Patent ID: 7459880
Filing Date: 2008-12-02
Classification: H01M,H02S,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A solar generator panel for an electric or a hybrid vehicle, comprising: (a) means for sensing the current position of the sun and including means for aligning at least one photovoltaic device to face toward the sun; (b) wherein said means for sensing the current position of the sun includes continually sensing the current position of the sun and wherein said means for aligning includes periodically altering a position of said at least one photovoltaic device to face toward a current location of the sun; (c) wherein said means for sensing the current position of the sun and said means for aligning is attached to said vehicle; (d) a covering over said at least one photovoltaic device, and wherein said covering is attached relative to said electric or hybrid vehicle, and wherein a position of said covering relative to said vehicle does not change in response to said periodically altering a position of said at least one photovoltaic device; (e) wherein means for sensing the current position of the sun includes said covering and wherein said covering includes a dome that is adapted to allow a portion of solar radiation to pass therethrough, and including a phototransistor array that includes a plurality of phototransistors, each of said phototransistors adapted to provide an output when a sufficient quantity of said solar radiation is impinging thereon, and means for directing said solar radiation that passes through said dome to said phototransistor array; and (f) wherein said means for directing said solar radiation includes a plurality of fiber optic filaments that are each disposed at a first end thereof over certain of said phototransistors of said phototransistor array and which are each disposed at an opposite end thereof proximate an interior surface of said dome.