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Category: Transportation

Diy Kinetic Photovoltaic Vehicle (Kpv)

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---- DO IT YOURSELF ENTRY --------- PURPOSE: To create a do-it-yourself easily transportable solar-electric two-wheeled scooter for use by individuals with mobility disabilities. Working as an engineer on a Canadian schooner, Terry Hope, found himself in need a solution to bring aboard an electric scooter that could fit in a suitcase. A stock steel scooter frame is augmented with a variety of hand-made and off-the-shelf parts. The end result is home-built solar-electric Kinetic Photovoltaic Vehicle (KPV). The KPV has a 396 W-h/24-volt battery, 28 W-h/12-volt booster battery, 10.8 volt ultracapacitor bank, and a 12-volt kinetic generator. The batteries can be fully charged from main power within 15 to 45 minutes, and the scooter can travel around 13 miles per charge. Power can also be supplemented by the scooter’s 50-watt solar array. The array is formed from 14 monocrystalline cells contained within five panels mounted on the front of the bike. The panels can also serve as an aerodynamic fairing. Using rocker switches, the rider can direct power from the array into either of the batteries or the capacitors. Its top speed is 20 miles per hour. The kinetic generator consists of a sprocket mounted on the non-motor side of the rear wheel, which is linked to five gears that rotate a set of small 3-phase alternators. These alternators convert alternating current to direct current with a claimed 74 percent efficiency, and store the electricity in the capacitors. A booster switch gives the rider access to these power reserves. A second version of the KPV is planned that will be lighter and faster with increased torque and solar capacity. Future additions could include lights, laser guidance, and a 7-inch WiFi/3G/4G/GPS Bluetooth touchscreen display. POWER: 396 W-h/24-volt battery, 28 W-h/12-volt booster battery, 10.8-volt ultracapacitor bank and a 12-volt kinetic generator. WEIGHT: 44 pounds (50 pounds with the solar arrays). AUTHOR: Ben Coxworth. TITLE: Home-built solar electric scooter fits in a suitcase. WEBSITE: Gizmag. REF: http://www.gizmag.com/kpv-solar-electric-scooter/18215.

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as of: 
09/04/2011
Diy Kinetic Photovoltaic Vehicle (Kpv)