DRAG REDUCING SOLAR PANEL VEHICLE COVER

Abstract

A drag reducing, solar panel vehicle cover is fastened onto the exterior parts of a vehicle namely the roof, hood, doors, fenders, and trunk. The vehicle cover has a generally indented shell made of thin wall metal with a thin film solar panel outer surface; the vehicle cover having a shape that conforms to the respective exterior part of the vehicle so that it mates with and overlaps the part. The surface of the vehicle cover is polished and plasma is generated above the surface through judiciously positioned plasma actuators which inhibit the separation of airflow when the vehicle is in motion, thereby reducing drag. The vehicle cover serves three objectives. It charges the onboard battery rack through a thin film solar panel outer surface without altering the original form, shape or contour of the vehicle. It reduces drag through judiciously positioned plasma actuators on its surface. It gives the vehicle the appearance of having a solar panel like surface.

Claims

1. Drag reducing, solar panel vehicle cover for exterior parts of vehicles namely the roof, hood, doors, fenders, and trunk; the vehicle cover comprising a generally indented shell made of thin wall metal having a thin-film solar panel outer surface, the vehicle cover having a shape that conforms to the exterior of the respective part so that it mates with and overlaps the part. The surface of the vehicle cover is polished and plasma is generated above the surface through judiciously positioned plasma actuators.

2. The drag reducing, solar panel vehicle cover of claim 1 wherein the vehicle cover is made of thin wall metal with a thin-film solar panel outer surface having a thickness of less than about 0.25 inches with judiciously positioned plasma actuators based on the specific design of the vehicle.

3. A method of modifying a vehicle to give it the appearance of having a solar panel like surface, the method comprising fastening onto the vehicle exterior parts a thin wall metal with a thin-film solar panel outer surface having a shape that conforms to the exterior of the respective part so that it mates with and overlaps the respective part.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the solar panel shell with judiciously positioned plasma actuators are fastened onto the vehicle with tape, adhesive, or fasteners and connected to the onboard battery rack through leads.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Diagram 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the drag reducing, solar panel vehicle covers of this invention being installed on a vehicle.

[0013] Diagram 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the judicious positioning of plasma actuators on the surface of the cover based on the separation of airflow.

[0014] Diagram 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of plasma being generated through the judicious positioning of plasma actuators on the surface of the cover based on the separation of airflow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] This invention is best understood by reference to drawing 1. A preferred embodiment of the drag reducing, solar panel vehicle covers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the present invention are shown being installed on a vehicle 8. The cover is shaped to mate closely with the respective vehicle part so that it tightly and completely overlaps the part. When installed, the shape of the vehicle is unchanged. The only difference is that the surface of the exterior part is a thin film solar panel instead of metal, polymer or carbon fiber. The covers are connected to an on-board battery pack through leads that run inside the vehicle. The thin film solar panel helps charge the on-board battery racks.

[0016] In addition, the cover helps in reducing drag by creating plasma on its surface through judiciously positioned plasma actuators comprising a dielectric in the area where the airflow separates from the surface as shown in drawing 2 and drawing 3.

[0017] Based on their respective shape vehicles have surfaces where the airflow does not follow the contour of the vehicle. When plasma is created on those surfaces it inhibits the separation of the airflow thereby decreasing drag resulting in better fuel economy.

[0018] The protection given to the vehicle is not diminished by the addition of the vehicle cover. Accordingly, the vehicle cover itself need not contribute to the protection. Furthermore, when the vehicle cover mates closely with the respective part, the cover is supported by the underlying part. The vehicle cover is a relatively thin, lightweight shell made of a thin sheet metal, preferably aluminum, covered with a thin film solar panel with judiciously positioned plasma actuators based on the shape of the vehicle.

[0019] The preferred embodiment of the vehicle cover is installed onto the respective part with tape, adhesive, fasteners, or the like. When installed, the vehicle cover gives the appearance of a solar panel cast in the shape of the respective part.

[0020] Although the preferred embodiment of the vehicle cover of this invention has a shape and size similar to the exterior part it covers, the vehicle cover may, if desired, have a different shape and/or size. The vehicle cover of this invention is suitable for use on any type of vehicle.