Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Photoelectric – Panel or array
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-11-06
Diamond, Alan (Department: 1753)
Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric
Photoelectric
Panel or array
C136S249000, C136S251000, C136S291000, C180S002200, C180S065310, C180S065100, C180S065230, C296S037700, C323S906000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06313394
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Smaller electrically powered vehicles, typically called electric cars, are widely used on golf courses and for a variety of electric utility vehicle applications. Although electric golf cars have become widely accepted, they typically require recharging after about to 36 holes of golf. Therefore, a typical 18 hole golf course requires about 80 cars to serve the golfers each day and a building large enough to house all the golf cars at night, during which they are commonly recharged. The recharging process not only takes time, but recharging during daytime hours can significantly increase the cost of electricity as a result of increasing peak demand charges from the utility to the customer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a photovoltaic (PV) roof assembly which permits the batteries on an electric vehicle, typically referred to as an electric car, to be charged during operation resulting in several benefits. These benefits include extending the range of the electric car because the batteries are charged during operation. The cost of using electricity from the utility to charge the cars is reduced because the batteries are typically at least partially charged by the solar charging during use. The battery life of the car can be extended because the depth of discharge can be reduced during normal use of the car. By increasing the length of time required between charges, labor costs incurred in the process of charging the batteries are reduced. Cars can be used more efficiently, thus possibly reducing the number of cars required by the facility. Finally, there are also benefits to the environment resulting from the reduced use of electricity from the electric utility and the potential need for fewer cars.
A first aspect of the invention is directed to a PV roof assembly which is usable with electric cars. The assembly includes a roof mountable to the electric car, the roof having an upper part. A PV assembly is at the upper part of the roof. The PV assembly may be mounted to a separate roof surface or the PV assembly may itself constitute all or part of the roof. The PV assembly, accordingly to this first aspect, includes a monolithic PV panel with a plurality of PV cells. Providing all the PV cells as part of the monolithic PV panel reduces costs, simplifies construction and assembly and makes a more reliable system.
Another aspect of the invention is a PV roof assembly for use with electric cars. The assembly includes a roof mountable to an electric car and a PV assembly at an upper part of the roof. The roof includes a bottom spaced apart from the upper part and defines a storage region between the bottom and upper part of the roof. The roof includes an access opening, which opens into the storage region, and a movable cover for the access opening. This permits storage of and access to various components by the car owner, operator and/or service technician.
A further aspect of the invention is directed to an electric car PV charging system usable with electric cars. The system includes a roof, mountable to the electric car, including a support surface. A PV assembly is secured to the support surface. The PV assembly includes a PV panel having a circumferential edge while the roof includes a circumferential lip extending around and above the PV assembly. The circumferential lip helps to prevent damage to the PV panel. To provide further protection, an edge protector may be used to cover at least a portion of the circumferential edge of the PV panel. The circumferential lip may include a recess which houses the circumferential edge.
Another aspect of the invention is directed to an electric car PV charging system which includes a roof mountable to an electric car. The roof includes a protective, at least semi-transparent top layer, a bottom layer and a PV layer secured between and in contact with the top and bottom layers. A bottom layer which is at least semi-transparent and a PV layer which is semi-transparent may be used to create a roof which is itself semi-transparent.
According to another aspect of the invention, the assembly includes a roof mountable to the electric car, the roof including an upper part. A PV assembly, at the upper part of the roof, includes a number of PV cells, the ratio of PV cells to the number of battery cells being between (a) about 4.80 to 5.48 PV cells to battery cells, and more preferably about 5.10 to 5.40 PV cells to battery cells, when the PV assembly comprises at least one of crystalline and poly-crystalline photovoltaics, (b) about 4.20 to 5.20 PV cells to battery cells, and more preferably about 4.40 to 5.00 PV cells to battery cells, when the PV assembly comprises hybrid crystalline/thin film photovoltaics, and (c) about 4.10 to 5.50 PV cells to battery cells, and more preferably about 4.20 to 5.40 PV cells to battery cells, when the PV assembly comprises thin-film photovoltaics. This design helps the PV assembly to be self-regulating.
A further aspect of the invention relates to an electric car and PV charging system in which a roof is mountable to the electric car and a PV assembly is at the upper part of the roof. A misting system includes misting outlets, from which mist can be discharged, mounted to the roof. This permits enhanced comfort for the occupants during hot weather.
A still further aspect of the invention relates to an electric car and PV charging system in which a graphical display is mounted either on the roof, or on the electric car, or freestanding, to inform the driver of the energy production, pollution avoidance, battery state of charge, and/or other informative parameters related to the operation of the invention.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 330350 (1992-10-01), Maypole et al.
patent: D. 394637 (1998-05-01), Camiano
patent: 4181188 (1980-01-01), Dessert
patent: 4218889 (1980-08-01), Buell
patent: 4332415 (1982-06-01), Williams
patent: 4517403 (1985-05-01), Morel et al.
patent: 4592436 (1986-06-01), Tomei
patent: 4650238 (1987-03-01), Healey
patent: 4663495 (1987-05-01), Berman et al.
patent: 4744430 (1988-05-01), McCoy
patent: 4772065 (1988-09-01), Nakata et al.
patent: 4773695 (1988-09-01), Jones et al.
patent: 4792175 (1988-12-01), Gerber
patent: 5094500 (1992-03-01), Maypole et al.
patent: 5680907 (1997-10-01), Weihe
patent: 5724824 (1998-03-01), Parsons
patent: 5725062 (1998-03-01), Fronek
patent: 5772272 (1998-06-01), Faddis
patent: 58-56943 (1983-04-01), None
patent: 63-71420-A (1988-03-01), None
patent: 63-71420 (1988-03-01), None
patent: WO87/02512 (1987-04-01), None
Dinwoodie Thomas L.
Shugar Daniel S.
Diamond Alan
Hann James F.
Haynes Beffel & Wolfeld LLP
PowerLight Corporation
LandOfFree
Electric vehicle photovoltaic charging system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electric vehicle photovoltaic charging system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electric vehicle photovoltaic charging system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2579918