Solar-controlled light device

• US 7,994,735 B1
• Filed: 07/22/2009
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Amy S. Berman, Eric D. Smith, Michael Feder
• Original Assignee: Amy S. Berman, Eric D. Smith, Michael Feder
• Inventors: Smith, Eric D., Feder, Michael, Berman, Amy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Don P
• Application Number:
  US12/507,240
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 315/160, 315/291, 315/297, 315/349, 315/354
• US Class Current: 315/297
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/14 by determining electrical parameters of the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/20 Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A solar-controlled light device with a circuit-control having a phototransistor, a first resistor, and a first transistor connected to a storage unit, to a solar cell, and to a current-control. The current-control has a transformer, a second resistor, and a second transistor, connected at one end of the current-control to a light and at another end connected to the circuit-control, wherein the current-control senses the amount of power and boost the power as needed to a sufficient level to power the lights.

Claims

1. A solar-controlled light device comprising:

(a) a solar cell having a positive end and a negative end wherein said negative end is connected to a common ground;

(b) power storage means for storing electrical energy received from said solar cell and for releasing said electrical energy, said power storage means having a positive end and a negative end wherein said positive end is connected to said positive end of said solar cell and said negative end is connected to said common ground;

(c) light source for receiving said electrical energy, said light source having a positive end and a negative end wherein said negative end is connected to said common ground;

(d) circuit-control means for controlling a circuit from said power storage means to said light source by selectively opening the circuit thereby placing the device into an open mode to power said light source and for closing said circuit and placing the device into a closed mode and terminating said circuit and power to said light source; and

(e) current-control means for controlling rate of flow of said current when said circuit is in said open mode, sensing when said current is too low to power said light source, and boosting said circuit to a sufficient power level to power said light source when said power is too low.

2. The solar-controlled light device of claim 1 wherein said current-control means comprises:

a transformer having a first coil with a first end and a second end and a second coil having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of said first coil is connected the second end of said second coil by a common line;

a resistor-R2 having a first lead and a second lead wherein said first lead is connected to said second end of said first coil; and

a transistor-T2 having a collector lead, a base lead, and an emitter lead wherein said collector lead is connected to said first end of said second coil and to said positive end of said light source, said base lead is connected to said second lead of said resistor-R2, and said emitter lead is connected to said common ground.

3. The solar-controlled light device of claim 2 wherein said first coil and said second coil each have a wire of approximately similar gauge with approximately 20 turns therearound thereby bearing a winding turn-ratio of 1:

1 and bearing an approximate inductance of about 300 UH per coil.

4. The solar-controlled light device of claim 2 wherein said circuit-control means comprises:

a phototransistor having a collector lead and an emitter lead wherein said emitter lead is connected to said common ground;

a resistor-R1 having a first lead and a second lead wherein said first lead is connected to said solar cell and to said power storage means and said second lead is connected to said collector lead of said phototransistor;

a transistor-T1 having a collector lead, a base lead, and an emitter lead wherein said collector lead is connected to said solar cell and to said power storage means, said base lead is connected to said second lead of said resistor-R1, and said emitter lead is connected to said common line.

5. The solar-controlled light device of claim 1 wherein said current-control means comprises:

a transformer having a first coil with a first end and a second end and a second coil having a first end and a second end wherein the first end of said first coil is connected the second end of said second coil by a common line;

a resistor-R2 having a first lead and a second lead wherein said second lead is connected to said first end of said second coil; and

a transistor-T2 having a collector lead, a base lead, and an emitter lead wherein said collector lead is connected to said second end of said first coil, said base lead is connected to said first lead of said resistor-R2, and said emitter lead is connected to said common ground.

6. The solar-controlled light device of claim 5 wherein said first coil and said second coil each have a wire of approximately similar gauge with approximately 20 turns therearound thereby bearing a winding turn-ratio of 1:

1 and bearing an approximate inductance of about 300 UH per coil.