Mobile renewable energy structures providing wireless networking and associated systems and methods

• US 10,480,489 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2019
• Issued: 11/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Primo Energy, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Prime Industries, Inc. (Ohio) (Crown Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: McMahon, Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Quigley, Thomas K
• Application Number:
  US16/253,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20190154004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 13/22 Foundations specially adapted for wind motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/007 the wind motor being combined with means for converting solar radiation into useful energy
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/25 the apparatus being an electrical generator F03D9/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 9/34 on stationary objects or on stationary man-made structures
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 6/001 having photovoltaic cells
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/91521 at ground level
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0037 supported by a post
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/04 adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices testing thereof during manufacture H01L22/00; testing thereof after manufacture H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/042 PV modules or arrays of single PV cells supporting structures for PV modules H02S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/12 Hybrid wind-PV energy systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/10 Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground H02S20/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/047 using dedicated repeater stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/46 Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/728 Onshore wind turbines

Abstract

A system for providing access to a wireless communication network can include a plurality of renewable energy structures. Each renewable energy structure can include an electricity generation assembly, a telescoping support pole positioned to support the electricity generation assembly, and a wireless communication device configured to relay wireless communication signals between a host signal source and a client device. The electricity generation assembly can include a wind turbine assembly and/or a solar power structure. The wireless communication device can include a cellular telephone signal repeater and/or wireless internet equipment. Each structure can include a display, such as an advertisement, one or more benches, and/or a container. Each structure can optionally include a water purification system, one or more cameras, one or more lights, and/or one or more motion or voice sensors for activating or deactivating various components of the system. Each structure may be permanently installed or mobile.

Claims

1. A structure for providing and using off-grid electrical power, the structure comprising:

a plurality of pole segments forming a support pole, wherein a first pole segment of the plurality of pole segments is configured to fit inside a second pole segment of the plurality of pole segments;

a base positioned to support the support pole;

one or more benches attached to the base, wherein the one or more benches comprises three benches extending radially outwardly relative to the support pole;

a wind turbine assembly for converting wind to electrical power, the wind turbine assembly supported by the support pole;

one or more support elements carried by the support pole and extending outwardly from the support pole, the one or more support elements being positioned beneath the wind turbine assembly;

one or more solar panel structures for converting light to electrical power, at least one of the one or more solar panel structures being supported by a support element of the one or more support elements;

one or more cameras carried by at least one of the one or more support elements;

one or more wireless communication devices configured to provide access to a wireless communication network;

a battery connected to the wind turbine assembly, the one or more solar panel structures, the one or more cameras, and the one or more wireless communication devices; and

at least one controller configured to manage power input to the battery from the one or more solar panel structures or the wind turbine assembly, the at least one controller further being configured to manage power output from the battery to the one or more cameras and the one or more wireless communication devices.

2. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a locking element carried by one or more pole segments of the plurality of pole segments, the locking element positioned to limit relative movement between two of the pole segments.

3. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a foundation extending below the base.

4. The structure of claim 1 wherein the support pole is pivotable relative to the base.

5. The structure of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a first frame, and wherein at least one of the benches comprises a second frame attached to the first frame, the at least one of the benches comprising a panel mounted to the second frame.

6. The structure of claim 1, further comprising a cover element positioned to cover a lower portion of the support pole adjacent to the base.

7. The structure of claim 6, further comprising a display positioned on the cover element.

8. The structure of claim 1, wherein the structure is not connected to a power grid.

9. The structure of claim 1, further comprising one or more motion sensors, wherein the at least one controller is configured to activate or deactivate at least one of the one or more wireless communication devices based on input from the one or more motion sensors.

10. The structure of claim 1 wherein at least one of the one or more support elements is shaped as a tree leaf.

11. An off-grid portable structure for providing wireless communication coverage and electrical power for charging portable devices, comprising:

a base, wherein the base comprises a first frame including a plurality of first frame members;

a support pole extending from the first frame;

a plurality of benches, wherein the plurality of benches comprises three benches extending radially outwardly relative to the support pole, and wherein at least one of the benches comprises a second frame attached to the first frame, the second frame including a plurality of second frame members;

a wind turbine assembly for converting wind to electrical power, the wind turbine assembly supported by the support pole;

a plurality of support elements carried by the support pole and positioned beneath the wind turbine assembly, each support element of the plurality of support elements extending outwardly from the support pole;

a plurality of solar panel structures for converting light to electrical power, each solar panel structure of the plurality of solar panel structures being supported by a support element of the plurality of support elements;

a camera supported by one of the support elements;

a wireless communication device;

a battery;

a charging station configured to provide electrical power for portable devices; and

one or more controllers configured to manage electrical power from the wind turbine assembly and the solar panel structures and configured to manage electrical power to the camera, the wireless communication device, the battery, and the charging station.

12. The structure of claim 11 wherein the support pole comprises a plurality of pole segments, and wherein some of the pole segments are configured to fit inside one or more other pole segments of the plurality of pole segments during storage or transportation of the structure.

13. The structure of claim 12, further comprising one or more locking elements passing through at least a portion of a first pole segment of the plurality of pole segments and into a portion of a second pole segment of the plurality of pole segments to limit relative movement between the first pole segment and the second pole segment.

14. The structure of claim 11, further comprising a motion sensor, wherein the motion sensor is connected to at least one of the one or more controllers, and wherein the at least one of the one or more controllers is configured to activate or deactivate the wireless communication device or the charging station based on detection of movement.

15. The structure of claim 11 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a wireless internet router.

16. The structure of claim 11 wherein the wireless communication device comprises a cellular signal repeater.

17. A system for providing security and access to a wireless communication network, the system comprising a portable renewable energy structure, the portable renewable energy structure comprising:

a base comprising one or more benches;

a support pole, the support pole comprising a plurality of pole segments configured to be stowed together and assembled together, wherein when the pole segments are stowed together, one or more first pole segments of the plurality of pole segments are positioned inside a second pole segment of the plurality of pole segments, and wherein when the pole segments are assembled together, they are attached to the base and extend from the base;

a wind turbine assembly, wherein the support pole is configured to support the wind turbine assembly above the base;

a plurality of solar panel structures positioned on corresponding support elements, wherein the support pole is configured to support the support elements below the wind turbine assembly;

a wireless communication device;

an electrical power access point on the base; and

a camera attached to one of the support elements;

wherein the wind turbine assembly or at least one of the solar panel structures provides electrical power for the wireless communication device, the electrical power access point, the camera, and to a battery connected to the wireless communication device and the camera; and

wherein the one or more benches comprises three benches extending radially outwardly relative to the support pole.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the portable renewable energy structure is a first portable renewable energy structure, the system further comprising a second portable renewable energy structure, and wherein the first portable renewable energy structure and the second renewable energy structure are configured to relay signals between each other to form a mesh network.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a controller connected to the battery and a motion sensor connected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to activate or deactivate the wireless communication device based on a signal from the motion sensor indicating the presence or absence of motion.