Sealed solar-powered light assembly

• US 6,013,985 A
• Filed: 04/23/1998
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carmanah Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Carmanah Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Kendrick, Edward L., Green, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Haissa
• Application Number:
  US09/065,382
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 315/149, 315/151, 315/159, 315/200 A, 362/183, 362/276, 362/800, 340/332, 340/907
• US Class Current: 315/149
• 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 15/00 Protecting lighting devices from damage protection from thermal damage F21V29/00; gas-tight or water-tight arrangements F21V31/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/005 Measures against vandalism, stealing or tampering F21V15/02, F21V15/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0442 activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/155 Coordinated control of two or more light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/16 by timing means
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/195 the transmission using visible or infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A solar-powered light assembly is sealed and has a battery integral therewith, thus does not require servicing and is not prone to vandalism. The light assembly comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED) powered by a rechargeable battery integral with the assembly. A solar panel on the assembly recharges the battery, and power management circuitry activates the LED at low ambient light intensities to prevent excessive changing of the battery and to prevent excessive discharge of the battery when it is low.

Claims

1. A sealed solar-powered light assembly comprising:

at least one light-emitting diode (LED) powered by a rechargeable non-replaceable battery integral to the assembly;

a solar panel on the assembly to recharge the battery;

power management circuitry to activate the light-emitting diode at low ambient light intensities, to prevent excessive charging of the battery and to prevent excessive discharge of the battery when the battery is low, and

the assembly permanently sealed using a potted construction.

2. The sealed solar-powered light assembly according to claim 1 wherein the assembly is an integral sealed potted light assembly with a lens containing the LED, the solar panel potted on top of the lens, and the battery and power management circuitry potted in the light assembly.

3. The sealed solar-powered light assembly according to claim 1 wherein the power management circuitry includes pulsing circuitry to pulse the LED and minimize current drawn by the LED.

4. The sealed solar-powered light assembly according to claim 3 wherein the pulsing circuitry includes timers with resistors to control pulse sequence of the LED.

5. The sealed solar-powered light assembly according to claim 4 wherein the power management circuitry includes a micro-processor and an infrared sensor is provided in the light assembly to remotely change the pulse sequence of the LED.

6. The sealed solar-powered light assembly according to claim 3 wherein the power management circuitry includes a micro-processor and an infrared sensor is provided in the light assembly to remotely change the LED light intensity.

7. The sealed solar-powered light assembly according to claim 3 wherein the power management circuitry includes a micro-processor and an infrared sensor is provided in the light assembly to remotely activate and deactivate the light assembly.

8. The sealed solar-powered light assembly according to claim 4 wherein the power management circuitry includes a micro-processor and at least one magnetic reed switch is provided in the light assembly activated by a permanent magnet outside the light assembly to change the pulse sequence of the LED without compromising the integrity of the light assembly.

9. The sealed solar-powered light assembly according to claim 4 wherein the power management circuitry includes a micro-processor and at least one magnetic reed switch is provided in the light assembly to change the intensity of the LED without compromising the integrity of the light assembly.

10. The sealed solar-powered light assembly according to claim 4 wherein the power management circuitry includes a micro-processor and at least one magnetic reed switch is provided in the light assembly to activate or deactivate the light assembly without compromising the integrity of the light assembly.

11. The sealed solar-poweered light assembly according to claim 2 including a one-way valve in the base of the light assembly to permit gas to escape from the light assembly should the rechargeable battery over heat.