Abstract:
Airflow regeneration device, which generates electricity from air resistance, but only when the vehicle is in the speed reduction mode. In the non-speed reduction mode, the air resistance is minimally increased. In the speed reduction mode, the air resistance is intentionally increased.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Moving vehicles which move must overcome air resistance in order to move. Vehicle manufacturers often shape their vehicles in order to minimize the air resistance. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application describes intentionally increasing air resistance at of a vehicle at certain times of operation of the vehicle, and using the force that is generated from the increased air resistance as regenerative power. 
     In embodiments the regenerative power can be used to charge a battery or move a flywheel in a vehicle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a vehicle of a first embodiment where the air resistance through an internal conduit is selectively loaded and/or unloaded; and 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  show an embodiment with fold out flaps, which fold out to regenerate air pressure from wind resistance. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment describes regeneration from air resistance in a moving vehicle. Throughout the embodiments, the embodiments describe operation in an automobile, however it should be understood that this air regeneration technique may be also usable in other vehicles including airplanes and boats, for example. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment in which a moving vehicle  100  includes a chamber  105  therein. In the embodiment shown, the chamber extends all the way from the front  110  of the vehicle  100  to its rear  111 . In other embodiments, the chamber can be in any other location, and can extend for example only over portions of the vehicle&#39;s area, for example, if desired. The chamber  105  includes an inner surface  106  with a number of turbines  107  therein. The figure shows four such turbines, however, there can be any number of such turbines. 
     The turbines are driven by airflow shown generally as  115  through the inside of the chamber  106 . As the vehicle moves, the airflow passes along the path  115 , and causes the turbines to spin. 
     In operation, the turbines either each individually, or collectively, include a clutch device  125  that selectively connects the turbine to an electrical regeneration system  130 . The magnetic regeneration system, for example, may be a loop that spins within a magnetic field to generate electricity. The spinning creates electricity and uses that electricity to charge a battery bank  135 . Stored power in the battery bank  135  may control one or more electric motors that provide electromotive force to the vehicle. 
     A controller  150  controls the charging and discharging of the battery bank  135 , and may sense vehicle deceleration and/or braking. For example, the controller may detect either engine braking in the vehicle, and/or actual braking in the vehicle. 
     The sensing of deceleration or braking causes actuation of the clutch  125 , e.g., an electronic clutch actuation. The clutch places the load of an electric generator on the spinning turbines. 
     Therefore, in operation, the turbines  107  usually spin freely, so that they cause a minimal if any drag against airflow. When spinning freely, there is some but very limited drag on the airflow, with the air passing through the conduit  115 . Many such conduits can be provided through the vehicle, allowing air through the conduits. The air flowing through the conduit, without load on the turbines, may minimally, increase air resistance. It may even in some circumstances reduce the air drag by allowing air flow through the openings through the vehicle . However, during times of real braking and/or engine braking, loads are placed on the spinning turbines by attaching these turbines to electric generators. Not only does this increase the air resistance of the vehicle, assisting in the braking effect, but it also generates electricity. 
     In this way, the openings through the automobile can actually improve the air resistance, by leaving these openings unloaded. However, during times of braking, the air resistance can be increased. 
     These conduits can be located in any location of the vehicle. For example, in the  FIG. 1  embodiment, the regenerative devices may also be located on the top of the vehicle, for an example. 
     A second embodiment uses a moving part to avoid air resistance effect during normal operation, but increases the air resistance during braking.  FIG. 2  shows for example the automobile from a top view. During normal operation, no parts are extended into the normal airflow, and air flows normally around the vehicle and parts as generally shown by the arrows  200 ,  201 . However, during the time of braking, one or more flaps are extended from the vehicle to increase intentionally the air resistance. For example, the foldout flap  220  may fold out from its stowed location on the automobile, significantly increasing the air resistance of the vehicle. 
     The foldout flaps may include spinning turbines therein which regenerate energy created by the air resistance at the same time as its force contributes to the air resistance, in order to slow down the vehicle. 
     The foldout flap may be on sides of the vehicle, for example, or may be located on the roof of the vehicle. The roof mounted device pivots upward from its from its stowed position that is parallel with the roof line, during times of braking. Once folded up, the turbines may spin under force of the air resistance, to cause regenerative recovery of energy by increasing the air resistance and regenerating the power created by increasing the air resistance. 
     A similar operation can be carried out on the bottom of the automobile, where fold-down flaps can be located. 
     Each of the flaps may be driven by a motor such as  231  to fold them open. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the flaps can have a spring such as  222 , that causes the flaps to spring out quickly. These fold out embodiments can also use fluidic shock absorbers such as  223  to avoid sudden movements of the flaps, and thumps or “bangs” caused by the device folding out. 
     After the vehicle has come to a complete stop, or when acceleration is again detected, a motor can pull the devices back into their stowed position where they do not effect air flow. 
     Although only a few embodiments have been disclosed in detail above, other embodiments are possible and the inventor intends these to be encompassed within this specification. The specification describes specific examples to accomplish a more general goal that may be accomplished in another way. This disclosure is intended to be exemplary, and the claims are intended to cover any modification or alternative which might be predictable to a person having ordinary skill in the art. For example, other vehicles can use this system. Other devices besides turbines can be used for used for generating the energy. 
     Also, the inventor intends that only those claims which use the words “means for” are intended to be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph. Moreover, no limitations from the specification are intended to be read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly included in the claims. 
     The controller described herein may be any kind of computer, either general purpose, or some specific purpose computer such as a workstation. The computer may be a special purpose computer such as a PDA, cellphone, or laptop. 
     The programs may be written in C or Python, or Java, Brew or any other programming language. The programs may be resident on a storage medium, e.g., magnetic or optical, e.g. the computer hard drive, a removable disk or media such as a memory stick or SD media, wired or wireless network based or Bluetooth based Network Attached Storage (NAS), or other removable medium or other removable medium. The programs may also be run over a network, for example, with a server or other machine sending signals to the local machine, which allows the local machine to carry out the operations described herein. 
     Where a specific numerical value is mentioned herein, it should be considered that the value may be increased or decreased by 20%, while still staying within the teachings of the present application, unless some different range is specifically mentioned. Where a specified logical sense is used, the opposite logical sense is also intended to be encompassed.