material where
used comprise about 20% to about 30% graphite/epoxy and about 20%
to about 30% of a metallic conductor such as Aluminum Dioxide. The
film is then sealed by a type of transparent material, such as a
transparent TEFLON material. These layers can be configured and
arranged in a number of manners. For example, a permanent magnet
rubber bonding strip can be applied, followed by a first and second
conductor application, an epoxy/graphite dielectric conduction
strip, a thermal electric converter, a photonic energy harvesting
material conduction film, and completed with a clear topcoat. In
another example, an aluminum dioxide plate conductor can be
applied, followed by a graphite/epoxy dielectric, an aluminum
dioxide plate conductor, barium strontium titanates, a photonic
energy harvesting material conduction film, and completed with a
clear nonstick topcoat. In the above examples, thermal energy
harvesting materials may substituted for any of materials or be
separately applied.
Second Exemplary Embodiment of a Method of Application of a Solar
Energy Harvesting Composition
[0105] Use of an apparatus such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,605,251 of Retti entitled "Pulseless Pump Apparatus", the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, is
preferable for applying the chemical coating of yet another
embodiment of the present invention, in three somewhat simultaneous
overcoatings. In the first application, a rubber-based, asphalt
cement which combines permanently magnetized material, preferably
about 75% magnetic material to about 25% cement, is applied to the
surface providing electrical insulation as well as a bonding agent
for the subsequent overcoatings. In a somewhat simultaneous
application, graphite, preferably in a solution of 65% graphite
65%, and 35% epoxy or ACC (superglue), is applied to the bonding
agent in two separate but parallel lines to form conductors
representing the positive and negative leads in a circuit. In the
third application of material, specially formed solid state
junction diodes are deposited by air jet onto the surface of the
magnetic-graphite strip, forming a solid overcoating of the base
materials producing photovoltaic strips on the surface of the road.
A final deposition comprised of PFTEE can then be achieved by
direct spray onto the surface of the strips, so as to protect the
composition from the effects of the elements. In the above example,
thermal energy harvesting materials may substituted for any of
materials or be separately applied.
Exemplary Short Capture Energy System:
[0106] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an
energy system can be provided and is referred to for purposes of
discussion as a short capture energy system. The short capture
energy system comprises installing a solar energy harvesting strip
in a road surface under a protective coating that electric vehicles
may use to recharge onboard batteries by means of an inductive
coupling. The solar cells used in the short capture energy system,
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, are
basically the same PNP gates formed on silicon wafers that are in
use today. The short capture energy system is different in that
after the formation of the gates, the product is bonded with a
rubberized magnetic material and then ground or broken up so as to
be air blasted onto a rubber based adhesive strip previously
applied to a driving surface. A magnet is then passed over the
solution so as to "flip" the cells so that the gates are upward and
form a fractal surface pointed skyward.
[0107] After the cells are oriented correctly, a PFTEE coating is
liquid applied to the surface creating a protective coating that
passes more sunlight in the coned spectrum then does glass. No
conductor is needed since the cells will only capture the current
for a short period before release to the onboard auto batteries by
means of induction. Given the expansion rates of concrete as well
as asphalt, the normal fissuring of these surfaces will harmlessly
translate to the strip surface without effect as there is no need
to maintain a continuous conductor. The gates may be broken, cut,
or ground to any shape with the embodiment being triangular shaped
silicon gates bonded to rubberized magnetic material. In the above
example, thermal energy harvesting materials may substituted for
any of materials or be separately applied. Alternatively, the
materials, layers, and/or composition of the first and second
exemplary embodiments of solar energy harvesting strip may be
formed and/or operate according the small capture energy
system.
Exemplary Small Capture Energy System:
[0108] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an
energy systems can be provided and is referred to for purposes of
discussion as a small capture energy system. The small capture
energy system involves the use of a material similar to that
describe above with respect to the solar energy harvesting strip
110. However, instead of a driving surface, the solar energy
harvesting composition is applied to the separation walls found on
highways. Further, it utilizes a continuous conductor that will
allow the photonic and/or thermionic energy harvesting materials to
pass and store electricity for a variety of uses. The electricity
of a 6 inch solar energy harvesting strip on all of the existing
driving surfaces as well as on the barrier walls, would out produce
all the current solar capture devices in use today.
[0109] In the small capture energy system, a rubber type cement is
applied, for example, to the surface of barrier walls on the
highway. However, the composition could alternatively be applied to
rooftops, bridges, light poles, and so forth, onto which a
conductor could be applied. Over the conductor, a coating of an
electrolytic epoxy is sprayed while receiving a somewhat
simultaneous application of the solar cells. Like the short capture
energy system, a magnet is used to orient the PNP gates skyward.
The strips of cells could be linked together to run a variety of
applications. Alternatively, the materials, layers, and/or
composition of the first and second exemplary embodiments of solar
energy harvesting strip may be formed and/or operate according the
small capture energy system.
Exemplary Use of Small and Short Capture Energy Systems:
[0110] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention could be used
to charge vehicle batteries. For example, solar harvesting strips
110 can be installed in parking lots. The solar harvesting strips
110 could be laid out in a parking lot on space dividers to
determine field generation strength as well as basic durability.
These strips could be comprised of the small capture energy system
embodiment, having continuous conductors tied to collection
batteries. Vehicles having electric batteries could charge at these
stations. Further, solar harvesting strips 110 could be applied on
major highways. Additionally, solar harvesting strip 110 could be
applied to the separation wall, that is, the concrete barrier
between lanes, and tied to a continuous conductor including
collection batteries to run highway lights, lighting for signs, and
so forth. Once in place and operating, the small and short capture
energy systems can be utilized to augment the solar harvesting
strip 110.
Third Exemplary Embodiment of the Method of Application of Solar
Energy Harvesting Material
[0111] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, any ferris metal capable of magnetization can be ground
to the consistency of iron filings. Preferably, ferris metal is
comprised primarily of reclaimed recyclables. These metals can be
generally magnetized by field polarization in this process. Once
magnetized, the material can be combined with an electrolytic
substance while receiving a somewhat simultaneous overcoating of
thermal and/or photonic harvesting materials. Encasement can be
finalized by an application of a film. Flow of current through the
solar energy harvesting composition would augment the field
produced by the already magnetized layer. Since there is a layer of
magnetic material, times of little or no sunshine, ice, dirt, and
nighttime, would have less of an affect on the system than they
would on conventional photovoltaic cell systems. The solar
harvesting strips of this composition can receive field
augmentation in the energy system. In an exemplary system, the same
type of laminations can be used, with the exception of providing a
continuous conductor, so that the current flow could be directed to
either collection batteries or directed to the roadway strips.
Further electrical energy from the collection batteries and/or
electric grid my add electricity of the conductors so as to augment
the magnetic field.
[0112] In such applications, the thermal and/or photonic harvesting
materials are basically applied in a suspended solution. In an
exemplary embodiment, the application to the road surface can be a
four step process that can be accomplished simultaneously from a
truck bearing the proper equipment. The application can be much
like painting lines on the road. The conducting strips can be
applied in much the same way, except that conductors for collection
are used. Possible uses for this composition would be barrier
walls, the inside of guard rails, jackets for over head wires, and
so forth. Since the substrate may be dyed or colored, the lines
dividing the lanes on a road could be "repainted" with the material
and be made to be conducting or nonconducting.
[0113] A use of the above embodiments further comprises uses on
rooftops. The same materials for the road can be used to coat
existing rooftops. Further, instead of collecting voltage from a
dense concentration of cells, collection of the magnetic field is
possible to drive a small generator by magnetic inductance.
Further Exemplary Embodiments
[0114] In yet other embodiments of the present invention, an
indestructible solar cell can be designed to be embedded in the
roadway and provide a system and method of power generation for
electrical vehicles by use of electrical inductance principles,
whereby the vehicles passing over the cells may draw current from
them for onboard charging of fuel cells. The embodiments can
further comprise a system and method for a digital, as well as a
fiber optic network, allowing the concurrent construction of a
global communications network. Also, the embodiments can comprise a
system and method for recharging and discharging the related
network so as to produce an electrical surplus, which may be used
to power any and all foreseeable technologies which use
electricity. The thermal and/or photonic harvesting materials of
the embodiments may also be used in general housing construction
applications, as the surface of these solar cells may be
constructed to resemble any surface such as shingles, bricks,
siding, glass films, and so forth. Further. the embodiment can
comprise a method of photo nonreluctant dying so that the solar
cells may be dyed without consequence to the cells electrical
conducting properties. Also, the embodiments can further comprise a
method of photoluminescence magnification to multiply the net
effect of the charging cycle by a factor of 4 to produce ultra
efficient charging, and include a system and method for lighting
the roadway at night with little consequential discharge of the
network.
[0115] An application of an embodiment of the present invention can
entail installation of conventional photovoltaics on the surface of
barrier walls, guard rails, and so forth. Methods of doing this
have been devised so as to be able to transfer electrical current
to ferris bearing substrates attached to the road surfaces via
electrical coils to create magnetic fields. Electric cars can then
be provided having an inductive coupling device attached to the
subframe, and which are tied electrically through diodes to an
onboard charging device. Since the charging medium is a long range
magnetic field, having an inductive coupling device that is
maintained at certain heights with regards to the charging medium
is not as necessary as it is for a short distance charging system,
such as buried electrical cable in the roads.
[0116] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
the introduction of thermal and/or photonic harvesting materials
bonded to any type of magnetic material via the use of electrolytic
material such as certain epoxies, can occur. Like the first
application, a film of rubber and a Ferris substrate would precede
the application of an electrolytic and photovoltaics covered over
by a film of PFTEE that passes more of the correct wavelength than
does glass. Provisions can then be made to use augmentation by
photovoltaics. Application of the photovoltaics to the substrate
can yield a Fractal surface, proven to be more effective at wave
length capture than a flat or parabolic conformity.
[0117] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the composition could be air blasted onto a quick
setting solution that would contain all conductors and/or magnetic
material in the solution. Magnetic field orientation could be a one
time process by passing a magnet over the solar harvesting strips.
If the gates are bonded to a magnetic material on the negative side
of the gates, positive gate orientation could be accomplished by
passing a magnet over the semi-viscous strip to orient the gates
upwards.
Exemplary Embodiment of the Inductively Coupled Electric
Vehicle
[0118] In FIG. 12, an electric vehicle 1200 is illustrated that is
operable with the solar energy harvesting strip 110, according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Electric vehicle
1200 may comprise a number of features that increase its
efficiency. For instance, electric vehicle 1200 may comprise a
regenerative braking system 1210. A regenerative braking system
1210 generates electrical energy by converting breaking force into
electrical energy that may be used to power the electric vehicle
1200. Further, electric vehicle 1200 may incorporate independent
electric motors 1220 at each wheel. The configuration of having one
electric motor at each wheel minimizes the vehicle's weight thereby
reducing the amount of energy needed to propel the vehicle. The
body panels 1230 may be constructed to function as parallel plate
discharge capacitors. Further, a solar energy harvesting material
that converts photonic and/or thermal energy into electricity may
be used for the finish coating on all body panels 1230.
Additionally, all of the window glass 1240 may be coated with a
clear or tinted photonic and/or thermal energy harvesting material.
Further, electric vehicle 1200 includes an inductive coupling
device 1250 which uses a sphere-type inductive coupling device for
induction instead of a conventional plate-type inductive coupling
device. Preferably, electric vehicle 1200 includes ancillary or
backup electrical generation devices. Such ancillary or backup
electrical generation devices may covert mechanical motion
associated with the electric vehicle 1200 into electricity. For
example, when you open the door, a magnetic rod travels through a
series of windings which produces electrical current. In addition,
the regenerative braking system 1210 described above is another
example of an ancillary or backup electrical generation device.
Further, electric vehicle 1200 may be provided with a hydrogen
motor 1260 that generates electricity. Electric vehicle 1200 may
further include channels to collect rain water stored and used by
hydrogen motor 1260. Still further, electric vehicle 1200 may be
provided with photonic harvesting material underneath the chassis
to allow for the conversion into electricity of photonic energy
received from lights sources that are coupled to solar energy
harvesting strip 110. The light sources may be embedded in the
driving service 120 and/or solar energy harvesting strip 110. While
electric vehicle 1200 may include all of the above features,
electric vehicle 1200 may alternatively include any combination of
any number of the above features as well as other features that
increase its efficiency.
[0119] A conventional plate-type inductive coupling device is
illustrated in FIG. 13. In operation, the conventional plate-type
inductive coupling device uses flat metal plates 1310 that must be
lowered from a raised position 1330 to a lowered position 1340 so
as to be placed in the field 1350 of charging medium 1320 in order
to cause current flow across the surface of the plates 1310. This
configuration has a number of disadvantages, including potential
damage to the plates due to snow, ice, debris or the like. This
configuration is further problematic in that the plates 1310 must
be centered over the charging medium 1320 for maximum inductive
coupling.
[0120] A sphere-type inductive coupling device 1250 according to an
exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 14. The inductive coupling
device 1250 includes an inductance sphere 1410 that does not need
to be raised or lowered and so may be fixed at a permanent height
well above the charging medium. A sphere-type inductive coupling
device is beneficial in that it has a far greater surface area than
a plate-type inductive coupling device. The inductance sphere 1410
may be made of a great range of materials including any, or any
combination of, soft or hard magnetic materials, dielectric
materials and electo-conductive materials. Further, any type of
motor, including a hydrogen motor or small internal combustion
engine, may be used to spin the inductance sphere 1410 for the
generation of electrical energy. When the inductance sphere 1410 is
spun in the field 1420 over the solar energy harvesting strip 110,
the inductance sphere 1410 accumulates a charge on its surface
which in turn is transferred to the battery/storage area 1450. The
inductance sphere 1410 accumulates a charge on its surface by
inductance through the coil of conductors 1440 around its center.
Thus, if the battery storage areas 1450 are low in charge and the
vehicle is not moving, the inductance sphere 1410 may be spun to
charge its batteries.
[0121] The use of multiple spheres of the same size or of different
sizes results in the ability to multiply the charge effect over a
large area no matter what the vehicle's position is in relation to
the solar harvesting strip 110. In one exemplary embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 15, a large sphere 1510 comprised of magnetic
material is surrounded by several smaller spheres 1520 comprised of
a dielectric material. The larger sphere 1510 may be attached to
motorized or mechanical movements causing them to spin. In yet
another exemplary embodiment, several large spheres may be used
instead of a single large sphere. When the storage capacity of the
vehicle is saturated, a super corona discharge may reintroduce
charge to the solar harvesting strip 110. Thus, a vehicle 1200
coated with a solar energy harvesting material, sitting in the sun
will collect a charge up to its storage capacity. The excess charge
will be discharged to the solar energy harvesting strip 110.
Furthermore, electrical current will be introduced across the
surface of the small inductance spheres when the large sphere 1510
is spun. The net effect on the small dielectric spheres 1520 will
be to cause a predominate charge on the faces that will discharge
into the solar energy harvesting strip 110, causing a point of
charge accumulation that will increase the overall electric charge
on the conducting layer 130. This in turn will increase the overall
magnetic field of the solar energy harvesting strip 110 that is
available for charging. This arrangement provides a means for
vehicle charge sharing. For example, a vehicle sitting in a traffic
jam with a full charge may increase the magnetic field available
for the motorist in front or behind him who may not have a full
charge.
[0122] The spheres will preferably be constructed as part of a
permanent chassis of the vehicle 1200. The chassis will be formed
like a parallel plate discharge capacitor with positive 1530 and
negative 1540 plates and a dielectric or electrolyte material 1550
in between. Positive plate 1530 and negative plate 1540 are
connected to the primary storage batteries 1450 as well as
capacitors in the body panels 1230. Additionally, any backup or
ancillary electrical generation devices could be electrically
coupled to the chassis for providing electrical charge to the
chassis. For example, an electrical generating tire 1560, discussed
below, could be electrically coupled to the chassis. In an
exemplary embodiment of the chassis, the chassis is a carbon fiber
filament enclosure surrounding the negative plate 1540. As the
spheres 1510 and 1520 accumulate charge, the positive charges will
be attracted to the negative plate 1540, and the negative charges
will flow to the positive plate 1530. Excess charges will
accumulate across the dielectric material and migrate to the
negative electrode of the battery 1430 creating a current. When all
the storage systems reach saturation, the current will flow to
ground, in this case, the solar harvesting strip 110.
[0123] Preferably, the entire body of the vehicle 1200 is
constructed to capture, convert and use thermal and photonic energy
to either charge the vehicle 1200 or add charge to the solar
harvesting strip 110. Therefore, when the vehicle is parked over a
solar harvesting strip 110, the parked vehicle is adding charge to
the solar harvesting strip 110. The body panels will be described
with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. The chassis and the body panels
are first constructed of a carbon fiber sheet 1700, followed by a
honeycomb structure 1710 and then topped off by a carbon fiber
sheet 1720. The honeycomb structure 1710 may be filled with an
electrolyte suspended in a polymer creating a gel type rechargeable
battery or may contain a dielectric material. This composition
creates a thin, lightweight structure that is much stronger than
steel. It also creates five times the charging area found in a
conventional electric vehicle, while decreasing the overall weight
of the vehicle. The body panels 1230 of the vehicle 1200 further
comprise preformed conduction areas including, but not limited to,
electrical feeder lines 1610, graphite feeder lines 1620, preformed
graphite conduction areas 1630 and preformed feeder lines 1640. Any
of the conduction areas may be used for one or more of the
headlights, side lamps, electric motors or the like. The use of
preformed conduction areas to connect various components and
charging devices drastically reduces the weight and cost of the
vehicle. Further, the use of preformed conduction areas eliminates
the need for a costly wiring harness, and allows for a completely
modular construction of the vehicle. The body panels will simply
plug into the electrical system in case of replacement and may be
recycled.
[0124] The body panels 1230 will further be finished in a series of
steps. The first coat will be a conductor material 1730 which
functions as a negative conductor for the panel. Exemplary
materials for the conductive material 1730 include graphite or
powered metal. However, other materials may be used including the
materials used for the conductors of conductive layer 240 of the
solar harvesting strip 110. The next coat is comprised of a thermal
harvesting material 1740. The thermal harvesting material may be
the same material used for thermal harvesting layer 230 of the
solar harvesting strip. The next coat is a dielectric material
1750, such as activated carbon or any other suitable dielectric
material. Further, dielectric material 1750 may be the same
material used as the dielectric material utilized in the conducting
layer 240 of solar harvesting strip 110. Further, a conductive
material 1760 will be applied over the thermal harvesting material
and functions as a positively biased conductor. The conductive
material 1760 may be the same material as conductor material 1730
or may be a different material. The conductor material 1730,
dielectric material 1750 and conductor material 1760 form a
parallel plate discharge capacitor. A photonic harvesting material
1770 is applied next. The photonic harvesting material 1770 could
be any known photovoltaic material such as titanium or zinc oxides
or dye sensitized photovoltaic materials. Dye sensitized
photovoltaic materials could give the vehicle its color.
Additionally, photonic harvesting material 1770 may comprise any of
the materials used in photonic harvesting layer 250 or
thermal-photonic harvesting layer 810 of the solar harvesting strip
110. Further, photonic harvesting material 1770 may be an amorphous
thin film deposition of silicates. Next, a clear conductor 1780,
such as indium tin oxide or mono-pole plastic, is applied having a
negative bias. The final sealer 1790 is applied next, thereby
completing the body of the electric vehicle 1200 that is a battery,
a giant discharge capacitor and an electrical generator. The final
sealer 1790 may be comprised of the same materials used for sealing
layer 260 of the solar harvesting strip 110 or any other suitable
material. These components are shown and arranged as one example,
and in other embodiments of the present invention, components can
be combined, added, removed and/or rearranged as required by the
application or location.
Exemplary Embodiment of the Hydrogen Motor
[0125] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an
atmospheric intake hydrogen motor in elemental form. The
atmospheric intake hydrogen motor according to the exemplary
embodiment uses a condensation electrolysis system to glean water
from the atmosphere to be used as a source of hydrogen. By using
atmosphere as the source of water, large heavy water stores are not
required. While it is preferred that the atmospheric intake
hydrogen motor be used as hydrogen motor 1260, hydrogen motor 1260
may be any other type of hydrogen motor. Further, while it is
preferred that the atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 be used
for driving a charging system of an electric vehicle, the
atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 may be used in any other
application requiring a motor. For example, the atmospheric intake
hydrogen motor 1260 could be used for the generation of electricity
at the utilities level.
[0126] The atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 intakes
atmosphere through an atmospheric intake. When used with electric
vehicle 1200, atmosphere is introduced to a venting 1805 at the
front of the generator. It is preferred but not required that
atmospheric intake occur at a predetermined rate. It is further
preferable that the atmospheric intake occur through a small intake
fan (not shown) at the venting 1805 in front of the motor 1260.
When the air travels through the venting 1805 the air is sampled by
one or more sensors 1810 including air temperature, air speed,
vacuum pressure, and barometric pressure sensors. The air
temperature sensor determines the outside air temperature and/or
temperature of the air passing through the vent 1805 for regulating
the temperature of a bladder 1815. The air speed intake sensor
determines the speed of incoming air. The vacuum pressure sensor
determines the backflow pressure of the motor 1260. Preferably, the
atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 is controlled by a
microprocessor (not shown) located on replaceable computer boards.
However, the atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 may be
controlled by other means, including manual, mechanical, and other
control means. The microprocessor receives signals from the sensors
and controls any of the heating and cooling systems 1820, fan, and
ignition 1845.
[0127] The atmospheric intake vent 1805 is constructed so as to
confine the atmosphere inside of a bladder 1815. The bladder 1815
includes a cooling and/or heating system 1820 that heats and/or
cools the bladder 1815 based on the sensed temperature and
barometric pressure of the atmosphere. The heated or cooled bladder
1815, when in contact with the atmosphere, causes condensation to
form in the bladder 1815. Preferably, the cooling system 1820 is
operative to sonically cool the atmosphere, but any conventional
cooling system may be used. The heating system 1820 may be any
conventional heating system. The condensation is accumulated inside
of a collection bladder 1815.
[0128] The water is then collected by gravity into an electrolysis
chamber, preferably using a gravity valve 1825. In the electrolysis
chamber, the water is placed on an electrolysis screen 1830 having
alternating positive and negative conductors. On the electrolysis
screen 1830 water droplets are electrolyzed by an electrical
current which causes the separation of the hydrogen from the oxygen
in the water. When atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 is used
with electric vehicle 1250, it is preferred that the electrical
energy needed to separate the hydrogen from the oxygen is generated
using electrical generation means imbedded in the tires 1560 of the
electric vehicle 1250. The tires 1560 of the electric vehicle 1250
will be discussed in greater detail below. However, the electrical
energy may also come from the batteries or a progressive discharge
generator geared to the moving wheels. Moreover, after the
atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 begins generating electrical
energy, part of or all of the electrical energy required to
separate the hydrogen from the oxygen may be generated by the
atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260.
[0129] After the hydrogen is separated from the oxygen, the
hydrogen is collected at the top of a holding bladder 1825 and
induced under vacuum pressure to an intake chamber 1840 to be used
as a fuel. In the intake chamber 1840 the hydrogen is ignited by
photon excitation or other ignition means. Preferably, the
combustion is vectored along a vectored blast ridge to a rotating
conical piston. In one embodiment, the combustion chamber 1850 of
the engine houses a conically shaped piston which is attached to
the stator of the alternator. After combustion, the conically
shaped piston spins and thereby causes the alternator to generate
electricity. In an alternative embodiment, the combustion chamber
includes a conically shaped piston located within conically shaped
piston receiver, wherein the conically shaped piston and conically
shaped piston receiver each a have a magnetic orientation that is
out of phase with the other. Here, once the hydrogen is ignited,
the conically shaped piston spins inside the conically shaped
piston receiver, thereby generating electricity. The alternative
embodiment is advantageous in that efficiency is increased as the
rotational speed is increased.
[0130] For either of the above embodiments, the exhaust of the
combustion comprises water vapor and may be chambered via exhaust
1860 to a pressurized tank of salt water 1865 so as to add water to
the tank. The tank of salt water 1865 is not required, but is
preferred. The tank of salt water 1865 may be used to increases the
efficiency of the electrolysis by introducing sodium to the
electrolysis screen 1830. Further, the tank of salt water 1865 may
be used as an initial and/or backup supply of water for the
atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 via supply line 1870. In
addition the tank of salt water 1865 may function as a collection
reservoir for collected rain water.
[0131] Preferably, the generated electricity is stored in one or
more large discharge capacitors until said capacitors are
completely charged. Once the discharge capacitors are completely
charged they could be discharged into an electrical energy storage
device. Exemplary electrical energy storage devices include
battery/storage area 1430 of electric vehicle 1250, the chassis of
electric vehicle 1250 and a large hydrid electrocell. An exemplary
hydrid electrocell gleans the NOX2 from the fuel source and absorbs
this emission which is a by product of the combustion of
hydrogen.
[0132] The atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 is advantageous
for numerous reasons. When the atmospheric intake hydrogen motor
1260 is used in a vehicle charging system, the electrical energy
storage device of the vehicle charging system can maintain a lower
level of charge than is usually maintained in conventional
electrical vehicles. Also, the motor 1260 should prove to be almost
maintenance free since it contains a small number of moving parts.
Additionally, all of the functions are controlled by computer
boards that are easily replaceable. Moreover, it weighs far less
than the conventional motors since it is constructed mainly of high
impact plastic with ceramics being used in the high heat areas.
Also, the atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 does not require
onboard vehicle storage of highly combustible gases. Further, no
special batteries or expensive hydride reclamation units are
required. In addition, the motor 1260 requires no petroleum
products for lubrication. The motor 1260 has zero emissions,
including zero oxides since the burning of atmospheric hydrogen
results in only a small amount of water vapor emissions with pure,
clean, oxygen as the main byproduct. Preferably, the motor 1260 is
used simply as a charging unit and not as a means to propel the
vehicle. The motor 1260 requires no mufflers, catalytic converters,
or liquid fuels as do vehicles powered by internal combustion
motors. The atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 is far quieter
than conventional engines. In a production assembly scenario, the
atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 is far easier to construct
since it has about only twenty or so total parts, with only about
three or so requiring mechanical motion. Because the atmospheric
intake hydrogen motor 1260 is much smaller than conventional power
plants, it can be used in multiples if necessary to facilitate
charging of an electrical system. For example, more than one
atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260 may be used on electric
vehicle 1200.
Exemplary Embodiment of a Mechanical Energy Harvesting Device
[0133] As mentioned above with respect to electric vehicle 1200,
ancillary or backup electrical generation devices may be included
with the vehicle to generate electricity. One such device is a
linear mechanical energy harvesting device for converting linear
mechanical motion into electrical energy. An exemplary embodiment
of the mechanical energy harvesting device is a shock absorber 1900
for use in the suspension of electric vehicle 1250. FIG. 19
illustrates a shock absorber for converting mechanical motion into
electrical energy, according an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0134] The shock absorber 1900 includes an electrical winding 1910
surrounding a travel rod 1920. The electrical winding 1910 may be
covered by a housing 1930 and includes a first mount 1940 located
on the end opposite the travel rod 1920. The electrical winding
1910 further includes positive and negative electrical connections
1950 and 1960. The travel rod 1920 is made of a magnetic material
and is preferably made of magnetic stainless steel. The travel rod
includes a second mount 1970 located on the end opposite the series
of windings 1910. When the travel rod moves up or down along path C
in either direction there is a current introduced in the winding
1910 by inductance. Preferably, path C is a linear path. A diode
bridge (not shown) is used to orient the generated current with
respect to movement of the travel rod along path C in either
direction. The shock absorber 1900 further includes a thermal
harvesting material to convert thermal energy generated in the
mechanical energy harvesting device into electrical energy. The
thermal harvesting material may be any of the thermal harvesting
materials discussed above with respect to solar harvesting strip
110.
[0135] While the mechanical energy harvesting device has been
described as a shock absorber 1900 in the above exemplary
embodiment, in other embodiments, similar devices and methods are
utilized to convert mechanical motion into usable electricity.
Additional devices that may include a mechanical energy harvesting
device include doors, hoods, hatchbacks, break and accelerator
pedals, knobs, switches or any other arrangement in which a travel
rod 1920 and a series of windings 1910 surrounding the travel rod
1920 are moveable relative to each other.
[0136] Exemplary Embodiment of an Electrical Energy Generating
Tire
[0137] Another ancillary or backup electrical generation device
that may be included with the electric vehicle 1250 to generate
electricity is an electrical energy generating tire 1560. FIG. 20
illustrates an electrical energy generating tire according an
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0138] An electrical energy generating tire 1560 generates
electricity as it rolls along a driving surface, such as driving
surface 120. The tire has a preformed cavity which houses a piezo
ceramic strip and/or thermal harvesting strip 2010 that is
sandwiched between two reinforcement strips 2020 that are coated
with a conductor material forming positive and negative conductors
above and below the piezo ceramic strip and/or thermal harvesting
strip 2010. Piezo ceramic strip comprises a Piezo ceramic material.
Thermal harvesting strip comprises a thermal harvesting material,
such as any of the thermal harvesting materials discussed above
with respect to solar harvesting strip 110.
[0139] The exterior of the tire includes tire tread 2030. As the
tire 1560 contacts the driving surface, the piezo ceramic strip is
compressed and emits electrons that flow to the positive conductor.
Likewise, the tire 1560 contacts the driving surface heat is
generated in the tire from which thermal harvesting strip converts
heat energy into electrical energy. Included in the tire is a
sidewall conductor 2040. The electricity flows to the sidewall and
up to the rib of the tire via sidewall conductor 2040. The rib
contacts the inner portion of the rim, passing the electricity to
the vehicle. The rim is separated into two halves that are
electrically insulated from each other. Preferably, the outer
portion of the rim functions as the positive side and the inner
portion functions as the negative side. However, the polarity of
the sides may be switched. Further, it is preferred that the
electricity generated by the tires will be used to provide
electricity for the atmospheric intake hydrogen motor 1260. By
using the electricity generated by the tires for the hydrogen
generator, the overall charge of the vehicle will not be affected
by hydrogen production.
[0140] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *