Solar retrofit lighting system

• US 8,714,768 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2012
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ClearWorld LLC
• Original Assignee: Larry Tittle
• Inventors: Tittle, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Diane
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sufleta, II, Gerald J
• Application Number:
  US13/485,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20130322063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 362/431, 362/145, 362/183, 362/249.02, 362/276
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/086 with lighting device attached sideways of the standard, e.g. for roads and highways
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 9/035 the solar unit being integrated within the support for the lighting unit, e.g. within or on a pole
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/10 Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground H02S20/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A solar retrofit lighting system for light poles with a solar array panel assembly having semi-circular backing panels attached to adjustable internal mounting brackets or pole frames suitable to any size light pole and mounted in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the light pole with thin film photovoltaic laminate adhesively attached to the outer convex sides of the backing panels. A battery for storage of electrical energy from the thin film photovoltaic laminate will be provided along with a charge controller to regulate the charging of the battery, an inverter to convert DC to AC power and an LED light fixture extending from the pole. Alternatively, an on-grid option will be utilized at the pole, to convert and send energy back to the grid and draw power from the grid as needed when sunlight is unavailable.

Claims

1. A solar retrofit lighting system for light poles with a vertical longitudinal axis and an external surface comprising:

a solar array panel assembly having an upper end and a lower end with an upper end cap and a lower end cap, with semi-circular backing panels having an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface with thin film photovoltaic laminate adhesively attached to the outer convex surface, said assembly mounted in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the light pole, and said panel assembly supported on the inner concave surface by a plurality of pole frames mounted to the external surface of the light pole;

a battery for storage of electrical energy from the thin film photovoltaic laminate;

a controller to regulate charging of the battery;

an inverter to convert DC power to AC power;

an LED light fixture;

where the pole frames are adjustable to the external surface of the light pole and comprise pole frame bands matched and attached to the inner concave surface of the backing panels, said pole frame bands supported by a pole frame connection linkage in turn engaged against the external surface of the light pole; and

where the pole frame connection linkages have more than one circular aperture for insertion of pivot pins allowing for variation in light pole dimensions.

2. The solar retrofit lighting system of claim 1 further comprising a grid-tied inverter to convert and send power into a power grid and draw power from the power grid as needed.

3. The solar retrofit lighting system of claim 1 where the upper end cap and a lower end cap will each have an opening cut to fit the light pole.

4. A method for providing a solar retrofit lighting system for light poles with a vertical longitudinal axis, an external surface, an upper end and a lower end, the method comprising:

providing a solar array panel assembly having an upper end and a lower end with an upper end cap and a lower end cap, each with an opening for the light pole to match a circumference of the light pole, with more than one semi-circular backing panels having an upper and lower end, having an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface with thin film photovoltaic laminate adhesively attached to the outer convex surface, said panel assembly to be mounted in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the light pole, and said panel assembly to be supported on the inner concave surface by a plurality of pole frames to be mounted to the external surface of the light pole, the pole frames being provided with pole frame bands and a pole frame connection linkage having more than one circular aperture, the circular aperture having a size which is adjustable via insertion of pivot pins therein, a battery for storage of electrical energy from the thin film photovoltaic laminate, a controller to regulate charging of the battery, an inverter to convert DC power to AC power; and

an LED light fixture;

mounting the plurality of pole frames to the external surface of the light pole, matching and attaching the pole frame bands to the inner concave surface of the backing panels, supporting said pole frame bands with the pole frame connection linkage, engaging the pole frame connection linkage against the external surface of the light pole, and adjusting the pole frame connection linkages to match the circumference of the light pole by insertion of pivot pins into the more than one circular aperture;

mounting the backing panels on the plurality of pole frames in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the light pole;

installing end caps at the upper and lower ends of the backing panels and cutting the opening to fit the light pole;

installing the battery, controller and inverter to receive electrical energy from the thin film photovoltaic laminate;

installing an LED light fixture at or near the upper end of the light pole.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of providing a grid-tied inverter to convert and send power into a power grid and draw power from the power grid as needed and installing the grid-tied inverter.