Systems and/or methods for using air/wind power to charge/re-charge vehicle batteries

Abstract

Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to techniques that harness air/wind power to charge and/or re-charge a battery of a vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered. In certain example embodiments, air/wind enters into a channel formed in a vehicle and turns a turbine which, in turn, generates electricity that may be used to charge and/or re-charge a battery of the vehicle. In certain example embodiments, the velocity of the air/wind may be increased within the channel by virtue of features including, for example, retractable and/or directional vanes and/or side wall elements that help create constricting locations (or choke points). In certain example embodiments, the velocity of the air/wind may be increased within the channel by virtue of features that produce the Coanda effect. Thus, for instance, both the Venturi effect and the Coanda effect may be used to increase the efficiency of the overall system.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for charging and/or re-charging a battery in a vehicle, comprising:
 a channel having a body into which wind/air can flow;   a plurality of turbines located in the body of the channel, each said turbine being rotatable by the wind/air flowing through the channel;   a plurality of vanes located in the body of the channel upstream of the turbines, wherein constricting locations are created between adjacent vanes, the constricting locations being located so as to increase velocity of the wind/air flowing through the channel upstream of the turbines;   at least one substantially columnar feature located in the channel horizontally oriented so as to be approximately centered between adjacent ones of said vanes, the at least one substantially columnar feature being shaped, arranged, and positioned in the channel and in relation to the plurality of vanes so as to increase velocity of the wind/air flowing through the channel upstream of the turbines; and   an electric power subsystem configured to harness energy generated by the turbines and charge and/or re-charge the battery in the vehicle using the harnessed energy.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vanes are retractable. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a computer-based control system configured to cause the each said vane to retract when the vehicle reaches a predetermined speed threshold associated with the vane. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a feature mounted to the side wall of the channel substantially in line with the plurality of vanes. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one substantially columnar feature is located upstream of the plurality of vanes. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of substantially columnar features are provided. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each said substantially columnar feature is located downstream of the constricting locations created by the vanes. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising circuitry configured to regulate current of harnessed energy. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of backup batteries configured to temporarily store the harnessed energy. 
     
     
         10 . A vehicle comprising the system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the channel vents into the tailpipe. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the channel is connected to the engine such that the wind/air exits the channel and is fed into the engine. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 10 , wherein the channel is arranged to vent proximate to the engine such that air vented through the channel flows over and/or around the engine. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the channel is located behind a front grille of the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . A vehicle comprising:
 an engine;   a battery; and   a system for charging and/or re-charging the battery, the system comprising:
 a channel having a body into which wind/air can flow, 
 at least one turbine located in the body of the channel, each said turbine being rotatable by the wind/air flowing through the channel, 
 a plurality of vanes located in the body of the channel upstream of the at least one turbine, wherein constricting locations are created between adjacent vanes, the constricting locations being located so as to increase velocity of the wind/air flowing through the channel upstream of the at least one turbine, 
 an electric power subsystem configured to harness energy generated by the at least one turbine and charge and/or re-charge the battery in the vehicle using the harnessed energy, and 
 an outlet proximate the vehicle's rear, 
   wherein the outlet is shaped and arranged to cause air discharged therethrough to disrupt a vacuum that otherwise would be formed at the rear of the vehicle as the vehicle moves.   
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one substantially columnar feature located in the channel so as to increase velocity of the wind/air flowing through the channel upstream of the turbines. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 16 , wherein the system further comprises at least one feature mounted to the side wall of the channel configured to cooperate with the vanes to increase velocity of the wind/air flowing through the channel upstream of the turbines. 
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the system further comprises at least one feature mounted to the side wall of the channel configured to cooperate with the vanes to increase velocity of the wind/air flowing through the channel upstream of the turbines. 
     
     
         19 . The vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of vanes are retractable. 
     
     
         20 . A method of making a system for charging and/or re-charging a battery in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 providing a channel having a body into which wind/air can flow;   providing a plurality of turbines in the body of the channel, each said turbine being rotatable by the wind/air flowing through the channel;   providing a plurality of vanes located in the body of the channel upstream of the turbines, wherein constricting locations are created between adjacent vanes, the constricting locations being located so as to increase velocity of the wind/air flowing through the channel upstream of the turbines as the vehicle moves; and   providing an electric power subsystem configured to harness energy generated by the turbines and charge and/or re-charge the battery in the vehicle using the harnessed energy as the vehicle moves.