History

This is the historical background that was submitted as part of the patent application. 

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The theory of airfoils was devised by Max Munk. In the 1920s airfoil theory was further refined by Hermann Glauert and others. In the mid-late 2000s Wallace J. Morris II proposed in his doctoral thesis a theory predicting the onset of leading-edge stall of airfoils. Airfoils are typically used on aircraft to provide lift and decrease drag. On autos they provide improved aerodynamics and reduce fuel consumption. Airfoils have been adapted to provide downward pressure to increase traction for race cars. 

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In recent years airfoils have been adapted for use on semis and open-ended railroad freight cars. As concerns for fossil fuel consumption increase it is anticipated that the use of airfoils will increase as well. A means of better utilizing airfoils is needed. 

 

In 1800, Alessandro Volta invented the first battery. Since then many technological advances in batteries have been made. Primitive batteries have transformed over time with developments like rechargeable, lead-acid, Nickel-Cadmium, Lithium, Lithium-Ion, and graphene. In the near future solid state batteries for Electric Vehicles are expected to be available. Large storage battery banks are commonly used to avoid ebbs and flows in the transmission of power produced by solar or wind farms. Currently solar or wind farm storage battery banks are stationary. A means of better utilizing solar or wind farm storage battery banks is needed.

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Originally patented in 1908, regenerative brakes are an energy recovery mechanism that slows a vehicle. Regenerative brakes have been widely used on diesel-electric engines for decades. When trains with regenerative braking systems decelerate electric motors function as generators.

                  

It is called rheostatic when resistors dissipate generated power as heat. It is called dynamic if power is returned to the supply line with regenerative brakes. Dynamic brakes use electric traction motors as generators to slow trains.

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Regenerative brakes serve to lower overall energy consumption by converting kinetic energy into power stored until needed or used immediately. With regenerative brakes energy is recovered that would be otherwise lost as heat in brake discs. Power from regenerative brakes is used to provide ‘hotel’ amenities in passenger trains. In freight trains the power generated is used to charge batteries, by the diesel-electric engines or dissipated by a radiator-like cowl. Conventional brakes are needed to stop completely. Conventional brakes convert kinetic energy from friction in brake mechanisms to wasted heat. 

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Whether rheostatic or dynamic, regenerative brakes reduce the wear on conventional brake components. Regenerative brakes were first adapted for use in autos in 1967. Initially auto applications of regenerative brakes were not always successful but since then many improvements have been made. More recently regenerative brakes have become standard equipment on many hybrid and Electric Vehicles, commonly known as EVs.

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On any given day freight trains travel thousands of miles. Often freight trains haul empty freight cars that represent dead weight and costs to railroad. A method of adapting regenerative brakes to railroad freight cars is needed. A means of more efficient and profitable railroad operation is needed.

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Passive solar energy has been used by many civilizations. In modern times solar panels are a reliable way to generate power. Advances in battery technology have enabled solar farm operators to avoid ebbs and flows in the transmission of the power produced. The drawback of solar panels is that power is only generated during daylight hours. Since solar panels only generate power when the sun is shining some geographical areas are more appropriate than others. Where sunshine is steady enough to make a solar farm viable the building of powerlines from the solar farms to the energy grid is often problematic.

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Means of generating power from solar farms without siting and construction of new powerlines are necessary. A means of shipping power by railroads is needed. A method of applying solar technology to railroad shipping containers is needed.

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Many civilizations have used wind energy. Wind was once used primarily to pump water. During the 1960s and ‘70s wind power technologies became more widely known. The wind is now more commonly used to generate power. The major drawback to wind energy in most locations is inconsistent wind making it unreliable. Many wind farms are now built at sea to obtain more consistent wind and to avoid siting issues. Having consistent wind is sometimes not an issue for wind farm operators. Where the wind is steady enough to make a wind farm viable the siting of powerlines for transmitting the power to the energy grid has often been problematic.

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The current focus has been on designing wind turbines to function with the lowest possible wind speed.  The size and capabilities of wind turbines increase yearly. At present ever larger wind farms are being built. Advances in battery technology have enabled wind farm operators to avoid ebbs and flows in the transmission of the power produced.

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Movement of freight trains creates a source of wind, i.e., trains traveling at 30 mph creates a 30 mph artificial wind speed. To date this source of wind power has gone unused due to the typical wind turbines inability to function at higher wind speeds. ​In Japan a wind turbine capable of capturing the higher wind speeds of typhoons has been patented. A similar technology is needed to harness the higher artificial wind speed created by the movement of freight trains. 

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In the late 1800s, EVs were out competed by internal combustion engines. At the time of early EVs, the idea that automobile emissions could pose an existential threat to humans wasn’t considered. Vehicles powered by fossil fuels became the preferred mode of transportation. The gasses emitted, especially carbon dioxide, by internal combustion engines has had unintended but dire consequences. In recent years scientists have concluded that internal combustion engine exhaust is a major source of the pollutants emitted since the second Industrial Revolution. 

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​According to an overwhelming majority of climate scientists the burning of fossil fuels has been a major cause of global warming and must be phased out. EVs are becoming the preferred mode of transportation in the future. After decades of non-use EVs have recently become a viable solution to the problem of global warming gases emitted from internal engine combustion vehicles. This is largely due to improvements in EV battery technology. EV batteries are undergoing technological upgrades frequently. ​There is a great deal of competition to create ever faster charging EV batteries. Many cities in the US are implementing bicycle rental programs to reduce their carbon footprint. Paris, France has set up a similar system to rent EVs to the thousands of tourists visiting there every year.

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Air pollution is a serious problem in China. More Chinese are driving than ever before and the number of new Chinese vehicle owners is increasing every year. Not surprisingly the Chinese government has supported the development of EVs. State of the art battery exchange machines are common.
 
China produced 1 million EVs in 2018. The EV company Nio produced 10,000 EVs in 2018. Chinese Nio EVs are expected to be on USA roads in the near future. According to the CBS news program 60 Minutes the Chinese are 3 to 4 years from EV market superiority when it is estimated that they will be producing 5 million EVs per year compared to the USA production of .5 million EVs per year. 

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Currently there is a great diversity of EVs being built around the world. In Canada the Electra Mechanica Vehicles Corp. produces the Solo. The Solo is a single seat EV that costs $15,500. The Solo is designed for commuters, car share, and delivery companies. The three-wheeled Solo model has a mileage range of 100 miles. Comparable to a Porsche Cayenne the Solo goes from 0 to 60mph in eight seconds.
 
From the USA another three-wheel EV is the Arcimoto FUV (Fun Utility Vehicle) priced at $11,900. The Arcimoto FUV has two seats. The Arcimoto company website touts their FUV as having a 75mph top speed with a mileage range of 100 miles. The Arcimoto company recently announced two new models for deliveries and first responders. 

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Other EV manufacturers are making four wheeled models. Mercedes Benz is producing the Smart For Two car with the top selling price of $28,850. Ford and Chevrolet are currently producing modestly priced EVs. In the USA the most well-known EV is the Tesla. Many other high-end manufacturers like Audi, Ferrari, Porsche, et al. are expected to bring their EVs to the market in the near future.

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Currently there are 40 models of EVs available in USA. Another high-end option for EVs is the retrofit of classic cars. Aston Martin and Jaguar cars have retained popularity with collectors even though they have inherent problems with their Lucas wiring harnesses. Many collectors of these cars are converting them to electric. The EV refit has been designed to be installed on the original motor mounts, which enables the buyer or seller to return the car to a pristine original condition.
 
Although the conversion of lower cost cars is generally more expensive compared to the cost of buying a new EV, some ‘Do It Yourself’ car enthusiasts have done it. Two notable examples of DIY conversions to electric are a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle and a 1978 Ferrari. Some mainstream automobile manufacturers are so convinced of the future viability of EVs that they are willing to produce EVs at a loss now to gain market share in the future. Volkswagen, Nissan, Porsche, and Audi among many others are racing to build the EVs of the future. 

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An overriding goal of EV owners is the reduction of their carbon footprint. Standard EV battery charging stations often get their power from fossil fuel powered local utilities. A means of charging EV batteries without burning fossil fuels would be preferable to EV owners. One criticism of EVs is the ‘range anxiety’ resulting from EVs’ mileage range being limited by battery charge. A method of creating a surplus of charged EV batteries allowing for the timely exchange of EV batteries instead of waiting for EV batteries to recharge is needed to alleviate ‘range anxiety.’

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Another problem is the high cost of EVs mainly due to high battery cost. Typically, the faster an EV battery charges the more expensive it makes an EV. Tesla currently has a patent pending for a battery changing machine however the Tesla models are beyond the financial reach of average consumers. 

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Tesla has contributed to EVs reputation for higher cost so ownership of them is seen as a status symbol. The higher cost of Tesla models has helped create the public perception that EVs cost more in general. Even higher costing fast charging batteries need some time to recharge which in effect reduces EV desirability in the USA.

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Much like the Model T that made automobiles affordable for the average person todays’ EVs need to be mass produced at a lower cost to gain popularity. Moderately priced EV batteries are needed to produce a moderately priced EV. A means to accommodate the longer charging times of moderately priced EV batteries is needed. An alternative means of charging EV batteries is needed to lower the carbon footprint of fossil fuels used for EV battery charging. Additionally, EV batteries need to be easily exchanged for EVs to have widespread use. A means to meet these requirements is needed. 

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For more info see Patents and Technology. Check out the Photos of the Railroad Windfarm to see a scale model (without airfoils). Check out the virtual prototype Video to see how the technology works.