Energy-efficient solar-powered outdoor lighting

Abstract

One or more outdoor lights may operate independently with sensing and control processes mainly on-pole, or may communicate as a networked array of poles, wherein a master / coordinating pole / node transmits signals from the networked array to a control station, and receive signals from the control station for the networked array, via call phone and / or satellite. Independent poles and / or the networked array of poles may be adapted for energy-saving processes; cooperation with the grid; renewable power production and storage by means of solar panels and associated batteries; and / or to provide Wi-Fi hot-spots, public safety alarms, information or data-analysis to the public or customers. An energy-saving active control system controls charging of the batteries and distribution of energy from the solar panel and / or the batteries, so that the batteries remain undamaged, and the light(s) remain operation even during the winter or other long periods of clouds and diffuse light. The active control of energy distribution by a load controller function may include dimming during the night, except when sensors detect motion, and, in extreme cloudy or diffuse-light periods, increasing increments of dimming and / or load shedding, to preserve the batteries and operability.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13 / 128,395, filed Oct. 6, 2011, which is a 371 National Phase Entry of PCT / US2009 / 64659 filed Nov. 16, 2009 and entitled “Energy-Efficient Solar-Powered Outdoor Lighting”, claiming priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 114,993, filed Nov. 14, 2008 and entitled “Energy Efficient Lighting Control,” and claiming priority benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12 / 533,701, filed Jul. 31, 2009, entitled “Wireless Autonomous Solar-Powered Outdoor Lighting and Energy and Information Management Network”, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,588,830 on Nov. 19, 2013, the entire disclosures of said provisional application and said non-provisional application being incorporated herein by this reference. Above-listed application Ser. No. 12 / 533,701 claims priority benefit of Provisional Ser. No. 61 / 137,437, filed Jul. 31, 2008; Ser. No. 61 / 137,434, filed Jul. 31, 2008; Ser. No. 61 / 137,433, filed...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]The invention is an energy-efficient system comprising at least one outdoor light, powered by solar panels and / or batteries, and may include other electrically-powered devices. The invented energy management system actively manages the available energy and controls the power or energy delivered to the load, in ways that allow said light and / or other devices to effectively operate and serve the users even through low-sun-shine days, weeks, or months. The preferred adaptations actively control battery charging, and actively control power delivered to the load, in contrast to conventional control methods wherein the system is passively controlled by the load. Thus, the preferred embodiments protect the batteries of the system from draining below their low-end threshold, even when operating over extended periods of low-sunshine days, whereas the conventional control methods allow the load to draw more energy than is available in the storage system / battery and frequently result in the load “turning itself off” and in battery damage.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, the preferred embodiments protect the batteries of the system from draining below their low-end threshold, even when operating over extended periods of low-sunshine days, whereas the conventional control methods allow the load to draw more energy than is available in the storage system / battery and frequently result in the load “turning itself off” and in battery damage.

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