ADAPTABLE RECHARGING AND LIGHTING STATION AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME

• US 20160219664A1
• Filed: 02/09/2016
• Published: 07/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elevate Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Elevate Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Ellenberger, John C.
• Granted Patent: US 10,910,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/003 for task lighting, e.g. for reading or desk work, e.g. angle poise lamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/02 the power supply being a battery or accumulator
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00032 characterised by data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0024 Parallel/serial switching of connection of batteries to charge or load circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/00 Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/325 Pulse-width modulation [PWM]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/37 Converter circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/375 using buck topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/50 responsive to malfunctions or undesirable behaviour of LEDs; responsive to LED life; Protective circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/56 involving measures to prevent abnormal temperature of the LEDs

Abstract

The present invention includes self-contained, rechargeable power systems for areas having unreliable electrical grids or no electrical grid at all, and methods related thereto. The system may include one or more solar panels of various sizes to provide an off-grid power generation source, battery receivers for receiving batteries of various chemistries, and a control circuitry that is operable to detect the voltage and/or current output of the batteries that are installed in the system to determine their specific battery chemistry and then adjust the charge algorithm of the batteries to optimize both the charge capacity and the cycle life of the batteries. The control circuitry may also be operable to switch configurations of the solar panels and/or the batteries to optimize performance of the system. The system may be operable to power one or more light emitters and/or external electronic devices connected through the system by a charge port.

Claims

1. A rechargeable, self-contained power system, comprising:

a. a power source controller unit for receiving power from a plurality of power generation devices, wherein said power source controller unit includes power generation device control circuitry operable to change an electrical configuration of said power generation devices between parallel and series configurations;

b. a battery receiver for receiving a plurality of batteries, said battery compartment including battery control circuitry that electrically connects said batteries, wherein said battery control circuitry is operable to change an electrical configuration of said plurality of batteries between parallel and series configurations;

c. a processor operable to measure voltages of said plurality of batteries and direct said battery control circuitry to switch between said parallel and series connections based upon at least one of voltages produced by said plurality of batteries, voltage provided by said plurality of power generation devices to said power source controller unit, and one or more load voltages required to power one or more devices connected to said power system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of power generation devices comprises at least one solar panel.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a charging port for an external electronic device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said load includes at least one of an external electronic device electronically connected to said charging port, and a light emitter electronically connected to said system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is operable to accept batteries of different chemistries in said battery receiver and draw current from said batteries without damage to said batteries or said system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor monitors voltages at a plurality of points in the battery control circuitry, including said voltages produced by said plurality of batteries, said voltage provided by said plurality of power generation devices, and said one or more load voltages.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said microprocessor monitors said voltages at said plurality of points in the battery control circuitry continuously.

92. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor monitors at least one electrical characteristic of a plurality of power generation devices in electronic communication with said charging system.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein said at least one electrical characteristic of said plurality of power generation devices includes at least one of a voltage and a current.

94. The system of claim 92, wherein said processor is operable to direct said power source controller unit to change said electrical configuration of said power generation devices between parallel and series based on at least one electrical characteristic of said plurality of power generation devices.

95. The system of claim 1, wherein said power source controller unit includes a plurality of power source transistors in electronic communication with said processor, said processor being operable to change said electrical configuration of said plurality of power generation devices between series and parallel configurations by changing the operating state of at least one of said power source transistors.

96. The system of claim 1, wherein battery control circuitry includes a plurality of battery circuit transistors in electronic communication with said processor, said processor being operable to change said electrical configuration of said plurality of batteries between series and parallel configurations by changing the operation state of at least one of said battery circuit transistors.

2. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

10-26. -26. (canceled)

27. A rechargeable, self-contained power system, comprising:

a. a power source controller circuitry operable to receive power from a plurality of power sources;

b. a battery receiver for receiving a plurality of batteries;

c. a processor operable to measure voltages of said plurality of power sources and direct said power source controller circuitry to switch between parallel and series connections between said plurality of power sources based upon at least one of a total voltage provided by said plurality of power sources, a voltage required for charging said plurality of batteries, and one or more load voltages required to power one or more devices connected to said power system.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein said battery receiver includes battery connection circuitry that electrically connects said batteries.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said battery control circuitry is operable to configure the connections of said plurality of batteries between parallel and series connections.

30. The system of claim 27, wherein said load is a light emitter electronically connected to said system at a first load port.

31. The system of claim 27, wherein said plurality of power sources comprises a plurality of solar panels.

32. The system of claim 27, further comprising a charging port for an external electronic device.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein said load is an external electronic device electronically connected to said charging port.

34. The system of claim 32, wherein said charging port is a USB port.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein said system is operable to accept solar panels of different sizes and wattages without damage to said system.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein said processor monitors voltages at a plurality of points in the solar panel control circuitry, including said voltages produced by said plurality of solar panels.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein said microprocessor monitors said voltages at said plurality of points in the solar panel control circuitry continuously.

38-63. -63. (canceled)

64. A method of operating a charging system, comprising:

a. monitoring at least one electrical characteristic of a plurality of power generation devices in electronic communication with said charging system;

b. monitoring at least one electrical characteristic of a plurality of batteries connected to battery receivers in said system; and

c. altering the configuration of said plurality of batteries between series and parallel configurations based on at least one of said at least one electrical characteristic of said plurality of power generation devices, said at least one electrical characteristic of said plurality of batteries, and a charging algorithm of said plurality of batteries, wherein said system includes a microprocessor having said charging algorithm stored therein, and said microprocessor is in electronic communication with a plurality of sensors in electronic communication with said plurality of power generation devices and said battery receivers for measuring said electrical characteristics of said plurality of batteries and said plurality of power generation devices.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising altering the configuration of said plurality of power generation devices between series and parallel configurations based at least one of said at least one electrical characteristic of said plurality of power generation devices, said at least one electrical characteristic of said plurality of batteries, and a charging algorithm of said plurality of batteries.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein said system includes a power generation device switching circuit to which said plurality of power generation devices are electronically connected.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein said power generation device switching circuit includes a plurality of transistors in electronic communication with said microprocessor, said transistors being operable to alter said configuration of said plurality of power generation devices between series and parallel configurations.

68. The method of claim 64, wherein said system includes a battery switching circuit to which said battery receivers are electronically connected.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein said battery switching circuit includes a plurality of transistors in electronic communication with said microprocessor, said transistors being operable to alter said configuration of said plurality of batteries between series and parallel configurations.

70. The method of claim 64, wherein said at least one electrical characteristic of said at least one power generation device includes at least one of a voltage and a current.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein said system comprises a first current sensor for sensing an amperage of said plurality of power generating devices in said parallel configuration.

72. The method of claim 70, wherein said system comprises a second current sensor for sensing a amperage of said plurality of power generating devices in said series configuration.

73. The method of claim 64, wherein said plurality of power generation devices are solar panels.

75-91. -91. (canceled)