Self-contained solar powered lamp

• US 5,367,442 A
• Filed: 10/19/1992
• Issued: 11/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alpan Lighting Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Siemens Solar Industries L.P. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Seegan, Kimberly E., Tanner, David P., Frost, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cole, Richard R.
• Application Number:
  US07/963,930
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 362/153.1, 362/183, 362/294, 362/373, 362/431
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/081 of low-built type, e.g. landscape light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/037 the solar unit and the lighting unit being located within or on the same housing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/007 with provision for shipment or storage
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/14 Bayonet-type fastening
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/164 the parts being subjected to bending, e.g. snap joints
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/0824 Ground spikes
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/10 Outdoor lighting
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/109 of gardens
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/72 in street lighting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

A solar powered lamp configured to function more efficiently at elevated temperatures. The solar powered lamp comprises an electrical storage device disposed in heat transfer proximity to a solar cell array. The electrical storage device is adapted to increase its acceptance of charge, provided by the solar cell array, at elevated temperatures. The solar powered lamp is also configured to permit flow of air through the lamp and to be assembled and disassembled with ease.

Claims

1. A solar powered lamp, comprising:

a solar cell array receiving sunlight and generating charge;

an electrical storage device disposed in heat transfer proximity to said solar cell array, said electrical storage device being electrically connected to said solar cell array to accept charge from said solar cell array and apply said charge to illuminate an electrical light source connected to said electrical storage device, said electrical storage device accepting substantially all the charge generated by said solar cell array at a temperature of at least 35°

C. without a decreasing cycle life of said electrical storage device, wherein when in use said solar powered lamp is designed to be charged and discharged on a daily basis.

2. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrical storage device accepts at least 75% of the charge transferred from said solar cell array at a temperature greater than said 35°

C.

3. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrical storage device illuminates said light source when said solar cell array is not producing charge.

4. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrical storage device is spaced from said solar cell array by a predetermined amount, said predetermined amount defining a path to allow flow of air between said electrical storage device and said solar cell array.

5. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 4, additionally comprising:

an upper portion, said solar cell array being disposed within said upper portion;

a component tray having a projecting portion, said component tray arranged below said upper portion, said electrical storage device being disposed in said projecting portion, said projecting portion extending away from said solar cell array.

6. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 5, wherein said upper portion has a top lens mounted thereon, said top lens having at least one locking finger which extends through at least one corresponding opening provided in said upper portion.

7. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 6, wherein said locking finger terminates in a lip portion, said lip portion when inserted through said opening, abutting the lower periphery of said upper portion to retain said top lens in position.

8. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 6, wherein said top lens is formed from an optically clear material.

9. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrical storage device is a high temperature battery having a recommended charge acceptance temperature of 35°

C.

10. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrical storage device is a Nickel Cadmium high temperature battery.

11. A solar powered lamp comprising:

a solar cell array receiving sunlight and generating charge, said solar cell array being disposed in an portion;

an electrical storage device disposed in heat transfer proximity to said solar cell array in a projecting portion of a component tray arranged below said upper portion, said projecting portion extending away from said solar cell array, and comprising openings on a lower surface thereof, said openings allowing air flow into said projecting portion, said electrical storage device being electrically connected to said solar cell array to accept charge from said solar cell array and apply said charge to illuminate an electrical light source connected to said electrical storage device, said electrical storage device accepting substantially all the charge generated by said solar cell array at a temperature greater than 25°

C., said electrical storage device spaced from said solar cell array by a predetermined amount, said predetermined amount defining a path to allow flow of air between said electrical storage device and said solar cell array.

12. A solar powered lamp comprising:

a solar cell array receiving sunlight and generating charge;

an electrical storage device disposed in heat transfer proximity to said solar cell array, said electrical storage device being electrically connected to said solar cell array to accept charge from said solar cell array and apply said charge to illuminate an electrical light source connected to said electrical storage device, said electrical storage device accepting substantially all the charge generated by said solar cell array at a temperature greater than 25°

C. and illuminating said light source when said solar cell array is not producing charge; and

a lens disposed about said light source, said lens having a plurality of openings which allow air to flow through said lens.

13. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 12, wherein said openings are formed in a lower surface of said lens to allow air to flow in an upward direction within the lamp.

14. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 12, wherein said lens is formed as an integral unit.

15. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 14, wherein said lens is molded from a synthetic polymeric material.

16. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 14, wherein said lens comprises at least one latching member, said latching member being received within a corresponding recess formed along an inner wall of an upper portion and securely retained within said recess.

17. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 14, wherein said lens comprises a lip extending along its inner periphery and displaced from an upper extremity thereof, said electrical storage device being disposed within a component tray and said component tray being firmly seated against said lip.

18. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 12, wherein said lens comprises a protrusion, said protrusion being threaded about an external periphery.

19. A solar powered lamp, comprising:

a solar cell array disposed within an upper portion and receiving sunlight and generating charge, said upper portion having intersecting walls defining a chamber therein for allowing air to exit from said chamber;

an electrical storage device spaced from said solar cell array by a predetermined amount, said predetermined amount defining a path to allow flow of air between said electrical storage device and said solar cell array said electrical storage device being disposed within a projecting portion of a component tray, arranged below said upper portion, said projecting portion extending away from said solar cell array, said electrical storage device being electrically connected to said solar cell array to accept charge from said solar cell array and apply said charge to illuminate an electrical light source connected to said electrical storage device, said electrical storage device accepting substantially all the charge generated by said solar cell array at a temperature greater than 25°

C.

20. A solar powered lamp, comprising:

a solar cell array disposed within an upper portion and receiving sunlight and generating charge;

an electrical storage device spaced from said solar cell array by a predetermined amount, said predetermined amount defining a path to allow flow of air between said electrical storage device and said solar cell array, said electrical storage device being disposed within a projecting portion of a component tray arranged below said upper portion, said component tray having four intersecting walls, at least one of said walls having a portion thereof cut away to allow air to enter and exit therethrough, said projecting portion extending away from said solar cell array, Said electrical storage device being electrically connected to said solar cell array to accept charge from said solar cell array and apply said charge to illuminate an electrical light source connected to said electrical storage device, said electrical storage device accepting substantially all the charge generated by said solar cell array at a temperature greater than 25°

C.

21. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 20, wherein at least one of said walls has an inwardly and upwardly directed member extending from an inner surface thereof, said member being disposed proximate said opening to prevent moisture from entering said component tray.

22. A solar powered lamp, comprising:

an upper portion having a solar cell array disposed therein, said solar cell array receiving sunlight and generating charge;

a component tray arranged in heat transfer proximity to said upper portion, and electrical storage device disposed within a projecting portion of said component tray projecting away from said solar cell array and connected to said solar cell array to accept charge therefrom; and

a light source connected to said electrical storage device for acceptance of charge to illuminate said light source, said electrical storage device being spaced from said solar cell array by an amount which dissipates heat between said electrical storage device and said solar cell array and maintains an efficient transfer of charge between said solar cell array and said electrical storage device at a temperature of at least 35°

C. without a decreasing cycle life, wherein when in use said solar powered lamp is designed to be charged and discharged on a daily basis.

23. A solar powered lamp, comprising:

a solar cell array receiving sunlight and generating charge; and

an electrical storage device disposed within a tray which is spaced from said solar cell array by a predetermined amount, said predetermined amount defining a path to allow flow of air between said electrical storage device and said solar cell array, said tray having openings on a lower surface thereof, said openings allowing air flow into said tray.

24. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 23, wherein said electrical storage device is disposed in a projecting portion of said tray.

25. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 23, further comprising:

a lens disposed about a light source, said electrical storage device applying charge to illuminate said light source, said lens having a plurality of openings which allow air to flow through said lens.

26. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 25, wherein said openings are formed in a lower surface of said lens to allow air to flow in an upward direction within the lamp.

27. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 25, wherein said solar cell array is disposed within an upper portion having walls defining a chamber for allowing air to exit from said chamber.

28. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 27, wherein said lens comprises at least one latching member, said latching member being received within a corresponding recess formed along an inner wall of an upper portion and securely retained within said recess.

29. A solar powered lamp defined in claim 27, wherein said lens comprises a lip extending along its inner periphery and displaced from an upper extremity thereof, said electrical storage device being disposed within a component tray and said component tray being firmly seated against said lip.

30. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 23, wherein said tray has at least one wall having a portion thereof cut away to allow air to enter and exit therethrough.

31. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 30, wherein at least one of said walls has an inwardly and upwardly directed member extending from an inner surface thereof, said member being disposed proximate said opening to prevent moisture from entering said tray.

32. A solar powered lamp, comprising:

a solar cell array receiving sunlight and generating charge;

an electrical storage device electrically connected to said solar cell array to accept charge from said solar cell array and apply said charge to illuminate an electrical light source connected to said electrical storage device; and

a lens disposed about said light source, said lens having a plurality of openings which allow air to flow through said lens.

33. A solar powered lamp, comprising:

a solar cell array receiving sunlight and generating charge, said solar cell array disposed within an upper portion having walls defining a chamber therein for allowing air to exit from said chamber; and

an electrical storage device electrically connected to said solar cell array to accept charge from said solar cell array and apply said charge to illuminate an electrical light source connected to said electrical storage device.

34. A solar powered lamp as defined in claim 33, wherein said electrical storage device is disposed in a projecting portion of a component tray, said projecting portion extending away from said solar cell array.