초록 ▼

The invention relates to a vehicle including a body having a one or more openings. The body is configured, such as through the use of air guides, to receive an airflow through the one or more openings. An electrical generator assembly is mounted inside the vehicle and in fluid communication with a r

The invention relates to a vehicle including a body having a one or more openings. The body is configured, such as through the use of air guides, to receive an airflow through the one or more openings. An electrical generator assembly is mounted inside the vehicle and in fluid communication with a respective opening to receive the airflow, and wherein a separate electric generator assembly is associated with each of the openings. Each electrical generator assembly includes a housing, an electric generator mounted to the housing and a turbine assembly coupled to the electric generator.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle, comprising: a body including a body panel having a first opening, said body panel being configured to receive an airflow through said first opening; and a first electrical generator assembly mounted inside said vehicle and in fluid communication with said first ope

What is claimed is: 1. A vehicle, comprising: a body including a body panel having a first opening, said body panel being configured to receive an airflow through said first opening; and a first electrical generator assembly mounted inside said vehicle and in fluid communication with said first opening of said body panel to receive said airflow, said first electrical generator assembly including: a housing engaged with said body panel, said housing including a plurality of walls defining a sealing surface to engage said body panel such that said body panel forms a cover of said housing, said plurality of walls further defining an air inlet channel positioned in fluid communication with said first opening of said body panel; an electric generator mounted to said housing; and a turbine assembly located inside said housing in fluid communication with said first opening of said body panel via said air inlet channel of said housing, said turbine assembly being coupled to said electric generator. 2. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a seal material positioned between said body panel and said sealing surface of said housing. 3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said first opening is formed in a front hood of said vehicle. 4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said first opening is formed in a front hood of said vehicle, further comprising a seal material positioned between said front hood and said sealing surface of said housing, such that engagement of said sealing surface of said housing with said front hood is indirect, said seal material being attached to only one of said front hood and said sealing surface of said housing. 5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said first opening is formed in a side panel of said vehicle. 6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said first opening has associated therewith an air guide formed integral with said body panel. 7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a turbine housing portion, said turbine assembly being located in said turbine housing portion, said air inlet channel being configured to increase a velocity of said airflow before said airflow reaches said turbine housing portion. 8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said housing includes means for providing said airflow as combustion air for said vehicle. 9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said body panel includes a plurality of openings, each of said plurality of openings being in fluid communication with a separate respective electrical generator assembly mounted inside said body. 10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said turbine assembly comprises a hub, and a plurality vanes extending radially from said hub, each of said plurality of vanes including a concave surface facing said airflow. 11. The vehicle of claim 5, further comprising a seal material positioned between said side panel and said sealing surface of said housing. 12. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein a first portion of said plurality of openings is formed in a front hood of said body and a second portion of said plurality of openings is formed in side panels of said body. 13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of openings has associated therewith a separate air guide. 14. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein each said separate respective electrical generator assembly is electrically connected to an electrical regulator, said electrical regulator being electrically connected to a battery. 15. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of vanes includes a stem interconnecting said concave portion surface to said hub. 16. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein each said air guide is formed integral with said body. 17. A vehicle, comprising: a body panel having a first opening, said body panel being configured to receive an airflow through said first opening; and a housing containing a turbine assembly that is coupled to an electrical generator, said housing including a plurality of walls defining a sealing surface and defining an air inlet channel, said sealing surface of said housing being positioned to engage said body panel such that said body panel forms a cover for completing an enclosure of said housing, said air inlet channel being positioned in fluid communication with said first opening for receiving said air flow passing through said first opening of said body panel. 18. The vehicle of claim 17, further comprising a seal material positioned between said body panel and said sealing surface of said housing, said body panel being one of a front hood and a side panel. 19. A vehicle including a turbine assembly that is coupled to an electrical generator, comprising: a body panel having an inside surface; a housing having a first opening and a second opening, said first opening being an air inlet channel, and said second opening being formed by a plurality of walls defining a sealing surface; and an enclosure for said turbine assembly formed by said housing engaging said inside surface of said body panel, said sealing surface at said second opening of said housing being engaged with said inside surface of said body panel, said body panel forming a cover for covering said second opening of said housing to complete said enclosure. 20. The vehicle of claim 19, further comprising a seal material positioned between said body panel and said plurality of walls at said sealing surface of said housing.