POWER METERING AND CONTROL SYSTEM ADAPTABLE TO MULTI-STANDARD DEVICE

• US 20170005507A1
• Filed: 09/16/2016
• Published: 01/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dark Orange Design, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alten
• Inventors: TOLEDO, DAVID, SLUSSER, PAUL
• Granted Patent: US 10,361,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00034 Charger exchanging data with an electronic device, i.e. telephone, whose internal battery is under charge
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/156 with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/13 characterised by the heat-exchanging means at the junction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

Apparatus for powering a smart load capable of receiving power at a first power-reception level and a second power-reception level greater than the first power-reception level includes a solar panel and a connector operably coupled to the solar panel. A monitoring device is configured to monitor a power-reception level of the smart load when the smart load is coupled to the connector. The apparatus includes an interrupting device configured to interrupt power flow to the smart load based on a determination that the smart load is receiving power at the first power-reception level. The smart load receives power at the second power-reception level in response to the interruption.

Claims

1. An apparatus for charging a smart load, the smart load being capable of receiving power at least at a first power-reception level and a second power-reception level, the second power-reception level being greater than the first power-reception level, the apparatus comprising:

a solar panel;

a controller operably coupled to the solar panel;

the controller configured to monitor an amount of power received by the smart load when the smart load is in electronic communication with the solar panel;

a display configured to provide a visual representation of said amount of power; and

an interrupting device in communication with the controller;

wherein, the controller is configured to cause the interrupting device to interrupt power flow to the smart load based on a determination that the smart load is receiving power at the first power-reception level;

wherein, in response to said interruption, the smart load receives power at the second power-reception level.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to cause the interrupting device to interrupt power flow to the smart load when:

(a) the smart load is attempting to draw power at the second power-reception level; and

(b) the solar panel is unable to provide sufficient power to the smart load at the second power-reception level.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display includes a plurality of light emitting diodes.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the display is a bar graph display.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising signaling circuitry configured to signal circuitry of the smart load with information regarding a power-availability level.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a connector configured to electronically couple the smart load to the solar panel.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the connector is a USB connector.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the USB connector is connectable to any one of a plurality of smart loads, said plurality of smart loads comprising a first smart load and a second smart load, the first smart load being configured to be charged at a first voltage, the second smart load being configured to be charged at a second voltage that is greater than the first voltage.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the interrupting device includes a switch.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the controller is configured to cause the interrupting device to periodically interrupt power flow to the smart load when the smart load is receiving power at the first power-reception level.

11. An apparatus for supplying power to a load, comprising:

a solar panel;

a connector operably coupled to the solar panel;

a monitoring device configured to periodically monitor a power-reception level of the load when the load is coupled to the connector; and

a display comprising a light emitting diode and configured to provide a visual feedback;

the visual feedback representing the power-reception level.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the display is a bar graph display.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the monitoring device comprises current measuring circuitry.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising interrupting circuitry configured to interrupt power supplied to the load;

wherein, in response to said interruption, the power-reception level of the load is increased.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising power monitoring circuitry configured to detect an overload condition.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the connector is a USB connector configured to supply power to a plurality of loads at a plurality of voltage levels.

17. An apparatus for charging a smart load, the smart load being capable of receiving power at least at a first power-reception level and a second power-reception level, the second power-reception level being greater than the first power-reception level, the apparatus comprising:

a solar panel;

a connector operably coupled to the solar panel;

a monitoring device configured to monitor a power-reception level of the smart load when the smart load is coupled to the connector; and

an interrupting device;

wherein, the interrupting device is configured to interrupt power flow to the smart load based on a determination that the smart load is receiving power at the first power-reception level;

wherein, in response to said interruption, the smart load receives power at the second power-reception level.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a display configured to represent the power-reception level.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the interrupting device is further configured to interrupt power flow to the smart load when:

(a) the smart load is attempting to draw power at the second power-reception level; and

(b) the solar panel is unable to provide sufficient power to the smart load at the second power-reception level.

20. A method for optimizing charging of a smart load using a solar panel, the smart load being capable of receiving power at least at a first power-reception level and a second power-reception level, the second power-reception level being greater than the first power-reception level, the method comprising:

using a connector to couple the solar panel to the smart load;

monitoring power supplied by the solar panel to the smart load; and

interrupting power flow to the smart load in response to a determination that the smart load is receiving power at the first-power reception level;

wherein, in response to said interruption, the smart load receives power at the second power-reception level.