Portable solar panel with attachment points

• US 20060225781A1
• Filed: 04/03/2006
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Steve Locher
• Original Assignee: Steve Locher
• Inventors: Locher, Steve
• Application Number:
  US11/397,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20060225781A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/245
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/042 PV modules or arrays of single PV cells supporting structures for PV modules H02S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/46 for ICE-powered road vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/40 Mobile PV generator systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/20 Collapsible or foldable PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• 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

The present invention discloses a portable solar tarp or a field portable battery charger employing a solar tarp, utilizing flexible solar panels, solar fabric, or solar film. Around the perimeter of the solar tarp is a series of attachment points for straps. The attachment points can be grommets, loops, buckles, hooks, buttons, or grab loops and lines, and to which connected various straps (webbing, line, cord, or cable). The present invention further discloses a versatile, adjustable strapping system utilizing straps, buckles, and hooks. The present invention strapping system can attach almost any object to nearly any other object, such as back packs, luggage, vehicles, boats, permanent and portable shelters and buildings, mechanical equipment, and natural objects such as trees, rocks. The solar panel according to the present invention can have the photovoltaic cells wired individually, or in a single line, because when parts of the photovoltaic system is subjected to shade, or if due to space constraint, parts of the photovoltaic system is covered or folded away, the remaining photovoltaic cells with useable energy are still able to function at peak capacity, since the covered cells will not become an energy drain upon the remaining cells. Further, the photovoltaic system is able to harness all available energy, regardless of the required or desired voltage and/or amperage for the system, thus converting any and all available energy into a useable current to either recharge batteries, or power a load.

Claims

1. A portable solar panel comprising

a plurality of solar cells on the surface of the solar panel;

and

a plurality of attachment points on the perimeter of the solar panel;

wherein the attachment points allows the use of strap or strap attachments for quick attachment and detachment of the portable solar panel to an object while maintaining good portability.

2. A portable solar panel as in claim 1 wherein the attachment points comprise grommets, webbings, ropes, wire loops, chain loops, grab lines, buttons, suspender buttons, or ring devices of D, O, square, rectangular or loop.

3. A portable solar panel as in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of straps or strap attachments for attachment and detachment of the portable solar panel to an object.

4. A portable solar panel as in claim 1 wherein the straps or strap attachments comprise adjustment devices for adjusting the length or tightness of the strap.

5. A portable solar panel as in claim 1 wherein the portable solar panel is a tarp or fabric-style or plastic-style solar array.

6. A portable solar panel as in claim 1 wherein the solar panel comprises a wiring improvement of individual solar cell or lines of solar cells connection.

7. A portable solar panel as in claim 1 further comprising a strap attachment for the attachment of the solar panel to a backside or to a side of a backpack.

8. A portable solar panel as in claim 1 further comprising a strap attachment for the attachment of the solar panel to a hood, a roof, trunk, front, side or back of a vehicle.

9. A portable solar panel as in claim 1 further comprising a strap attachment for the attachment of the solar panel to a tent or a portable structure.

10. A portable solar panel as in claim 1 further comprising a multi-interface unit for battery connection.

11. An improvement for a solar panel wherein the improvement comprises a plurality of attachment points on the perimeter of the solar panel, wherein the attachment points allows the use of strap or strap attachments for quick attachment and detachment of the portable solar panel to an object while maintaining good portability.

12. An improvement as in claim 11 wherein the attachment points comprise grommets, webbings, ropes, wire loops, chain loops, grab lines, buttons, suspender buttons, or ring devices of D, O, square, rectangular or loop.

13. An improvement as in claim 11 further comprising a plurality of straps or strap attachments for attachment and detachment of the portable solar panel to an object.

14. An improvement as in claim 11 wherein the solar panel comprises a wiring improvement of individual solar cell or lines of solar cells connection.

15. An improvement as in claim 11 further comprising a multi-interface unit for battery connection.

16. A field portable solar battery charger for transportably charging battery using polar power, comprising

a portable solar panel comprising a plurality of solar cells;

a plurality of attachment points on the perimeter of the solar panel; and

a plurality of straps or strap attachments;

wherein the attachment points allows the use of strap or strap attachments for quick attachment and detachment of the portable solar panel to an object while maintaining good portability.

17. A portable solar panel as in claim 16 wherein the attachment points comprise grommets, webbings, ropes, wire loops, chain loops, grab lines, buttons, suspender buttons, or ring devices of D, O, square, rectangular or loop.

18. A portable solar panel as in claim 16 wherein the straps or strap attachments comprise adjustment devices for adjusting the length or tightness of the strap.

19. A portable solar panel as in claim 16 wherein the solar panel comprises a wiring improvement of individual solar cell or lines of solar cells connection.

20. A portable solar panel as in claim 16 further comprising a multi-interface unit for battery connection.