Stable solar power source for portable electrical devices
First Claim
1. A stable solar power source adapted to supply power directly to the input terminals of an electrical use device which is normally operated by a first input current level, but which periodically requires peak input current levels which exceed said first input current level, said stable solar power source including a plurality of interconnected solar cells which convert sunlight into direct current electrical energy and supply said direct current electrical energy to an output, said plurality of interconnected solar cells providing said output with said input current level subject to periodic fluctuations due to blockage of incident sunlight by clouds, said stable solar power source also including a voltage limiting device connected in parallel with said plurality of interconnected solar cells and said electrical use device, and a capacitive means connected in parallel with said plurality of interconnected solar cells and said electrical use device, said capacitive means having a large capacitance in excess of 500 microfarads sufficient to permit said capacitive means to supply the peak input current level required by said electrical use device and to operate as a ballast for the plurality of interconnected solar cells to offset said fluctuations in current supplied by said solar cells.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The stable solar power source consists of solar cells for converting sunlight into electrical energy and a large capacitor for providing a current reserve to satisfy peak current demands and offset the effects of sunlight variations. The solar cells are mounted beneath a light transmitting thermal shield to minimize thermal induced cell output variations.
-
Citations
13 Claims
- 1. A stable solar power source adapted to supply power directly to the input terminals of an electrical use device which is normally operated by a first input current level, but which periodically requires peak input current levels which exceed said first input current level, said stable solar power source including a plurality of interconnected solar cells which convert sunlight into direct current electrical energy and supply said direct current electrical energy to an output, said plurality of interconnected solar cells providing said output with said input current level subject to periodic fluctuations due to blockage of incident sunlight by clouds, said stable solar power source also including a voltage limiting device connected in parallel with said plurality of interconnected solar cells and said electrical use device, and a capacitive means connected in parallel with said plurality of interconnected solar cells and said electrical use device, said capacitive means having a large capacitance in excess of 500 microfarads sufficient to permit said capacitive means to supply the peak input current level required by said electrical use device and to operate as a ballast for the plurality of interconnected solar cells to offset said fluctuations in current supplied by said solar cells.
- 9. A stable solar power source adapted to supply power directly to the input terminals of a radio receiver which is normally operative by a first input current level, but which periodically requires peak input current levels which exceed said first input current levels, said stable solar power source including a plurality of interconnected solar cells which convert sunlight into direct current electrical energy and supply said direct current electrical energy to an output, the plurality of interconnected solar cells providing said output with said first input current level subject to periodic fluctuations due to blockage of incident sunlight by clouds, said stable solar power source also including a voltage limiting device connected in parallel with said plurality of interconnected solar cells and said radio receiver, and a capacitive means connected in parallel with said plurality of interconnected solar cells and said radio receiver, said capacitive means having a large capacity in excess of 500 microfarads sufficient to permit said capacitive means to supply the peak input current levels required by the radio receiver and to operate as a ballast for the plurality of interconnected solar cells to offset said fluctuations in current supplied by a said solar cells.
Specification