FLASHLIGHT WITH PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE

• US 20100271813A1
• Filed: 01/29/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Terry J. Peterson
• Original Assignee: Terry J. Peterson
• Inventors: Peterson, Terry J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,201,963 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/027 the light sources being a LED
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/08 characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0414 specially adapted to be used with portable lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A flashlight including a photovoltaic power source adapted to convert incident light energy to electrical energy and wherein the flashlight is configured such that the flashlight is induced to orient the photovoltaic power source to face upwards when the flashlight is placed on a generally horizontal surface. The flashlight can include a rechargeable battery pack so as to have a hybrid power supply. Also, a method of powering a flashlight including attaching at least one solar cell to a body of a flashlight, connecting the at least one solar cell to a battery such that electrical output of the solar cell can charge the battery, and connecting a switch and a lamp to the at least one solar cell and the battery such that a user can actuate the switch to connect the battery to the solar cell for charging of the battery or to the lamp for generation of light from the flashlight.

Claims

1. A flashlight comprising a photovoltaic power source adapted to convert incident light energy to electrical energy and wherein the flashlight is configured such that the flashlight is induced to orient the photovoltaic power source to face upwards when the flashlight is placed on a generally horizontal surface.