A method of controlling a vehicle includes: determining whether a condition for entry into a refresh mode of a battery in the vehicle is satisfied; when the condition is satisfied, predicting an amount of power generated by a solar generator; determining whether to perform the refresh mode based on the predicted amount of power; when the refresh mode is determined to perform, charging the battery using the power generated by the solar generator; identifying a charge amount of the battery; when the identified charge amount is greater than or equal to a first reference charge amount, terminating charging the battery; when an ignition-on command is received, determining whether the charge amount of the battery is greater than or equal to the first reference charge amount; when the charge amount of the battery is less than the first reference charge amount, charging the battery using power generated by an alternator.

A method of controlling a vehicle includes: determining whether a condition for entry into a refresh mode of a battery in the vehicle is satisfied; when the condition is satisfied, predicting an amount of power generated by a solar generator; determining whether to perform the refresh mode based on the predicted amount of power; when the refresh mode is determined to perform, charging the battery using the power generated by the solar generator; identifying a charge amount of the battery; when the identified charge amount is greater than or equal to a first reference charge amount, terminating charging the battery; when an ignition-on command is received, determining whether the charge amount of the battery is greater than or equal to the first reference charge amount; when the charge amount of the battery is less than the first reference charge amount, charging the battery using power generated by an alternator.

A transport refrigeration unit (TRU) system (IO) is provided. The TRU system includes a TRU (30), an electrical grid and a control unit. The TRU (30) is configured to be operably coupled a container (20) and includes components configured to control an environment within an interior of the container (20) and a TRU battery pack (40) configured to store energy for powering at least the components. The control unit is communicative with the TRU (30) and the electrical grid and is configured to manage power supplies and demands between the TRU battery pack (40) of each TRU (30) and the electrical grid.

A transport refrigeration unit (TRU) system (IO) is provided. The TRU system includes a TRU (30), an electrical grid and a control unit. The TRU (30) is configured to be operably coupled a container (20) and includes components configured to control an environment within an interior of the container (20) and a TRU battery pack (40) configured to store energy for powering at least the components. The control unit is communicative with the TRU (30) and the electrical grid and is configured to manage power supplies and demands between the TRU battery pack (40) of each TRU (30) and the electrical grid.

An aeronautical car includes a ground-travel system including a drivetrain; an air-travel system including a detachable portion configured to house a propulsion device configured to provide thrust and to be driven by the drivetrain when the detachable portion is connected to the aeronautical car, and at least one flight mechanism configured to provide lift once the aeronautical car is in motion; and a weather manipulation device. The weather manipulation device may be configured to manipulate at least one aspect of a weather condition while the aeronautical car is in the air.

The present invention relates to a roof rack assembly and a hood light-blocking fabric assembly, the hood light-blocking fabric assembly capable of photovoltaic generation comprising: a lower photovoltaic generation plate fixedly installed to cover the hood of a vehicle and configured to prevent inflow of heat energy of sunlight into the vehicle, to absorb sunlight, and to produce electricity accordingly; and an upper photovoltaic generation plate installed on an upper portion of the lower photovoltaic generation plate and configured to change between a first position at which the upper photovoltaic generation plate overlaps the upper portion of the lower photovoltaic generation plate and a second position at which the upper photovoltaic generation plate covers a front glass of the vehicle.

A system and method for enhanced operation of an electric vehicle having a main battery for powering an electric drive motor by which the vehicle is drivable, including at least one air intake device operable, in forward motion of the vehicle or when the vehicle is stationary, to capture and channel air in flow through the intake device to at least one turbine adjacent to an outlet end of the air intake device to drive the turbine(s) to generate a first electrical energy at a first energy level and/or including one or more photovoltaic solar panels integrated with or adjacent to one or more body components of the electric vehicle and the one or more photovoltaic solar panels is/are adapted to generate a/the first energy at a/the first energy level. A secondary battery pack connected to an electrical energy outlet of the turbine(s) and/or photovoltaic panels receives the electrical energy generated by the turbine(s) and/or photovoltaic panels. A first auxiliary electric motor is drivable by the secondary battery pack for rotating an output shaft of the first auxiliary electric motor. A second auxiliary electric motor having an input shaft connected to the output shaft of the first auxiliary electric motor has an output terminal connectable to the main battery of the vehicle. A transmission couples the output and input shafts and provides a rotational speed step up from the first to the second of the auxiliary electric motors, whereby the second auxiliary electric motor is drivable to generate a second electrical energy, at a second energy level higher than the first energy level, able to be supplied from the output terminal of the second auxiliary electric motor to the main battery and/or the drive motor of the vehicle.

A system and method for enhanced operation of an electric vehicle having a main battery for powering an electric drive motor by which the vehicle is drivable, including at least one air intake device operable, in forward motion of the vehicle or when the vehicle is stationary, to capture and channel air in flow through the intake device to at least one turbine adjacent to an outlet end of the air intake device to drive the turbine(s) to generate a first electrical energy at a first energy level and/or including one or more photovoltaic solar panels integrated with or adjacent to one or more body components of the electric vehicle and the one or more photovoltaic solar panels is/are adapted to generate a/the first energy at a/the first energy level. A secondary battery pack connected to an electrical energy outlet of the turbine(s) and/or photovoltaic panels receives the electrical energy generated by the turbine(s) and/or photovoltaic panels. A first auxiliary electric motor is drivable by the secondary battery pack for rotating an output shaft of the first auxiliary electric motor. A second auxiliary electric motor having an input shaft connected to the output shaft of the first auxiliary electric motor has an output terminal connectable to the main battery of the vehicle. A transmission couples the output and input shafts and provides a rotational speed step up from the first to the second of the auxiliary electric motors, whereby the second auxiliary electric motor is drivable to generate a second electrical energy, at a second energy level higher than the first energy level, able to be supplied from the output terminal of the second auxiliary electric motor to the main battery and/or the drive motor of the vehicle.

Methods and systems for substantially continual electrical power generation for a moving vehicle are disclosed herein. According to the various embodiments discussed herein, the battery range can be increased significantly using a variety of energy sources. The energy sources are configured to facilitate continual electricity generation based on: (i) one or more generators positioned around predetermined vehicle parts; (ii) wind energy created by the motion of the vehicle in relation to the surrounding medium, and (iii) solar energy. According to an embodiment, the system for continual electrical power generation in a moving vehicle comprises a generator having a coil-and-magnet arrangement around one or more vehicle components/modified components. In another embodiment, the system comprises an energy generator for converting solar energy and wind energy into electricity.

An energy-producing system comprising an axle configured to be driven by an electric vehicle's wheels when in motion. The axle supports a series of wind-catching cups contained within an aerodynamic housing configured to direct air to the cups while also increasing the air speed. During vehicle motion, the cups are acted upon by rushing air causing the rotation of the axle such that the rotation may be transferred into energy via a generator/alternator linked thereto. A series of similarly polarized magnets integrated on said cups and/or spacers and/or housing proximate thereto further maintain the axle in motion during short vehicle stops. The system extends the life of the batteries between charges as well the distance the vehicle can travel between charges. A power controller is configured to distribute power from said generator to an axle drive motor, vehicle drive motor and/or start-up battery pack.