Solar powered compaction apparatus

• US 20050005785A1
• Filed: 06/09/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BigBelly Solar LLC
• Original Assignee: Big Belly Solar, Inc.
• Inventors: Satwicz, Jeffrey, Richmond, Bret, Poss, James, Taylor, Mikell
• Granted Patent: US 7,124,680 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 100/240
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 9/3003 Details
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 9/3007 Control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 9/3042 Containers provided with, or connectable to, compactor means
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 9/305 Drive arrangements for the press ram
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 9/3057 Fluid-driven presses
• CPC Class Codes: B30B 9/3082 with compression means other than rams performing a rectilinear movement
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1405 Compressing means incorporated in, or specially adapted for, refuse receptacles presses in general B30B
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1426 Housings, cabinets or enclosures for refuse receptacles B65F1/006, B65F1/1452 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1468 Means for facilitating the transport of the receptacle, e.g. wheels, rolls hand-operated refuse vehicles B65F3/005
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1473 Receptacles having wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/1607 with filling openings
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/132 Draining means
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/1443 Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2210/172 Solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 6/001 having photovoltaic cells
• 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 10/46 Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/10 Waste collection, transportation, transfer or storage, e.g. segregated refuse collecting, electric or hybrid propulsion

Abstract

A trash compactor designed for public use is powered by a photovoltaic cell array. This allows the trash compactor to be placed in locations where no power is available, but with frequent human traffic. The compaction feature allows the unit to be emptied less often than a typical trash container. The trash compactor can include a storage system to store power for compaction cycles. A removable bin allows easy removal of the compacted trash. The removable bin can include multiple chambers for different trash types.

Claims

1. A storage container comprising:

an enclosure;

a photovoltaic panel located on an upper exterior surface of said enclosure, said photovoltaic panel positioned to be exposed to sunlight, to convert said received sunlight into electric power;

a storage battery, located within said enclosure and electrically connected to said photovoltaic panel;

a compaction ram, located within said enclosure, said compaction ram positioned to travel along a preset path within said enclosure;

a driving mechanism located within said enclosure and electrically connected to said storage battery, wherein said driving mechanism is coupled to said compaction ram, said driving mechanism to use electric power from said storage battery to move said compaction ram along said preset path within said enclosure; and

an access door, located on said enclosure, said access door to allow user access within said enclosure.

2. The storage container of claim 1, further including:

a removable bin, located within said enclosure, wherein when said compaction ram travels along said preset path within said enclosure, said compaction ram travels within at least a part of said removable bin.

3. The storage container of claim 2, wherein said compaction ram is outside of said removable bin at one end of said preset path.

4. The storage container of claim 2 wherein said removable bin includes wheels attached at a lower portion.

5. The storage container of claim 1 wherein items introduced into said enclosure by said access door settle into said removable bin, and wherein when said compaction ram travels along said preset path within said enclosure, said compaction ram compresses said items within said removable bin.

6. The storage container of claim 1 wherein said driving mechanism is disabled when said access door is open.

7. The storage container of claim 5 further including:

a signaling mechanism, to provide an indication that said enclosure is substantially full of items.

8. The storage container of claim 5 further including:

a signaling mechanism, to provide an indication that said enclosure is failing to operate properly.

9. The storage container of claim 2 wherein said removable bin includes multiple chambers.

10. The storage container of claim 9 wherein said compaction ram travels simultaneously within all of said multiple chambers.

11. The storage container of claim 9 wherein said compaction ram travels within only one of said multiple chambers at a time.

12. The storage container of claim 9 wherein said enclosure includes multiple access doors, each of said access doors allowing access to one of said multiple chambers, to allow different items to be placed in each chamber.

13. The storage container of claim 1 further including an electric power outlet electrically connected to said storage battery, said electric power outlet accessible from outside of said enclosure.

14. A method for compacting trash comprising:

providing a enclosure for the collection of trash;

providing a solar panel positioned for exposure to the sun;

storing power produced by said solar panel;

upon receiving a signal, using stored power to drive a compacting ram through at least a portion of said enclosure, to reduce the volume of trash in said enclosure; and

using stored power to drive said compacting ram back to a starting position.

15. The method of claim 14 further including:

before said step of using stored power to drive a compacting ram, disabling access to said container by users; and

after said step of using stored power to drive said compacting ram back to a starting position, enabling access to said container by users.

16. A solar powered trash compactor comprising:

an enclosure;

a photovoltaic panel located on an angled upper exterior surface of said enclosure, said photovoltaic panel positioned to be exposed to sunlight, to convert said received sunlight into electric power;

a storage battery, located within said enclosure and electrically connected to said photovoltaic panel;

an electric motor located within said enclosure and electrically connected to said storage battery, said electric motor connected to a chain drive mechanism, said chain drive mechanism also connected to a compaction ram, wherein said compaction ram, when moved by said chain drive mechanism, moves along a preset path within said enclosure;

a removable bin, located within said enclosure, and positioned so that when said compaction ram travels along said preset path within said enclosure, said compaction ram travels within at least a part of said removable bin; and

a removable bin access door, located on said enclosure, to allow insertion and removal of said removable bin from said enclosure.