Self-powered light bar
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for use by a vehicle, the system comprising:
- an emergency device for mounting to the vehicle, including at least one warning light and a rechargeable power source disposed within the emergency device for powering the at least one warning light;
a solar energy source for converting solar energy into electrical energy associated with the emergency device; and
a device connecting the solar energy source and the rechargeable power source to control the flow of energy from the solar energy and rechargeable power sources to the at least one warning light such that the energy from the solar energy source charges the rechargeable power source and powers the at least one warning light;
wherein a charge is supplied from the solar energy source associated with the emergency device to a power source for the vehicle that is external to the emergency device, andwherein the power source for the vehicle that is external to the emergency device provides a substantially continuous and substantially constant charge to the rechargeable power source at a lower charge rate than provided by the solar energy source to the rechargeable power source, wherein the power source for the vehicle that is external to the emergency device supplements the charge provided to the rechargeable power source by the solar energy source.
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Abstract
An emergency system for a vehicle integrates many disparate equipment into single housing, including the power supply for the equipment. In one embodiment of the invention, the emergency system is a light bar. The light bar houses a power source comprising solar cell panels, a Lithium-Ion battery pack and a connection to an external supply such as the vehicle'"'"'s electrical power. Energy for operating the light bar is provided by one or more of the power sources, depending on operating conditions of the light bar and each of the power sources.
228 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for use by a vehicle, the system comprising:
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an emergency device for mounting to the vehicle, including at least one warning light and a rechargeable power source disposed within the emergency device for powering the at least one warning light; a solar energy source for converting solar energy into electrical energy associated with the emergency device; and a device connecting the solar energy source and the rechargeable power source to control the flow of energy from the solar energy and rechargeable power sources to the at least one warning light such that the energy from the solar energy source charges the rechargeable power source and powers the at least one warning light; wherein a charge is supplied from the solar energy source associated with the emergency device to a power source for the vehicle that is external to the emergency device, and wherein the power source for the vehicle that is external to the emergency device provides a substantially continuous and substantially constant charge to the rechargeable power source at a lower charge rate than provided by the solar energy source to the rechargeable power source, wherein the power source for the vehicle that is external to the emergency device supplements the charge provided to the rechargeable power source by the solar energy source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A light bar for mounting to a roof of a vehicle, the light bar comprising:
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a closed housing containing a plurality of warning lights intended to warn anyone in proximity to the light bar of a dangerous condition associated with the vehicle; a rechargeable power supply mounted within the closed housing; a solar-electrical energy source; and a power controller for controlling a flow of energy from the rechargeable power supply and the solar-electric energy source to the plurality of warning lights so that the energy from the solar electric energy source both powers the plurality of warning lights and recharges the rechargeable power supply, wherein a charge is supplied from the solar-electrical energy source to a power source for the vehicle that is external to the light bar, and wherein the power source for the vehicle that is external to the light bar provides a substantially continuous and substantially constant charge to the rechargeable power supply at a lower charge rate than provided by the solar-electrical energy source to the rechargeable power supply, wherein the power source for the vehicle that is external to the light bar supplements the charge provided to the rechargeable power supply by the solar-electrical energy source. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification