Energy efficient passenger vehicle

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5374845

Dessert, R

An energy efficient passenger carrying vehicle for road use comprised of a long, narrow body carrying two passengers in a back-to-back relationship is described. The vehicle is basically a battery powered electric vehicle that can be charged by all free energy sources; namely, the sun, the wind, human muscles and momentum. The vehicle comprises four modules: body, solar, and two power modules. An electric power module is located within each end of the body module. This module includes electric motors driving the vehicle supporting wheels and rechargeable batteries to power the motors. Pedals, similar to those on a bicycle, located at each power module, drive generators to help recharge the batteries during operation of the vehicle, or directly help drive the vehicle wheels. A solar module comprising a large electricity generating solar cell panel covers most of the vehicle roof to aid in charging the batteries. Means are provided to tilt the solar cell panel toward the sun about a longitudinal axis. A unique flexible duct below the solar panel serves to cool the cells and, if desired, heat the passenger compartment. Further energy savings are obtained by canting the rear wheels while steering with the front wheels, so that the vehicle moves down the road at a crab angle which provides a sail effect when wind is from the vehicle beam or aft of the beam. Regenerative braking means can be used when slowing down, on a long down grade, when sailing speed is greater than required, or any other time when vehicle momentum is greater than necessary for vehicle operation, to use the excess forward momentum to drive generators to charge the batteries. Thus, a single battery charge will be conserved and vehicle operation will be assisted in a manner giving maximum vehicle range and speed.

• Assignee: TIC; EDB-80-066769
• Patent Number(s): US 4181188
• OSTI ID: 5374845
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 28 Aug 1978
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
HYBRID ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
BATTERY CHARGING
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
SOLAR BATTERY CHARGERS
WIND POWER
BATTERY CHARGERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
POWER
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
VEHICLES
330400* - Advanced Propulsion Systems- Hybrid Systems