Energy harvesting methods for providing autonomous electrical power to vehicles and electrically-powered devices in vehicles
US10347777B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2017 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 21, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/7072
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method is provided that integrates an autonomous energy harvesting capacity in vehicles in an aesthetically neutral manner. A unique set of structural features combine to implement a hidden energy harvesting system on a surface of the vehicle to provide electrical power to the vehicle, and/or to electrically-powered devices in the vehicle. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below. The layers uniquely implement optical light scattering techniques to make the layers appear opaque when observed from a light incident side, while allowing at least 50%, and as much as 80+%, of the energy impinging on the energy or incident side to pass through the layer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.