PHOTOVOLTAIC CHARGING SYSTEM

• US 20090273309A1
• Filed: 04/30/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Inventors: Kuo, Yao H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,888,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

A modular charging unit that allows efficient charging of a rechargeable battery with a charging station and during use away from the charging system uses ambient energy to extend battery life of the device.

Claims

1. A mobile charging system comprising:

a charging station capable of providing photons;

a charge receiver capable of receiving photons from said charging station; and

a communication device having a first portion located on said charging station and a second portion on said charge receiver, said first and second portions in communication regarding the status of one of the charge receiver and charging station.

2. The mobile charging station of claim 1 wherein said communication device communicates the charge status of said charge receiver to said charging station.

3. The mobile charging station of claim 1 wherein said charging station includes a photon output cell having a plurality of photon transmitters.

4. The mobile charging station of claim 3 wherein at least two of said photon transmitters provide photons at different primary wavelengths.

5. The mobile charging station of claim 4 wherein said charging station maximizes the output of a photon transmitter at a desired wavelength while minimizing the photon output of photon transmitters at different wavelengths.

6. The mobile charging station of claim 4 wherein said charge receiver communicates the desired wavelengths for a photovoltaic receiver on said charge receiver device to said charging station and wherein said charging station adjusts the wavelength of the output photons to increase efficiency of energy transfer between said charging station and said charge receiver.

7. The mobile charging station of claim 1 wherein said charging station in response to a charge status communicated by said communication device from said charge receiver to said charging station varies the average output wavelength.

8. The mobile charging system of claim 1 wherein said charging station includes at least two photon transmitters and wherein said photon transmitter each produce a maximum energy at different wavelengths.

9. The mobile charging system of claim 1 wherein said charge receiver is coupled to a battery and in electrical communication with said battery.

10. The mobile charging system of claim 9 wherein said charge receiver is easily interchangeable with standard current charger.

11. The mobile charging system of claim 10 wherein said charge receiver is easily interchangeable with an inductive charger.

12. The mobile charging system of claim 9 wherein said battery includes a recess for receiving said charge receiver.

13. The mobile charging system of claim 1 wherein said charge receiver includes a photon cell on a first surface and said communication device on an adjacent second surface.

14. The mobile charging system of claim 13 wherein said charging station includes a photon output cell on said first surface and said communication device on an adjacent second surface.

15. The mobile charging system of claim 1 wherein said charging station includes a photon output cell and said charge receiver includes a photovoltaic receiver and wherein the surface area of said photon output cell is at least ten percent greater than the surface area of said photovoltaic receiver.

16. The mobile charging system of claim 15 wherein said photon output cell includes a plurality of photon transmitters and wherein said photon output cell turns off any of said plurality of photon transmitters which are not substantially aligned with said photovoltaic receiver.

17. The mobile charging system of claim 1 wherein said charge receiver is combined with a second charge receiver that is not capable of receiving photons.

18. The mobile charging system of claim 1 wherein said charge receiver is capable of providing a charge from ambient light when it is away from said charging station.

19. The mobile charging system of claim 1 wherein said charge receiver in addition includes a plug for receiving power from an external charger.