Described herein is an unmanned water vehicle comprising two or more hulls, a retractable sensor apparatus, a wireless communications device, a steerable drive apparatus, a mobility and control module providing operation of the unmanned water vehicle, and a power system comprising: one or more solar panels and an energy storage device, wherein the unmanned water vehicle is capable of continuous operation for a period of at least 3 months.

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.

Reactive spoilers for aircraft and associated methods. In one embodiment, a wing of an aircraft includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an upper surface and a lower surface between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The wing further includes a reactive spoiler disposed on the upper surface between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The reactive spoiler comprises one or more turbines configured to raise in relation to the upper surface into an airflow passing over the upper surface, and to reduce lift of a wing section behind the turbines. The turbines are configured to convert kinetic energy from the airflow into electrical energy.

A system and methods are provided for a wind scoop charging system for recharging onboard batteries during operation of an electrically powered vehicle. The wind scoop charging system comprises a wind scoop configured to be coupled with a hood of the vehicle. One or more air inlets are disposed in the wind scoop to receive an airstream during forward motion of the vehicle. A wind turbine is disposed within the wind scoop and rearward of the air inlet. The wind turbine is configured to produce an electric current upon being turned by the airstream. A power cable is configured to direct the electric current from the wind turbine to one or more electronic devices that are configured to utilize the electric current. The electronic devices may include any of an onboard battery for powering the vehicle, mobile phones or smart phones, portable music players, tablet computers, cameras, and the like.

A method includes detecting a determined operating condition of a first power converter that is one of a plurality of first power converters in a power generating unit, and the power generating unit is one of a plurality of power generating units. The method further includes responding to detection of the determined operating condition by: controlling, via at least one remaining first power converter of the plurality of first power converters, a load current flowing through a power bus coupled to the plurality of power generating units, and altering one or more droop characteristics corresponding to one or more second power converters disposed in other power generating units based at least in part on the controlled load current flowing through the power bus, wherein the one or more second power converters disposed in other power generating units are coupled to the power bus.

A system and method are provided for a fairing panel charging system for recharging onboard batteries during operation of an electrically powered vehicle. The fairing panel charging system comprises a fairing panel configured to be coupled with a front of the vehicle. One or more air inlets are disposed in the fairing panel and configured to receive an airstream during forward motion of the vehicle. A wind turbine is disposed rearward of each air inlet 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 wind driven electric generator comprises: a fan element including a fan blade and a transmission shaft, the fan blade being served to receive a wind force for rotation, the transmission shaft transferring the rotary motion of the fan blade; a first generator being driven by the transmission shaft to generate electric energy; a motor receiving the electric energy generated by the first generator to rotate the transmission shaft; and a generating device including a second generator, a maximum power point tracker and an energy storage element, the second generator being driven by the transmission shaft to generate electric energy, the electric energy generated by the second generator being stored to the energy storage element under the control of the maximum power point tracker.

A vehicle charging assembly includes a charging device that is located in the vehicle, in the top of the vehicle, in the chassis of the vehicle, in the hood of the vehicle, or in one of the doors of the vehicle. The outside air is introduced into the charging device and drives the blade unit and the shaft when the vehicle moves, and the air exits from the vehicle from outlets. The charging unit includes two power generating units accommodated in two respective positioning units to prevent the outside air from entering into the positioning units. The power generating units are connected to the shaft and generate electric power to be used to the vehicle or to be stored in the battery units. The power generating unit is coupled to a processing unit which controls the power generating unit to stop or to transfer electric power to the battery unit.

A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium to dynamically manage heat in an electric energy storage system, such as a battery pack or ultra-capacitor pack system in a system or device having a variable electrical loads that may impact performance or life, such as in an electric vehicle.

Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided that use identifiers and sensed power source parameters to determine whether a rule, such as a warranty or licensing requirement, has been violated.