GB2485586A

GB2485586A - Solar Powered Computer Equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2485586A
Application number: GB1019664.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Barker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-21
Filing date: 2010-11-21
Publication date: 2012-05-23
Also published as: GB201019664D0

Abstract

A laptop or netbook computer is powered by a 12 volt solar energy system in a two step process comprising charging a battery pack via a solar charger unit connected to a solar panel then discharging the battery pack via a variable voltage selector to power the computer and associated peripheral devices such as an optional USB Internet modem. The solar panel and charger can be standalone and charge a removable battery pack, such as a 12 Volt Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery, and can include standard cigarette lighter connections for the 12V battery, small plugs to suit a variety of computing devices and a USB port for charging compatible devices such as cameras, MP3 players and Personal Digital Assistants. The equipment can be used in harsh environments such as found in sub-Saharan Africa, be rugged, housed in a tough ABS casing and easy to manufacture in developing countries though use of readily available components.

Description

Description. 1

This invention relates to apparatus to power a laptop (or more specifically netbook') computer by solar energy.

The problem in some locations around the world is that grid-based electrical power systems are infeasible. For example, in rural Africa where field-testing has occurred, mains' electricity may not penetrate locations in the countryside where it does not make sense economically, for instance. In this case those communities without such power can easily feel more impoverished and cut off from other communities since they are unable to power even basic communications equipment such as mobile telephones, radios and televisions, etc. Therefore, this system allows people to power computing and other devices who either a. cannot receive grid-based power because it is (economically, technologically, etc.) infeasible or ii choose not to receive centralised power for similar or other (e.g. adoption of green' lifestyle) reasons. Obviously its use is dependent upon the necessary ambient sunlight conditions to charge the battery plus there is an initial outlay for the cost of the equipment but, given time, this will be obviated by the zero cost of supplied energy. That said, the system is designed to be low-cost and simple to manufacture, for example within a Developing Country, through the utilisation of readily available components.

This invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings (Figure 1).

System operation is a two step process.

Stage 1 is the Charging Cycle' step whereby the 12 Volt, 5 Watt solar panel ® (different power 12 Volt solar panels may be compatible) is connected by means of a paired cable of around 1.5 Metres to the Solar Charger Unit (SCU) W The SCU contains a charge controller plus 10 Amp fuse contained within a rugged ABS (plastic) case. This regulates the power to a deep cycle 12 Volt, 2.7 Amp-hour Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery also contained within an ABS case (complete with ventilation holes for the SLA battery) and known as the Battery Pack (BP). The BP is connected by a cigarette lighter' plug/socket I3. to the SCU. Importantly, in accordance with the charge controller specifications, the total (paired) cable length between the BP and SCU must not exceed 5 0cm. The battery in the BP is chosen for its appropriate weight and size ensuring portability of the equipment (different specification batteries, i.e. greater Amp-hours, may be compatible). When the BP is charging a Light Emitting Diode (LED) on the currently utilised charge controller, visible through an aperture in the SCU casing, is lit. When the BP has charged the SCU switches off the provision of power to the BP, the charged' LED lights up and the charging' LED is extinguished. Other charge controllers may utilise alternative means of signifying charging' and charged'. Upon the charged' state being reached the user should unplug the BP at the cigarette lighter' socket ® thus leaving it free to be moved to another location whilst the solar panel and SCU are left in place, i.e. mounted on a south-facing roof or in a window, etc. Stage 2 is the Solar Powered Computer Utilisation' step whereby the BP is plugged into the Variable Voltage Selector (VVS) S by means of attaching the cigarette lighter' connections ®. In the case of the sample Asus Eee PC which requires 24W power at 9 to 12 Volts the VVS is set to 9 Volts by means of a voltage selector button on its side. The correct voltage will then be displayed on a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) on the VVS. The current VVS is capable of delivering from 1.5 Volts to 12 Volts assuming that the BP is fully charged. To attach a laptop computer ® to the VVS first the user must connect the correct plug in the correct polarity to the VVS output lead. Additionally, before powering on' the computer it is a good idea to remove its internal battery so that it is not being charged by the BP. Once plugged in the computer can be switched on. The VVS will display bars' on the LCD indicating the current being drawn by the computer. Initially, as the system boots this will be high but will lower as the system is used. It is also possible to attach USB peripherals to the computer such as an Internet modem ©. This has been successfully tested in the field, i.e. rural Africa. As the BP is running low on power the current VVS will adopt a red backlit display as opposed to the usual white display. Eventually, as the power of the BP drops even lower the LCD will begin to sound a warning and flash.

Alternative VVS's may signify low power through other means but it is advised that the VVS utilised does possess this basic feature as it provides the user with a warning to complete their work on the computer before the system shuts down. Additionally, the current VVS possesses a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port which is useful for charging compatible devices such as cameras, MP3 players, Personal Digital Assistants, etc. When the BP power is no longer sufficient to power the laptop it is necessary to recharge the BP by repeating Stage 1. The system as described herein has been proven to power the laptop computer for up to five hours (depending upon usage) before recharging is required. (

Claims

Claims.1. Equipment to power a laptop (netbook) computer utilising a rugged and readily constructed 12 Volt solar energy system consisting of a two step process comprising of charging a battery pack via a solar charger unit connected to a solar panel then discharging the battery pack via a variable voltage selector to power the computer and associated (peripheral) devices.
2. Equipment to power a laptop (netbook) computer according to claim 1, which provides power from a standalone solar panel and associated solar charger unit.
3. Equipment to power a laptop (netbook) computer according to claim 1, which charges a removable battery pack by solar power.
4. Equipment to power a laptop (netbook) computer according to claim 3, which allows a removable battery pack charged by solar power to be used in any location to power the computer.
5. Equipment to power a laptop (netbook) computer according to claim 1, which provides variable voltage power provided by solar energy to power the computer and/or associated (peripheral) devices.
6. Equipment to power a laptop (netbook) computer according to claim 1, which is of particular use in harsh environments as found in sub-Saharan Africa.
7. Equipment to power a laptop (netbook) computer according to claim 1, which is easy to manufacture, for example in Developing Countries, through the utilisation of readily available components and streamlined production process.