Solar-powered light pole and LED light fixture
First Claim
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1. A street light comprising:
- a pole having a cylindrical section with an outer surface having a circumference;
a flexible panel of amorphous photovoltaic material connected to said outer surface so that the flexible panel curves at least 225 degrees around the cylindrical section;
a light comprising a plurality of light-emitting-diodes (LEDs), wherein the light extends from an upper region of said pole;
at least one battery operatively connected to said flexible panel so that, when sunlight hits said flexible panel, resulting electrical energy charges said at least one battery; and
a controller operatively connected to said at least one battery and comprising electronics adapted to control charging of said at least one battery by the flexible panel, and also to control discharging of said at least one battery to light said LEDs, wherein said controller is adapted to control minimum battery voltage of said at least one battery by dimming said LEDs during at least a portion of nighttime to prevent excess battery drain.
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Abstract
A solar-powered street lighting system includes a flexible panel of amorphous photovoltaic adhesively connected to the outside surface of a light pole, at least one battery to be charged by the flexible panel, and an LED light fixture extending from the upper region of the pole. A controller controls the charging of the battery by the flexible panel, the battery powering the LED light fixture, and a minimum battery voltage by dimming the LED light fixture during at least a portion of nighttime to prevent excess battery drain.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A street light comprising:
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a pole having a cylindrical section with an outer surface having a circumference; a flexible panel of amorphous photovoltaic material connected to said outer surface so that the flexible panel curves at least 225 degrees around the cylindrical section; a light comprising a plurality of light-emitting-diodes (LEDs), wherein the light extends from an upper region of said pole; at least one battery operatively connected to said flexible panel so that, when sunlight hits said flexible panel, resulting electrical energy charges said at least one battery; and a controller operatively connected to said at least one battery and comprising electronics adapted to control charging of said at least one battery by the flexible panel, and also to control discharging of said at least one battery to light said LEDs, wherein said controller is adapted to control minimum battery voltage of said at least one battery by dimming said LEDs during at least a portion of nighttime to prevent excess battery drain. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 32, 33, 34)
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20. A method of operating a solar-powered street light, the method comprising:
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providing a pole having a cylindrical region with an outer surface having a circumference; connecting a flexible panel of photovoltaic material to said outer surface so that the flexible panel curves at least 225 degrees around the cylindrical section; mounting a light on the pole; and providing at least one battery operative connected to said flexible panel; the method further comprising; charging said at least one battery by said flexible panel producing electrical energy when sunlight hits said flexible panel; and controlling said charging of said at least one battery by the flexible panel, and also controlling discharging of said at least one battery to light said light, said controlling of discharging comprises controlling minimum battery voltage by dimming said light during at least a portion of nighttime to prevent excess battery drain. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification