SELF-POWERED LIGHT BAR
First Claim
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1. A system for use by a vehicle, the system comprising:
- an emergency device for mounting to the vehicle, including at least one warning light and a rechargeable power source disposed within the emergency device for powering the at least one warning light;
a solar energy source for converting solar energy into electrical energy associated with the emergency device; and
a device connecting the solar energy source and the rechargeable power source to control the flow of energy from the solar energy and rechargeable power sources to the at least one warning light such that the energy from the solar energy source charges the rechargeable power source and powers the at least one warning light;
wherein a charge is supplied from the solar energy source associated with the emergency device to a power source for the vehicle that is external to the emergency device.
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Abstract
An emergency system for a vehicle integrates many disparate equipment into single housing, including the power supply for the equipment. In one embodiment of the invention, the emergency system is a light bar. The light bar houses a power source comprising solar cell panels, a Lithium-Ion battery pack and a connection to an external supply such as the vehicle'"'"'s electrical power. Energy for operating the light bar is provided by one or more of the power sources, depending on operating conditions of the light bar and each of the power sources.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for use by a vehicle, the system comprising:
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an emergency device for mounting to the vehicle, including at least one warning light and a rechargeable power source disposed within the emergency device for powering the at least one warning light; a solar energy source for converting solar energy into electrical energy associated with the emergency device; and a device connecting the solar energy source and the rechargeable power source to control the flow of energy from the solar energy and rechargeable power sources to the at least one warning light such that the energy from the solar energy source charges the rechargeable power source and powers the at least one warning light; wherein a charge is supplied from the solar energy source associated with the emergency device to a power source for the vehicle that is external to the emergency device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14)
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15. A light bar for mounting to a roof of a vehicle, the light bar comprising:
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a closed housing containing a plurality of warning lights intended to warn anyone in proximity to the light bar of a dangerous condition associated with the vehicle; a rechargeable power supply mounted within the closed housing; a solar-electrical energy source; and a power controller for controlling a flow of energy from the rechargeable power supply and the solar-electric energy source to the plurality of warning lights so that the energy from the solar electric energy source both powers the plurality of warning lights and recharges the rechargeable power supply, wherein a charge is supplied from the solar-electrical energy source to a power source for the vehicle that is external to the light bar.
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- 16. The light bar of claim 16, wherein the charge is supplied from the solar-electrical energy source to the power source for the vehicle that is external to the light bar when the plurality of warning lights are not operating.
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20. A method for providing energy to a vehicle-mounted emergency device, including:
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drawing power from a first source disposed within a housing of the emergency device; delivering the drawn power to a signaling device within the emergency device; during normal operation of the vehicle, controlling a confluence of energy from the first source and a second source so that the signaling device receives all of the energy the signaling device requires to operate properly and to cause the second source to charge the first source when more energy than required by the signaling device is available from the second source; and while the signaling device is not operating, delivering a charge from the second source to a third source external of the emergency device. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification