Camouflaged Solar Power System for Covert Surveillance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar panel systems for surveillance applications are easily detectable due to their reflective and angular nature, making them prone to damage and reducing their useful life, and they require exposure to sunlight, which hinders concealment efforts.
Innovation Solution
A covert smart solar power system where solar panels are embedded within a natural object enclosure, such as a rock or log, using a clear potting compound to allow light penetration while blending in with the environment, and integrated with a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) circuit to prevent overcharging and ensure reliable energy harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar panels are exposed to sunlight for power generation, then energy harvesting efficiency is improved, but detectability increases and camouflage is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color and transparency changes by using a clear/transparent potting compound that allows sunlight to pass through to the solar panel while making the enclosure visually blend with natural environments. The enclosure can be designed to match surrounding foliage, rocks, or terrain, changing its visual appearance from a typical metallic solar panel to a camouflaged natural object.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by embedding the solar panel inside a natural object enclosure that resembles rocks, logs, or other natural elements. The solar panel is nested within the enclosure structure, which provides both physical protection and visual camouflage, allowing the system to maintain energy harvesting capability while being hidden from detection.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If solar panels are embedded in natural object enclosure for camouflage, then detectability is reduced, but light penetration and power generation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clear/transparent potting compound allows maximum light transmission to the solar panel while providing the visual appearance of a natural object. This resolves the contradiction by making the enclosure transparent or translucent to light wavelengths that the solar panel needs to absorb, while still providing visual camouflage in the visible spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the enclosure material by using clear potting compounds with specific transparency and light transmission properties. This allows the enclosure to maintain its camouflage function while ensuring sufficient light reaches the solar panel for efficient power generation, optimizing both concealment and energy harvesting.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If battery is continuously charged by solar panel, then energy supply is maintained, but overcharging damage occurs reducing system reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control through the integrated circuit that continuously monitors battery charge levels and regulates power flow from the solar panel. When the battery reaches full charge, the circuit automatically stops or reduces charging current, preventing overcharging damage while maintaining continuous power supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit provides beforehand protection by incorporating overcharge protection mechanisms that prevent damage before it occurs. The circuit is designed to anticipate potential overcharging conditions and implements protective measures in advance, such as automatic disconnection or current limiting, thereby preserving system reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively conceals solar panels, extends battery life by preventing overcharging, and ensures continuous power supply to covert data collection devices, while maintaining operational efficiency and camouflage.
Implementation Method 1
a power generation apparatus embedded in the natural object enclosure
Implementation Method 2
The mold is shaped as a natural object. The method further includes pouring a first potting compound into the mold to create the light transmissive portion
Data Source
AI summary
A covert smart solar power system for use with a covert data collection device, the covert smart solar power system having a power storage device, a power source coupled to the power storage device, and a power transmission interface configured to couple the covert data collection device to at least one of the power storage device and the power source. The power source includes a natural object enclosure, a power generation apparatus embedded in the natural object enclosure, and a failure mitigation aspect coupled to the power generation apparatus.