The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus may include a first roller comprising a curved roller surface configured to be positioned in substantial physical contact with a first wheel of the vehicle. The first roller may be configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel. The apparatus may further include a first shaft rotatably couplable to the first roller such that rotation of the first roller causes the first shaft to rotate. The apparatus may further include a first generator operably coupled to the first shaft. The generator may be configured to generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the first shaft and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.

A power conversion apparatus connected to three or more voltage units, includes three or more power conversion circuits connected to respective units of the three or more voltage units; and a multiport transformer connected to the three or more power conversion circuits at mutually different ports, in which at least one voltage unit of the three or more voltage units is an electrical load.

An electric vehicle including the Rankine cycle in which a circulation system of working fluid is formed is proposed. The Rankine cycle includes a pump configured to circulate the working fluid along the circulation system, a heat source comprising a battery unit, a motor unit, and a solar panel unit to transmit thermal energy to the working fluid circulated by the pump, a power generating unit provided on a path of the circulation system to generate electric energy through the thermal energy of the working fluid passing through the heat source, and a radiator configured to perform a heat exchange process between the working fluid passing through the power generating unit and outside air. The Rankine cycle further includes a flow distributor to distribute the working fluid circulated by the pump to at least any one of the battery unit, the motor unit, and the solar panel unit.

A grid system in which a first storage battery and a second storage battery can be connected and electric power can be transferred between the first storage battery and the second storage battery, includes: an electric power value setting unit that sets an electric power value per a predetermined amount of electric power according to an electric power state of either or both of the first storage battery and the second storage battery; and an electric power transfer control unit that adjusts an amount of electric power to be transferred between the first storage battery and the second storage battery on the basis of the electric power value.

A grid system in which a first storage battery and a second storage battery can be connected and electric power can be transferred and received between the first storage battery and the second storage battery is provided. The first storage battery is a house storage battery provided in a house and the second storage battery is a vehicle storage battery provided in a vehicle. The grid system includes a power transferring/receiving control unit that adjusts an amount of electric power transferred and received between the first storage battery and the second storage battery; and a function guarantee control unit that performs vehicle function guarantee control for adjusting an amount of electric power transferred and received using the power transferring/receiving control unit to prevent a state of charge (SOC) of the vehicle storage battery from falling below an SOC lower limit value in which a prescribed function of a vehicle in which the vehicle storage battery is installed can be performed while the prescribed function is operating.

This application is directed to an apparatus for providing electrical charge to a vehicle. The apparatus can comprise a driven mass, a generator, a capacitor storage device, and a battery storage device. The driven mass can rotate in response to a kinetic energy of the vehicle and is coupled to a shaft such that rotation of the driven mass causes the shaft to rotate. The generator can generate an electrical output based on a mechanical input coupled to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft causes the mechanical input to rotate. The capacitor storage device can receive at least a portion of the electrical output from the generator. The capacitor storage device can store at least the portion of the electrical output. The capacitor storage device can convey at least the portion of the electrical output received from the generator to the battery storage device.

Systems and methods for reducing a current speed of a vehicle that can operate on solar energy to increase solar energy collection. The system may include a photovoltaic (PV) panel configured to receive sunlight to drive an electric motor, a solar loading sensor configured to detect solar load, a global position system (GPS) sensor configured to detect vehicle location data, a speed sensor configured to detect vehicle speed, and an electronic control unit (ECU) connected to the electric motor, the solar loading sensor, the speed sensor, and the GPS sensor. The ECU may determine whether the vehicle is exposed to solar load greater than a predetermined threshold value and, if so, present a driver of the vehicle a minimum acceptable speed to select based on sensor data and a difference of solar energy collection between the minimum acceptable speed and the current speed.

A solar powered airship includes a cabin, at least one fuselage having an interior volume filled with a volume of a lighter-than-air gas such as helium, and a wing affixed to the fuselage. A plurality of solar panels are affixed to the wing and to the fuselage. A plurality of rotors are affixed to the wing, wherein each rotor is powered via an electric motor having a battery that is operably connected to the plurality of solar panels, thereby allowing for continuous flight. The solar powered airship may further include propellors, which may also be powered via the solar panels, or which may include gasoline powered motors. The solar powered airship can include various configurations and numbers of fuselages, wings, rotors, and propellors.

A system and methods are provided for a wing stabilizer charging system for recharging onboard batteries during operation of an electrically powered vehicle. The wing stabilizer charging system comprises a wing stabilizer configured to be coupled with a rear of the vehicle. One or more air inlets are disposed in the wing stabilizer and configured to receive an airstream during forward motion of the vehicle. Wind turbines are disposed within the wing stabilizer and configured to be turned by the airstream. A circuit box is configured to combine electricity received from the wind turbines into a useable electric current. A power cable extends from the circuit box and is configured to supply the useable electric current to any one or more electronic devices, such as any of an onboard battery for powering the vehicle, mobile phones or smart phones, portable music players, tablet computers, cameras, and the like.

A rotating system includes a motor including a shaft, an impeller configured to rotate with the shaft and located in a path of air, an alternator including a rotor configured to rotate with the shaft; and at least one secondary battery configured to be charged by the alternator. Rotation of the shaft is configured to be driven by either the motor or the impeller.