Stand alone solar battery charger

• US 8,319,470 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2010
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
• Original Assignee: Suncore, Inc.
• Inventors: English, Peter, Sanett, Richard E., Brimmer, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAO, M BAYE
• Application Number:
  US12/705,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20110199040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 136/244
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0071 with a programmable schedule
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

A portable solar battery charger comprises a photovoltaic array, a power regulator, a controller, and a battery. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to increase the charging current provided by the power regulator to the battery over time using discrete current levels. A comparator can compare the voltage of the photovoltaic array to a threshold, and provide the result to the controller. The controller can be configured to decrease the current to a previously selected level when the comparator indicates the voltage of the photovoltaic array is below a threshold, thereby improving the efficiency of the current delivery to the battery.

Claims

1. A battery charger comprising:

a photovoltaic array having a first face adapted to receive light and a second face opposite the first face;

a first body portion having an opening therethrough, wherein the opening is configured to allow light to reach the first face of the photovoltaic array;

a second body portion, wherein the second body portion is mateable with the first body portion along a parting plane running substantially parallel to a plane containing the mouth of the opening;

a redistribution layer configured to electrically connect to the second face of the photovoltaic array;

a battery;

a heat sink positioned between the battery and the photovoltaic array, wherein the heat sink is configured to absorb thermal energy emanating from the photovoltaic array;

a printed circuit board having at least one integrated circuit, wherein the printed circuit board is configured to electrically connect to the battery and the redistribution layer; and

a display, wherein the display is configured to be visible through the opening of the first body portion,

wherein when the first and second body portions are assembled, the first and second body portions define a cavity containing the PV array, the redistribution layer, the battery, the heat sink, the printed circuit board, and the display.