Wind powered alternator/recharger
Created November 11, 2008, at 2:33 pm by jb
This is probably stupid but is it possible or feasible to build into hybrid cars a series of micro wind turbines to charge the batteries? Or, by adding a charging unit on a roof rack?
I am thinking about several micro turbines that would be multi finned (like a jet engine) built around alternators. The wind would be funneled into ducts containing the turbines under the passenger compartment or built into the roof.
I was thinking of the same sort of thing built into the exhaust tail pipe.
Again, it is probably stupit, violating multiple laws of physics.
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JB,
You're only trying to violate 1 law of physics. This is the law of conservation of energy.
Remember that the wind over a car is caused because energy is moving the car. Your wind turbines will simply cause more drag on the car and make the engine burn more energy to move the car. You're going to lose energy overall with this scheme.
Similar schemes have been proposed including putting a generator on the rear wheels to capture energy while the engine drives the front wheels. This has the same problem.
Keep coming up with ideas though, our planet still needs better ways to use energy.
ex-EV1 is right if you're talking about recharging the car while it's moving. If, however, you intend to charge the batteries while the vehicle is parked, a wind turbine would not be a bad idea. Wind turbines are expensive, and it would be dead weight that you have to haul around when not in use.
I had the same thought for the tail pipe - you have heat and an exhaust gas - basically what you have in a steam turbine (minus some pressure). Would guess cost and how you keep the system clean and running is the main problem for it.
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