Multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition and method, solar energy harvesting buckyball, inductive coupling device; vehicle chassis; atmospheric intake hydrogen motor; electrical energy generating tire; and mechanical energy harvesting device

Abstract

Provided is a multiple layer composition and method for deposition of a solar energy harvesting strip onto a driving surface that will allow electric cars to charge by an inductive coupling. The multiple layer composition includes at least one magnetic material for generating a magnetic field, wherein at least one of the multiple layers comprises the magnetic material. Further, the a multiple layer composition includes at least one solar energy harvesting material for converting at least one of thermal and photonic energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one of the multiple layers comprises the at least one solar energy harvesting material and wherein the at least one solar energy harvesting material is located within a magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic material. An alternative multiple layer composition includes a thermal energy harvesting material for converting thermal energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one layer comprises the thermal energy harvesting material, and a photonic energy harvesting material for converting photonic energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one layer comprises the thermal energy harvesting material. Additionally provided is a solar energy harvesting buckyball, inductive coupling device, vehicle chassis for storing electrical energy, atmospheric intake hydrogen motor, electrical energy generating tire and mechanical energy harvesting device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for the exchange of electrical energy between a vehicle and a road surface, comprising:
 a multiple layer solar energy harvesting strip deposited on the road surface, said solar energy harvesting strip further comprising:
 at least one permanent magnetic material bonded to the road surface for generating a magnetic field, wherein at least one of the multiple layers comprises the permanent magnetic material; and 
 an energy harvesting layer bonded on top of the magnetic material for converting at least one of thermal and photonic energy into electrical energy, wherein at least one of the multiple layers comprises the at least one solar energy harvesting material and wherein the at least one solar energy harvesting material is located within a magnetic field generated by the at least one magnetic material; and 
   a vehicle at least partially powered by electrical energy, comprising:
 an inductive coupling device comprising a spherical inductive coupler for inducing current in said magnetic field generated by said solar energy harvesting strip. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said energy harvesting layer further comprises a plurality of carbon buckyballs having a thermal energy harvesting material on at least a portion of the exterior of each buckyball, and a photonic energy harvesting material on at least a portion of each buckyball, wherein each said buckyball defines a first hemisphere and a second hemisphere, and wherein the first and second hemisphere each comprise a hollow portion comprising one of a dielectric and magnetic material and a first and second carbon nanotube. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one discharge capacitor is comprised by one or among more than one of the multiple layers, the discharge capacitor comprising at least two conductors that are spaced apart and substantially parallel and at least one dielectric material between the conductors, wherein the at least one discharge capacitor is charged by the electrical energy and augments the magnetic field. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein at least one layer of said multiple layer solar energy harvesting composition is deposited by spraying, hand application, or film deposition. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one magnetic material is deposited as a line array of a plurality of adjacent magnet portions substantially parallel to the surface area and substantially parallel to each other, wherein opposing polar regions of each of the plurality of magnet portions are oriented such that a line between the opposing polar regions of each of the plurality of magnet portions is perpendicular to the line array, further wherein each of the plurality of magnet portions have a substantially similar or opposite magnetic field orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the magnetic material is at least partially used for retaining and conveying information by staggering or eliminating portions of the magnetic material, or by adding diamagnetic material to the magnetic material to act as a magnetic field modifier. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein one of the plurality of layers comprises a basecoat on which the magnetic material is deposited and another one of the plurality of layers comprises a transparent sealant material. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , said inductive coupling device further comprising a motor for rotating the spherical inductive coupler in the magnetic field when the vehicle is stationary, wherein the spherical inductive coupler generates electrical energy when rotated in the magnetic field. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the spherical inductive coupler comprises a plurality of spheres. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least two of the plurality of spheres are different sizes. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein at least two of the plurality of spheres are the same size. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of spheres comprise a first sphere surrounded by N second spheres, wherein the N second spheres are smaller than the first sphere, wherein N is greater than one. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first sphere comprises a magnetic material and the N second spheres comprise a dielectric material. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inductive coupler converts electrical current into a magnetic field. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , said vehicle further comprising a vehicle chassis for storing electrical energy for use in the vehicle, said vehicle chassis further comprising:
 a first conductor;   a second conductor; and   a material for energy storage disposed between the first and second conductors, wherein the chassis supports a body of the vehicle.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second conductors of the chassis comprise a carbon fiber sheet. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said material for energy storage further comprises a honeycomb structure filled with an electrolyte suspended in polymer, wherein the vehicle chassis is a gel type rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said material for energy storage further comprises a dielectric material, wherein the vehicle chassis is a parallel plate discharge capacitor. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , said vehicle further comprising an atmospheric intake hydrogen motor that obtains hydrogen fuel from condensed atmospheric water vapor, the atmospheric intake hydrogen motor comprising:
 an atmospheric intake for intaking air;   at least one sensor for sensing at least one characteristic of the intaken air;   a condensation bladder for condensing water from the air; and   a cooling and/or heating device for cooling or heating the condensation bladder according to the sensed at least one characteristic of the intaken air, wherein the cooling and/or heating device cools or heats the condensation bladder to condensate the water from the air.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , said vehicle further comprising an electrical energy generating tire comprising:
 a first reinforcement strip formed circumferentially on the tire, the first reinforcement strip comprising a conductive material and forming as a positive conductor;   a second reinforcement strip formed circumferentially on the tire, the second reinforcement strip comprising the conductor material and forming a negative conductor;   an annular strip comprised of piezo ceramic material and/or thermal harvesting material that is disposed between the first and second reinforcement strip; and   at least one sidewall conductor coupled to at least one of the first and second reinforcement strips.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one sidewall conductor is further coupled to a wheel rim. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the wheel rim comprises two halves that are electrically insulated from each other. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the wheel rim is electrically coupled to the vehicle. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , said vehicle further comprising a mechanical energy harvesting device for converting mechanical motion into electrical current for use in the vehicle, the mechanical energy harvesting device further comprising:
 an electrical winding; and   a magnetic travel rod surrounded by the winding and moveable relative to the winding, wherein electrical current is induced when the magnetic travel rod moves relative to the winding.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the mechanical energy harvesting device comprises a shock absorber. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the travel rod moves relative to the winding as a result of movement by one of a door, hood, hatchback, break pedal, accelerator pedal, knob, switch, or car seat. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , said mechanical energy harvesting device further comprising a diode bridge to orient the induced current with respect to the mechanical movement of the magnetic travel rod in either of a first or second direction. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 24 , said mechanical energy harvesting device further comprising a thermal harvesting material to convert thermal energy into electrical energy.