A portable PV modular solar generator. A plurality of wheels are attached to the bottom of a rechargeable battery container. At least one rechargeable battery is contained inside the rechargeable battery container. A power conditioning panel is connected to the rechargeable battery container. At least one photovoltaic panel is pivotally connected. In a preferred embodiment, the rechargeable battery container is a waterproof battery enclosure having a knife switch connection. A mast having a rotation bar is supported by the waterproof battery enclosure. At least one solar panel support brace for supporting the photovoltaic panel is attached to the rotation bar. The power conditioning panel is waterproof, is attached to the mast and has a door. When the door is opened, at least one safety switch is opened, breaking an electric circuit. The waterproof power conditioning panel has a charge controller and an inverter. The charge controller is electrically connected to at least one rechargeable battery and at least one photovoltaic panel, and is capable or receiving auxiliary power inputs.

Portable solar generator

A power supply system for enhancing the economic viability of different modes of transportation that incorporate fuel cells to generate electricity. For example, the power supply system of the present invention provides for the off-board use of the electric power generated by an on-board power plant, such as a fuel cell, of a mobile vehicle power system, such as an electric car. Off-board use, or use remote from the vehicle, of the electrical power includes the delivery of power to a remote site. Off-board stations are provided for delivery of fuel to the vehicle and/or for receiving the electrical power generated by the fuel cell. The off-board station and the vehicle are appropriately equipped for quick and easy interconnection such that electrical power is drawn from the fuel cell for off-board use.

Fuel cell power supply system

A photovoltaic powering system is provided that includes a movable platform connected to a self-propelled vehicle. An array of one or more photovoltaic cells is carried by the movable platform. A platform movement mechanism carried by the vehicle moves the movable platform. A platform alignment module carried by the vehicle and connected to the platform movement mechanism causes the photovoltaic cells to be aligned relative to ambient sunlight. The one or more photovoltaic cells converts ambient sunlight to energy that is supplied to a battery carried by the vehicle to thereby recharge the battery if a charge associated with the battery is less than a predetermined threshold.

Powering a vehicle and providing excess energy to an external device using photovoltaic cells

A zero-emissions electric three-wheeled, enclosed scooter with two 1 hp motors driven from batteries charged by solar panels and a pedal-driven generator; also incorporating an innovative rear wheel drive and suspension system and a tilt capability to reduce parking space requirement to approximately one quarter of that of a conventional automobile.

Combination pedal/motor driven tricycle

A PV roof assembly ( 6 ) includes a roof ( 12 ) mountable to an electric vehicle ( 4 ), and a PV assembly ( 10 ) at the upper part of the roof. The PV assembly may be mounted to a separate roof surface ( 34 ) or the PV assembly may itself constitute all or part of the roof. The vehicle may include a secondary PV assembly ( 96 ) coupled to a display unit ( 92 ) to provide an independent indication of the intensity of solar irradiation. The roof may have mounting element recesses ( 68 ) to accommodate mounting elements ( 70 ) of the PV assembly, the mounting elements configured so as not to shade the PV panel ( 14 ). The roof may also be configured to accommodate a global positioning device ( 80 ). The roof preferably includes a peripheral gutter ( 88 ). The roof body preferably includes hand-hold recesses ( 90 ) housing hand-hold elements ( 42 ) at positions to provide a horizontal setback ( 92 ) from the lateral sides ( 93 ) of the roof body.

Electric vehicle with photovoltaic roof assembly

A vehicle-top solar-power generator has a Photovoltaic frame (2) with mounting brackets (3) that are positioned on a top (4) of a vehicle (5) with a cooling space between the top of the vehicle and the photovoltaic frame. At least one and preferably a plurality of Photovoltaic panels (1) are positioned in the Photovoltaic frame and covered with a light-transmittable material (28) such as plexiglass or a screen of suitable material. Direct current generated from the Photovoltaic panels is transmitted to a primary battery (6), to a secondary battery (7), to AC electrical items (13) and to DC electrical items (14). Power generated in excess of needs for the vehicle is inverted to alternating current for electrical items in such structures (15) as a home, workplace, recreational vehicle, boat or other structure near the vehicle. A cooling fan (12) powered by current from the Photovoltaic panels is used to cool the Photovoltaic panels. Control regulators control flow of current from the Photovoltaic panels to one or more batteries for charging, for inverting to AC current and for distribution of AC current and DC current for nearby use.

Paul A. Fronek

Papers

Vehicle top solar power generator