690 results about "Solar illumination" patented technology

A solar-powered lighting system includes a flexible, wrap-around, preferably self-stick panel of photovoltaic laminate applied to the outside surface of a light pole. An LED light fixture is connected preferably at or near the top of the pole and has the same or similar diameter as the pole. The LED light fixture has multiple columns and rows of LEDs and an interior axial space for air flow to cool the LEDs. The pole preferably also has vents and axial passage(s) for creating a natural updraft through at least a portion of the pole and the light fixture, for cooling of the photovoltaic panel interior surface, the LEDs, and / or other equipment inside the fixture or pole, and batteries that may be provided inside the pole or pole base. A purely or mainly decorative additional fixture, which emulates conventional outdoor light fixtures, may be provided on the lighting system, wherein the decorative additional fixture includes no, or only a minimal, light source. The lighting system has a sleek profile with few or no protrusions from the sides of the pole and from the LED light fixture, except for the optional decorative fixture that provides a conventional street light appearance even though the main light source is the LED fixture.

A lighted umbrella comprises a solar power device mounted on the top end of the shaft of the umbrella. A plurality of ribs is pivotally connected to the shaft. Each rib has a hollow interior in which an electrical wire can be stored. A slot is formed on each rib to accommodate two transparent light guiding rods that are disposed on the slot to form an opening space near the middle of the rib. A plurality of lighting devices is affixed on the rods through the opening space. Energy efficient devices such as light emitting diodes are used as the lighting devices to save energy provided by the solar power device. A fabric supported by the ribs forms the shelter for the umbrella.

A solar powered lighting assembly for attachment to an eaves trough mounted on an outer wall surface includes a lamp, a rechargeable power source, a solar panel assembly, a mounting bracket and a connector arm. The rechargeable power source is connected to the lamp to provide operational power. The solar panel assembly is coupled to the rechargeable power source to provide electrical power for recharging the rechargeable power source. The mounting bracket is coupled to the inside surface of the eaves trough and is used to support the rechargeable power source and the solar panel assembly. The connector arm is coupled to the lamp and is adapted to be removeably coupled in between the eaves trough and the outer wall surface.

A satellite or spacecraft in low Earth orbit, when in eclipse and not illuminated by sunlight, represents a low-bandwidth datastream through modulation of a source of uncollimated light, such as a set of light emitting diodes. Transmission modes include generating patterns in the color, intensity or polarization of a light source, or precise timing control of a strobe signal. A ground station tracks the satellite in a telescope, stewing the telescope to follow the satellite as it moves across the sky, recording light generated by the satellite with a light sensor such as a video camera. The datastream is regenerated through analysis of recorded video. Satellite downlink is initiated by detection of eclipse, by command via radio uplink, or in response to a periodic automatic timer. In an alternative embodiment, the satellite represents the datastream through modulation of its effective albedo or reflective flux during periods of solar illumination.

A direct beam solar lighting system for collecting and distributing sunlight into a room. The system includes a rotatable solar collector head to receive sunlight and to reflect the sunlight downward into a transition tube having a reflective interior surface. The light-concentrating transition tube reflects sunlight into a reflective light tube which directs the reflected sunlight through a plenum space into the room. The system includes a drive mechanism for rotating the rotatable solar collector, and a light fixture at end of the light tube to disburse said reflected sunlight onto a ceiling and a wall in the room. In an embodiment the system includes one or more homogenizing reflectors within the solar collector for collecting the sunlight and directing the sunlight more uniformly over the aperture of the transition tube. In an alternative embodiment, the solar collector includes a rotatable tiltable mirror for providing two-axis tracking.

Solar powered lighting fixtures are combined with a variety of landscape and architectural accent objects, including windsocks, wind chimes, and other wind sensitive art objects. The combinations thus provide extended viewing of the objects as well as providing unique ways of illuminating and viewing the objects. The articles of manufacture provide new ways of marking and otherwise adorning and illuminating spaces with a variety of architectural and landscaping art objects and wind driven devices while also providing a way to immediately perceive the relative strength and direction of wind in an environment from a distance.

An apparatus for providing power to an illumination device includes power produced by a wind turbine and a solar array. The wind turbine may be a vertically oriented curved turbine and the solar array may be a single or a plurality of solar panels. The illumination device, wind turbine and solar array may be employed as a cost efficient substitute for commercially powered street lights and related devices, without any need for trenching commercial power lines or paying for commercial power.

An elliptically housed solar powered intrusion detection / notification device having a flashing LED light source and audible human voice alarm activated by a passive infrared (PIR) sensor motion detector in conjunction with a battery recharged via surface mounted photovoltaic cells, and a control circuit coupled to the light source / alarm, the PIR motion detector and the battery.

A direct beam solar lighting system for collecting and distributing sunlight into a room. The system includes a rotatable solar collector head to receive sunlight and to reflect the sunlight downward into a transition tube having a reflective interior surface. The light-concentrating transition tube reflects sunlight into a reflective light tube which directs the reflected sunlight through a plenum space into the room. The system includes a drive mechanism for rotating the rotatable solar collector, and a light fixture at end of the light tube to disburse said reflected sunlight onto a ceiling and a wall in the room. In an embodiment the system includes one or more homogenizing reflectors within the solar collector for collecting the sunlight and directing the sunlight more uniformly over the aperture of the transition tube. In an alternative embodiment, the solar collector includes a rotatable tiltable mirror for providing two-axis tracking.

The invention provides a high-spectrum remote-sensing mineral content quantitative inversion method, based on spectrum linear resolution. Before linear resolution, the end-member spectrum and high-spectrum data are subjected to continuum removing treatment to eliminate the effect of the landform, solar illumination on the spectrum; during linear resolution, the end-members with wave band of 1 are added into the end-member spectrum for representing the mineral end-members without obvious absorptive character in all the spectrum decomposition wave-band range and the end-member spectrum without absorptive character is subjected to continuum removing treatment and then represented using the end-members with wave band of 1; after linear resolution, a modifier formula is brought forward direct towards the effect of the non-linear mixture of the mineral spectrum on the mineral content inversion result, the formula corrects the mineral content subjected to spectrum linear resolution and inversion to make the inversed mineral content more closed to the accurate content. The mineral mixed test shows that: the correction formula can be reduced the error of the mineral content inversion. The test data shows that: the mineral content inversion average error which is not corrected is 29.8% and after being corrected, the average error is reduced to 4.5%.

An optical system for a solar lighting device to provide highly concentrated sunlight to interior spaces with minimal disruption of building envelope. The optical system includes an aplanatic optical imaging system mounted on a dual-axis sun tracker, a non-imaging solar concentrator coupled to the aplanatic system, a liquid light pipe to convey the very intense solar flux to the interior of a building, a diffusing light fixture to spread the daylight into the interior space, and a control system to regulate the light output to a constant and desired level.

A combination cooler and audio system device is described which is configured to insulate foods and beverages while simultaneously emitting audio from at least one onboard speaker. The device is equipped with a Bluetooth radio configured to interface with an audio device such as a cell phone or Mp3 player over conventional Bluetooth wireless frequencies. The device also has a wireless remote control, storage drawer, and solar powered lighting.

A low numerical aperture (low-NA) light concentration and transmission system collects, concentrates and transmits light for interior illumination. A solar tracker aligns a primary light concentrator to collect light and direct the light to a secondary light concentrator and a filter for removing ultraviolet and infrared radiation. On exiting the secondary light concentrator, the optical axis of the concentrated light is aligned to optimize the numerical aperture of the concentrated light with a numerical aperture (NA) optimizer having a light guide to direct the concentrated light to an interior luminaire. The method of the low numerical aperture transmission of light has the advantages of fewer reflections in the light guide, low loss, low cost, and easy installation and operation.

A solar lighting device includes a transparent housing. Within the housing, there are provided a light-emitting member (e.g., LED or lamp), a control circuit having a microprocessor and a switch activated by magnetic force, light, or body temperature, and a solar battery for supplying electric power to both the light-emitting member and the control circuit. A transparent or translucent object such as cup, bottle, or ornament may be mounted on the lighting device such that light with varying color and / or brightness may be emitted from the object as controlled by the microprocessor and the switch activated by an approaching trigger member when the lighting device is activated.

A solar tracking system and methods based on passive tracking of solar illumination impinging on solar panels. The system includes a solar panel having cardinal points of the panel provided with piston assemblies. Actuating of pistons in the piston assemblies orients the solar panel to maximize solar illumination impinging on the solar panel. A conduit facilitates flow of a fluid between a solar illumination sensor and piston assembly based on changes in temperature of a canister and fluid contained within the canister. The heating of the fluid causes the fluid to flow toward and activate the piston assembly to rotate the solar panel about a longitudinal axis or lateral axis, which passively orients the solar panel in a position to maximize solar illumination impinging on a front face of the solar panel.

The outdoor lighting fixture of the present invention provides a solar powered lighting fixture having one or more light emitting diodes whose luminance or brightness may be selectively adjusted by the user. The outdoor lighting system includes a dimmer switch mechanism in its electronic circuitry that allows a user to vary the luminance of the emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the dimmer switch mechanism modulates the pulse width of electricity provided to the one or more light emitting diodes. In another embodiment, the dimmer switch mechanism modulates the frequency of the one or more light emitting diodes. By adjusting the brightness of the light emitting diodes the operational time of the lighting fixture may also be modified.

A universal solar illuminator system (100) is mounted to a flagpole apparatus (102) having a flagpole (104) and flag (106). The illuminator system (100) includes an elongated structure (120) opening outwardly and exposing a recessed area (123) having a rear, curved surface (125). The system (100) also includes an LED network (126) having a series of LED's (124) energized through a DC circuit (127) from a series battery pack (138). Solar panels (150, 152) charge the series battery pack (138) during daylight conditions.

The invention relates to a sunflower-type solar energy generating system. In the system, a photoresistor is adopted as a light intensity induction part, an ARM7 microprocessor and a peripheral circuit thereof are taken as controllers, and the light intensity induction part and the controller are combined with a solar energy support designed into a biaxial structure, thereby realizing that a solar energy battery board faces the direction of the maximum solar illumination intensity all along so that the effective generated energy is greatly increased. After one-day tracking is completed, the system automatically restores to a state of waiting the morrow sun to rise, thereby realizing diurnal cycle operation. Moreover, the system is integrated with a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen and a storage battery charging and discharging circuit utilizing a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technology, thereby breaking the mode that the traditional solar energy generating system comprises a plurality of independent units. Such design reduces the volume and the weight of equipment and moreover reduces the operation power consumption of the whole system.

A lighted umbrella comprises a solar power device mounted on the top end of the shaft of the umbrella. A plurality of ribs is pivotally connected to the shaft. Each rib has a hollow interior in which an electrical wire can be stored. A slot is formed on each rib to accommodate two transparent light guiding rods that are disposed on the slot to form an opening space near the middle of the rib. A plurality of lighting devices is affixed on the rods through the opening space. Energy efficient devices such as light emitting diodes are used as the lighting devices to save energy provided by the solar power device. A fabric supported by the ribs forms the shelter for the umbrella.

A solar lighting fixture and method thereof, is provided which comprises an outer cover lens containing a plurality of gripping protrusions that is coupled to a housing. The housing, and outer cover lens being made of hard, durable and resilient poly-carbonate like material which extends the longevity of the outer lens 3 because it is able to withstand an elongated exposure to weather conditions and normal wear and tear. Said housing contains a solar panel board comprising of a plurality of solar panels coupled to a printed circuit board such as a PCM board. PCM board being electrically coupled to at least one light emitting diode or light and is also electrically connected to at least one condenser battery. Said solar panels convert sunlight into electrical power which is stored within the condenser battery until night time when such power is released resulting in the activation of the LED's which allows the solar lighting unit to illuminate. The use of condenser battery allows the solar lighting unit to exhibit an increased life-span and allows for maintenance free operation. The solar lighting unit is air-tight and contains no removable parts.

The invention relates to a method for improving the orbit-transferring safety of an inclined orbit satellite, wherein the problem of energy-source shortage of the inclined orbit satellite in the period of orbit-transferring motorization under the condition of high solar angles is solved through the reasonable adjustment of flight events by considering the condition of solar altitude angles in the designing process of a flight program, and meanwhile, flight-control operation can be simplified. The discharging time of a storage battery in the period of orbit-transferring ignition can be shortened by designing the flight program according to the method, so that the load power in the power-supplying period of the storage battery is reduced, therefore the discharging depth of the storage battery is reduced, the energy-source safety of the satellite is ensured, and a launch window is not limited by solar illumination angles.

Disclosed are devices and methods for providing solar lighting and power to a consumer using pay-as-you-go technology. The pay-as-you-go technology allows for a user to pay for home power and lighting on an incremental basis as they use the device. The payments are made using a user's cell phone. A pay-as-you-go lighting apparatus may include a lighting module configured to provide lighting to a customer when activated, and a control system including a processor and a memory configured to monitor usage of the lighting apparatus, track remaining usage credits, and disable the lighting apparatus when there are no remaining usage credits.

A combination cooler and audio system device is described which is configured to insulate foods and beverages while simultaneously emitting audio from at least one onboard speaker. The device is equipped with a Bluetooth radio configured to interface with an audio device such as a cell phone or Mp3 player over conventional Bluetooth wireless frequencies. The device also has a wireless remote control, storage drawer, and solar powered lighting.

The invention relates to a solar energy illuminating control power supply, which can synchronously output direct current of 12V or 24V and alternating current of 220V / 50Hz or 110V / 60Hz through a solar panel and the input of commercial power and ensure direct current and alternating current supply for LED lamps or other energy-saving lamps in overcast and rainy seasons to achieve the aims of environmental protection and energy conservation. Based on the prior solar energy charge power supply, the solar energy illuminating control power supply is also provided with an alternating current complementary power supply unit and an inverter; the commercial power is subjected to AC / DC conversion of the alternating current complementary power supply unit and then output to an input end of a direct current output switch; the other input end of the alternating current complementary power supply unit is connected with an output / input end of an accumulator battery, the voltage of the accumulator battery is detected, and the AC / DC conversion of the alternating current complementary power supply unit is controlled; and the inverter is connected between a cathode end of a diode and the other path of signal control output end of a power supply output control circuit, and outputs the alternating current.

The present invention discloses an electric energy control circuit for a solar power illumination system. The solar power illumination system has at least one solar panel coupled to a charging controller, and the solar panel charges at least one battery via the charging controller. An electric energy control circuit according to the present invention controls a driving unit to acquire electric energy from the battery and turn on at least one lamp set. The electric energy control circuit comprises: a power detection loop and an output control loop. The power detection loop is coupled to the solar panel and the battery and detects the power generation of the solar panel and the remaining capacity of the battery. The output control loop is coupled to the power detection loop and determines the power output to the lamp set according to the power generation and the remaining capacity. Thereby, the present invention can modulate the power for the solar power illumination system according to the weather, prolong the power supply time of the battery, and reduce the bad weather-induced attrition of the solar power illumination system.

The invention relates to a method for determining the sheltering of a solar cell array during the in-orbit running of a satellite and the application of the method. The method comprises the following steps of: making researches on solar illumination angle annual average change rules of a satellite orbit and the conditions of change of solar elevation along with the latitude during the in-orbit running of the satellite, judging whether the solar cell array of the satellite is sheltered or not by star, combining the configuration characteristics of the satellite, calculating a sheltered area, and obtaining the change trends of the sheltered area within one orbit and a year, so that the problem of abnormal charging array current caused by the sheltering of the solar cell array during the in-orbit running of the satellite can be solved according to results, and the problem of the optimal design of a cell distribution mode for solar cells of the satellite is also solved. The configuration design rationality of a spacecraft such as the satellite adopting the solar cell array as a main energy supply is improved, the utilization efficiency of the solar cells is improved, and good effects are achieved. The application has the advantages of lowering the cost of the cells of the spacecraft, improving the effective power supply capability of the spacecraft, improving the performance of the spacecraft, and the like.

A solar powered lighting system provides a lighting element assembly having a lighting element and a diffuser that secures near the upper end of a support. A collector unit contains a solar cell and a coupler such as a clip-on clamp which allows the collector unit to be selectively attached to a desired support. The lighting system includes a battery electrically coupled to the solar cell of the collector unit and to the lighting element assembly using a wire such that the portion of the wire that extends from the collector unit to the lighting element assembly is of sufficient length to allow the collector unit to be selectively positioned on or remotely from the support.

An improved puck light assembly comprised of a solar-powered puck light mounted in a bracket assembly, which may be securely attached to a structural mounting surface. The puck light device of the present invention is dimensioned to be a hand-held, self-contained, rechargeable, solar-powered lighting assembly. The puck light device of the present invention is mounted in a bracket assembly that allows the puck light to be both recharged and used without repositioning in the bracket assembly. In one embodiment, the bracket assembly comprises a fixed bracket assembly that includes a bracket mount for selectively attaching the bracket assembly to a smooth surface. In another embodiment, the bracket assembly comprises pivoting bracket assembly. The pivoting bracket assembly includes a receiver tray for holding the puck light device, a pivotally attached support bracket connected to a bracket mount for attaching the pivoting bracket assembly to a mounting surface.