The article Electricity from airstream: Stellantis files a curious patent first appeared in the online magazine BASIC thinking. With our newsletter UPDATE you can start the day well informed every morning.
The car company Stellantis wants to use a turbine system to use the wind while driving to generate electricity. The technology could enormously increase the efficiency of future electric cars.
The wind in a car normally acts as air resistance and forces the vehicle to use more energy to propel itself. As speed increases, this resistance grows disproportionately and is one of the biggest brakes on efficiency in road traffic.
In electric cars in particular, the wind has a particularly strong effect on the range because the increasing air resistance at higher speeds significantly increases the battery’s energy consumption. At the same time, the wind also supports the cooling of the engine, power electronics and battery, which is important for the thermal stability of the systems.
The car company Stellantis now wants to take advantage of this wind in another way. The car manufacturer has received a patent in the USA that uses the wind to generate electricity via a wind-powered turbine system. like the online magazine MoparInsiders reported.
Stellantis wants to generate electricity from the wind
Stellantis filed the patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on December 12, 2023. On June 12th this year, this patent was confirmed for the car manufacturer, which is behind car brands such as Citroën, Jeep, Opel and Peugeot.
The patent includes a novel wind utilization system that is intended to use the wind from vehicles to generate electricity directly in the car. Several curved channels are used for this. These so-called “throughs” – or troughs – are installed in the vehicle’s radiator grille.
At the bottom of these channels there are small openings through which air is then automatically passed while driving. In this way, this air reaches mini wind turbines, which can generate electricity through their rotation. This electricity can then either be stored in the vehicle or used to power it.
Technology could charge electric car batteries while driving
Loud MoparInsiders The technology may not be designed to power an entire vehicle. Nevertheless, the wind turbines could generate electricity with the help of the wind and, for example, charge the battery of electric cars or supply accessories with power.
Relieving the load on the generator of a conventional combustion engine is also conceivable. In addition, several wind turbines could be connected in series to further maximize performance.
The patent also mentions your great flexibility in design. The troughs can be attached to the vehicle vertically, horizontally or at an angle.
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As a Tech Industry expert, I find Stellantis’ filing of a patent related to electricity from wind to be a curious and potentially exciting development. Harnessing wind power to generate electricity is a proven and sustainable renewable energy source, so it makes sense for a company like Stellantis to explore ways to integrate this technology into their operations.
Wind power has the potential to provide a significant amount of clean energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and helping to combat climate change. By filing a patent in this area, Stellantis is signaling their commitment to innovation and sustainability, which could help them stay competitive in an evolving market.
It will be interesting to see how Stellantis plans to implement this technology and what impact it could have on their overall energy strategy. If successful, this could be a significant step towards a more sustainable future for the automotive industry and beyond.
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