Method and apparatus for supplying solar energy for operation of a vehicle
US6380481B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S136/291
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A tractor and trailer combination, the trailer having a cover for covering a load support surface thereof and a frame assembly is provided which includes a roller and a plurality of solar cell lengths for extending along the cover, the solar cell lengths being movably connected to one another for rolling up of the solar cell lengths about the roller and the roller being removably rotatably mounted relative to the frame assembly. The tractor and trailer combination is a type of vehicle having a planar surface for protectively covering a load carrying surface of the vehicle and collectively flexible solar cell lengths disposable as the outwardly facing side of the planar surface which may additionally include a gas motor fueled by cryogenic fuel, a climate control arrangement supplied with the cryogenic fuel, and a solar thermal energy system for cooling operations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.