The invention provides an alternative electrical charging system for a vehicle which is at least partially powered by electricity. The system employs a wind driven generator which produces electricity in response to air motion. When the generator is operating, electricity is communicated the battery of the vehicle. Operation of the generator involves a controller that monitors the electrical status of the battery and selectively activates a fan or opens a ducting system communicating with the generator. The controller also, in some embodiments, monitors the motion and the attitude of the vehicle.

The invention provides an alternative electrical charging system for a vehicle which is at least partially powered by electricity. The system employs a wind driven generator which produces electricity in response to air motion. When the generator is operating, electricity is communicated the battery of the vehicle. Operation of the generator involves a controller that monitors the electrical status of the battery and selectively activates a fan or opens a ducting system communicating with the generator. The controller also, in some embodiments, monitors the motion and the attitude of the vehicle.

A body vent protector assembly for a vehicle includes a venting port defined into a body underlying surface on the vehicle and a body vent protector disposed at the venting port for inhibiting undesirable matter from interfering with the venting port. The body vent protector includes a shroud disposed over at least a portion of the venting port and a blocking rib disposed at or adjacent a rear edge of the venting port for blocking the undesirable matter.

An air blowing device includes: a tubular body defining an airflow passage and an air outlet; a guide wall configured to guide an airflow having passed through the air outlet in an intended direction; and a movable projecting portion, which is capable of projecting from an inside of the guide wall to an outside of the guide wall. The guide wall has a convex surface shape projecting in a direction intersecting a forward direction of the air outlet, and is arranged so that a projection image, which is obtained by projecting the guide wall onto a virtual plane including the air outlet, covers the entire air outlet. The movable projecting portion is capable of adjusting a projecting amount from the guide wall within a range of from zero to a predetermined maximum amount, and configured to adjust the projecting amount depending on the intended direction.

An air blowing device includes: a tubular body defining an airflow passage and an air outlet; a guide wall configured to guide an airflow having passed through the air outlet in an intended direction; and a movable projecting portion, which is capable of projecting from an inside of the guide wall to an outside of the guide wall. The guide wall has a convex surface shape projecting in a direction intersecting a forward direction of the air outlet, and is arranged so that a projection image, which is obtained by projecting the guide wall onto a virtual plane including the air outlet, covers the entire air outlet. The movable projecting portion is capable of adjusting a projecting amount from the guide wall within a range of from zero to a predetermined maximum amount, and configured to adjust the projecting amount depending on the intended direction.

A pressure relief vent assembly that defines a plurality of enlarged water collection pockets and a plurality of water passage recesses that enable water to move between the water collection pockets and to be more evenly distributed relative to and in the respective water collection pockets, and thus is configured to inhibit water from entering an enclosed area through the pressure relief vent assembly.

A system includes an external temperature sensor, an internal temperature sensor and an internal moisture sensor, along with an HVAC for blowing air into the vehicle. The system also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) coupled to the sensors and the HVAC. The ECU determines a difference between the inside air temperature and the ambient air temperature and sets a condensation indicator when the ambient air temperature is less than a first temperature threshold, the difference between the inside air temperature and the ambient air temperature is greater than a second temperature threshold, and the inside moisture level is greater than a moisture threshold. The ECU determines a condensation temperature at which additional condensation will accumulate on the window, determines the desired temperature for the air blown by the HVAC and controls the HVAC to blow air at the desired temperature when the condensation indicator is set.

An apparatus for use in venting a compartment in a vehicle includes a housing which at least partially defines an air flow passage. A valve element moves from a closed condition to an open condition to enable air to flow through the air flow passage. The valve element has an inner surface facing the air flow passage when the valve element is in the closed condition. The valve element has an outer surface opposite the inner surface facing away from the air flow passage when the valve element is in the closed condition. A spring wire deflects as the valve element moves from the closed condition toward the open condition and is effective to urge the valve element toward the closed condition. The spring wire extends in a straight line from the housing to the inner surface of the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition.

A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system includes a blower, a fresh-air valve, a bypass duct, and a bypass valve. The blower is configured to urge air to flow from an inlet to an outlet of the blower. The fresh-air valve is operable to provide a mixture of air drawn from an outside-air duct and a recirculated-air duct to the inlet. The fresh-air valve is operable to a recirculate position where the outside-air duct is substantially blocked from communicating with the inlet. The bypass duct is configured to couple the outlet to the outside-air duct. The bypass valve is located in the bypass duct and is operable to a closed position and an open position. The cabin is ventilated when the fresh-air valve is in the recirculate position, the bypass valve is in the open position, and the blower is operated to blow air out of the outside-air duct.

A trim assembly having a trim element and an air vent designed to be supplied with air. The trim element includes a first face designed to be oriented toward a user, a second face opposite the first face, and an edge extending between the first face and the second face. The air vent is positioned to generate a jet of air flowing along the second face toward the edge.