US20210184485A1 - Portable solar power management system - Google Patents
Portable solar power management system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210184485A1 US20210184485A1 US17/249,202 US202117249202A US2021184485A1 US 20210184485 A1 US20210184485 A1 US 20210184485A1 US 202117249202 A US202117249202 A US 202117249202A US 2021184485 A1 US2021184485 A1 US 2021184485A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- circuit
- housing
- load
- battery
- hanger
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/0068—Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/007—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage
- H02J7/0071—Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage with a programmable schedule
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
- H02J7/34—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering
- H02J7/35—Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering with light sensitive cells
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
- H05B45/30—Driver circuits
- H05B45/37—Converter circuits
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B45/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
- H05B45/30—Driver circuits
- H05B45/395—Linear regulators
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
- H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B20/00—Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
- Y02B20/30—Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a portable system for energy management; in particular, the present invention relates to a portable system for capturing and managing solar energy for use in lighting and other applications of a health care facility in a rural area.
- a portable power management system e.g., one that can be transported in a protective container, such as a suit case
- a protective container such as a suit case
- a power management system includes (i) a solar panel interface to one or more solar panels, the solar panel interface providing wiring for: (a) receiving solar panel sensing signal representative of a voltage in the solar panels and (b) conducting one or more electrical currents received from the solar panels; (ii) an energy storage interface to one or more energy storage devices, the energy storage interface providing wiring for: (a) receiving an energy storage sensing signal representative of a voltage in the energy storage devices and (b) conducting one or more electrical currents received from or provided to the energy storage devices; (iii) a charging circuit which routes the electrical currents from the solar panels to the wiring for conducting electrical currents received from or provided to the energy storage devices; (iv) a load interface to one or more load devices, the load interface providing wiring for: (a) receiving a load sensing signal representative of a voltage in the load devices and (b) conducting one or more electrical currents in each of a primary load circuit and a secondary load circuit; and a (v) controller for operating the solar panel interface
- the power management system further includes (i) a programmable controller in the secondary load circuit receiving the solar panel sensing signal, the energy storage sensing signal and the load sensing signal; and (ii) a load control circuit which routes the electrical currents from to the energy storage devices to the wiring for conducting electrical signals in the load interface, the load control circuit being capable of activating or deactivating the secondary load circuit independently of the primary load circuit. Based on the states of these signals, the programmable controller activates and deactivates power supplied to load devices in the secondary load circuit.
- the power management system may include a housing that encloses the solar panel interface, the energy storage interface, the charging circuit, the load interface, the controller, at least one of the solar panels and at least one of the energy storage devices. In that configuration, the management system is portable. In one embodiment, the housing further encloses the programmable controller and the load control circuit.
- the energy storage devices may be provided by one or more lead acid batteries or lithium ion batteries. According to one embodiment of the present invention, for lithium ion batteries, the programmable controller may execute a method for waking up the battery.
- the method may perform the battery wake-up operation when one or more of the following conditions are satisfied: (a) the suitcase battery does not present a usable voltage, (b) the solar panel sensing signal indicates a voltage suitable for performing a charging operation on the battery, (c) previous wake-up operations have not exceed a predetermined maximum number; and (d) an elapsed time between the wake-up operation and an immediately preceding wake-up operation exceeds a predetermined time period.
- the programmable controller maintains a score relevant to determining whether to activate or to deactivate the secondary load circuit.
- the score may be increased when the solar panel sensing signal and the load sensing signal both indicate a favorable power condition.
- the score may be decreased when the solar panel sensing signal and the energy storage sensing signal together indicate an unfavorable condition for charging the energy storage devices, or when the energy storage sensing signal indicates that the energy stored in the energy storage devices is less than a predetermined value.
- the secondary load circuit is activated for a predetermined time period when the score exceeds a predetermined value.
- the secondary load circuit may be deactivated when the energy storage sensing signal indicates that the energy stored in the energy storage devices is less than a predetermined value. Under that condition, the score is set to zero upon deactivating the secondary load circuit.
- the power management system includes one or more light emitting diode-based (LED) lights operating on the primary load circuit.
- each of the LED lights is capable of being dimmed in response to a control signal from the controller.
- the amount of dimming depends on the duty cycle of the control signal.
- the controller determines the duty cycle based on the solar panel sensing signal, the energy storage sensing signal and the load sensing signal.
- each of the LED lights is capable of being programmed to be dimmed to a predetermined minimum brightness.
- FIG. 1( a ) shows a block diagram of portable power management system 100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1( b ) shows a block diagram of circuit 200 , which is an implementation of an optional plug-in accessory to circuit 152 of power management system 100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 2 ( a 1 ), 2 ( a 2 ), 2 ( a 3 ), and 2 ( b ) show smart box circuit 200 in further detail schematically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 3( a ), 3( b ), and 3( c ) show circuit 300 , which represents an LED light that can be actively dimmed to under computer control, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a method executed in CPU 270 for asserting control signal 212 , which activates battery wakeup circuit 201 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a method for ensuring priority is given to using the battery's energy to provide lighting, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIGS. 6( a ) and 6( b ) show, respectively, back and front views of an LED light assembly 600 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6( c ) provides the back view of housing 650 with back plate 602 and a printed circuit board (PCB) removed.
- PCB printed circuit board
- FIG. 6( d ) shows PCB 651 on which numerous LED devices may be mounted; PCB 651 may be mounted on housing 650 .
- FIG. 6( e ) shows hanger 601 by itself.
- FIG. 6( f ) shows housing 650 being fixed to one of the groves in pattern 606 , with back surface 603 forming a 45° angle relative to arms 601 a and 601 b.
- the present invention provides a portable solar power management system that receives and stores solar energy in the daytime, and which dispenses power during the day and after dark.
- a portable power management system is suitable for use at a small to medium size health center (HC) in certain parts of the developing world.
- HC health center
- the solar power management system may be relied upon as a primary source of energy, a back-up system, or a cost-reduction device for a room in such a facility.
- portable solar power management systems designed for maternal and child health (MCH) applications are used to illustrate the present invention.
- the portable solar power management system provides sufficient power for illumination and sufficient power to perform delivery services or a C-section.
- the present invention is, of course, not so limited. As the systems according to the present invention are portable, they can be easily transported to support emergency response after a natural disaster, or to be used in any temporary installation.
- FIG. 1( a ) shows a block diagram of portable power management system 100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- Portable power management system 100 is designed to allow its components and selected accessories to be packed in a suit case for portability.
- the suit case measures approximately 20 ⁇ 16 by 8 inches and weighs about 35 pounds. In general, such a suit case may be considered portable if it can be transported manually without difficulty using no more than two average able-bodied adults.
- portable power management system includes one or more solar panels 101 that are expected to be kept in the sunlight to capture solar power during operation and are sized to fit also in the suit case during transportation.
- Each of solar panels 101 may be built out of photovoltaic cells to provide a maximum output power of approximately 20 watts, at a nominal output voltage of at least about 12 volts. Under control of controller 102 , output currents of the solar panels 101 may be used to charge energy storage devices 106 and 107 .
- energy storage device 106 is a battery built into the suit case, while storage device 107 may be an optional additional battery that can be connected to portable power management system 100 .
- Each of storage devices 106 and 107 may be a commercially available sealed lead acid battery or a lithium iron phosphate battery. These batteries also operate at approximately 12 volts.
- the input terminals of the batteries are limited by controller 102 .
- the battery is a type of lithium ion battery
- a protective method to recover from battery over-discharge by “waking up” the battery may be provided, in accordance with the present invention, as illustrated in detail by flow chart 400 of FIG. 4 , which is discussed in further detail below.
- Other batteries may also be used, with controller 102 providing suitable control of the charging process.
- Circuit 151 is designed for supplying power to lighting.
- circuit 151 may provide high-efficiency, rugged and water-resistant light emitting diode (LED) lights.
- LED light emitting diode
- each such light may provide very bright white spectrum light (e.g., 5400° to 5600° K) at 2-8 watts, suitable for medical procedure use.
- circuit 151 supplies only sockets for special lighting connectors (e.g., M12 light connectors). In FIG. 1( a ) , these sockets are represented by primary circuits 103 .
- additional circuit sockets, represented extension circuits 108 may be provided by connecting a satellite kit on which the additional sockets are mounted. The satellite kit may be used to provide lighting, for example, in an adjacent room without its own portable power management system.
- Circuit 152 is provided to provide power to operate low-power electronic devices, such as handheld medical diagnostic devices, cellular telephones, and portable computers. As after-dark lighting is deemed more essential, circuit 200 is included to activate circuit 152 only when an adequate level of energy has been stored in the batteries. This operation is discussed in further detail below in conjunction with FIG. 5 .
- Circuit 152 may supply power through various outlets of different convenient voltages, represented in FIG. 1( a ) by secondary circuit 105 . These power outlets may be, for example, automotive power outlets (e.g., 12 volts standard cigarette lighter sockets), 12-volt binding posts, and USB sockets.
- These sockets may supply power to communication or computation devices (e.g., cellular telephones, tablet or notebook computers), or medical or diagnostic equipment (e.g., portable fetal heart rate Doppler sensor, examination headlamps, blood pressure meters).
- communication or computation devices e.g., cellular telephones, tablet or notebook computers
- medical or diagnostic equipment e.g., portable fetal heart rate Doppler sensor, examination headlamps, blood pressure meters.
- Communication devices have become increasingly useful as diagnostic devices because remote diagnostic techniques have come into greater use.
- Power switch 104 is prominently located to ensure easy access should system shut down be necessary under emergency conditions.
- Controller 102 also provides a user interface for communicating operational information regarding power management system 100 .
- portable power management system 100 includes LED lights to indicate battery charging and battery charge status.
- a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel may also be provided to indicate the current output voltage of the batteries, the charging current from solar panels 101 , and the total output currents being drawn in circuits 103 , 151 , and 152 .
- LCD liquid crystal display
- circuit 152 may include an optional “plug-in” accessory (“smart box”) that provides control to “luxury load” and to waking-up an over-discharged lithium ion battery.
- FIG. 1( b ) is a block diagram of circuit 200 , which is an implementation of the smart box according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1( b ) , circuit 200 interfaces circuit 152 through connector 172 , which includes solar panel sensing signal 181 , battery sensing signal 182 , and load sensing signal 183 .
- solar panel sensing signal 181 indicates a voltage supplied by solar panels 101 , which may be between 0 and 25 volts;
- battery sensing signal 182 indicates a voltage supplied by energy storage devices 106 or 107 , which may be between 0 and 14 volts;
- load sensing signal 183 indicates a voltage of load devices, which may be between 0 and 14 volts.
- the sensing signals are received in to microcontroller 176 , which controls lithium battery wake-up circuit 171 for waking-up an over-discharged lithium battery and luxury load switch 174 .
- luxury load switch 174 activates circuit 152 in accordance with the load management method described below in conjunction with FIG. 5 .
- Power supply circuit 163 provides a supply voltage to operate microcontroller 176 .
- the operation of microcontroller 176 augments the control operations of controller 102 of FIG. 1( a ) .
- FIGS. 2 ( a 1 ), 2 ( a 2 ), ( 2 a 3 ), and 2 ( b ) show smart box circuit 200 in further detail schematically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2( b ) shows a programmable controller in circuit 200 which is implemented using central processing unit (CPU) 270 .
- FIGS. 2 ( a 1 ), 2 ( a 2 ), and 2 ( a 3 ) show the remainder of circuit 200 , including battery wakeup circuit 201 , secondary load circuit 251 and auxiliary input circuit 275 .
- battery wakeup circuit 201 is activated by control signal 212 (when conditions illustrated by flow chart 400 of FIG. 4 are met).
- CPU 270 receives sensing signals from (i) the batteries (at terminal 213 ), (ii) solar panels (at terminal 211 ), (iii) load circuit 251 (at terminal 261 ) and auxiliary input circuit 275 (at terminal 264 ), and sending out control signals to activate battery wakeup circuit 201 (at terminal 212 ), the secondary load circuit (at terminal 262 ) and auxiliary input circuit (at terminal 263 ).
- each of the sensing signals is low-pass filtered to eliminate glitches.
- CPU 270 may be implemented, for example, by a microcontroller, such as the ATtiny44, available from Atmel Corporation, San Jose, Calif.
- Secondary load circuit 105 (“luxury loads”) receives power via secondary load circuit 251 only when solar panels 101 provides an output voltage at terminal 214 that is greater than the battery voltage at terminal 215 .
- the voltage of solar panels 101 at terminal 215 and the voltage of the battery at terminal 215 are provided to CPU 270 at terminals 211 and 213 , respectively, and are used in the algorithm depicted in flowchart 500 of FIG. 5 .
- secondary load circuit 251 is activated by the control signal from CPU 270 at terminal 262 , thereby enabling power to become available to circuit 105 ( FIG. 1 ).
- Circuit 200 includes power circuit 280 , which supplies the power necessary to operate circuit 200 .
- circuit 280 includes a buffer circuit which limits power loss over the wide range of input voltages from the solar power source. Circuit 280 may power circuit 280 from the load (terminal 216 , solar panels (terminal 214 ), or the batteries (terminal 215 ).
- Auxiliary circuit 275 which is activated by a control signal at terminal 263 from CPU 270 , switches auxiliary loads as needed.
- Auxiliary sensing signal at terminal 217 may be an external input signal to circuit 200 , which may be used in conjunction with or separately from auxiliary load circuit 275 , as needed.
- an LED light that can be actively dimmed to under computer control may be provided, as illustrated by circuit 300 FIGS. 3( a ), 3( b ), and 3( c ) .
- circuit 300 includes an array of LEDs 310 being controlled by high-brightness LED driver 311 .
- High-brightness LED driver 311 may be provided, for example, by a high-brightness LED driver integrated circuit, such as the HV9919, available from Supertex Inc., Sunnyvale Calif., High-brightness LED driver 311 receives a pulse-width modulated (PWM) control signal at terminal 312 whose duty cycles control the brightness of LED 310 .
- PWM pulse-width modulated
- high-brightness LED driver 311 can be programmed using resistors R 17 , R 18 , R 19 , and R 20 to provide a minimum brightness.
- CPU 270 may be programmed to provide the PWM controls signal at terminal 312 .
- FIGS. 6( a ) and 6( b ) show, respectively, back and front views of an LED light assembly 600 , according to one embodiment of the present invention.
- light assembly 600 includes housing 650 and hanger 601 .
- back plate 602 provides a covering to housing 650 .
- Housing 650 encloses a printed circuit board (PCB) on which numerous LED devices may be mounted.
- PCB printed circuit board
- PCB 651 includes, for example, a 3 ⁇ 12 array of LED devices, together with circuitry for driving the LEDs.
- PCB 651 may implement, for example, circuit 300 of FIGS. 3( a ), 3( b ), and 3( c ) .
- Cable assembly 604 electrically connects PCB 651 to circuit 151 of FIG. 1( a ) via a through-hole in housing 650 .
- FIG. 6( c ) provides the back view of housing 650 with back plate 602 and PCB 651 removed.
- housing 650 includes cavity 655 for accommodating PCB 651 , with set-offs 652 a - 652 d for mounting PCB 651 .
- Back plate 602 may be a thermally conductive plate (e.g., anodized aluminum), which is designed to contact PCB 651 (e.g., press against a surface of PCB 651 ) to allow heat from the electronics and the LED devices to dissipate through back plate 602 .
- back plate 602 is formed with heat sink features (e.g., the parallel raised portions or ridges) to provide increased surface area, so as to facilitate heat dissipation.
- front surface 603 is integrally formed on housing 650 using a clear material (e.g., acrylic glass), so that front surface 603 may act as a lens for projection of light from the LED devices in the direction where illumination is desired.
- Housing 650 includes through holes 602 a and 602 b , so that housing 650 may be fixedly mounted on a flat surface, such as a ceiling. Housing 650 also includes threaded hole 605 to allow housing 650 to be screw-mounted in a number of ways, such as a tripod or clamped on to a table top via a “clamp and flexible goose-neck” assembly.
- housing 650 is attached to hanger 601 , which is independently shown in FIG. 6( e ) .
- Hanger 601 allows LED assembly 600 to be relatively portable and be hung at any suitable height to provide illumination.
- hanger 601 includes a curved portion for attachment to, for example, a horizontal hanger bar.
- Hanger 601 also includes arms 601 a and 601 b which extend to elbow portions 601 c and 601 d , respectively.
- Elbows 601 c and 601 d are designed to be inserted into corresponding openings provided on opposite sides of housing 650 , as shown in FIGS.
- each grove is formed with a semi-circular cross section with a diameter matching the diameter of arms 601 a and 601 b .
- Arms 601 a and 601 b need not have a circular cross section).
- arms 601 a and 601 b are pulled apart slightly to insert elbows 601 c and 601 d into the corresponding openings on housing 650 , so that a spring action in arms 601 a and 601 b provides a compressive force to secure arms 601 a and 601 b to their respective groves on housing 650 , and thereby to lock housing 650 to a fixed position suitable for providing illumination from a desired angle.
- pattern 606 includes groves that are 45° apart, so that housing 650 may be fixed at any of eight different positions.
- FIG. 6( f ) shows housing 650 being fixed to one of the groves in pattern 606 , with front surface 603 forming a 45° angle relative to arms 601 a and 601 b.
- FIG. 4 shows a method which recovers from over-discharge of the battery.
- a conventional charging circuit may fail to recharge the battery. This is a situation frequently seen in an off-grid solar power system.
- circuit 200 has battery wakeup circuit 201 that allows circuit 200 to run on either battery power or solar power.
- battery wakeup circuit 201 is energized to allow solar power to flow into the battery pack, until normal solar charging can resume.
- state 401 represents a monitoring step in which the battery's voltage is checked.
- step 402 if the battery's voltage is found to have dropped below a predetermined threshold (e.g., 3 volts), the voltage at the output terminal of solar panels 101 is checked at step 403 . If the voltage at the output terminal of solar panels 101 is found to be sufficiently high (i.e., exceeding a threshold above which battery charging is feasible), the method proceeds to step 405 . Otherwise, the wake-up procedure is postponed until the next time the battery voltage is checked at step 401 .
- a “wake up attempt” counter is checked to determine if the battery has undergone more than a maximum number of wake-up attempts.
- the elapsed time since the last wake-up attempt is checked at step 406 .
- a battery fault condition is indicated if the elapsed time between wake-up attempts is too short (i.e., the battery's voltage is dropping too quickly to the over-discharged state).
- the elapsed time may be determined, for example, from a down-counter set at the end of the last wake-up attempt. If the fault condition is not indicated, i.e., the down-counter has not reached zero, the wake-up procedure is initiated to bring the battery to the boosted voltage.
- Activation of the wake-up procedure is indicated by an LED controlled by circuit 200 at step 408 .
- the wake up attempt counter is incremented to account for the current attempt.
- the down-counter is set at the minimum elapsed time between wake-up attempts.
- a method that is based on a “power credit” system is provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- This method is illustrated by flow chart 500 in FIG. 5 .
- the solar panel's output voltage is checked to determine if it is at least one volt higher than the battery's voltage.
- the voltage across the load is checked if it is at least a predetermined value (e.g., 12.6 volts). This ensures that the battery is full or nearly full.
- a small value e.g., 1 is added to a power credit account to indicate the favorable energy condition.
- step 504 determines if the solar panel voltage is actually less than the battery voltage. If so, a small value (e.g., 1) is deducted from the power credit account. At step 506 , if the battery voltage is also less than, for example, 12 volts, a greater value (e.g., 2) is deducted from the power credit account.
- a small value e.g., 1
- a greater value e.g., 2
- the power account balance is checked to see if there is sufficient power credit to allow non-lighting applications. For example, to allow non-lighting applications, the power credit account must have a value exceeding 25.
- the circuit supplying the non-lighting applications (“the luxury circuit”) is activated for a predetermined time period (e.g., 30 minutes). Steps 511 and 512 deactivate secondary load circuit 251 at the end of the predetermined time period. At any time during the predetermined time period, step 513 determines if the battery voltage falls below a predetermined threshold (e.g., 11.5 volts).
- secondary load circuit 251 is also deactivated (step 514 ) and the power credit account is set to zero (step 515 ), as the rapid battery voltage drop indicates an unfavorable condition. After a period of delay (e.g., one second, at step 516 ), the method returns to step 501 .
- a power management system of the present invention may provide at least 350 watt-hours (wh) of power per day and up to about 600 wh per day.
- one configuration of a power management system of the present invention may be, for example:
- the power management system of the present invention requires little to no understanding by the user of the operation of a solar energy system, as key visual indicators are provided to inform the user whether or not the system is functioning proper and the level of power available.
- the controller can be easily programmed to provide a real time estimate of how much power remains at the current rate of power usage.
- the ability of a controller of the present invention to automatically vary the brightness of the lighting based on the instant power condition through the dimmer circuits allows efficient management of available power.
Abstract
Description
- An Application Data Sheet is filed concurrently with this specification as part of this application. Each application to which this application claims benefit or priority as identified in the concurrently filed Application Data Sheet is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.
- The present invention relates to a portable system for energy management; in particular, the present invention relates to a portable system for capturing and managing solar energy for use in lighting and other applications of a health care facility in a rural area.
- Many parts of the world still lack a reliable source of electricity for supporting essential health care services (e.g., mid-wife services or other emergency services) provided after dark. The required source of electricity is essential to provide adequate lighting for patient examination and power to operate simple diagnostic devices or to perform simple medical procedures. In the past, diesel or gasoline-powered local generators are often used. However, such systems are not only costly to acquire and maintain, their operations also depend on fuel being reliably accessible and available, which is often not the case. In addition, these local generation systems require some level of expertise to operate, which may not be readily available in many locations. Consequently, such local generation systems are seldom efficiently used, or are able to remain serviceable over even a significant fraction of their expected lifespan. These local generation systems also require the facility to provide infra-structure support (e.g., semi-permanent wiring), as they are not portable. Thus, the fact still remains that after-dark essential health care services are denied to many communities because of a lack of reliable source of electricity.
- Therefore, there is a long-felt need for a portable power management system (e.g., one that can be transported in a protective container, such as a suit case) that can provide adequate lighting for patient examination, and power to operate simple diagnostic devices or to perform simple medical procedures.
- According to one embodiment of the present invention, a power management system includes (i) a solar panel interface to one or more solar panels, the solar panel interface providing wiring for: (a) receiving solar panel sensing signal representative of a voltage in the solar panels and (b) conducting one or more electrical currents received from the solar panels; (ii) an energy storage interface to one or more energy storage devices, the energy storage interface providing wiring for: (a) receiving an energy storage sensing signal representative of a voltage in the energy storage devices and (b) conducting one or more electrical currents received from or provided to the energy storage devices; (iii) a charging circuit which routes the electrical currents from the solar panels to the wiring for conducting electrical currents received from or provided to the energy storage devices; (iv) a load interface to one or more load devices, the load interface providing wiring for: (a) receiving a load sensing signal representative of a voltage in the load devices and (b) conducting one or more electrical currents in each of a primary load circuit and a secondary load circuit; and a (v) controller for operating the solar panel interface, the energy storage interface, the charging circuit and the load interface.
- According to one embodiment of the present invention, the power management system further includes (i) a programmable controller in the secondary load circuit receiving the solar panel sensing signal, the energy storage sensing signal and the load sensing signal; and (ii) a load control circuit which routes the electrical currents from to the energy storage devices to the wiring for conducting electrical signals in the load interface, the load control circuit being capable of activating or deactivating the secondary load circuit independently of the primary load circuit. Based on the states of these signals, the programmable controller activates and deactivates power supplied to load devices in the secondary load circuit.
- The power management system may include a housing that encloses the solar panel interface, the energy storage interface, the charging circuit, the load interface, the controller, at least one of the solar panels and at least one of the energy storage devices. In that configuration, the management system is portable. In one embodiment, the housing further encloses the programmable controller and the load control circuit. The energy storage devices may be provided by one or more lead acid batteries or lithium ion batteries. According to one embodiment of the present invention, for lithium ion batteries, the programmable controller may execute a method for waking up the battery. The method may perform the battery wake-up operation when one or more of the following conditions are satisfied: (a) the suitcase battery does not present a usable voltage, (b) the solar panel sensing signal indicates a voltage suitable for performing a charging operation on the battery, (c) previous wake-up operations have not exceed a predetermined maximum number; and (d) an elapsed time between the wake-up operation and an immediately preceding wake-up operation exceeds a predetermined time period.
- In one embodiment, to ensure that priority is given to lighting, the programmable controller maintains a score relevant to determining whether to activate or to deactivate the secondary load circuit. The score may be increased when the solar panel sensing signal and the load sensing signal both indicate a favorable power condition. The score may be decreased when the solar panel sensing signal and the energy storage sensing signal together indicate an unfavorable condition for charging the energy storage devices, or when the energy storage sensing signal indicates that the energy stored in the energy storage devices is less than a predetermined value. In one instance, the secondary load circuit is activated for a predetermined time period when the score exceeds a predetermined value. In addition, the secondary load circuit may be deactivated when the energy storage sensing signal indicates that the energy stored in the energy storage devices is less than a predetermined value. Under that condition, the score is set to zero upon deactivating the secondary load circuit.
- According to one embodiment of the present invention, the power management system includes one or more light emitting diode-based (LED) lights operating on the primary load circuit. In that example, each of the LED lights is capable of being dimmed in response to a control signal from the controller. In one example, the amount of dimming depends on the duty cycle of the control signal. The controller determines the duty cycle based on the solar panel sensing signal, the energy storage sensing signal and the load sensing signal. In addition, each of the LED lights is capable of being programmed to be dimmed to a predetermined minimum brightness.
- The present invention is better understood upon consideration of the detailed description below, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1(a) shows a block diagram of portablepower management system 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 1(b) shows a block diagram ofcircuit 200, which is an implementation of an optional plug-in accessory tocircuit 152 ofpower management system 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIGS. 2 (a 1), 2(a 2), 2(a 3), and 2(b) showsmart box circuit 200 in further detail schematically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) show circuit 300, which represents an LED light that can be actively dimmed to under computer control, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a method executed inCPU 270 for assertingcontrol signal 212, which activatesbattery wakeup circuit 201, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a method for ensuring priority is given to using the battery's energy to provide lighting, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) show, respectively, back and front views of anLED light assembly 600, according to one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 6(c) provides the back view ofhousing 650 withback plate 602 and a printed circuit board (PCB) removed. -
FIG. 6(d) shows PCB 651 on which numerous LED devices may be mounted; PCB 651 may be mounted onhousing 650. -
FIG. 6(e) showshanger 601 by itself. -
FIG. 6(f) showshousing 650 being fixed to one of the groves inpattern 606, withback surface 603 forming a 45° angle relative toarms - To facilitate cross-referencing among the figures, like elements are assigned like reference numerals.
- To overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a portable solar power management system that receives and stores solar energy in the daytime, and which dispenses power during the day and after dark. Such a portable power management system is suitable for use at a small to medium size health center (HC) in certain parts of the developing world. Typically, such an HC may be on or off a power grid. Thus, the solar power management system may be relied upon as a primary source of energy, a back-up system, or a cost-reduction device for a room in such a facility. In this detailed description, portable solar power management systems designed for maternal and child health (MCH) applications are used to illustrate the present invention. In a MCH application, the portable solar power management system provides sufficient power for illumination and sufficient power to perform delivery services or a C-section. The present invention is, of course, not so limited. As the systems according to the present invention are portable, they can be easily transported to support emergency response after a natural disaster, or to be used in any temporary installation.
-
FIG. 1(a) shows a block diagram of portablepower management system 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Portablepower management system 100 is designed to allow its components and selected accessories to be packed in a suit case for portability. In one embodiment, the suit case measures approximately 20×16 by 8 inches and weighs about 35 pounds. In general, such a suit case may be considered portable if it can be transported manually without difficulty using no more than two average able-bodied adults. As shown inFIG. 1 , portable power management system includes one or moresolar panels 101 that are expected to be kept in the sunlight to capture solar power during operation and are sized to fit also in the suit case during transportation. Each ofsolar panels 101 may be built out of photovoltaic cells to provide a maximum output power of approximately 20 watts, at a nominal output voltage of at least about 12 volts. Under control ofcontroller 102, output currents of thesolar panels 101 may be used to chargeenergy storage devices energy storage device 106 is a battery built into the suit case, whilestorage device 107 may be an optional additional battery that can be connected to portablepower management system 100. Each ofstorage devices controller 102. When the battery is a type of lithium ion battery, a protective method to recover from battery over-discharge by “waking up” the battery may be provided, in accordance with the present invention, as illustrated in detail by flow chart 400 ofFIG. 4 , which is discussed in further detail below. Other batteries may also be used, withcontroller 102 providing suitable control of the charging process. - The power stored in the batteries is used to supply power to
circuits Circuit 151 is designed for supplying power to lighting. In one embodiment,circuit 151 may provide high-efficiency, rugged and water-resistant light emitting diode (LED) lights. Typically, each such light may provide very bright white spectrum light (e.g., 5400° to 5600° K) at 2-8 watts, suitable for medical procedure use. As providing lighting after dark is an important purpose for the present invention, to avoid inadvertent inappropriate use or abuse,circuit 151 supplies only sockets for special lighting connectors (e.g., M12 light connectors). InFIG. 1(a) , these sockets are represented byprimary circuits 103. In one embodiment, additional circuit sockets, representedextension circuits 108, may be provided by connecting a satellite kit on which the additional sockets are mounted. The satellite kit may be used to provide lighting, for example, in an adjacent room without its own portable power management system. -
Circuit 152 is provided to provide power to operate low-power electronic devices, such as handheld medical diagnostic devices, cellular telephones, and portable computers. As after-dark lighting is deemed more essential,circuit 200 is included to activatecircuit 152 only when an adequate level of energy has been stored in the batteries. This operation is discussed in further detail below in conjunction withFIG. 5 .Circuit 152 may supply power through various outlets of different convenient voltages, represented inFIG. 1(a) bysecondary circuit 105. These power outlets may be, for example, automotive power outlets (e.g., 12 volts standard cigarette lighter sockets), 12-volt binding posts, and USB sockets. These sockets may supply power to communication or computation devices (e.g., cellular telephones, tablet or notebook computers), or medical or diagnostic equipment (e.g., portable fetal heart rate Doppler sensor, examination headlamps, blood pressure meters). Communication devices have become increasingly useful as diagnostic devices because remote diagnostic techniques have come into greater use. -
Power switch 104 is prominently located to ensure easy access should system shut down be necessary under emergency conditions. -
Controller 102 also provides a user interface for communicating operational information regardingpower management system 100. For example, portablepower management system 100 includes LED lights to indicate battery charging and battery charge status. In addition, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel may also be provided to indicate the current output voltage of the batteries, the charging current fromsolar panels 101, and the total output currents being drawn incircuits - In one embodiment,
circuit 152 may include an optional “plug-in” accessory (“smart box”) that provides control to “luxury load” and to waking-up an over-discharged lithium ion battery.FIG. 1(b) is a block diagram ofcircuit 200, which is an implementation of the smart box according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1(b) ,circuit 200interfaces circuit 152 throughconnector 172, which includes solarpanel sensing signal 181,battery sensing signal 182, andload sensing signal 183. In one embodiment, (i) solarpanel sensing signal 181 indicates a voltage supplied bysolar panels 101, which may be between 0 and 25 volts; (ii)battery sensing signal 182 indicates a voltage supplied byenergy storage devices load sensing signal 183 indicates a voltage of load devices, which may be between 0 and 14 volts. The sensing signals are received in tomicrocontroller 176, which controls lithium battery wake-up circuit 171 for waking-up an over-discharged lithium battery andluxury load switch 174.Luxury load switch 174 activatescircuit 152 in accordance with the load management method described below in conjunction withFIG. 5 . Power supply circuit 163 provides a supply voltage to operatemicrocontroller 176. The operation ofmicrocontroller 176 augments the control operations ofcontroller 102 ofFIG. 1(a) . -
FIGS. 2 (a 1), 2(a 2), (2 a 3), and 2(b) showsmart box circuit 200 in further detail schematically, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2(b) shows a programmable controller incircuit 200 which is implemented using central processing unit (CPU) 270.FIGS. 2 (a 1), 2(a 2), and 2(a 3) show the remainder ofcircuit 200, includingbattery wakeup circuit 201,secondary load circuit 251 andauxiliary input circuit 275. As shown inFIG. 2(a) ,battery wakeup circuit 201 is activated by control signal 212 (when conditions illustrated by flow chart 400 ofFIG. 4 are met). - As shown in
FIG. 2(b) , after appropriate low pass filtering,CPU 270 receives sensing signals from (i) the batteries (at terminal 213), (ii) solar panels (at terminal 211), (iii) load circuit 251 (at terminal 261) and auxiliary input circuit 275 (at terminal 264), and sending out control signals to activate battery wakeup circuit 201 (at terminal 212), the secondary load circuit (at terminal 262) and auxiliary input circuit (at terminal 263). As shown inFIG. 2(a) , each of the sensing signals is low-pass filtered to eliminate glitches.CPU 270 may be implemented, for example, by a microcontroller, such as the ATtiny44, available from Atmel Corporation, San Jose, Calif. - Secondary load circuit 105 (“luxury loads”) receives power via
secondary load circuit 251 only whensolar panels 101 provides an output voltage atterminal 214 that is greater than the battery voltage atterminal 215. The voltage ofsolar panels 101 atterminal 215 and the voltage of the battery atterminal 215 are provided toCPU 270 atterminals FIG. 5 . When conditions discussed in flowchart 500 are met,secondary load circuit 251 is activated by the control signal fromCPU 270 atterminal 262, thereby enabling power to become available to circuit 105 (FIG. 1 ). -
Circuit 200 includespower circuit 280, which supplies the power necessary to operatecircuit 200. As shown inFIG. 2(a) ,circuit 280 includes a buffer circuit which limits power loss over the wide range of input voltages from the solar power source.Circuit 280 may powercircuit 280 from the load (terminal 216, solar panels (terminal 214), or the batteries (terminal 215). -
Auxiliary circuit 275, which is activated by a control signal at terminal 263 fromCPU 270, switches auxiliary loads as needed. Auxiliary sensing signal atterminal 217 may be an external input signal tocircuit 200, which may be used in conjunction with or separately fromauxiliary load circuit 275, as needed. - According to one embodiment of the present invention, an LED light that can be actively dimmed to under computer control may be provided, as illustrated by
circuit 300FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) . As shown inFIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) ,circuit 300 includes an array of LEDs 310 being controlled by high-brightness LED driver 311. High-brightness LED driver 311 may be provided, for example, by a high-brightness LED driver integrated circuit, such as the HV9919, available from Supertex Inc., Sunnyvale Calif., High-brightness LED driver 311 receives a pulse-width modulated (PWM) control signal atterminal 312 whose duty cycles control the brightness of LED 310. In addition, high-brightness LED driver 311 can be programmed using resistors R17, R18, R19, and R20 to provide a minimum brightness.CPU 270 may be programmed to provide the PWM controls signal atterminal 312. -
FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) show, respectively, back and front views of an LEDlight assembly 600, according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) ,light assembly 600 includeshousing 650 andhanger 601. As shown inFIG. 6(a) ,back plate 602 provides a covering tohousing 650.Housing 650 encloses a printed circuit board (PCB) on which numerous LED devices may be mounted. One example of such a PCB is provided byPCB 651 shown inFIG. 6(d) . As shown inFIG. 6(d) ,PCB 651 includes, for example, a 3×12 array of LED devices, together with circuitry for driving the LEDs.PCB 651 may implement, for example,circuit 300 ofFIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) .Cable assembly 604 electrically connectsPCB 651 tocircuit 151 ofFIG. 1(a) via a through-hole inhousing 650.FIG. 6(c) provides the back view ofhousing 650 withback plate 602 andPCB 651 removed. As shown inFIG. 6(c) ,housing 650 includescavity 655 for accommodatingPCB 651, with set-offs 652 a-652 d for mountingPCB 651.Back plate 602 may be a thermally conductive plate (e.g., anodized aluminum), which is designed to contact PCB 651 (e.g., press against a surface of PCB 651) to allow heat from the electronics and the LED devices to dissipate throughback plate 602. As shown inFIG. 6(a) ,back plate 602 is formed with heat sink features (e.g., the parallel raised portions or ridges) to provide increased surface area, so as to facilitate heat dissipation. In one embodiment,front surface 603 is integrally formed onhousing 650 using a clear material (e.g., acrylic glass), so thatfront surface 603 may act as a lens for projection of light from the LED devices in the direction where illumination is desired. A proper treatment offront surface 603 may provide uniform and diffused light from the LED devices.Housing 650 includes throughholes housing 650 may be fixedly mounted on a flat surface, such as a ceiling.Housing 650 also includes threadedhole 605 to allowhousing 650 to be screw-mounted in a number of ways, such as a tripod or clamped on to a table top via a “clamp and flexible goose-neck” assembly. - As shown in
FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) ,housing 650 is attached tohanger 601, which is independently shown inFIG. 6(e) .Hanger 601 allowsLED assembly 600 to be relatively portable and be hung at any suitable height to provide illumination. As shown inFIG. 6(e) ,hanger 601 includes a curved portion for attachment to, for example, a horizontal hanger bar.Hanger 601 also includesarms portions Elbows housing 650, as shown inFIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) . Inhanger 601's relaxed state, i.e., when not attached tohousing 650, the distance betweenarms elbows housing 650. Radiating from the openings onhousing 650 whereelbows FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) , the groves are labeledpattern 606. Each grove inpattern 606 is designed to accommodate one of thearms arms arms Arms hanger 601 tohousing 650,arms elbows housing 650, so that a spring action inarms arms housing 650, and thereby to lockhousing 650 to a fixed position suitable for providing illumination from a desired angle. As shown inFIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) ,pattern 606 includes groves that are 45° apart, so thathousing 650 may be fixed at any of eight different positions. For example,FIG. 6(f) showshousing 650 being fixed to one of the groves inpattern 606, withfront surface 603 forming a 45° angle relative toarms - As mentioned above,
FIG. 4 shows a method which recovers from over-discharge of the battery. When a lithium ion battery pack is fully discharged, a conventional charging circuit may fail to recharge the battery. This is a situation frequently seen in an off-grid solar power system. Accordingly,circuit 200 hasbattery wakeup circuit 201 that allowscircuit 200 to run on either battery power or solar power. When the lithium ion battery is fully depleted and is unable to be charged by the conventional charging circuit under control ofcontroller 102,battery wakeup circuit 201 is energized to allow solar power to flow into the battery pack, until normal solar charging can resume. - As shown in
FIG. 4 ,state 401 represents a monitoring step in which the battery's voltage is checked. Atstep 402, if the battery's voltage is found to have dropped below a predetermined threshold (e.g., 3 volts), the voltage at the output terminal ofsolar panels 101 is checked atstep 403. If the voltage at the output terminal ofsolar panels 101 is found to be sufficiently high (i.e., exceeding a threshold above which battery charging is feasible), the method proceeds to step 405. Otherwise, the wake-up procedure is postponed until the next time the battery voltage is checked atstep 401. Atstep 405, a “wake up attempt” counter is checked to determine if the battery has undergone more than a maximum number of wake-up attempts. (This maximum number is set to a value that should not be reached under normal usage conditions). If the battery has not reached this maximum number of wake-up attempts, the elapsed time since the last wake-up attempt is checked atstep 406. A battery fault condition is indicated if the elapsed time between wake-up attempts is too short (i.e., the battery's voltage is dropping too quickly to the over-discharged state). The elapsed time may be determined, for example, from a down-counter set at the end of the last wake-up attempt. If the fault condition is not indicated, i.e., the down-counter has not reached zero, the wake-up procedure is initiated to bring the battery to the boosted voltage. Activation of the wake-up procedure is indicated by an LED controlled bycircuit 200 atstep 408. Atstep 409, the wake up attempt counter is incremented to account for the current attempt. Atstep 410, the down-counter is set at the minimum elapsed time between wake-up attempts. - To ensure priority is given to using the battery's energy to provide lighting, a method that is based on a “power credit” system is provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. This method is illustrated by flow chart 500 in
FIG. 5 . As shown inFIG. 5 , atstep 501, the solar panel's output voltage is checked to determine if it is at least one volt higher than the battery's voltage. The higher solar panel voltage—a favorable condition—indicates that battery charging is complete or nearly complete. If the solar panel voltage is favorable, atstep 502, the voltage across the load is checked if it is at least a predetermined value (e.g., 12.6 volts). This ensures that the battery is full or nearly full. Under that condition, atstep 503, a small value (e.g., 1) is added to a power credit account to indicate the favorable energy condition. - Next,
step 504 determines if the solar panel voltage is actually less than the battery voltage. If so, a small value (e.g., 1) is deducted from the power credit account. Atstep 506, if the battery voltage is also less than, for example, 12 volts, a greater value (e.g., 2) is deducted from the power credit account. - At
step 508, the power account balance is checked to see if there is sufficient power credit to allow non-lighting applications. For example, to allow non-lighting applications, the power credit account must have a value exceeding 25. Atsteps Steps secondary load circuit 251 at the end of the predetermined time period. At any time during the predetermined time period,step 513 determines if the battery voltage falls below a predetermined threshold (e.g., 11.5 volts). If so,secondary load circuit 251 is also deactivated (step 514) and the power credit account is set to zero (step 515), as the rapid battery voltage drop indicates an unfavorable condition. After a period of delay (e.g., one second, at step 516), the method returns to step 501. - In one embodiment, a power management system of the present invention may provide at least 350 watt-hours (wh) of power per day and up to about 600 wh per day. In one embodiment, one configuration of a power management system of the present invention may be, for example:
-
Descriptive power Daytime Night time consumption energy energy (wh) Lights 2 lights - 300 lumens - 32 132 wh 12 hours per night 1light-100 lumens-12 Computer 1 computer fully charged 100 0 per day Tablet 1 tablet fully charged 30 per day Cell phones 5 dumb phones (5 wh) + 55 daytime 2 smart phones (15 wh) charged per day Cell phones 2 dumb phone 0 10 wh nighttime Fetal Doppler Device charged for 3 uses 2 per day; 30 minutes total Headlamps Rechargeable daily- use 220 Headlamps (total) (full battery Total 239 wh 142 wh - The power management system of the present invention requires little to no understanding by the user of the operation of a solar energy system, as key visual indicators are provided to inform the user whether or not the system is functioning proper and the level of power available. In addition, with the sensing signals provided to the controller, the controller can be easily programmed to provide a real time estimate of how much power remains at the current rate of power usage. The ability of a controller of the present invention to automatically vary the brightness of the lighting based on the instant power condition through the dimmer circuits allows efficient management of available power.
- The above detailed description is provided to illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting. Numerous modifications and variations within the scope of the present invention are possible. The present invention is set forth in the accompanying claims.
Claims (7)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/249,202 US20210184485A1 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2021-02-23 | Portable solar power management system |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/177,912 US9948123B2 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2014-02-11 | Portable solar power management system |
US15/808,761 US10965134B2 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2017-11-09 | Portable solar power management system |
US17/249,202 US20210184485A1 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2021-02-23 | Portable solar power management system |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/808,761 Continuation US10965134B2 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2017-11-09 | Portable solar power management system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20210184485A1 true US20210184485A1 (en) | 2021-06-17 |
Family
ID=53776191
Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/177,912 Active 2035-09-18 US9948123B2 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2014-02-11 | Portable solar power management system |
US15/808,761 Active 2035-03-17 US10965134B2 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2017-11-09 | Portable solar power management system |
US17/249,202 Abandoned US20210184485A1 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2021-02-23 | Portable solar power management system |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/177,912 Active 2035-09-18 US9948123B2 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2014-02-11 | Portable solar power management system |
US15/808,761 Active 2035-03-17 US10965134B2 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2017-11-09 | Portable solar power management system |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (3) | US9948123B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9948123B2 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2018-04-17 | WE CARE Solar | Portable solar power management system |
US9857040B1 (en) * | 2015-08-20 | 2018-01-02 | X Development Llc | Kinematically linked optical components for light redirection |
US11054850B2 (en) * | 2018-04-24 | 2021-07-06 | WE CARE Solar | Portable solar power management system |
Family Cites Families (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH08275390A (en) * | 1995-03-29 | 1996-10-18 | Canon Inc | Method and apparatus for controlling charging and discharging, and power generating system having such apparatus |
JP4133924B2 (en) * | 2004-05-14 | 2008-08-13 | Necトーキン株式会社 | Power supply |
BRPI0520424A2 (en) * | 2005-07-20 | 2009-05-05 | Ecosol Solar Technologies Inc | device using photovoltaic array power output and method for using power output from a photovoltaic array device having a capacitor array |
US20120146572A1 (en) * | 2005-08-24 | 2012-06-14 | Ward Thomas A | Solar panel charging system for electric vehicle that charges individual battery cells with direct parallel connections to solar panels and interconnected charge controllers |
US7659690B2 (en) * | 2006-07-05 | 2010-02-09 | Chrysler Group Llc | Vehicular battery charging method |
US7884502B2 (en) * | 2007-08-09 | 2011-02-08 | Zerobase Energy, Llc | Deployable power supply system |
US20100207571A1 (en) * | 2009-02-19 | 2010-08-19 | SunCore Corporation | Solar chargeable battery for portable devices |
US20100244573A1 (en) * | 2009-03-31 | 2010-09-30 | Tanay Karnick | Hybrid power delivery system and method |
WO2010143187A2 (en) * | 2009-06-08 | 2010-12-16 | Techtium Ltd. | Solar cell charging control |
JP5531473B2 (en) * | 2009-07-07 | 2014-06-25 | 富士通モバイルコミュニケーションズ株式会社 | Information processing device |
US8493000B2 (en) * | 2010-01-04 | 2013-07-23 | Cooledge Lighting Inc. | Method and system for driving light emitting elements |
US9548626B1 (en) * | 2010-08-18 | 2017-01-17 | The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Stand-off charging for batteries |
CN102545291B (en) * | 2010-12-29 | 2015-07-01 | 清华大学 | Solar power storage system and solar power supply system |
TWI460963B (en) * | 2011-09-05 | 2014-11-11 | Delta Electronics Inc | Photovoltaic powered system with adaptive power control and method of operating the same |
US20130099721A1 (en) * | 2011-10-21 | 2013-04-25 | Moneer Azzam | Combination energy storage system for solar, wind and other "non-dispatchable" energy sources serving variable loads in various conditions |
US9438053B2 (en) * | 2012-02-21 | 2016-09-06 | Triune Ip, Llc | Scalable harvesting system and method |
US9099892B2 (en) * | 2012-03-28 | 2015-08-04 | Humless, Llc | Portable power systems |
US9948123B2 (en) | 2014-02-11 | 2018-04-17 | WE CARE Solar | Portable solar power management system |
US11054850B2 (en) | 2018-04-24 | 2021-07-06 | WE CARE Solar | Portable solar power management system |
-
2014
- 2014-02-11 US US14/177,912 patent/US9948123B2/en active Active
-
2017
- 2017-11-09 US US15/808,761 patent/US10965134B2/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-02-23 US US17/249,202 patent/US20210184485A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20150230306A1 (en) | 2015-08-13 |
US20180131214A1 (en) | 2018-05-10 |
US9948123B2 (en) | 2018-04-17 |
US10965134B2 (en) | 2021-03-30 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20210184485A1 (en) | Portable solar power management system | |
US11054850B2 (en) | Portable solar power management system | |
US8083392B2 (en) | LED light has removable self-power LED unit(s) | |
TWI433441B (en) | Solar powered apparatus and method of providing power to dc-capable ac appliance | |
US7355349B2 (en) | Apparatus and methods for providing emergency safety lighting | |
US20070247840A1 (en) | Compact emergency illumination unit | |
EP2355291B1 (en) | Modular electric power system with a renewable energy power generating apparatus | |
JP2011125123A (en) | Server uninterruptible power supply | |
US9270143B1 (en) | Systems, methods, and devices for providing drive electronics with a backup power supply for an LED luminaire | |
JP2011125124A (en) | Server and uninterruptible power supply housed in the server | |
WO2004073089A3 (en) | Selector circuit for power management in multiple battery systems | |
TWI459681B (en) | Power control circuit and battery module comprising the same | |
WO2003107722A3 (en) | Autonomous solid state lighting system | |
US20160043585A1 (en) | Rapid Charging Mobile Electronic Device Battery Case | |
US20080252251A1 (en) | System for recharging battery-operated devices | |
US9500321B2 (en) | LED illumination assembly having remote control system | |
GB2476466A (en) | Battery monitor for light. | |
JP2012009819A (en) | Photovoltaic power generation device | |
TW201415766A (en) | Lighting device having uninterruptible illumination and external power supply function | |
US10197630B2 (en) | Wireless smart battery system | |
US20190041016A1 (en) | Lighting system | |
US7839115B2 (en) | Power switching apparatus for natural energy power supply | |
CN102157969B (en) | Portable charge device | |
CN205909148U (en) | Light -emitting diode (LED) light with emergency lighting function | |
CN105101566A (en) | Boosting constant current solar street lamp controller |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: APPLICATION DISPATCHED FROM PREEXAM, NOT YET DOCKETED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: FINAL REJECTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE AFTER FINAL ACTION FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: ADVISORY ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |