Portable renewable energy power system

• US 9,865,903 B1
• Filed: 02/24/2015
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EAST Manufacturing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Unlimited Power, Ltd.
• Inventors: Petrella, Christopher J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhanu, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US14/630,341
• Time in Patent Office: 1,050 Days
• Field of Search: 320101
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/042 PV modules or arrays of single PV cells supporting structures for PV modules H02S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/465 with solar battery as charging system
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0049 Detection of fully charged condition
• 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 40/32 comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A portable renewable energy power system, the system having a first solar panel attached to an enclosure; a second solar panel hingeably attached to the enclosure; in an open position wherein the second solar panel is exposed and extends out from the enclosure; in a closed position; a battery module; a user interface comprising at least one input device and at least one display; an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter; a direct current/alternating current (DC/AC) converter; and, a control module configure to provide: a solar charge configuration; a battery only configuration; a solar only configuration; and a solar and battery configuration, and a handle attached to the enclosure for carrying the system.

Claims

1. A portable renewable energy power system, the system comprising:

a first solar panel attached to an enclosure;

a second solar panel hingeably attached to the enclosure and deployable away from a solar cavity defined in the enclosure;

an open position wherein the second solar panel is exposed and extends out from the enclosure;

a closed position wherein the second solar panel is stored and received within the enclosure and the solar panel cavity is covered by an exterior portion of the enclosure;

a battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells;

a user interface comprising at least one input device and at least one display;

an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter;

a direct current/alternating current (DC/AC) converter; and

,

a control module comprising at least one processor, wherein the control module is programmed to configure the system among a plurality of configurations including;

an external charge configuration wherein in the external charge configuration, the system is configured to receive an alternating current (AC), convert the AC to a direct current (DC) with the AC/DC converter, and provide the DC to charge the battery module;

a solar charge configuration wherein in the solar charge configuration, the system is configured to receive solar generated power generated by the first solar panel and the second solar panel, and charge the battery with the solar generated power;

a battery only configuration wherein in the battery only configuration, the system is configured to convert the DC from the battery to an output AC with the DC/AC converter and an output DC;

a solar only configuration wherein in the solar only configuration, the system is configured to convert the DC from the first solar panel and the second solar panel to an output AC with the DC/AC converter and an output DC; and

,

a solar and battery configuration wherein in the solar and battery configuration, the system is configured to convert the DC from the first solar panel, second solar panel, and battery to an output AC with the DC/AC converter and an output DC;

a handle attached to the enclosure for carrying the system, wherein the battery module, the AC/DC converter, the DC/AC converter, and the control module are positioned within the enclosure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of indicator lamps indicating the configuration of the system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a touchscreen display.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first solar panel includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells that comprise at least one photovoltaic cell selected from the group consisting of:

a monocrystalline silicon solar cell, a polycrystalline silicon solar cell, a string ribbon solar cell, a thin-film solar cell, an amorphous silicon solar cell, a cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell, and a copper indium gallium selenide (CIS/CIGS) solar cell.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises at least one battery cell selected from the group consisting of:

a Lithium-ion cell, a nickel-cadmium cell, and a lead-acid cell.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells comprises four sealed lead acid battery cells connected in series.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is further programmed to configure the system according to an internal charge configuration wherein in the internal charge configuration, the system is configured to and receive a solar generated power by the solar module;

and provide the solar generated power to charge the battery module.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is further programmed to configure the system according to a hybrid power configuration wherein in the hybrid power configuration, the system is configured to receive a solar generated power;

convert the solar generated power to a solar AC with the DC/AC converter;

provide the solar AC to a load;

determine that the solar AC is insufficient to drive the load;

convert a battery generated power to a battery AC with the DC/AC converter; and

, provide the battery AC to the load.