Solar powered street lighting system

• US 4,200,904 A
• Filed: 04/14/1978
• Issued: 04/29/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Duc Doan
• Original Assignee: Duc Doan
• Inventors: Doan, Duc
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US05/896,341
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 362/183, 362/226, 362/431, 136/89 AC
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/086 with lighting device attached sideways of the standard, e.g. for roads and highways
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/026 rechargeable by using wind power, e.g. using wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/035 the solar unit being integrated within the support for the lighting unit, e.g. within or on a pole
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/043 driven by wind power, e.g. by wind turbines
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/103 of streets or roads
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/095 Traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/72 in street lighting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

A solar powered street lighting system that is totally independent of any external power supply. Solar panels are connected in such a manner to charge a maintenance-free storage battery with sufficient capacity to light street lights and/or traffic signals. An auxiliary generator may also be provided having a wind driven vane for also charging the battery if sufficient sun light is not available.

Claims

1. A totally independent street light system comprising:

an upright pole adapted to be mounted on a supporting surface;

a dry storage battery;

a plurality of solar panels coupled to said battery, each of said panels having a plurality of solar cells connected in series for providing a predetermined voltage to said battery, each of said panels connected in parallel to provide a predetermined amperage to said battery, all of said panels being mounted in a single unitary assembly on said pole;

a street light mounted on said pole electrically coupled to said battery and actuated by said battery;

wind driven alternator means mounted on said pole coupled to said battery for providing capacity to said battery augmenting said solar panels; and

a light actuated photocell coupled to said light for selectively lighting said light dependent upon light conditions at said pole.

2. In the system of claim 1 further including a traffic signal having a plurality of vertically linearly disposed lights mounted on said pole electrically connected to said battery.

3. In the system of claim 1 wherein said battery is a 12 V. 100 amp, D.C. three-year maintenance free dry storage battery.

4. In the system of claim 3 wherein said light is a 12 Volt D.C. light.

5. In the system of claim 1 wherein each of said panels comprises at least thirty 1/2 Volt silicon photovoltaic cells connected in series with a diode to prevent backflow of current from the battery through the cells during darkness, the total number of said panels mounted in parallel being sufficient to provide a total current output to return said battery to its rated amperage capacity after lighting of said light.