Modular Portable Energy System

• US 20120235477A1
• Filed: 01/27/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bette Korman
• Original Assignee: Bette Korman
• Inventors: Korman, Bette
• Granted Patent: US 9,006,940 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/11
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1027 with means for generating solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/12 Photovoltaic modules
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/005 Rigidly-arranged sunshade roofs with coherent surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/02 of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/04 with material fixed on sections of a collapsible frame especially Florentine blinds
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/008 Tents or tent-like constructions composed partially of rigid panels E04H15/06 takes precedence; trailer-type vehicles or caravans with foldable or readily disassembled living accommodation comprising flexible elements B60P3/341
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/58 Closures; Awnings; Sunshades
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2476 Solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/10 extending in directions away from a supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02008 for solar cells or solar cell modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/00 Circuit arrangements for dc mains or dc distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/00 Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/00 PV power plants; Combinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/40 Mobile PV generator systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/22 specially adapted for buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/30 Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/20 Collapsible or foldable PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/32 comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 : Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 : Mountings or tracking
• 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

The present invention relates to modular portable energy systems, specifically solar energy systems or kits. In a first embodiment, a personal solar kit is provided. A portable shelter system with power generation capabilities is provided in a second embodiment. In a third embodiment, alternative power generation systems are provided. A multi-layered solar power generation device is provided in a fourth embodiment. In a fifth embodiment an energy network system is provided that can be used with any of the previous embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular portable energy system, comprising:

a flexible solar panel;

a power module in electrical communication with the solar panel;

one or more appliance kits in electrical communication with the power module via one or more distribution components; and

a carrying unit for housing and transporting the flexible solar panel and at least one of the power module, the one or more appliance kits, and the one or more distribution components.

2. The modular portable energy system of claim 1, wherein the carrying unit further comprises a carrying retainer having an integrated handle and wrapped around the flexible solar panel for storage or transportation.

3. The modular portable energy system of claim 1, wherein the carrying unit further comprises a body component having storage sub-compartments and a telescoping handle attached thereto.

4. The modular portable energy system of claim 1, wherein the carrying unit is tubular in shape and comprises a central subcontainer positioned between a bottom subcontainer and a top subcontainer.

5. The modular portable energy system of claim 1, further comprising poles supporting the solar panel in use.

6. The modular portable energy system of claim 1, wherein the power module is networkable to a plurality of energy systems.

7. The modular portable energy system of claim 1, further comprising one or more wireless devices in electrical communication with the modular personal energy system.

8. A portable shelter system, comprising:

a portable and collapsible structure having a top portion;

a solar panel system attached to the top portion of the structure;

a power unit in communication with the solar panel system for processing electrical power generated by said solar panel system and storing said electrical power in a battery within said power unit; and

a plurality of distribution components in electrical communication with said power unit and a plurality of devices to be electrically powered.

9. The portable shelter system of claim 8, wherein the structure further comprises one or more power access points dispersed throughout the structure and in electrical communication with the solar panel system.

10. The portable shelter system of claim 8, further comprising a carrying unit of sufficient size to contain the structure, the solar panel system, the power unit, and the plurality of distribution components for storage or transportation.

11. The portable shelter system of claim 8, wherein the solar panel system is removably attached to the top portion.

12. The portable shelter system of claim 8, wherein the solar panel system comprises a unitary, removable solar attachment shaped to correspond to the geometry of the top portion of the structure.

13. The portable shelter system of claim 8, wherein the solar panel system comprises a plurality of radially arrayed solar panels suspended from a support frame.

14. The portable shelter system of claim 8, wherein the solar panel system is embedded in fabric of the top portion of the structure.

15. The portable shelter system of claim 8, wherein the structure is a tent or umbrella.

16. The portable shelter system of claim 8, wherein the power unit is networkable to a plurality of energy systems.

17. The portable shelter system of claim 8, further comprising appliance kits in electrical communication with the solar panel via the distribution components.

18. The portable shelter system of claim 8, further comprising one or more wireless devices in electrical communication with the solar panel system.

19. An alternative power generation system, comprising:

a transducer for generating electrical power from a human body;

a power unit coupled to said transducer including circuitry for processing electrical power generated by said transducer and storing said electrical power in a battery within said power unit; and

a plurality of distribution components in electrical communication with said power unit and a plurality of devices to be electrically powered.

20. The alternative power generation system of claim 19, further comprising a carrying unit to house at least the transducer for storage and transportation.

21. The alternative power generation system of claim 19, networkable to a plurality of power units each including respective transducers for generating electrical power from human bodies.

22. An alternative power generation system, comprising:

a portable electricity harvesting device for generating electrical power;

a power unit coupled to said portable electricity harvesting device including circuitry for processing electrical power generated by said portable electricity harvesting device and storing said electrical power in a battery within said power unit; and

a plurality of distribution components in electrical communication with said power unit and a plurality of devices to be electrically powered.

23. The alternative power generation system of claim 22, further comprising a carrying unit to house at least the harvesting device for storage or transportation.

24. The alternative power generation system of claim 22, networkable to a plurality of power units each including respective electricity harvesting devices for generating electrical power.

25. A power generation device, comprising:

a layer of substrate;

a first layer formed on the substrate and including battery electronics therein;

a second layer formed on the first layer and including power electronics therein; and

a third layer formed on the second layer and including photovoltaic materials for generating electricity.

26. The power generation device of claim 25, wherein the first layer, second layer, and third layer are laminated.

27. The power generation device of claim 25, wherein the first layer, second layer, and third layer are printed using conductive inks.

28. The power generation device of claim 25, wherein the first layer, second layer, and third layer have interstitial wiring in between.