ENERGY-EFFICIENT SOLAR-POWERED OUTDOOR LIGHTING
First Claim
1. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system comprising:
- an outdoor pole having a generally-cylindrical side surface;
a flexible photovoltaic solar collector panel connected to the pole side surface so that the solar collector panel is generally vertical and is curved at least 180 degrees around the pole side surface, to receive solar insolation throughout the day, including morning, mid-day, and evening solar insolation;
a luminaire connected to the pole;
at least one energy storage device operatively connected to the solar collector panel and the luminaire;
at least one controller adapted to charge said at least one energy storage device, and to manage energy delivery to said luminaire.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One or more outdoor lights may operate independently with sensing and control processes mainly on-pole, or may communicate as a networked array of poles, wherein a master/coordinating pole/node transmits signals from the networked array to a control station, and receive signals from the control station for the networked array, via call phone and/or satellite. Independent poles and/or the networked array of poles may be adapted for energy-saving processes; cooperation with the grid; renewable power production and storage by means of solar panels and associated batteries; and/or to provide Wi-Fi hot-spots, public safety alarms, information or data-analysis to the public or customers. An energy-saving active control system controls charging of the batteries and distribution of energy from the solar panel and/or the batteries, so that the batteries remain undamaged, and the light(s) remain operation even during the winter or other long periods of clouds and diffuse light. The active control of energy distribution by a load controller function may include dimming during the night, except when sensors detect motion, and, in extreme cloudy or diffuse-light periods, increasing increments of dimming and/or load shedding, to preserve the batteries and operability.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system comprising:
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an outdoor pole having a generally-cylindrical side surface; a flexible photovoltaic solar collector panel connected to the pole side surface so that the solar collector panel is generally vertical and is curved at least 180 degrees around the pole side surface, to receive solar insolation throughout the day, including morning, mid-day, and evening solar insolation; a luminaire connected to the pole; at least one energy storage device operatively connected to the solar collector panel and the luminaire; at least one controller adapted to charge said at least one energy storage device, and to manage energy delivery to said luminaire. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A solar-powered outdoor utility system comprising:
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an existing utility pole installed in an outdoor setting and having a generally-cylindrical side surface, wherein the utility pole supports at least one utility device that is electrically-powered and operatively connected to a utility power grid, and wherein said at least one utility device is selected from a group consisting of a luminaire, wireless radio, video camera, security camera, pan-tilt camera, security gate motor, Wi-FI hotspot, emergency call box, and public alarm; a retrofit collar comprising a photovoltaic solar panel, the collar being installed on said existing utility pole side surface so that the solar panel is generally vertical and is curved at least part way around the pole side surface to receive solar insolation throughout the day, including morning, mid-day, and evening solar insolation; wherein the photovoltaic solar panel of the retrofit collar is operatively connected to the at least one utility device and to the utility power grid, and the system further comprises at least one controller and an inverter and is adapted to power said at least one utility device with energy from the solar panel during at least some hours and to provide energy from the solar panel to the utility power grid during at least some hours. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of adapting an existing utility pole to be powered at least in part by solar power, the method comprising:
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installing a retrofit collar comprising a photovoltaic solar panel onto a generally vertical, generally-cylindrical, side surface of an existing utility pole that is located in an outdoor setting, so that the solar panel is generally vertical and is curved at least part way around the pole side surface to receive solar insolation throughout the day, including morning, mid-day, and evening solar insolation; wherein the utility pole supports at least one utility device that is electrically-powered and operatively connected to a utility power grid, and said at least one utility device is selected from a group consisting of a luminaire, wireless radio, video camera, security camera, pan-tilt camera, security gate motor, Wi-FI hotspot, emergency call box, and public alarm; operatively connecting the photovoltaic solar panel of the retrofit collar to the at least one utility device and to the utility power grid by means of at least one controller and an inverter; and powering said at least one utility device with energy from the solar panel during at least some hours and providing energy from the solar panel to the utility power grid during at least some hours. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification