Solar cell battery replacement unit

• US 6,376,764 B1
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ching-Hsing Luo
• Original Assignee: Ching-Hsing Luo
• Inventors: Luo, Ching-Hsing
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAMOND, ALAN D
• Application Number:
  US09/754,199
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 136/244, 136/291, 136/293, 136/245, 307/64, 307/150, 307/151, 320/101, 323/906, 323/221
• US Class Current: 136/244
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/114 Solar power
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/40 Mobile PV generator systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/20 Collapsible or foldable PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/34 comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/293 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 323/906 Solar cell systems

Abstract

A solar panel is operably connected to a power capacitor and associated circuitry which includes at least one diode for ensuring correct current flow direction. The power capacitor is inside a cartridge which is has exterior electrical contacts and overall dimensions enabling it to fit into the space intended for and replace at least one conventional battery. The exterior contacts, in conjunction with the power capacitor and associated electrical circuitry, enable provision of direct current (DC) electrical power of appropriate voltage and amperage to various electronic devices: cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), compact disc (CD) and digital video disc (DVD) players, infrared and radio remote controllers, and other low power consumption devices including radios, alarms and calculators, etc.

Claims

1. A device intended to replace conventional batteries with photovoltaically generated electricity in powering an electronic device having a battery cavity possessing at least two interiorly disposed electrical contacts;

said device comprising;

a cartridge containing a power capacitor of sufficient capacitance to hold an electric charge sufficient to power the electronic device, a solar panel located exteriorly to the cartridge, and associated circuitry electrically connecting said solar panel to said power capacitor including at least one diode;

said cartridge having at least two exterior congruent electrical contacts and being dimensioned to fit inside the battery cavity of said electronic device with said congruent electrical contacts in electrical contact with the electrical contacts inside said battery cavity;

said solar panel possessing photovoltaic cells capable of converting ambient light into direct current electricity and charging said power capacitor contained in said cartridge when fitted in said battery cavity and electrically connected to said electrical contacts through said associated circuit with at least one said diode assuring proper direction of current from said solar panel;

whereby the solar panel, being exteriorly located with respect to the cartridge, can provide the electronic device having said cartridge fitted in the battery cavity with a replacement power source derived from photovoltaic conversion of ambient light without removal of the cartridge from the electronic device and without interruption of the operational status of the electronic device.