Solar Windows for Electric Automobiles
A photovoltaic power source for an electric automobile includes at least one window including a transparent photovoltaic cell; a DC-DC converter in electrical communication with the at least one window transparent photovoltaic cell; and a battery in electrical communications with the DC-DC converter.
1 . A photovoltaic power source for an electric automobile, comprising:
at least one window comprising a transparent photovoltaic cell;
a DC-DC converter, in electrical communication with the at least one window transparent photovoltaic cell; and
a battery, in electrical communication with the DC-DC converter.
2 . The photovoltaic power source of claim 1 , wherein the DC-DC converter comprises:
a MPPT Converter Power controller; and
a FET in electrical communication with the transparent photovoltaic cell and in electrical communication with a primary of a transformer,
wherein the FET includes a gate in electrical communication with and controlled by the MPPT Converter Power controller.
3 . The photovoltaic power source of claim 2 wherein the DC-DC converter further comprises:
a filter having an output and having an input in electrical communication with a secondary of the transformer; and
the output of the filter being in electrical communication with the battery.
4 . The photovoltaic power source of claim 2 wherein the DC-DC converter further comprises:
a first diode connected between the primary of the transformer and the output of the transparent photovoltaic cell; and
a second diode connected between the primary of the transformer and ground.
5 . The photovoltaic power source of claim 1 wherein electrical communication between the DC-DC converter and battery is controlled by an external electronic control unit.
6 . An electric automobile, comprising:
a body;
at least one window in the body, the at least one window comprising a transparent photovoltaic cell;
a DC-DC converter, mounted in the body and in electrical communication with the at least one window transparent photovoltaic cell; and
a battery, mounted in the body and in electrical communication with the DC-DC converter.
7 . The electric automobile of claim 6 , wherein the DC-DC converter comprises:
a MPPT Converter Power controller; and
a FET in electrical communication with the transparent photovoltaic cell and in electrical communication with a primary of a transformer,
wherein the FET includes a gate in electrical communication with and controlled by the MPPT Converter Power controller.
8 . The electric automobile of claim 7 wherein the DC-DC converter further comprises:
a filter having an output and having an input in electrical communication with a secondary of the transformer; and
the output of the filter being in electrical communication with the battery.
9 . The electric automobile of claim 7 wherein the DC-DC converter further comprises;
a first diode connected between the primary of the transformer and the output of the transparent photovoltaic cell; and
a second diode connected between the primary of the transformer and ground.
10 . The electric automobile of claim 7 wherein electrical communication between the DC-DC converter and battery is controlled by an external electronic control unit.
11 . A method for charging a battery in an electric automobile, comprising steps of:
generating power from a transparent photovoltaic cell included in at least one window of the electric automobile;
controlling the generated power with a DC-DC converter in electrical communication with the at least one window transparent photovoltaic cell; and
charging a battery mounted in the vehicle and in electrical communication with the DC-DC converter.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the DC-DC converter include:
a MPPT Converter Power controller; and
a FET in electrical communication with the transparent photovoltaic cell and in electrical communication with a primary of a transformer;
the method further comprising controlling, by the MPPT Converter Power controller, a gate of the FET.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the DC-DC converter further comprises:
a filter having an output and having an input in electrical communication with a secondary of the transformer; and
the output of the filter being in electrical communication with the battery.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the DC-DC converter further comprises:
a first diode connected between the primary of the transformer and the output of the transparent photovoltaic cell; and
a second diode connected between the primary of the transformer and ground.
15 . The method of claim 12 , further including controlling electrical communication between the DC-DC converter and the battery by an external electronic control unit.