Electrical generator system for capturing wind energy on a moving vehicle

Abstract

A system is disclosed for an electrical generator system for a vehicle. The system includes a wind turbine, an electrical generator mechanically connected to the wind turbine and configured to connect to an electrical energy storage device that is configured to store electrical energy on-board the vehicle, and a rigid, conical housing, forming wind channeling funnel that includes an interior chamber, the housing funnel having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end having a larger diameter than the outlet end, and the conical housing configured to direct that directs wind flow into the wind turbine.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to electrical energy production, and more particularly to vehicular energy production utilizing kinetic wind energy.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Many types of hybrid powertrains are known to generate power and propel vehicles including articulated vehicles such as tractor trailers or “semi-trucks.” Hybrid powertrains combine a hydrocarbon-powered engine with an electric motor to obtain better gas mileage and reduce vehicle emissions. Engine types are typically compression-ignition or spark-ignition combustion engines. Most hybrid powertrains include an electrical energy storage system such as a bank of rechargeable batteries for powering the electric motor as well as for powering sub-systems, such as lighting, A/C, and radio, contained within the vehicle. Electrical energy storage systems are generally not able to store a sufficient amount of electrical energy to allow the vehicle to be operated for an extended range, generally depleting the electrical energy storage supply more quickly than desired. Therefore, the owners of these vehicles are required to use additional external sources of energy to periodically recharge the electrical energy storage device.

Known on-board methods for recharging the batteries include solar power and thermoelectric waste energy conversion. These methods of providing energy are generally insufficient for generating or improving vehicle electrical efficiency. In the case of solar power, the solar panels are limited to day-time and weather appropriate conditions when the sun shines. Additionally, solar panels can be expensive and prohibitive to cost conscience consumers. Further, solar panels and thermoelectric devices do not generate sufficient electrical energy to fully charge most vehicle electrical energy storage devices during vehicle operation.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to generate electricity on-board a vehicle using kinetic wind energy from ambient wind flow and/or wind flow generated with respect to motion of the vehicle and additionally to selectively propel the vehicle and store the generated electrical energy.

SUMMARY

A system is disclosed for an electrical generator system for a vehicle. The system includes a wind turbine, an electrical generator mechanically connected to the wind turbine and configured to connect to an electrical energy storage device that is configured to store electrical energy on-board the vehicle, and a rigid, conical is can preferably include a rigid, conical housing that forms an interior chamber configured to direct wind flow into the wind turbine 44. The wind channeling funnel 46 includes an inlet end 47 and an outlet end 49, the inlet end 47 having a larger diameter than the outlet end 49. The interior chamber of the wind channeling funnel 46 includes can further include spiraling parabolic indentations 43, i.e., channels, configured to rotationally direct wind flow to the outlet end 49. Although a single indentation 43 is shown in FIG. 2, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that multiple additional indentation channels may be included in the funnel 46. In one embodiment, additional indentation channel are impressed into an internal surface of the funnel 46 so one or more indentation channels are parallel to one another. The indentation channels are configured to affect wind flow by bending wind flow into spiraling motion or vortex from the inlet end 47 to the outlet end 49.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional side view of an exemplary articulated vehicle 10 including a wind deflecting apparatus 60 containing at least part of the electric generation system. The wind deflecting apparatus 60 is contiguously connected to the funnel 46 and configured to divert wind flow into the funnel 46 and around a hitched trailer as described herein below. The wind deflecting apparatus 60 is mountable on a roof 12 of the vehicle 10 using any known secure fastening means such as a nut and bolt assembly, tapered screws, and/or weld.

The electric generator 42 is shown in FIG. 3 as proximately located to the wind turbine 44 such an illustration is for clarity purposes and it should be recognized that the electric generator 42 may be situated in many different locations including external locations of the wind deflecting apparatus 60. The wind deflecting apparatus 60 is configured to aerodynamically form to a roof of the vehicle. In this way, wind flow against a moving vehicle is more efficiently diverted from a vehicle path, thereby reducing drag and increasing vehicle fuel consumption efficiency.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exemplary articulated vehicle 10 including the wind deflecting apparatus 60. As FIG. 4 shows, the wind deflecting apparatus 60 may include multiple wind channeling funnels 46. Additional funnels 46 are coupled with additional wind turbines. Additional wind turbines may be mechanically connected to additional electric generators or, preferably, mechanically connected to a single electric generator. Increasing the quantity of funnels 46 and wind turbines increases the potential for electrical energy generation of the electric generation system 40. As FIG. 4 shows and as described herein above, the wind deflecting apparatus 60 is configured to deflect wind flow from the articulated vehicle 10 around a hitched trailer 14. In this way, wind resistance from movement of the articulated vehicle 10 is minimized thereby increasing vehicle and engine fuel consumption efficiency. Accordingly, the wind deflecting apparatus 60 is preferably of a shape and dimension adapted to divert flow above a hitched trailer from the vehicle roof 12 and at least as wide.

FIG. 5 shows a control scheme 200 for controlling the electric generation system 40. Although the control scheme is shown for management of a single electric generation system 40, multiple control schemes may be executed in parallel enabling control of each electric generation system 40 simultaneously. Although the control scheme is shown as discrete elements, such an illustration is for ease of description and it should be recognized that the functions performed by the control scheme may be combined in one or more devices, e.g., implemented in software, hardware, and/or application-specific integrated circuitry (ASIC). For example, the control scheme 200 may be implemented as one or more algorithms in the control module 5.

The control scheme 200 is configured, in one exemplary implementation, to control operation of the electric generation system 40 during vehicle operation. The control scheme 200 includes monitoring vehicle speed 202. As described herein above, vehicle speed may be monitored by utilizing the sensor 84 adapted to monitor wheel speed. Vehicle speed may be determined based upon the monitored wheel speed and known wheel dimensions. Alternatively, one of many other known methods for determining vehicle speed may be determined including, for example, methods based upon monitored axel or driveline speed. Concurrent to monitoring vehicle speed, the control scheme 200 generates electrical energy 204. As described herein above, electrical energy is generated in the electric generator 42 utilizing rotational force generated in the wind turbine 44.

In operation, the control scheme 200 determines whether the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined vehicle speed 206. If the vehicle speed is less than a predetermined vehicle speed, the control scheme 200 instructs the electric generator 42 to charge the ESD 30 using the generated electrical energy 208. If, however, the vehicle speed is greater than a predetermined vehicle speed, the control scheme 200 instructs the electric generator 42 to engage the driveline 80 via the transmission 70 to contribute torque to propel the vehicle 210. While not illustrated in FIG. 5, one skilled in the art will recognize that additional steps of the control scheme 200 may be performed in parallel and concurrent with the illustrated steps including fault-based monitoring and control including controlling an operating state of the electric generator 42 based upon occurrence of a component or operating fault.

The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereto. Further modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electrical generator system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a wind turbine;

an electrical generator that is mechanically connected to the wind turbine and includes connections for communicating with an electrical energy storage device that is configured to store electrical energy on-board the vehicle, said electrical generator further including a mechanical shaft that is configured to connect to a driveline of the vehicle;

a wind channeling funnel that includes a rigid, conical housing, forming an interior chamber, the funnel having an inlet end and an outlet end and spiraling parabolic indentations configured to rotationally direct wind flow to the outlet end disposed about the interior chamber, the inlet end having a larger diameter than the outlet end, and configured to direct wind flow into the wind turbine.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the interior chamber of funnel further comprises spiraling parabolic indentations configured to rotationally direct wind flow to the outlet end.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an inverter electrically connected to the electrical generator and an induction motor connected to the inverter, the inverter configured to invert direct current flowing through a rotor to alternating current to provide power to the induction motor for providing torque to a drivetrain of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an electric motor configured to Utilize the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device to produce a motor output; and

a control system configured to:

selectively control electrical energy from the electrical energy device, and

selectively discharge the electrical energy device to operate the electric motor to produce the motor output.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a wind deflecting apparatus that is contiguously connected to the wind channeling funnel and configured to divert wind flow into the funnel.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the wind deflecting apparatus includes an angled front section and an overall shape that functions to aerodynamically form to a roof of the vehicle, and to reduce drag when the vehicle is in motion.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the wind turbine is configured to convert kinetic wind energy from the wind flow into mechanical energy.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the electrical generator is further configured to generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy provided by the wind turbine.

9. A system comprising: at least one processing unit; a memory, operatively connected to the at least one processing unit and storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing unit, cause the at least one processing unit to perform a method, the method comprising:

monitoring speed of a vehicle, the vehicle including an electric motor configured to provide torque to a drivetrain of the vehicle;

directing wind flow to a wind turbine using a wind channeling funnel having a rigid, conical housing, forming an interior chamber, the housing having an inlet end and an outlet end and spiraling parabolic indentations configured to rotationally direct wind flow to the outlet end disposed about the interior chamber, the inlet end having a larger diameter than the outlet end, the and an outlet end that is coupled to the wind turbine;

generating electrical energy utilizing the wind turbine mounted on the vehicle, the wind turbine mechanically connected to an electrical generator, the electrical generator electrically connected to an electrical energy storage device configured to store electrical energy on-board the vehicle, said electrical generator further including a mechanical shaft that is connected to a driveline of the vehicle;

storing electrical energy in the electrical energy storage device when the monitored speed is less than a predetermined threshold; and

powering the electric motor with the generated electrical energy when the monitored speed is greater than a predetermined threshold.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the interior chamber of the conical housing comprises spiraling parabolic indentations configured to rotationally direct wind flow to the outlet end.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising: diverting wind flow into the conical housing wind channeling funnel via a wind deflecting apparatus that is mounted to a roof of the vehicle.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the wind deflecting apparatus includes an angled front section and an overall shape that functions to reduce drag when the vehicle is in motion.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the wind turbine is configured to convert kinetic wind energy from the wind flow into mechanical energy.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the electrical generator is further configured to generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy provided by the wind turbine.

15. A wind deflection apparatus for an articulated vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a wind turbine;

an electrical generator mechanically connected to the wind turbine and configured to connect to an electrical energy storage device configured to store electrical energy on-board the vehicle, wherein the electrical generator is further configured to generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy provided by the wind turbine;

a wind deflecting apparatus having an angled front section and an overall shape that functions to aerodynamically form to a roof of the vehicle, and to reduce drag when the vehicle is in motion,

the wind deflecting apparatus functioning to divert wind flow into a contiguously attached wind channeling funnel that includes a conical housing, forming an interior chamber, the funnel having an inlet end and an outlet end and spiraling parabolic indentations configured to rotationally direct wind flow to the outlet end disposed about the interior chamber, the inlet end having a larger diameter than the outlet end, and that is configured to direct wind flow into the wind turbine; and

a plurality of wind turbines each having a wind channeling funnel having indentations disposed about the interior chamber connected thereto; and a plurality of electrical generators that are mechanically connected to one or more of the plurality of wind turbines, said generators being configured to connect to the electrical energy storage device on-board the vehicle,

said wind deflecting apparatus being contiguously attached to each of the wind channeling funnels,

wherein at least one of the plurality of electrical generators further includes a mechanical shaft that is configured to connect to a driveline of the vehicle.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the interior chamber of the funnel comprises spiraling parabolic channels configured to rotationally direct wind flow to the outlet end.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a control system configured to selectively control electrical energy from the electrical energy device, and

selectively discharge the electrical energy device to operate an electric motor configured to utilize the electrical energy from the electrical energy storage device to produce a motor output, to produce the motor output; and

a plurality of sensors that are configured to be disposed on each wheel of the vehicle, said sensors being in communication with the control system and functioning to report a wheel speed.