System and method to maintain charge of vehicle battery using light energy

Abstract

A system for and method for charging or maintaining a charge of a battery of a vehicle is disclosed. The system utilizes a light-transforming cell that can transform light energy to current. The cell may be supported such that the cell is exposed to light energy. Current produced by the cell is communicated with the battery through electrical connectors, which may have a switch. This invention may decrease occasions when a vehicle operator faces a weakened or dead battery in a vehicle because the invention serves to maintain the charge of the vehicle's battery when the vehicle is not in use.

1. A system for charging or maintaining a charge of a battery, the system comprising:
 plurality of parallel means for converting light energy received from a light source into electrical current;  
 means for communicating electrical current from each converting means with a battery, wherein each converting means has its own independent communicating means distinct from communicating means of converting means; and  
 means for controlling the rate of current flowing into the battery;  
 wherein a charge of the battery is maintained or increased when each converting means converts light incident upon a cell into electrical current.  
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a translucent sheet positioned on the cell for protecting the cell from contaminants without completely blocking light influx onto the cell.  
 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises a photovoltaic cell. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the photovoltaic cell is covered by a protective translucent cover. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for controlling the rate of current flowing into the battery comprises a switch that includes a receiving socket for receiving the electrical connector. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for controlling the rate of current flowing into the battery comprises a switch that includes a variable current flow switch for controlling a variable rate of current flow to the battery. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for controlling the rate of current flowing into the battery comprises a switch that includes an on/off switch for allowing either a full flow of current to the battery or no flow at all. 
     
     
       8. A method of charging or maintaining the charge of a battery, the method comprising:
 exposing a plurality of parallel energy-transforming cells to a light source, each cell being able to convert light energy received from a light source into electrical current; and  
 communicating the electrical current produced by each cell with the battery using an electrical connector, wherein each cell has its own independent electrical connector and switch distinct from electrical connectors and switches of other cells, thereby maintaining the charge of the battery.  
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the switch comprises a receiving socket for receiving the electrical connector. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the receiving socket comprises a cigarette lighter receiving socket. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the switch comprises a variable current flow switch for controlling a variable rate of current flow to the battery. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the switch comprises an on/off switch for allowing either a full flow of current to the battery or no flow at all. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the battery is in a vehicle. 
     
     
       14. A system for charging or maintaining a charge of a battery, comprising:
   a plurality of energy - transforming cells to convert light energy into electrical energy;        a platform on which to mount the plurality of energy - transforming cells;        a plurality of electrical connectors, each electrical connector associated with a different one of the plurality of energy - transforming cells; and        a switch to control flow of electric current to the battery, each of the plurality of electrical connectors to couple one of the plurality of energy - transforming cells to the switch.      
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a translucent sheet positioned to protect the plurality of energy- transforming cells from contaminants without completely blocking light influx onto the plurality of energy transforming cells.    
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of energy- transforming cells comprises a photovoltaic cell.    
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the switch further comprises a receiving socket for receiving each of the plurality of electrical connectors.  
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the switch to control flow of electric current into the battery further comprises a variable electric current flow switch to control a variable rate of electric current flow to the battery.  
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the switch to control flow of electric current to the battery further comprise an on/off switch for allowing either a full flow or no electric current flow to the battery.  
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the platform is portable and the electric current is one of alternating current and direct current.  
     
     
       21. An apparatus for charging or maintaining a charge of a battery, comprising:
   a plurality of energy - transforming cells to convert light energy into electrical energy;        a plurality of electrical connectors, each of the plurality of electrical connectors associated with a different one of the plurality of energy - transforming cells; and        a switch to control flow of electric current to the battery, each of the plurality of electrical connectors to couple one of the plurality of energy - transforming cells to the switch.      
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a translucent sheet positioned to protect the plurality of energy- transforming cells from contaminants without completely blocking light influx onto the plurality of energy - transforming cells.    
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein each of the plurality of energy- transforming cells comprises a photovoltaic cell.    
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the switch further comprises a receiving socket for receiving each of the plurality of electrical connectors.  
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the switch to control flow of electric current into the battery further comprises a variable electric current flow switch to control a variable rate of electric current flow to the battery.  
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the switch to control flow of electric current to the battery further comprises an on/off switch for allowing either a full flow or no electric current flow to the battery.  
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the electric current is one of alternating current and direct current.