U.S. patent application number 13/128395 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-26 for energy-efficient solar-powered outdoor lighting.
This patent application is currently assigned to INOVUS SOLAR, INC.. Invention is credited to Paul H. Cooperrider, David Gonzalez, Seth Jamison Myer.
Application Number | 20120020060 13/128395 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41610976 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120020060 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Myer; Seth Jamison ; et
al. |
January 26, 2012 |
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.
Inventors: |
Myer; Seth Jamison;
(Meridian, ID) ; Cooperrider; Paul H.; (Garden
City, ID) ; Gonzalez; David; (Boise, ID) |
Assignee: |
INOVUS SOLAR, INC.
BOISE
ID
|
Family ID: |
41610976 |
Appl. No.: |
13/128395 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
November 16, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2009/064659 |
371 Date: |
October 6, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
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Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12533701 |
Jul 31, 2009 |
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13128395 |
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12025737 |
Feb 4, 2008 |
7731383 |
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12533701 |
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61114993 |
Nov 14, 2008 |
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61137437 |
Jul 31, 2008 |
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61137434 |
Jul 31, 2008 |
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61137433 |
Jul 31, 2008 |
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61190192 |
Aug 27, 2008 |
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60888002 |
Feb 2, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/183 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 20/30 20130101;
Y02E 70/30 20130101; H02J 1/00 20130101; F21S 8/083 20130101; H01L
31/0521 20130101; F21V 29/71 20150115; F21V 29/83 20150115; H02S
40/38 20141201; F21V 21/03 20130101; H05B 47/19 20200101; H05B
47/22 20200101; Y02B 20/40 20130101; F21S 2/00 20130101; H02J 7/35
20130101; F21V 23/04 20130101; F21Y 2115/10 20160801; H05B 45/37
20200101; F21S 9/043 20130101; H04W 84/18 20130101; F21S 9/035
20130101; F21V 14/02 20130101; F21S 8/088 20130101; Y02E 10/76
20130101; F21S 8/085 20130101; Y10T 29/49002 20150115; F21V 29/763
20150115; Y02B 20/72 20130101; Y02E 10/50 20130101; F21W 2131/103
20130101; Y02D 30/70 20200801 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/183 |
International
Class: |
F21L 4/08 20060101
F21L004/08 |
Claims
1. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system comprising: a flexible
photovoltaic solar collector panel curved at least part way around
a generally cylindrical light pole and attached to the light pole
so that the panel is generally vertical; a luminaire connected to
the pole; at least one battery operatively connected to the solar
collector panel and the luminaire; an active controller system
comprising a maximum power point tracking charge controller adapted
to charge said at least one battery, and a load controller adapted
for management of energy delivery to said luminaire, wherein said
management of energy delivery is adapted to turn on, turn off, dim
and brighten said luminaire; at least one motion sensor connected
to said pole and operatively connected to said load controller;
wherein said load controller is adapted, in response to said motion
sensor sensing motion near the pole when the luminaire is in a
dimmed state, to increase power to said luminaire to brighten said
luminaire at least while said motion is detected.
2. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said active controller is adapted to dim said luminaire when said
at least one battery falls to a battery voltage in the range of 1-2
volts above a minimum safe battery voltage, said minimum safe
battery voltage being a voltage below which battery damage
occurs.
3. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said solar-collector has an efficiency in sunshine in the range of
10-16%.
4. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said solar-collector is amorphous silicon (non-crystalline)
photovoltaic material having an efficiency in sunshine in the range
of 10-16%.
5. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said active controller system is adapted to determine an amount to
dim said luminaire, during a nighttime at least when said at least
one motion sensor is not sensing motion near the pole, based on
battery voltage of said at least one battery at dusk prior to said
nighttime.
6. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said active control system is adapted to determine an amount to dim
said luminaire, during a nighttime at least when said at least one
motion sensor is not sensing motion near the pole, based on energy
production in amp-hours by said solar collector panel in a previous
time period comprising one or more days.
7. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said active control system is adapted to determine an amount to dim
said luminaire, during a nighttime at lease when said at least one
motion sensor is not sensing motion near the pole, based on
historical data of energy collection by the solar collector over a
period one year earlier.
8. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1,
comprising multiple batteries and the active control system is
adapted to disconnect any battery that fails.
9. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said active controller system is adapted to turn on said luminaire
and bring said luminaire to full brightness at said dusk, and then
dim the luminaire down to 25% or less brightness down after a
predetermined amount of time and throughout the nighttime except
for times during the nighttime when said at least one motion sensor
senses motion near said pole.
10. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said active controller system is adapted to turn on said luminaire
at dusk at a reduced brightness in the range of 50%-80% of full
brightness, to dim the luminaire down to less than 25% brightness
after a predetermined amount of time throughout the nighttime
except for times during the nighttime when said at least one motion
sensor senses motion near said pole.
11. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 10, wherein
said load controller is adapted, in response to said motion sensor
sensing motion near the pole when the luminaire is in a dimmed
state, to increase power to said luminaire to brighten said LEDs to
50-80% of full brightness while said motion is detected.
12. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said active controller system is adapted to turn on said luminaire
at dusk at a reduced brightness in the range of 50-80% of full
brightness, and then dim the luminaire down to a range of 7.5%-25%
of full brightness after a predetermined amount of time and
throughout the nighttime except for times when said at least one
motion sensor sensed motion near said pole.
13. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, further
comprising peripheral devices on said pole powered by said at least
one battery, and wherein said active controller system is adapted
to shed loads connected to the battery by turning off said
peripheral devices to conserve battery energy.
14. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said active controller system is adapted to brighten said luminaire
in response to said at least one motion detector only when said
motion is below about 10 feet from the ground and only when said
motion is not continuous.
15. A method of controlling an outdoor lighting system comprising:
providing a flexible solar collector panel curved at least part way
around a generally cylindrical light pole so that the solar
collector is generally vertical; providing a luminaire connected to
the pole; providing at least one battery operatively connected to
the solar collector panel and the luminaire; providing at least one
motion sensor on said pole; actively controlling energy delivery
from said at least one battery to said luminaire, by turning on,
dimming and turning off said luminaire according to at least one
mode of operation, said at least one mode of operation comprising a
normal operation mode comprising turning said luminaire on at dusk
to full brightness for a first predetermined amount of time, and,
after said first predetermined amount of time, dimming said
luminaire to a first fraction of said full brightness, until said
at least one motion sensor detects a motion event near said pole
and then increasing energy delivery to said luminaire for a second
predetermined amount of time, followed by reducing energy delivery
to said luminaire to dim said luminaire, so that the luminaire is
dimmed to less than full brightness in between motion events.
16. A method as in claim 15, further comprising actively
controlling energy delivery from said at least one battery to said
luminaire by increasing energy delivery to said luminaire for a
third predetermined amount of time before dawn so that said
luminaire remain at full brightness until dawn.
17. A method as in claim 15, comprising dimming said luminaire when
said at least one battery falls to a battery voltage in the range
of 1-2 volts above a minimum safe battery voltage, said minimum
safe battery voltage being a voltage below which battery damage
occurs.
18. A method as in claim 15, wherein said solar collector has an
efficiency in bright sunshine in the range of 10-16%.
19. A method as in claim 15 wherein said solar-collector is
amorphous silicon photovoltaic material having an efficiency in
bright sunshine in the range of 10-16%.
20. A method as in claim 15, further comprising determining an
amount to dim said luminaire, during a nighttime when said at least
one motion sensor is not sensing motion near the pole, based on a
method comprising measuring battery voltage of said at least one
battery at dusk prior to said nighttime.
21. A method as in claim 15, further comprising determining an
amount to dim said luminaire, during a nighttime when said at least
one motion sensor is not sensing motion near the pole, based on a
method comprising measuring and recording energy production in
amp-hours by said solar collector panel in a previous time period
comprising one or more days.
22. A method as in claim 15, further comprising determining an
amount to dim said luminaire, during a nighttime when said at least
one motion sensor is not sensing motion near the pole, based on a
method comprising measuring and recording historical data of energy
collection by the solar collector panel over a period one year
earlier.
23. A method as in claim 15, wherein said first fraction is 25% or
less of full brightness.
24. A method as in claim 15, wherein a plurality of batteries are
provided and the method further comprises disconnected selected
batteries of said plurality of batteries when said selected
batteries fail.
25. A method as in claim 15, further comprising not raising
brightness of said luminaire in response to motion detected above
about 10 from the ground and not raising brightness of said
luminaire in response to continuous motion.
26. A method as in claim 15, wherein said at least one mode of
operation includes at least one energy-saving mode comprising
turning said luminaire on at dusk to a second fraction of full
brightness for said first predetermined amount of time, and then
dimming said luminaire to a further-reduced third fraction of full
brightness, until said at least one motion sensor detects a motion
event near said pole and then increasing energy delivery to said
luminaire for said second predetermined amount of time to said
second fraction of full brightness, and, when said at least one
motion sensor no longer detects said motion event, reducing energy
delivery to said luminaire to dim said luminaire again to said
third fraction of full brightness, so that the luminaire is dimmed
to said third fraction of full brightness in between motion
events.
27. A method as in claim 26, wherein said second fraction of full
brightness is in the range of 50%-80% of full brightness, and said
third fraction is 7.5%-25% of full brightness.
28. A method as in claim 26, comprising brightening said luminaire
to said third fraction of full brightness for a third predetermined
amount of time before dawn.
29. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said flexible photovoltaic solar collector panel curves at least
180 degrees around the generally cylindrical light pole.
30. A method of controlling an outdoor lighting system as in claim
15, wherein the flexible solar collector panel curves at least 180
degrees around the generally cylindrical light pole.
31. A solar-powered outdoor lighting system as in claim 1, wherein
said luminaire comprises light emitting diodes (LEDs).
32. A method of controlling an outdoor lighting system as in claim
15, wherein said luminaire comprises light emitting diodes (LEDs).
Description
[0001] This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/114,993, filed Nov. 14, 2009,
entitled "Energy Efficient Lighting Control," and claims 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", the entire disclosures of said provisional
application and said non-provisional application being incorporated
herein by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The field of the invention is outdoor lighting or other
electric-powered devices, and apparatus, hardware, and software for
efficient-energy management of said lighting or devices. Aspects of
the invention may be applied to an array of outdoor lighting or
other electric-powered devices, wherein network apparatus,
hardware, and software are provided for monitoring and managing
said array, and, optionally, for analyzing information gathered
from said array for dissemination to customers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[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.
[0004] The invented system may be applied to an array of outdoor
lights, which array may be networked, preferably wirelessly, and
which may comprise additional apparatus, hardware and/or software
for monitoring and managing said array. In preferred embodiments,
the array comprises multiple outdoor lights that may operate mainly
in an independent mode wherein sensing, communication, and control
processes take place between the various lights of the array.
Further communication and control may be provided between the array
and a control station (or "headquarters") by means of a master or
"coordinating" node that transmits and receives signals to the
control station via call phone and/or satellite. The system may be
tied to the interne for dissemination of data and/or data analysis
gathered by means of the multiple poles/devices of the array. The
independent-array and/or the master-to-station network and
communications may be adapted for energy-saving processes;
power-receiving from or power-providing to the grid; renewable
power production and storage by means of solar panels and/or wind
turbines and associated batteries or other storage equipment;
and/or to provide Wi-Fi hot-spots, public safety alarms,
information, or advertising to the public or information/analysis
to customers.
[0005] An objective of the invention is to provide active control
of the lighting system, comprising one or more lights, to result in
energy-efficient lighting operation that remains operative and
effective even through many cloudy days or inclement weather. An
objective of the invention is to provide intelligent monitoring and
control of outdoor lighting systems, and, preferably, of arrays of
multiple lights wirelessly networked together. The preferred
embodiments of these arrays are called "wireless intelligent
outdoor lighting systems" (WIOLS) are adapted to operate in areas
where there are no data communication lines available (i.e. no
"hard-wired" system or "land-line"). The preferred embodiments
accept a virtually unlimited number of "nodes" or connection points
of the components to be controlled, wherein the nodes are
preferably connection points for lights but may be other electrical
devices. The preferred embodiments are adapted to generate the
power to operate the outdoor lighting system in remote areas either
from nearby power sources such as the utility grid or from a
renewable energy source. Such renewable energy sources, including
associated batteries, may be mounted on, or adjacent to, the
outdoor lighting poles of the preferred embodiments.
[0006] The outdoor lighting system shall allow for nodes to be
added in the future, that is, after the initial system has been
installed, and for these nodes to be automatically integrated to
the network via "self-discovery" in which they are each assigned a
unique location identification (ID). The self-discovery system, and
assignment of location ID, may be accomplished via a global
positioning system (GPS) system tool that identifies the latitude
and longitude of the node location.
[0007] The system may have intelligence built-in to the array of
lights or other components, for example, intelligence for
energy-saving processes, energy-storage management, and grid-array
cooperation, WI-FI and public-safety alarms, and advertising or
information dissemination. Said intelligence built-in to the array
allows and/or supplements the operation of the array in independent
mode, wherein the intelligent processes take place between the
nodes of the array rather than between each node and a control
station.
[0008] In addition to, or in place of portions of, the
independent-mode intelligence of the array, intelligence may be
provided and controlled through an intelligent remote control
station ("headquarters") to execute intelligent activities in
response to or in anticipation of events. Said intelligent remote
control station may communicate to and control said array through
preferably a single component/node of the array that is the single
"master" or single "coordinating" node of the array. Thus, the
control station may communicate with the coordinating
component/node, and the coordinating component/node communicates to
the multiple slave components/nodes of the array, rather than each
component/node being controlled individually by the control
station. Thus, the multiple slave components/nodes of the array are
preferably connected to, and engage in two-way communication with,
only the coordinating component/node, rather than each slave
component/node being connected directly to, and communicating
directly with, a control station.
[0009] Embodiments of the invention may comprise lighting
equipment, light poles, solar panels and/other renewable power
production, energy storage equipment, and/or WIOLS equipment, and
hardware, firmware, and/or software for said WIOLS network
operation and preferably for active control of battery charging and
energy delivery to lights or other loads. Preferred embodiments are
described in the following Detailed Description, but it is to be
understood that the invention may be embodied in many different
ways within the broad scope of the claims, and the invention is not
necessarily limited to these details, materials, designs,
appearances, and/or specific interrelationships of the
components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a
light pole system according to the invention, the light pole being
anchored to a concrete base.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 1, with the
decorative light fixture removed.
[0012] FIG. 3 is top, cross-sectional view of the light pole of
FIGS. 1 and 2, viewed along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2, and
illustrating to best advantage one embodiment of an adjustable
connection between the light pole and the concrete base, and one
embodiment of a battery system provided in the lower section of the
pole.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top, cross-sectional view of the battery
compartment of FIG. 4, shown with pole and sleeve access doors
removed for access to the batteries.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top, cross-sectional view of an alternative
battery compartment, without a sleeve and with a single access door
through a side of the pole.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top, cross-sectional view of a middle section of
the pole of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating the preferred flexible
amorphous photovoltaic panel applied to the outside of the pole,
and a sleeve system for cooling the photovoltaic panel and allowing
air flow to continue up to the LED light fixture.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a top, cross-sectional view of the LED fixture of
the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side, perspective view of the LED Fixture of
FIGS. 1, 2, and 7.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a partial, cross-sectional side view of the bottom
section of the light pole containing a cooling sleeve and one or
more batteries, illustrating natural air flow up through the
sleeve. The rain skirt has been removed from this embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of an alternative
embodiment of the invention, which comprises a portable light pole
with LED fixture, said light pole being hinged to a portable base
and so being pivotal from a generally horizontal position for
transport or storage to a vertical position for use.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a side, perspective view of another embodiment
comprising a decorative light fixture at the top of the pole plus
an arm and traffic light extending from the pole.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a side, perspective view of another embodiment of
the invented light pole system for use by a highway, wherein the
battery system is buried in the ground instead of being contained
inside the pole or inside the base, and wherein the pole may be a
break-away pole, both features being for improved safety in the
event of a vehicle hitting the pole.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of sunlight hitting the
preferred vertical, amorphous photovoltaic panel adhered to the
light pole, wherein morning and evening light hit the sheet at
close to perpendicular to the sheet surface and the noon sunlight
hits the sheet surface at an acute angle.
[0023] FIG. 14 illustrates the common conception of power
production (for example, watt-hours) vs. time that is expected to
be produced from a light-active device over a day.
[0024] FIG. 15 schematically illustrates the actual power produced
(for example, watt-hours) vs. time, by embodiments of the
invention, wherein power production from the morning and evening
sun is higher than expected. The curve illustrates a power
production increase from early morning until mid or late morning,
and then a dip in production due top the sharp incident angle of
sunlight around noon when the sun rays hit the pole at sharp angles
to the photovoltaic panel.
[0025] FIG. 16 schematically illustrates that the preferred
photovoltaic panel is provided around most of the circumference of
the pole, so that said panel is available and catches the suns rays
during the entire day.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a partial detail view of an alternative,
especially-preferred lower pole vent, wherein air is taken in
between the pole flange and the base, through spaces between the
bolts that secure and raise the pole slightly above the base.
[0027] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternative
solar-powered light system including a connection (shown
schematically) to a utility grid.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a schematic of one embodiment of a wireless mesh
network according to the invention.
[0029] FIGS. 20A-D are schematics of example network processes
according to embodiments of the invention, wherein an event is
raised and subsequently "passed along" to multiple poles that
comprise the best connection pathway at the time, until the NOC
coordinator pole (also called the "master node" or "coordinator
pole/node") communicates the event/information to headquarters
(also called Network Operations Center or "NOC").
[0030] FIG. 21 is a schematic of a "look-ahead" traffic lighting
system according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a schematic of one lighting unit that may be
installed on a pole for one, but not the only, embodiment of a peak
load delay energy conservation system, wherein said lighting unit
does not comprise a solar panel due to the pole/unit's particular
cooperative connection to the electric grid. In alternative
embodiments, as discussed later in this document, pole/units that
cooperate with the grid may also comprise a solar panel or other
renewable energy source for generating energy.
[0032] FIG. 23 is a schematic that portrays the general
architecture of the preferred population of light poles and other
device on or near the light poles and the preferred network
according to one embodiment of the invention. The devices at the
far left of the figure are devices powered by the solar engine;
secure two-way communication is provided by the smart mesh from the
far left to the far right of the figures and wide-area aggregation
of data/information is performed by content services and provided
to customers by the Network Operations Center (NOC) at the far
right of the figure.
[0033] FIG. 24 is a schematic that portrays various "layers" of the
preferred embodiments of the invented array and network
systems.
[0034] FIG. 25 is a schematic that portrays an "Event Delivery
Pipeline" according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 26 is a schematic that portrays a "Device Management
Pipeline" according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 27 is a schematic portrayal of a "Light Delivery Stack"
comprising reflection, generation, focusing, distribution, and
shaping, with the result being light delivered "to the ground".
[0037] FIG. 28 is a schematic portrayal of modular approaches to
solar-based electricity generation in embodiments of the
invention.
[0038] FIG. 29A is one embodiment of a collar that may be used to
retrofit a pole with a solar-panel and energy storage. It may be
noted that the solar panel is preferably flexible and may be
installed on/incorporated into a flexible, semi-rigid, or even a
rigid structure as desired for attachment to the pole.
[0039] FIGS. 29B and C illustrate connection of the
half-cylindrical retrofit collar onto an existing pole, wherein the
solar PV panel is on the outside surface of the collar, the collar
is mounted to the pole with the PV panel typically facing south in
the northern hemisphere, and with wiring from the solar collar to
the light fixture.
[0040] FIG. 30 is a portrayal of one embodiment of an integral
light unit, comprising solar collector fabric panel, LED light
engine, battery pack and charger, controller/code unit(s) and
modem, so that the entirely or substantially self-contained
("integral") unit may be attached to a pole without modification of
the pole or insertion of apparatus into the pole.
[0041] FIG. 31A-C are views of the preferred, but not the only,
invented LED module, shown with mounting bracket, wherein multiple
of said modules are used to form an LED engine.
[0042] FIGS. 32 A-D are views of multiple of the LED modules of
FIGS. 31A-C arrangement on a plate/baffle for pointing in one
direction or multiple different directions (here, shown pointing in
three directions) and for installation in a lighting fixture.
[0043] FIGS. 33 A-E illustrates the plate with multiple LED modules
of FIGS. 32 A-D installed into a square "shoe-box-style" light
fixture.
[0044] FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate basic logic flow diagrams of some
embodiments of the active lighting control process, including
error/alert indication processes.
[0045] FIG. 36 schematically summarizes the operation of the
preferred active control system according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0046] FIG. 37 is a schematic wiring diagram of the preferred
active control system.
[0047] FIGS. 38 and 39 are side views of the preferred
solar-powered pole assembly, with an amorphous photovoltaic panel
"wrapped" around the round pole, and with a shoe-box-style
LED-module luminaire supported at the top of the pole.
[0048] FIG. 40 is a plot of the preferred battery charging control
process of the active control system.
[0049] FIG. 41 is a plot of battery voltage vs. remaining
amp-hours, used in preferred embodiments of the active control
system.
[0050] FIG. 42 is a plot of the current/voltage curve and the power
output curve (watts vs. volts) for the preferred charge controller
using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology/algorithms, to
transfer maximum power to batteries even though PV array and
batteries are operating at different volts.
[0051] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the preferred LED module,
removed from any attachment bracket and containing four of the
preferred LEDs.
[0052] FIG. 44 is a plot of expected lifetime vs. junction
temperature plot for the preferred LEDs contained in the module of
FIG. 42, wherein the preferred LEDs operate close to the 350 mAmp
curve for an expected life of over 50,000 hours, and probably
approximately 60,000 hours.
[0053] FIG. 45A-C are bottom views (looking up from the ground) of
three alternative LED modules arrangements, wherein a number of the
LED modules of FIG. 43 may be chosen, arranged, and tilted in
various ways, to achieve a desired lighting pattern.
[0054] FIG. 46 is a plot of luminaire power vs. time, in a normal
operating mode for the preferred outdoor lighting system, wherein
the preferred active control system turns the light on to full
power at dusk for a predetermined amount of time, then dims the
light, except for motion-detection events, and the raised light
power to full-on for a predetermined amount of time before dawn.
This normal operation mode saves energy compared to conventional
lighting controls, wherein the light is on all night, and may be
further modified according to energy-savings modes that further
reduce/control luminaire and other peripheral power.
[0055] FIG. 47 is a schematic example of the normal operating mode
of FIG. 46 (N1), and example further modifications (E1, E2) for
further energy savings. Details of E1 and E2 are given later in
this document.
[0056] FIG. 48 is a schematic of an example of load-shedding, which
may be required for further energy savings, if dimming of the light
is not sufficient to protect the batteries and operability of the
system.
[0057] FIG. 49 is a plot of photovoltaic cell efficiency vs. time,
for many types of PV cells, wherein the preferred PV material is
shown to be in the range of 12-16 percent efficiency, and typically
13%.
[0058] FIG. 50 is a plot of test data from a solar-powered pole
operating without any tie to the grid, wherein the light met
lighting needs through many weeks of sky cover (clouds, overcast)
in a safe range for the batteries.
[0059] FIGS. 51A and B are a plot (split onto two sheets) of
operation of six solar-powered poles, without any tie to the grid,
operating according to an embodiment of the active control system,
wherein the poles successfully met lighting needs through many
weeks of low sunshine days, even through January, when the light
poles met said lighting needs by being dimmed according to
energy-savings modes described later in this document.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0060] Referring to the Figures, there may be seen some, but not
the only, embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 1-18 portray some,
but not the only, embodiments of solar-powered light poles and
lights that may form a "population" of poles for arrays and
networks and/or be implemented as single or multiple, non-networked
lighting poles. FIGS. 19-33E schematically portray some, but not
the only, embodiments of arrays of outdoor lighting and other
powered devices that are preferably managed as embodiments of the
invented wireless intelligent outdoor lighting system (WIOLS) and
that are preferably autonomous in that they may be operated at
least part of the time by power other than the electrical grid.
Included in FIGS. 19-33E are portrayals of management and
monitoring processes, layering of capabilities and apparatus that
make the preferred network possible, light-capture schemes, and LED
module and light fixture options. The LED-module-light-fixture
options may comprise conventional-appearing light fixture housings
fit with embodiments of the invented LED modules, which may be used
in addition to, or in place of, the "in-pole" LED light fixture
featured in FIGS. 1-18. Included in FIGS. 34-51B are portrayals of
method steps, programming, and apparatus for the preferred outdoor
lighting system that is actively controlled to achieve surprising
results even over extended periods of cloudy and overcast winter
days. FIGS. 34-51B include examples of the results achieved with
the preferred embodiments of active control, even while using a
photovoltaic cell material that is nominally low-efficiency when
compared to many non-amorphous PV cell materials, but that is very
effective in cloudy or overcast ("shady") environments.
Solar-Powered Light Pole Apparatus:
[0061] There is a need for an outdoor lighting system that is
highly efficient in collecting and storing energy from the suns
rays, and in using said energy over several nights to light a
surrounding area even through inclement, overcast periods of time.
Preferred embodiments utilize a cooling system that may greatly
increase battery life and efficiency of the entire system.
Preferred embodiments also utilize efficient, versatile LED light
fixtures that may be used for all or nearly all street light styles
without the need to separately engineer LED fixtures for each
lamp/fixture style desired by the public, government, or
neighborhood. Preferred embodiments have a visually-integrated
appearance, preferably without flat panels of solar cells, and
preferably with minimal or no unaesthetic protuberances and exposed
equipment.
[0062] The preferred solar-powered outdoor lighting utilizes a
photovoltaic panel(s), for example amorphous photovoltaic laminate
(PVL), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to produce light, over a
several-night period even during inclement, cloudy, or overcast
weather conditions. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a
light pole having a vertical portion covered by a flexible
photovoltaic panel for being contacted by sunlight, and an LED
light fixture powered by said photovoltaic panel via a battery or
other energy storage device. The preferred flexible panel is a
sheet of amorphous thin-film photovoltaic material(s) surrounding a
significant portion of the circumference of the pole at least in
one region along the length of the pole, and, preferably along the
majority of the length of the pole. The light pole is
specially-adapted for cooling of the photovoltaic panel and the
batteries contained within the pole, if any. In embodiments wherein
the LED light fixture is "in-pole," as described below, the pole
also may be specially-adapted for cooling the LED light fixture.
Said cooling is important for achieving the high efficiencies of
power production and storage, over long equipment lives, as
exhibiting by the preferred embodiments
[0063] The preferred light pole may be similar in exterior
appearance to conventional light poles, in that the pole profile is
generally smooth and of generally the same or similar diameter all
the way along the length of the pole. The photovoltaic panel fits
snugly against the pole outer surface and requires no brackets,
racks or other protruding structure. In FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 8, 10-13,
and 18, the LED fixture is at or near the top of the pole, is
generally a vertical cylinder of the same or similar diameter as
the pole, and may be convectively cooled by air flow up through the
pole. This "in-pole" style of LED fixture eliminates the need for
the difficult engineering task of adapting the many common styles
of outdoor light fixtures to use LEDs. Further, because the
preferred battery system is concealed either inside the pole,
inside a base holding the pole, or buried below the grade level of
the ground or street, there is no need for a large box or
protruding battery structure on or near the pole.
[0064] In the event that the purchaser or public wish the lighting
system to match or be reminiscent of previously-installed or other
conventional street lights, a conventional-looking lighting fixture
may be provided in addition to the preferred LED fixture. Said
conventional-looking lighting fixture may extend horizontally or
from atop the pole, and may be purely decorative, or may have a
minimal or token light-emitting device therein. Such a decorative
light fixture may more easily meet with approval from the public
and/or may blend in with traditional street lights that remain in
an area. By using a combination of the LED fixture and a decorative
fixture, the single LED light-producing section may be engineered
and installed, while preserving various aesthetic options for the
city, county, or neighborhood and/or while allowing the new
solar-powered lights to "blend in" with the street lights already
in place. Further, the decorative light fixtures may be
light-weight and designed to break-away in high winds or storms,
thus minimizing the damage to the pole, surrounding property,
and/or people.
[0065] In the "in-pole" light fixture of FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 8, 10-13,
and 18, the array of LEDs emit light from at least three and
preferably four generally vertical sides of the fixture. The LED
light fixture may emit light out in patterns extending 180
degrees-360 degrees around the fixture, for example. The LED
fixture comprises heat exchange or other cooling means in order to
lower the temperature of the LEDs and the associated equipment.
[0066] Other examples of invented light fixtures are described
later in this document and are shown in FIGS. 22, 29, and 30-33E,
which fixtures do not have LEDs and lenses on three or four sides
and do not necessarily have vertical LED groupings. Instead,
fixtures may have adjustable-direction LED modules that may be
directed to emit light in various directions for fine-tuning to
desired light patterns.
[0067] In another embodiment, an outdoor light pole, having the
features described above, is provided on, and hinged to, a portable
base. In such an embodiment, the battery system may be located in,
and provide additional weight for, the base.
[0068] In some embodiments, the solar-powered outdoor lighting
system is connected to the utility grid, so that the photovoltaic
panel may provide energy to the grid during peak-demand daylight
hours, and so that, if needed or desired, low cost night-time
electricity may be provided by the grid to the outdoor lighting
system, to power the light and/or charge batteries. Preferably,
even in such embodiments tied to the grid, batteries or other
storage devices are provided that may also be charged during the
daylight hours, for providing power to the lighting system during
the night hours, and/or providing power to the lighting system in
the event of a grid failure or natural catastrophe that interrupts
grid power supply.
[0069] In the preferred embodiments, venting and/or air channels
are provided in the pole to allow cooling by natural convection air
flow through the pole and the light fixture. Optionally, heating
equipment may be provided in one or areas of the pole to protect
equipment and/or enhance operation during extreme cold.
[0070] Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1-18, there are shown
several, but not the only, embodiments of the apparatus that may be
used in invented lighting systems. FIG. 1 portrays one embodiment
of a solar-powered street light 10, comprising a pole 12 with a
panel 14 of thin-film photovoltaic material attached thereto. The
panel 14 is preferably selected from commercially-available
amorphous silicon (non-crystalline) photovoltaic materials that
produce electrical energy when exposed to sunlight. One source of
material for the panel 14 is Uni-Solar (United Solar Ovonic), which
flexible, non-framed laminates that may be used in embodiments of
the invention, under the name of UNI-SOLAR.RTM. "solar laminates"
or "photovoltaic laminates."
[0071] While currently-available flexible photovoltaic laminates,
such as the UNI-SOLAR solar laminates are preferred, it is
envisioned that thin-film light-active materials being developed,
or to be developed in the future, may be used in embodiments of the
invention, wherein said materials being developed or to be
developed may be used in the place of the panel 14 described
herein. For example, it is envisioned that photovoltaic material
may be applied directly to the pole 12 in the form of a liquid
having components that later polymerize or "set up" on the pole and
retain the photovoltaic material on said pole. Thus, the flexible
photovoltaic panels described herein may be provided as a flexible
sheet attached to the pole, or as other thin-film materials applied
to the pole and taking the form of the pole, that is, preferably
curving at least 180 degrees around the pole, and, more preferably,
at least 225 degrees around the pole.
[0072] The panel 14 preferably is a thin, flexible sheet that is
preferably adhered to the pole by adhesive. The panel 14 may be a
single, continuous sheet with "self-stick" adhesive on a rear
surface, and that, upon peeling off of a protective backing, may be
directly applied to the pole. The integral adhesive makes
attachment of the panel 14 simple and inexpensive. No bracket,
rack, covering, casing, or guard is needed over or around the
preferred panel, and this simplicity of attachment preserves the
aesthetics of the preferred slim and smooth profile of the pole.
Less-preferably, multiple, separate panels may be adhesively
applied to the post 12 and operatively connected.
[0073] The preferred panel 14 extends continuously around the pole
along a significant amount of the circumference (preferably at
least 225 degrees and more preferably about 270 degrees) of the
pole in order to be directly exposed to sunlight all through the
daylight hours. As illustrated in FIGS. 13-16, this coverage of the
pole will expose the panel 14 to the suns rays generally from
sunrise to sunset, in order to maximize solar-power generation. The
panel 14 preferably covers 1/2-3/4 of the length of the pole,
extending from its upper edge 20 at a location near the top of the
pole to its lower edge 22 several feet above the base 24 supporting
the pole. It is preferred that the lower edge 22 be high enough
from the ground or street level that passers-by or vandals cannot
easily reach the panel 14 to cut, pry off, or otherwise damage the
panel.
[0074] Connection of the pole 12 to the base 24 may be clone in
various ways, each typically being adjustable so that, at the time
of installation, the pole may be turned to orient the panel 14
optimally to catch sunlight through the day. The adjustable
connection, shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to best advantage, includes a
pole base flange 26 having multiple, curved slots 28 through which
bolts extend, so that the bolts may be tightened to secure the pole
to the base 24 after the pole is rotated to the desired
orientation. The connection of the decorative light fixture (50,
discussed below), may also be adjustable, so that, given any
orientation of the pole, the decorative light fixture may be
secured/tightened to point in the desired direction, for example,
over a street or sidewalk.
[0075] The main, or only, light-producing unit of the preferred
street light 10 is a light-emitting diode (LED) fixture at or near
the top of the pole 12. The preferred LED fixture 40 has a
cylindrical outer surface and is coaxial with, and of generally the
same diameter as, the upper end of the pole 12. This LED fixture,
as will be discussed further below, may emit light out in a 360
degree pattern, or, may be adapted by LED and/or reflector
placement and shape to emit various patterns of light as needed for
a particular setting.
[0076] The decorative light fixture 50 is portrayed in FIG. 1 as a
box-style fixture on a horizontal aim, but may be other fixtures
The decorative light fixture 50 comprises a housing 52 and
connecting arm 54 that are the same or similar to conventional
fixtures. The decorative light fixture 50, however, has no internal
or external workings to produce light, no bulb and no wiring, as
the fixture 50 is merely a "token" or "fake" light fixture
simulating the appearance that the public is used to. The
decorative light 50 may have a conventional lens that contributes
to the fixture looking normal during the day. Alternative
decorative light fixtures may be provided, for example, a "gas
lamp" glass globe that extends up coaxially from the LED fixture
40, or a curved-arm with conical housing 60 as shown in FIG.
12.
[0077] The inclusion of a decorative fixture may make the overall
appearance of the street light 10 more desirable for the public or
the governmental/transportation agency installing and maintaining
the street light 10. This may make the overall appearance of the
street light 10 match or complement pre-existing fixtures or the
style or desires of a neighborhood. Having a decorative light
fixture 50 may be reassuring and comforting to the public, as they
will automatically recognize the street light 10 as a light for
public safety, rather than worrying that the structure is an
antenna or transmitter, surveillance structure, or some other
undesirable structure in the their neighborhood, for example.
[0078] Alternatively, the decorative light fixture 50 may be
adapted to provide some light output, for example, a single LED or
other minimal light source to further enhance the aesthetics of the
street light 10. Such a minimal light source will light the
interior of the housing and/or the fixture lens, to prevent the
decorative fixture from appearing to be burnt-out, and to suggest
to passers-by that the fixture 50 is indeed providing light as is
customary and comfortable for the public. While said decorative
light fixture 50 may comprise said minimal light source, it is
preferred that the LED light fixture provide at least 80 percent,
and preferably at least 90 percent, of the light from the system
10, 10'.
[0079] FIG. 2 illustrates the light pole in use with the
decorative, non-lighting or minimally-lighting fixture 50 removed,
in which form the street light 10' is fully functional for
providing the desired amount of light for the street or
neighborhood by means of the LED fixture 40. This version of street
light 10' has, therefore, no significant protrusions from its
elongated, vertical structure, and has a slim, sleek appearance
that, over time, may become preferred for many settings.
[0080] FIG. 3 illustrates the adjustable connection of the pole 12
to the base 24, and shows the internals, in cross-section, of the
storage system 60 with batteries 62 stored in the lower section 64
of the pole and operatively connected to the panel 14. The
batteries 62 store the energy provided by the solar panel during
the day or previous days, and power the LED fixture 40 during the
night. The battery system is adapted to store enough energy to
power, when fully charged, the LED fixture 40 for several nights
with little or no additional charging and without any outside
energy input. The battery system preferably stores enough energy to
power the LED fixture for at least 5 nights and, more preferably,
5-9 nights equating to at least 50 hours, and preferably about
50-100 hours or more depending upon the number of hours in a night.
Thus, the street light 10, 10' is capable of autonomously
illuminating (that is, with only the energy provided by the stored
energy from solar collection) the surroundings for several, and
preferably at least 5 nights, even when the light 10, 10' is
located in an overcast, inclement, hazy or smoggy location, all of
which conditions will diminish the intensity of the daytime sun
hitting the panel 14. In other words, the large amount of energy
stored in the batteries during days of clearer weather is
sufficient to "carry the light through" cloudy and inclement
weather for about a week, until improved sunlight conditions
return. The preferred amorphous thin-film panel 14 is more
shade-tolerant than conventional crystalline solar cells, and is
therefore expected to be more efficient and effective than banks or
racks of crystalline solar cells.
[0081] In alternative embodiments, the light 10'' (see FIG. 18) may
be tied to the utility grid, for example, for providing power to
the grid during the day and preferably also charging batteries
during the day, and then receiving less expensive power from the
grid during the night and/or also receiving power from the
batteries as a supplemental/backup power source. In FIG. 18,
connection to the grid is shown schematically as G1 (underground)
or G2 (above-ground) and one of skill in the art, given the
disclosure herein, will understand how to build, install, and
manage said connections. Especially beneficial management of said
connections, preferably of an array of lights/poles, to the grid
has been invented and is discussed below.
[0082] A grid-tied embodiment that also has battery storage
capability may provide the benefit of supplementing the grid during
peak electricity-usage hours, while also being capable of being
autonomous (independent of the grid) operation in the event of
disaster or other grid outage. In such embodiments, an inverter and
control and measurement systems (G3 in FIG. 18) will be added, for
example, inside the pole, to cooperate with the utility grid and
measure and record the system's energy contribution to the
grid.
[0083] Controllers are provided to manage charging of the batteries
and delivery of energy to the lighting system and/or other
components. Control of the operative connection between the
batteries 62 and panel 14 and the operative connection between the
batteries and the LED fixture 40 and other components may be done
by electronics, circuitry, and/or semiconductors, for example,
control board 80 shown in FIG. 7. The controller(s) preferably
continually monitor(s) battery voltage and temperature to determine
battery health, to improve both battery performance and life. As
further described later in this document, said controller(s)
preferably control the speed and the amount that the batteries are
charged and discharged, which can significantly affect battery
life. Combined with the preferred cooling system for managing
battery temperature, the batteries of the preferred embodiments are
expected to exhibit longer lives, and better performance, than
prior art batteries installed in solar-powered light systems.
[0084] A first controller function delivers a low-current (trickle)
charge from the solar collector panel 14 to the batteries. This
controller also preferably limits the maximum voltage to a voltage
that will not damage or degrade the battery/batteries. A second
controller function draws current from the battery/batteries and
delivers it to the LED fixture and other electric device(s)
requiring power from the batteries. The minimum battery voltage is
also protected by the controller to prevent excess battery drain.
During prolonged periods of inclement weather and low daytime
energy generation, the controller(s) may dim the lights during part
or all of the night to reduce the amount of energy being consumed
while still providing some lighting of the surroundings. The
controller(s) may turn the light on based on a signal from a
photocell and/or a motion sensor, and off with a timeclock, for
example.
[0085] The controller system(s) may comprise computer logic,
memory, timers, ambient light sensors, transmitters, receivers,
and/or data recording and/or output means. Said controller systems
may comprise only electronics and apparatus to operate the single
light 10, 10' in which it resides, or may additionally comprise
electronics and apparatus that communicate with a central control
station and/or with other street lights. Said communication is
preferably accomplished wirelessly, for example, by means of a
"multiple-node" or "mesh" network via cell-phone radio or satellite
communication, as will be discussed in more detail later in this
document. Such a network of multiple street lights ("multiple
poles") and a central control station may allow monitoring, and/or
control of, the performance of individual lights and groups of
lights, for example, the lights on a particular street or in a
particular neighborhood or parking lot. Such performance monitoring
and/or control may enhance public safety and improve maintenance
and reduce the cost of said maintenance. A central control station
may take the form of, or be supplemented by, a server accessible
via an internet website, for example.
[0086] The entire system for storing and using energy preferably
uses only direct current (DC). Benefits of this include that LED
lights use DC energy; the DC system is low-voltage, easy to install
and maintain, and does not require a licensed electrician; and
energy is not lost in conversion from DC to AC.
[0087] The preferred batteries are sealed lead-acid AGM-type
batteries or gel-cell batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, or
lithium batteries, for example. It is desirable to maintain the
batteries 62 within a moderate temperature range, for example,
40-90 degrees F. as exposure of the batteries to temperatures
outside that range will tend to degrade battery performance and
life. Daily battery performance may be reduced by more than 50
percent by cold weather, and batteries may stop working entirely in
very low temperatures. Further, high temperatures tend to also
degrade battery performance and life.
[0088] In the preferred configuration shown in FIG. 4, the
batteries 62 are supported in a bracket(s) 66 and surrounded on
multiple sides by insulation 68 for protecting the batteries from
cold weather, preferably to help keep the batteries above about 40
degrees F. Further, said insulated batteries, and/or the bracket
system supporting them, are connected to and contained inside a
cooling sleeve 70 that is beneficial in hot weather, preferably to
keep the batteries below about 90 degrees F. The cooling sleeve 70
is concentric with, and the same general shape as the wall of the
pole 12. The sleeve 70 is of smaller diameter compared to the pole,
for example, 2-4 inches smaller diameter, forming an annular air
flow space 72 inside the pole along the length of the lower section
64 of the pole. Air enters the intake vents, for example, slits 74
around the pole in FIGS. 1 and 2, and flows up through the annular
space 72 past the bracket(s) 66 and batteries 62 to cool said
batteries 62. Said vents 74, and the open top of the flow space 72
that preferably communicates with the LED light fixture 40, are
examples of at least one lower pole vent and at least one upper
pole vent adapted for ventilation of at least a portion of the pole
by natural convection up through said at least one portion of the
pole. Preferably, the flow space 72, or alternative internal spaces
for draft up the pole, communicates with the LED light fixture, but
alternative ventilation systems may be independent from the LED
light fixture. Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown another,
alternative lower pole vent. The lower pole vent of FIG. 17 is
provided (instead of vents 74) by providing spaces around the
flange of the pole 12' by virtue of the flange being spaced from
the base 24 by a bolt system that may be used to level the flange
(make the pole vertical) on a base on uneven ground. The bottom end
of the pole 12' has a bottom end opening (not shown) into which the
air flows (instead of flowing into vents 74), and said bottom end
opening is in fluid communication with the annular space 72 or
other interior axial spaces inside the pole for creating the
ventilation draft described elsewhere in this disclosure.
[0089] In FIG. 5, an alternative battery system 80 is shown,
wherein no cooling sleeve is provided, but air may flow up through
the battery section through axial spaces 82 around the batteries
62. Insulation 68 is preferably provided at and near the pole inner
surface and extending most of the way to the batteries 62, however,
with the exception of the axial spaces 82 that provide channels for
air flow up through the system 80.
[0090] One may note that the designs shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 both
have access doors systems 76, 86 that allow insertion, maintenance,
and removal of the batteries 62 from the lower section 64. The
access door system of FIG. 4 comprises both a door 77 in the pole
and a door 78 in the sleeve 70. The sleeve door 78 of FIG. 4 may be
insulated, so that the batteries are surrounded circumferentially
by insulation, or, in alternative embodiments the sleeve door 78
may be un-insulated or even eliminated. The access door system 86
of FIG. 5 comprises only a door in the pole, and is insulated, so
that the batteries are surrounded circumferentially by insulation.
Other bracket, insulation, and door configurations may be
effective, as will be understood by one of skill in the art after
reading this disclosure.
[0091] FIG. 6 illustrates the internal structure of the middle
section 90 of the pole 12, wherein the flexible panel 14 is wrapped
and adhered to the pole outer surface. It should be noted that the
preferred pole is a hollow, straight (or right) cylinder, and the
preferred panel 14 is applied continuously around at least 225
degrees of the pole, so that sunlight "collection" is maximized.
However, other pole shapes may be effective if the corners are
rounded to allow the panel 14 to bend gently around said corners.
For example, a square, rectangular, or polygonal pole, with rounded
corners, may be effective, with the panel 14 still being provided
in a single panel, and not needing to be held in brackets or frames
on the various flat sides of the poles.
[0092] Inside the middle section 90 of the pole 12 is an
axially-extending sleeve 92, which creates an annular space 94 that
extends through the entire middle section 90. This annular space 94
fluidly communicates with the annular air flow space 72, or other
air flow spaces 82 of the lower section 64, so that air vents from
the lower section 64 through space 94 of the middle section 90 and
to the LED fixture 40, as further described below. Ventilation by
air flow up through the middle section 90 of the pole keeps the
inner surface of the panel 14 cooler than the outer surface that is
"collecting" the sun light. This may be important for efficient
operation of the solar panel 14, to maintain a temperature gradient
between the higher temperature outer surface and the cooler inner
surface of the panel. Thus, it is not desirable to have insulation
between the panel 14 and the pole 12. The pole middle section 90
may be made without a sleeve 92, in which the hollow interior of
the pole might serve in place of space 94 as the air vent chimney
in fluid communication with spaces 72 or 82 and the LED
fixture.
[0093] The middle section 90 may house long-term energy storage 100
comprising capacitors, fuel cells and/or a hydrogen storage tank,
for example. Capacitors would have the advantage that they would
not be as affected by heat and cold as are batteries. Typically,
capacitors would have longer lives than batteries, for example, up
to about 20 years, compared to 2-5 years for batteries. Fuel cells
could be used for applications that require longer autonomy than 5
days. The fuel cell and hydrogen storage tank could be integrated
into the middle section 90 or lower section 64 of the pole, or into
the base or an underground container. Venting similar to that
required for the battery system would be required for
off-gassing.
[0094] FIGS. 7 and 8 portray transverse cross-section, and side
perspective, views, respectively, of the preferred LED fixture 40
positioned above the middle section 90 of the pole. The fixture is
preferably cylindrical and longer axially than it is in diameter.
The fixture 40 is preferably the same diameter as the pole middle
section, and comprises preferably a constant or
nearly-constant-diameter housing 142. The housing 142 is
substantially hollow with an open bottom end 144 in fluid
communication with the middle section 90 and a closed upper end
146. Vents 148 are provided near the upper end 146 to allow air
that flows up through the pole 12 to pass through the fixture 40
and then exit at or near the top of the fixture. Open bottom end
144 and vents 148 may be considered examples of a lower vent and an
upper vent adapted for ventilation of said light fixture by natural
convection up through the light fixture. Other venting systems
comprising at least one lower vent and at least one upper vent may
be used, including, but not necessary limited to, systems that
utilize upwards draft from/through at least portions of the pole to
create/enhance ventilation of the LED light fixture. There also may
be ventilation systems for the LED light fixture that are
independent from pole ventilation.
[0095] Compared to other light sources, LEDs are smaller, more
efficient, longer-lasting, and less expensive. LEDs use less energy
than other light sources to provide the necessary lighting desired
for a street light. LED may last up to 100,000 hours, or up to 10
times longer than other lighting sources, which makes LEDs last the
life of the pole and the entire light system in general, especially
when said LEDs are housing and cooled by the apparatus of the
preferred embodiments.
[0096] Multiple LED lights 150 are arranged around the entire, or
at least a significant portion of the, circumference of fixture 40.
LED's are arranged in multiple vertical column units 155, and said
column units 155 are spaced around the circumference of the fixture
40 to point LED light out from the fixture 360 degrees around the
fixture. In alternative embodiments, LED's may be provided around
only part of the circumference of the fixture, for example, only
around 180 degrees of the fixture to shine light generally forward
and to the sides, but not toward the back. Six of the LED column
units 155 are provided, each with five LEDs, but more or fewer
units and LEDs may be effective. Reflectors 154 are provided on
some or all sides of each LED and may be positioned and slanted to
reflect light outward and preferably slightly downward as needed
for a particular environment. The preferred arrangement of LEDs
results in their being, in effect, columns and rows of LEDs.
[0097] At the back of each LED column unit 155 are located cooling
fins 160, protruding into the hollow interior space 162 of the
housing 142 for exposure to air flowing upward from the middle
section. Heat exchange from the fins and adjacent equipment to the
flowing air cools each unit 155, to remove much of the heat
produced from the LED's. This heat exchange is desired to keep the
LED's in the range of about 20-80 degrees, F and, more preferably,
in the range of 30-80 degrees F. LED performance and life are
typically optimal when operated at approximately 30 degrees F., but
a range of operation temperature (for example, 20-80 degrees F.)
may be tolerated due to the inherent long lives of LEDs.
[0098] In the center of the fixture in FIG. 7, one may see an
example control board 80, as discussed previously. Optionally,
other equipment may be provided inside the fixture 40, extending
through to or on the outside of the fixture 40, or in/on stem 166
or the rain cap C at the top of the fixture 40. Such equipment may
include, for example, a camera and/or recorder for a security
system, wireless network radio, antenna, motion sensor, and/or
photocell. If provided on the outside, it is desirable to have such
equipment consistent with the contour/shape of the fixture, for
example, to be flush with, or to protrude only slightly from, the
housing 142 outer surface. The control boards 80 and other
equipment, if any, located inside the fixture 40 may be cooled by
the upwardly-flowing air inside the fixture, in some embodiments,
or, in other embodiments, may need to be insulated from their
surroundings, depending on the heat balance in the LED fixture.
[0099] FIG. 9 portrays air being pulled into the lower section of
the pole through slits 74 and continuing to flow up past the
batteries and up through the pole, by natural convection. As
provided by the structure of the pole and pole internals discussed
above, the entire pole 12 will preferably be ventilated and
designed to create an upward draft of air through the pole 12. This
air flow cools the battery section and the LEDs, for improved
operation and greater efficiency. The air flow may cool the circuit
board and any other equipment that may be provided in LED fixture,
depending on the heat balance in the fixture, or said circuit board
and other equipment may need to be insulated to keep the LEDs from
heating them beyond desirable temperatures. While other
solar-powered outdoor lights have been proposed, none to the
inventor's knowledge have a cooling feature, and the inventor
believes that the preferred embodiments will exhibit increased
efficiency and long-life, due to the special combination of LEDs
and cooling for batteries and LEDs. Optionally, heating equipment
may be provided in one or areas of the pole to protect equipment
and/or enhance operation during extreme cold. Cable or film heating
means may be effective, and may be controlled by a thermal sensor
and controller.
[0100] Some, but not all, alternative light fixtures are discussed
later in this document. See, for example, FIGS. 22 and 29-33E.
[0101] FIG. 10 portrays an alternative embodiment of the invention,
which is a portable, pivotal outdoor light 200. Light 200 comprises
a pole with attached flexible panel 14 of amorphous thin-film
photovoltaic material, LED fixture 40 at the top of the pole, and a
heavy but portable base 224 that is neither connected to, nor
buried in, the ground. The pole is hinged at 226 to the base 224,
for tilt-up installation at the use site. A lock (not shown) may
secure the pole in the upending position until it is desired to
remove and move the portable light 200 to storage or another
location. Batteries may be provided in the portable base 224.
[0102] FIG. 11 portrays an alternative embodiment 300 that includes
a traffic light as well as a street light. The pole 12, panel 14,
base 24, LED fixture 40, and decorative fixture 50 are the same or
similar to those described above for the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and
2. An arm 302 extends from the middle section of the pole, to a
position over a street intersection, for example. A traffic light
304 hangs from the arm 302, and is powered by the solar-powered
system already described for the other embodiments. A control board
and/or other apparatus and electronics will be provided to control
the traffic light, in accordance with programs and instructions
either programmed into the circuitry/memory of the embodiment 300
and/or received from a control network and/or central control
station.
[0103] FIG. 12 portrays a break-away, road-side outdoor light 400
embodiment, which has its battery system 402 buried in a vault in
the ground rather than being in the lower section of the pole. The
electrical connection between the batteries and the panel, the
batteries and the LED fixture extend underground. The rest of the
light 400 is the same or similar as the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and
2, except that the lower section does not contain batteries, and
the decorative light is a different one of many possible styles.
The lower section of the pole may have a sleeve for encouraging
draft and air flow up to the LED fixture, but does not need to
contain brackets for batteries. An access door may be provided, for
example, to check on or maintain wiring or connections that may be
reachable from the lower section. Adaptations, such as break-away
bolts, are provided to allow the pole to break-away when hit by a
vehicle, as is required for many highway lights. Having the battery
system buried in the ground enhances safety because vehicles will
not crash into the full mass of the pole plus base plus battery
system. Alternatively, batteries could be located in a buried base,
to which the pole may be bolted. The pole may be steel or aluminum,
and may have rust resistant coatings applied for extending
underground.
[0104] FIGS. 13-16, as discussed above in the Summary of the
Invention, illustrate the improved efficiency and effectiveness of
the preferred embodiments of the invention. Sunlight hits the
flexible amorphous panel 14 from all directions on its path "across
the sky." The preferred continuous panel around at least 225
degrees of the pole circumference and along a substantial amount of
the length of the pole, provides a large target that the sunlight
hits "straight on" as much as is possible. The preferred
cylindrical shape of the pole, and, hence, of the panel, provides a
curved target that catches light from dawn to dusk.
[0105] The preferred outdoor light embodiments are what may be
called "visually integrated," as they contain a great amount of
operational capability inside and on a sleek, slim, and generally
conventional-looking pole and installation. The preferred outdoor
light embodiments do not include any flat-panel or framed solar
cells. The pole has few if any protrusions, except for the optional
rain shirt S which may be designed in many non-obtrusive ways, and
an optional rain cap C that also may be designed in non-obtrusive
ways. In embodiments having a decorative light fixture, said
decorative light fixture may be considered a protrusion, but one
that is expected and conventional-appearing. Most or all of the
pole and its associated equipment, except for the decorative light,
preferably varies only about 20 or less percent from the constant
or substantially-constant diameter of the main (middle) section of
the pole.
[0106] Particularly, the attachment of the preferred flexible
amorphous light-active panel, or light-active materials of the
future, is done simply and without racks, brackets, frames, and
other complex or protruding material. Thus, the panel appears to
simply be the side of the pole, for example, a painted or coated
section of the pole wall. The preferred pole is a straight cylinder
(with a constant diameter all along the middle section of the pole)
that may be painted a dark color like black to match or blend with
the dark color of the panel. The panel is not an ugly or
strange-looking structure that would irritate the public,
customers, or property owners who desire an aesthetically pleasing
lighting system, and the panel does not have a high-tech appearance
that might attract v vandals or pranksters.
[0107] It should be noted that, while the preferred embodiments are
outdoor lighting systems, that some embodiments of the invention
may comprise the preferred LED fixture by itself and/or the
preferred LED fixture in use with supports and equipment other than
those shown herein. Also, some embodiments of the invention may
comprise the preferred solar-powered pole by itself and/or
connected to and powering equipment not comprising any light
source, powering non-LED lights, and/or powering equipment other
than is shown herein.
Wireless Intelligent Outdoor Lighting System (WIOLS):
[0108] Preferred embodiments preferably comprise at least one, and
preferably multiple, separate wireless independent networks, which
each preferably comprise multiple "slave" devices and at least one
"master" (also called "coordinating" device). Each wireless
independent network comprises individual slave devices at a
plurality of node locations that "talk" to each other via a mesh
network. The preferred slave devices of the network are primarily
outdoor lighting devices with wireless communication capability,
although other wireless and electrical devices may be included in
the network. Each of the slave devices is equipped with a wireless
modem that communicates with adjacent nodes/slave devices. The
range of each device reaches nodes at least two devices away in
order to allow for the system to remain operational even if one
node is lost or otherwise fails in any way. Each of these devices
is called a "slave" device, because each depends on other
nodes/devices to pass information back & forth.
[0109] The preferred single master (coordinating) device of each
mesh network communicates via wireless modem to all of its "slave"
devices. The mesh network allows for both self-discovery and
bridging the gap when any given node is "lost" for any reason. The
master device has a radio in it (either cell or satellite), which
communicates the monitoring and control information to the control
station. The master device may comprise an outdoor lighting device
and/or other wireless and electrical devices. See, for example,
FIGS. 19 and 20A-D that illustrate multiple, but by no means all,
of possible arrangements for a master-slave mesh network for
wireless, preferably autonomous light systems, which lighting
systems may also comprise additional powered equipment, such as
alarms public service displays, WI-FI hot-spots, etc., as discussed
elsewhere in this document.
[0110] The control station has a connection to the internet so that
the system can be both monitored and controlled from anywhere with
internet access. The control station is connected to a main server
that contains the web site for connection to the internet. If any
given node fails, that information (a "trouble" signal) is passed
on thru the network to the control station so that it can be
addressed. There may be more than one master device connected to a
main server, each master device acting as the primary control
interface between the main server (typically at the control
station) and its respective separate wireless independent network
(typically, the array of components/nodes).
[0111] The wireless network can be simplified by use of LED's or
lasers that can be modulated for communication. Simple
photodetectors can be used in conjunction with the LED's or lasers
for purposes of detecting an object in the area that interrupts the
communication (via LED's or lasers) between adjacent nodes or
devices, that is, typically between adjacent poles.
[0112] One of many applications for a wireless independent and
intelligent network according to the invention is illustrated in
FIG. 21, wherein the network and its devices are used for
anticipatory control of lighting. For example, the wireless
intelligent outdoor lighting system (WIOLS) may comprise
anticipating the direction to be traveled by an object or human.
Motion sensors on the WIOLS along a road can detect the direction
that a vehicle is traveling and light the next few neighboring
lights in the direction of the traveling vehicle (while leaving
other lights off or dimmed). At intersections, lights in any viable
direction for travel are lit until the vehicle has begun travel
along a particular route from that intersection, at which time the
lights ahead of that vehicle light up while the other routes dim or
are turned off. Similarly, in a parking lot or a park, motion
sensors on the WIOLS can detect the direction that a person is
traveling and light the poles in the direction that the person is
moving, or create some other illumination pattern that promotes
safety, alertness, or other desirable goals.
[0113] Referring specifically to FIG. 21, when a vehicle is in
Position P1 traveling along the street, the motion sensors in/on
poles A and B allow the intelligent network to determine the
direction and speed of travel. Lights A and B are immediately
illuminated. Lights C and G are illuminated ahead of the vehicle,
lighting its way ahead of its path of travel. As the vehicle
approaches the intersection (Position P2), lights D and G are
illuminated, anticipating the direction of travel along one of the
two streets. If the vehicle turns and begins to travel along "Oak
Street", then poles E and F are illuminated. If the vehicle
continues to travel along "Apple Street", then poles H and I are
illuminated. Once the vehicle has traveled beyond the lighted path
of travel, the poles are dimmed down to the low light level or
turned off until the next event sensed by the motion sensor. In
this scenario, poles/lights A-I may be considered individual nodes
in a wireless mess network, wherein typically all but one are slave
poles/nodes, and said one is a master. Thus, poles/lights A-I will
preferably all be part of a single mesh network and the network may
communicate with a control station via the master pole/light, as
schematically portrayed in FIGS. 19 and 20A-D. The selection of
which poles/nodes are adapted to be the slaves and which is adapted
to be the master may be done according to various criteria,
including optimal location for the master pole/nodes cell or
satellite communication with the internet, and/or proximity to
support and maintenance structure, for example. It may be noted
that "on-pole" refers to actions that are specific to one pole (the
pole itself) that do not relate to other poles. For example, motion
sensed at a single pole in a parking lot will increase the light
level for just that pole, and does not involve other poles. It may
be noted that "across-poles" means that a series or group of poles
are involved, for example, a series of poles along a street. As a
car passes at least two poles, the motion information (speed,
direction of travel) must be communicated to the other poles along
the street in order to `light the way` ahead of the cars travel
path.
[0114] In an outdoor public lighting system, it can be desirable
for individual outdoor lighting nodes to behave in an
interdependent manner. A damaged or missing light needs to have
that status communicated to a central control, so that repairs can
be made or adjacent lights can temporarily compensate for the
missing/damaged light. For security reasons, a specific activity in
a certain location within the array may cause a particular node to
change it parameters (i.e. adjusting luminosity or sending out some
sort of communication) triggered by motion sensors, etc. Also
during times of transition between light and dark (i.e. dawn and
dusk), it is desirable to control of the array of lights as a group
to adjusts the luminosity with respect to the ambient lighting
conditions. In addition, public outdoor lighting arrays, such as in
preferred embodiments of the WIOLS, form a ready-made wireless
infrastructure, and are ideally suited to wireless communication
for public safety, or with the proper protocols and security, for
public access to the internet. Such adaptations, for example,
public safety communication for alarms and/or signaling to the
public, and/or public access to the internet, may be provided by
fitting one of more nodes/devices/poles of the WIOLS with
supplemental equipment, such as alarm speakers, electronic signage,
and/or internet "Wi-Fi hot spot" hardware and software.
[0115] When combined with an energy storage device, a wireless
intelligent outdoor lighting system (WIOLS) can also respond to
power outages when connected on the grid to create an
uninterruptible power supply (called herein "UPS"). The WIOLS
detects the loss of grid power and communicates with the utility
company to determine how to place power from the energy storage
device back onto the grid. The WIOLS can also act as a UPS in a
small localized energy grid, eliminating or supplementing backup
power generators. The behaviors would be similar to that on the
larger power grid.
[0116] Therefore, the preferred embodiments comprise adaptations
for independent processes, such as independent monitoring, control,
and output (light, alarms or other communication, etc.), which
independent comprise sensing, communication and control only
between the nodes/devices/poles of an individual WIOLS. When
adapted and operating in this independent mode, the preferred array
may be considered an independent array and/or an independent
network of nodes.
[0117] In addition, the preferred embodiments comprise adaptation
for non-independent processes, such as communication between the
master node/device/pole of the WIOLS and a control station.
Preferably each of the preferred light poles employs batteries,
recharged by solar panels, that may be used to transmit signals to
multiple of the other slaves, and the master preferably also
employs a battery(ies) to transmit signals to a remote location.
Thus, an important and novel features of the preferred embodiments
is that multiple poles of a single network comprise equipment and
programming on or in the pole that adapts said multiple poles of a
particular WIOLS to communicate with each other. This independent
communication between the light poles of each WIOLS create the
"independent" feature of each WIOLS, in that at least one, and
preferably several, sensing and control tasks are handle between
the multiple poles without requiring control from the control
station. The preferred WIOLS each also have a self-discovery
feature for self-identification of new nodes and integration of the
new nodes onto the network. The especially-preferred
nodes/devices/poles of each WIOLS are each powered by a battery and
can use solar panels to recharge the battery. Preferably, each
outdoor light of the WIOLS has a wireless modem and controller
forming a wireless network, for monitoring and control of its
devices to allow for adjustment for low battery conditions and the
ability to measure excess power generated by the devices to be
placed back on the grid, for example, for being applied for a
credit to the account. Optionally, the master node/device/pole, as
described above, may also communicate to, or receive from, the
control station information and instructions about said low battery
conditions and/or excess power. Outdoor lighting arrays,
particularly in public settings provide a ready made wireless
infrastructure, since nearly all municipalities and many public
roadways utilize light poles. In such settings, it is desirable for
individual outdoor lighting nodes, within an array of outdoor
lighting, to behave in an interdependent manner. It is also
desirable for the lighting fixtures and/or devices connected to
these outdoor light poles to behave in an intelligent manner to
enhance security and safety, while minimizing energy costs. In
addition, because public outdoor lighting arrays form a ready-made
wireless infrastructure, they are ideally suited to wireless
communication for public safety, or with the proper protocols and
security, for public access to the interne.
[0118] The main components of the preferred WIOLS are the master
and slave outdoor lighting devices and the server at the control
station. The slave device consists of a outdoor lighting structure
with lighting fixture, network board with a micro controller, power
supply, electronics as required for the mesh network, and zero, one
or more devices that act as sensors or active devices. There is
also a wireless modem "on-board" each slave device. An AC to DC
power supply connects it to an AC system if available. If no power
is available, a wind generator and/or a solar collector powers the
system. Power can be stored to an energy storage device, such as a
battery, capacitors, fuel cells, or devices that store and release
hydrogen.
[0119] The master wireless outdoor lighting device has all of the
same components as the slave device with the addition of a cell or
satellite radio. The cell or satellite network is already in place,
which provides the wireless communication to the control
station.
[0120] The outline below lists some, but not all, of the preferred
features/options that may be included in various embodiments of the
WIOLS invention. Following are preferred "supportability" features:
[0121] 1.1 It is preferred to include, in the WIOLS wireless
controller/programming, a method for separation of operational
parameters from code, with the following preferred features: [0122]
1.1.1 All operational parameters that affect how the systems and
algorithms behave are abstracted out of the code, leaving behind
variables in the code that are evaluated at system start; [0123]
1.1.2 Operational parameters are stored separately from code in a
profile that is easily read and processed by the code; [0124]
1.1.2.1 Said profile should be easy to replace in its entirety;
[0125] 1.1.2.2 Individual values for operational parameters in said
profile should be easy to replace; [0126] 1.1.3 On system restart
or reset, all systems and algorithms flush their values for
operational parameters then re-read and re-process operational
parameters from the profile; [0127] 1.2 A method for an operator or
maintenance personnel to reset the device at ground level (i.e.
standing on the street), like a reset button. Pushing this button
is the equivalent to power cycling the system, which causes all
hardware, firmware and software to re-initialize, re-read and
re-process all operational parameters; [0128] 1.3 A method for
indicating device system status, like a 3-color light or set of
lights (e.g., green, yellow, red) at ground level that conveys one
of three states: operating properly, operating but there is an
issue needing attention, and not operating. This provides ground
level feedback regarding whether to push the reset button as well
as whether or not pushing the reset button resolved the issue.
[0129] 1.4 As another example, the processor may blink and/or
strobe an error code via the primary illumination device of the
lighting system to indicate the determined error condition. In an
environment where the lighting system is employed as a street light
or other lighting pole, a passing pedestrian and/or motorist may
notice the error code and notify the relevant lighting system
operator. The operator may then dispatch maintenance and/or repair
persons to correct the error condition. In addition, by employing
the primary illumination device of the lighting system to indicate
the determined error condition, error conditions signaling
capability may be provided without additional components and only
minimal increase in system complexity. [0130] 1.5 A method for
providing a ground-level memory card reader (e.g.,
CompactFlash.TM., SmartMedia.TM.): [0131] 1.5.1 Memory card reader
is bootable, meaning that, on reset, the card reader is checked for
a set of operational parameters and if they exist, these
operational parameters are used instead of any others that may be
onboard; [0132] 1.5.2 System logging persists on a memory card in
the ground level slot so that the card can easily be replaced, with
logging data taking back for more thorough analysis than can
reasonably occur in the field; and [0133] 1.5.3 Amount of memory
for operational parameters and logging is easily increased by
replacing lower capacity card with higher capacity card over time.
[0134] 1.6 Methods and algorithms are used that create modularity
of systems on the device in order to: [0135] 1.6.1 Facilitate unit
testing as the number of components increases; [0136] 1.6.2 More
easily enable in-field, black-box replacing as a cost-effective
support strategy in the field; and [0137] 1.6.3 So that replaced
modules are sent back to the manufacturer or certified service
representative for troubleshooting, repair and recirculation.
[0138] 1.7 Methods and algorithms are used to enabling an
expandable bus architecture on the device to enable in-field
hardware feature expandability over time (e.g., new sensor, high
bandwidth radio, video camera).
[0139] Following are "Wireless Networking & Control" features
that are preferably included in various embodiments of the WIOLS
invention: [0140] 2.1 The following features are preferred
"on-pole", that is, on EACH individual POLE or on a plurality of
poles in the wireless network: [0141] 2.1.1 Algorithms to perform
all functions in above through a wireless network and set of
commands and protocols. [0142] 2.1.2 Preferably included "on-pole"
for event management: [0143] 2.1.2.1 Algorithms for monitoring and
storing discrete and continuous triggers, interpreting triggers and
translating them into events to be published; [0144] 2.1.2.3
Algorithms for subscribing to and receiving events with specified
attributes as a way of performing a task in response to a published
event; [0145] 2.1.2.4 Algorithms for interpreting one or a
collection of conditions, assessing their severity and then
determining whether a warning or error condition exists; [0146]
2.1.2.5 Algorithms around scheduling jobs at predefined times
and/or with predefined frequencies to perforin tasks; and [0147]
2.1.2.6 Algorithms enabling the way an event is treated throughout
the system to be dictated by the classification and characteristics
of the event itself. [0148] 2.1.3 For joining a network and
self-organizing: [0149] 2.1.3.1 Algorithms for initialization
processes that include broadcasting across frequencies and channels
to find other devices within range; and [0150] 2.1.3.2 Algorithms
surrounding whether to join an existing network versus creating a
new network in response to other devices located within range,
their functions within the network, their capabilities and the
breadth of the networks they share. [0151] 2.2 The following
features are preferred to be "Across-Poles" (that is, between
multiple poles): [0152] 2.2.1 Algorithms around how, where, and how
redundantly to register a device's capabilities on a network;
[0153] 2.2.2 Algorithms for determining connectivity issues on the
network, routing around issues, repairing issues and reestablishing
routes once repaired; [0154] 2.2.3 Algorithms for favoring
efficient routing, penalizing inefficient routing and adjusting
both over time based on changeable definitions of efficiency;
[0155] 2.2.4 Algorithms for locating and sharing resources on the
network as resource availability and location changes over time;
[0156] 2.2.5 Algorithms for securing the network against
unauthorized "network joins" and ensuring intra-network
communications cannot easily be intercepted and interpreted; [0157]
2.2.6 Algorithms for using monitoring events across a population of
devices to determine a coordinated action to take like lighting the
way ahead of a walker along a pathway or turning on a video camera
based on triangulation of multiple device motion sensors, such as:
[0158] 2.2.6.1 Algorithms that detect motion (direction and
velocity) and estimate the future direction and location of the
moving object as a function of time; and [0159] 2.2.6.2 Algorithms
that activate devices based on the anticipated location of the
moving object per the algorithms in (i.e. turning on or brightening
lights or turning on/waking up security cameras ahead of a moving
car or moving person). [0160] 2.2.7 Algorithms for aggregating
events over populations of devices, rolling up event information
based on criteria, interpreting low-level event information and
using it to create new higher-order events; [0161] 2.2.8 Algorithms
for determining the location of a device based on known fixed
locations and triangulation of multiple device radio signals;
[0162] 2.2.9 Algorithms that allow poles in a network to look for
and sense different sensors that come into range of the wireless
sensor(s) on the poles; [0163] 2.2.10 Algorithms that allow poles
in a network to identify and categorize the different types of
sensors that come into range of the wireless sensor(s) on the
poles; [0164] 2.2.11 Algorithms that allow poles in a network to
communicate with the different types of sensors that come into
range of the wireless sensor(s) on the poles; and [0165] 2.2.12
Algorithms that allow poles in a network to activate certain
function on the different types of sensors that come into range of
the wireless sensor(s) on the poles. [0166] 2.3 Regarding Content
and Information Delivery (for example, gathering of weather or
other information from networked devices by communication from one
of more nodes/poles of a WIOLS to the control station, and/or
providing messages, advertising, and public information that may be
communicated from the control station to one of more nodes/poles of
a WIOLS and then to the public): [0167] 2.3.1 Algorithms involving
securely bridging a low-power, low-bandwidth network and a
medium-power, high-bandwidth network, or providing secure gateway
capabilities between the two networks; [0168] 2.3.2 Algorithms for
aggregating information across populations of devices and securely
delivering this information through a broadband wireless
infrastructure to a WIOLS-manufacturer-operated network operations
center; and [0169] 2.3.3 Algorithms for guaranteed or best-efforts
delivery of information to the network operations center based on
the classification of the information. [0170] 2.4 Regarding
Management that may be preferred and/or necessary for the business
of operating and maintaining a WIOLS: [0171] 2.4.1 Algorithms
around creating and managing user/customer accounts and passwords
with associated roles and permissions that span different kinds of
customers as well as the needs of the WIOLS manufacturer itself;
[0172] 2.4.2 Algorithms that enable authentication of individual
users to specific accounts and roles with associated permissions,
and that track failed authentication attempts for intrusion
detection security; [0173] 2.4.3 Algorithms for authorizing
individual users/customers to access and use only their devices and
associated data; [0174] 2.4.4 Algorithms for detecting when
security might be compromised anywhere in the system and taking
action once security is believed to be compromised such as locking
out a user or customer, denying access to devices or data, locking
out parts of the system globally or by customer and flushing all
security keys requiring re-initialization throughout the system of
all security subsystems; [0175] 2.4.5 Algorithms for creating sets
of devices that meet pre-defined conditions then proactively and
remotely managing these devices including resetting, updating
firmware, updating operational parameters, triggering on-demand
information delivery, troubleshooting issues, overriding operation
for prescribed periods of time, etc.; [0176] 2.4.6 Analytical
algorithms that operated on aggregated information at the WIOLS
manufacturer's network operations center and provide customers with
all manner of operational and environmental insights; [0177] 2.4.7
Algorithms that allow a network of poles to manage power being
pulled from the power grid or placed back onto the power grid, such
as: [0178] 2.4.7.1 Algorithms that allow a network of poles on the
grid to put power onto the grid a desired times, either as certain
criteria are sensed and met on the grid, or via a command from a
central command center or a Network Operation Center (NOC); and
[0179] 2.4.7.2 Algorithms to draw power from the grid at desired
times, as certain criteria are sensed and met on the grid, or via a
command from a NOC. [0180] 2.4.8 Algorithms to vary the control
signal to the load(s) to test its operation (i.e. to test the
ability of the light to run full brightness and dim down to various
dimming levels). See, also, the section entitled "Active Control
for Energy-Efficient Lighting" later in this document. [0181] 2.5
Regarding community assistance and relations, or advertising to the
community: [0182] 2.5.1 Algorithms relating to advertising and
other information that may be announced and/or displayed on one or
more of the nodes/poles of a WIOLS, preferably powered by renewable
systems and energy storage systems that are also powering lights
for the community: [0183] 2.5.1.1 Methods for leveraging the
convenient locations of street lighting and the surface area
provided to offer advertising inventory; [0184] 2.5.1.2 Methods and
algorithms for providing programmable inventory on a pole that
includes advertising inventory and time-based rotation of ad
inventory; [0185] 2.5.1.3 Methods and algorithms for selecting
collections of poles that meet various criteria (e.g., location,
amount of foot traffic based on motion triggers, average monthly
temperature) and then delivering programmable ad inventory to poles
meeting the criteria; [0186] 2.5.1.4 Methods and algorithms for
wirelessly determining additional context from a passerby (e.g.,
mobile device brand and service provider) and enabling more
targeted advertising based on this additional context; and [0187]
2.5.1.5 Algorithms for determining the direction a passerby is
heading, identifying poles in that direction and then streaming
advertising across poles along the passerby's path to overcome
bandwidth limitations, provider a longer and richer ad experience
or both. [0188] 2.5.2 Algorithms regarding/providing Wi-Fi
hotspots: [0189] 2.5.2.1 Methods for including mobile broadband
routers on poles in order to offer community Wi-Fi hotspots; [0190]
2.5.2.2 Algorithms for leveraging sensor information (e.g., motion)
and system parameters (e.g., time of day, available battery energy)
to enable or disable Wi-Fi hotspot capability; and [0191] 2.5.2.3
Methods for enabling/disabling and changing the behavior of Wi-Fi
hotspots remotely, from a network operations center. [0192] 2.5.3
Algorithms regarding/providing financial transactions: [0193]
2.5.3.1 Methods and algorithms for securely receiving, aggregating,
uploading and reconciling financial transactions from RF devices
within range.
Peak Load Delay Energy Conservation System:
[0194] The main objective of one group of preferred embodiments is
to provide a system to delay or off-load electrical energy usage to
hours of the day when load on the utility grid is lower.
Specifically, these preferred embodiments have an integral battery
or other energy storage system that is recharged by the electrical
grid during off-peak load times of the day. The stored energy in
the batteries or other energy storage system can be utilized to
provide power to the grid during peak load periods and/or to
provide power to a light or other electrical device on or near the
preferred embodiment during peak load periods. The stored energy in
the batteries or other energy storage system may optionally provide
power to said light or other electrical device during power
outages.
[0195] Optionally, the system/device may be "autonomous" in that it
may be powered by an integral renewable energy collection system
such as a solar collector and/or wind energy device. The integral
solar collector, wind energy and/or stored energy in the batteries
or other energy storage system may be utilized to provide power to
the grid during periods. Therefore, in such autonomous embodiments,
the device may then be "self-powered" during prolonged periods of
power outage.
[0196] These preferred embodiments may be accomplished by
integrating the battery or other energy storage device and other
necessary system components (described below) into the light
fixture itself so that it can be installed as a complete unit to an
existing or new pole. Alternatively, some or all of said battery or
other storage device and/or other necessary system components may
be manufactured and installed separate and/or distanced from the
light fixture, for example, when a new pole is provided with some
or all of this equipment inside the pole or inside the base below
the pole.
[0197] Some, but not all, of the modes of operation of these
preferred embodiments may be described as follows. Each night
during peak load periods, when it first starts to get dark outside,
a photocell turns on the light, which is powered by the energy
storage pack (including said battery(s) and/or other storage
system), so that no electrical load is added to the grid during
peak load periods. Once the peak loading time period has passed,
the light will then continue to be powered by the energy storage
pack, however, the batteries will then be charged by the line
voltage (grid) during the time period when peak loading is no
longer an issue (in the early morning hours, for example) via the
energy storage pack charger. The LEDs, control board and all other
system components are operated on DC voltage. The energy storage
pack preferably only needs enough power to carry the light thru the
peak loading period for one night (typically only 3-4 hours post
dusk), but, optionally, may be designed for enough power to provide
power to the grid during said peak loading period. The energy
storage pack will then be charged in the morning for later use that
evening or night.
[0198] Additional features may be added, for example, dimming
capability to reduce the light output after the first hour. Such a
dimming capability, for example, may allow the light to have a much
higher lumen output when it first turns on & then dims it down
as the night progresses and less light is needed. Another option is
to include a motion sensor over-ride that will immediately turn the
light back up to full brightness when motion is detected near the
pole, for example, motion of a person, a bicycle, or a vehicle.
Both of these features allow the light to be "tuned" to the
specific application requirements and to conserve as much energy as
possible. This will allow the energy storage pack to be as small as
possible to reduce costs and to reduce the size and weight of the
fixture. See, particularly, the section entitled "Active Control
for Energy-Efficient Lighting" later in this document.
[0199] The additional feature of having a wireless control board,
for example as described earlier in this document, allows the
settings on the light to be changed remotely and allows for the
fixture system performance to be monitored remotely. For example,
the power company may check to see how each of the lights are
performing and confirm that the light is running off of battery
power for the full amount of time required for the peak loading
period. The owner of the light may check the status of all system
features, the battery health, and whether any maintenance items
need attention, for example, LEDs that need to be replaced and
battery chargers that are not working properly, etc.
[0200] Solar powered light poles and/or specially-adapted LED light
fixtures, as described earlier in this document, and/or other solar
collector light systems, may be used in embodiments of the WIOLS
described herein. Major energy contribution is provided by said
solar collectors, and therefore typically such poles/lights need
only be connected to the grid and controlled/monitored remotely so
as to properly manage the luminosity and power during the peak load
hours and then to ensure that the energy storage pack is recharged
during off-peak hours. This "insurance", of being connected to the
grid, may be particularly beneficial in cloudy climates, during
inclement months, or where the grid needs can benefit from the
solar-collected power during peak load times.
[0201] When the energy storage device holds a sufficient amount of
energy, this system can also respond to power outages when
connected on the grid to create an Uninterruptible Power Supply
(UPS). The intelligent outdoor lighting system detects the loss of
grid power and communicates with the utility company to determine
how to place power from the energy storage device back onto the
grid. The preferred intelligent outdoor lighting system can also
act as a UPS in a small localized energy grid, eliminating or
supplementing backup power generators. The behaviors of the
intelligent outdoor lighting system for a small localized energy
grid would be similar to those for the larger power grid.
[0202] An example of one peak load delay conservation system that
uses an integral light, storage and control unit 600 is
schematically portrayed in FIG. 22, wherein said integral unit 600
comprises the following elements listed by call-out number: fixture
box 602, such as "shoebox" or "cobrahead" or other standard or
custom light fixture housing or body; lens 604 connected to said
box 602; fixture arm and/or bracket 606 to mount fixture to pole;
energy storage pack 608, which may comprise batteries or other
energy storage apparatus; energy storage pack charger 610; LED
light engine 612, which may be of various designs, but is
preferably the modular LED system described elsewhere in this
document; motion sensor & photocell 614; and control board w/
wireless modem and/or cell phone radio 616. While such integral
units are preferred, it will be understood by those in skill in the
art reading and viewing this document and its figures, that peak
load delay conservation systems according to embodiments of the
invention could also be installed on existing or new
light/equipment poles with the elements called-out for FIG. 22
being provided in separated housings and/or in spaced-apart
locations on the pole.
[0203] Those of skill in the field of electrical grid management
will be able to construct systems that detect peak load periods on
the grid and/or that detect when loads exceed a predetermined level
in smaller power grids such as a residence, that control electrical
devices to reduce power demand and/or that use power from stored
power sources (such as batteries) to supplement power demand during
periods of peak loads. After reading this disclosure, those of
skill in the art will understand how to recharge, during off-peak
hours, the energy storage devices (preferably batteries) of the
preferred outdoor lighting systems of the invention, and how to
monitor power being fed back to the grid from autonomous lighting
systems according to embodiments of the invention, so as to bill
energy credits to the utility company.
[0204] A particularly important feature of the preferred
embodiments that may be autonomous (that may be powered by a source
other than the grid) and that may also cooperate with the grid, is
that the preferred embodiments provide power from their energy
storage devices to the local electrical device (light or other
local component) specifically during times of peak load on the grid
and also manage the power between the energy storage device and the
local electrical device (light or other local component) to ensure
adequate power to that local electrical device during said peak
load hours. The management system is adapted to store energy when
possible and use the stored energy in an efficient and controlled
manner during peak load hours. This way, demand on the grid during
those peak hours is reduced, and local devices (lights, alarms,
and/or security cameras) that must be turned on for public safety
and security are indeed turned on and adequately powered. This
management of power to the local electrical device (light or other
local component) during the grid's peak load hours enhances the
autonomous characteristics of the preferred embodiments. These
management features may be included in systems that do not have
self-power capability, that is, wherein the energy storage devices
are charged by the grid during non-peak-load hours. These
management features may be included in systems that are
self-powered (i.e. through solar and/or wind), wherein the energy
storage device is charged by the solar and/or wind systems (and
optionally by the grid only during non-peak hours), with the added
features that the self-powered systems may feed power back to the
grid during peak-load hours and/or assuming there is sufficient
self-power production for powering the public-safety- and
security-related local devices.
Autonomous Connected Devices:
[0205] Many of the invented lighting networks, with or without
additional or alternative powered equipment (such as alarms, Wi-Fi
hotspots, advertising or public information dissemination, for
example) are autonomous, in that they may be powered by preferably
renewable energy sources and, therefore, may be separate from and
not dependent or co-operational with the electric grid, or they may
be self-powered during at least part of the time but may also
cooperate with the grid to provide energy to the grid and/or accept
energy from the grid only at certain times. Such Autonomous
Connected Devices (ACD) combine a solar engine, for example as
described elsewhere in this document, with a smart wireless mesh,
such as described elsewhere in this document, for example, in the
section Wireless Intelligent Outdoor Lighting System (WIOLS). Much
of the apparatus shown in previously-discussed figures of this
document may be used in the ACD's, for example, FIGS. 1-17 and
19-21, as will understood from the descriptions and discussions of
those figures; additional apparatus and methods are discussed
below.
[0206] ACDs may be especially beneficial in remote areas and rural
settlements, municipalities, housing associations, industrial
complexes, developing countries, or other entities or regions that
have no option to connect to a grid, want/need to have no
connection to the grid, or want substantial autonomy but are
willing to cooperate with the grid by supplying the grid with
energy some times and accepting energy from the grid at other
times. One group of embodiments of the latter category
(self-powering combined with cooperation with the grid) is
described in the section "Peak Load Delay Energy Conservation
System" earlier in this document. While the preferred ADC's are
powered by solar engines (solar panels and/or other solar devices),
wind-powered engines may be used instead or in addition to the
solar engines.
[0207] It will be understood that many features of the ADCs overlap
with the features of the WIOLS, as a WIOLS is the preferred form of
monitoring and controlling a ADC network but WIOLS technology may
be applied in either ADC's or grid-dependent devices. In addition
to providing lighting to entities or regions such as are listed
above, ACD's, and their WIOLS, may provide one or more of said
powered equipment, including devices to provide "content services"
such as information gathering (or weather conditions, fire or floor
conditions, etc., or information dissemination such as advertising
or warnings in the form of digital or other visual displays or
audible announcements. Thus, Autonomous Connected Devices (ACD)
combine a solar engine providing self-contained power with as smart
wireless mesh for connectivity and content services to enable new
social and business models to be built from populations of
devices.
[0208] The preferred solar engine collects solar energy using
photovoltaics, controls the flow of solar energy, stores solar
energy for optimal use, and delivers energy at the right voltage
and current to devices. The smart wireless mesh that is preferably
used to connect said ACD organizes itself, repairs connectivity
issues automatically, communicates data seamlessly, and cooperates
in group activities.
[0209] An ADC network may be used to aggregate information widely,
monitor issues remotely, manage operational excellence, and analyze
behavioral & environmental trends over large geographies, so
that said analysis may be shared with customers and/or the
public.
[0210] ACD devices benefit from being autonomous yet connected. For
example, a population of remotely managed street and area lights
according to ACD embodiments, may be economical and effective where
the cost of trenching to deliver power is cost-prohibitive.
Grid-neutral outdoor lighting may be installed, according to
embodiments of the invented ACD networks, that offsets wired energy
usage by collecting, metering and returning solar energy to the
grid, for example according to the Peak Load Delay systems
described earlier in this document.
[0211] Examples of ACD applications, features, and benefits may
include:
1. Remotely monitored & managed, grid-tied LED retrofits that
may provide a remote physical security installation with light,
video, security gate and sensor fencing. 2. Ubiquitous broadband
internet access provided preferably by multiple of the poles in an
ACD network. 3. Power, light and internet access for third world
village libraries. 4. Lighting, Wi-Fi hotspots, and video cameras
on poles of a single ACD network; 5. Monitoring & management
allowing operational and environmental data gathering over wide
areas of network apparatus and/or wide areas of land, therefore
allowing alerts, inventory control, and information dissemination
not previously possible in such an efficient and accurate manner.
6. New social & business models possible by using the invented
ACD, as information gathering, information dissemination, and
energy and internet access may be available to more people and more
efficiently and accurately. 7. Simplicity and adaptations that
allow off-the-shelf components to be used in the ACD. 8. Employing
of "smart" data and "dumb" code. 9. Keeping components separate,
loosely bound and stateless. 10. Comprising a secure, low-power
backhaul for monitoring & management of diverse populations of
devices. 11. Aggregates operational & environmental content
across wide geographic areas using ubiquitous infrastructure
elements like light poles. 12. The preferred solar engine employed
in ACD networks generalizes solar collection, power management,
energy storage and power delivery. 13. Manufacture and install-time
power delivery configuration (e.g., voltage, current, wiring
harnesses). 14. Maximize energy budget over time by optimizing
solar collection via optimizing the PV "skin" plus charge
controller, and by smart usage profiles via optimizing sensors plus
control board plus algorithms. 15. Granular operational data,
including PV, charge controller and battery metrics, and
consumption metering of device activities, including dumping energy
back onto the grid. 16. Remotely updatable firmware &
profiles.
[0212] As portrayed in FIG. 23, the preferred ACD system
architecture comprises devices that are powered by the solar
engine, either on-pole, near-pole, and/or in the general vicinity
of the preferred wireless communication from the pole. Secure
two-way communications between the poles and the NOC coordinator
poles (for example, master poles) and the Internet and/or
headquarters (for example, control station) are accomplished by a
"smart" mesh network. Both content customers (such as weather
service or traffic planners, for example) and management customers
may receive content via the Internet.
[0213] An ACD needs power, performs activities (e.g., lighting,
Wi-Fi, video,) makes decisions, monitors operational and
environmental data and participates in collective behavior. As
portrayed in FIG. 24, the preferred ACD system may be described as
having an Application Layer (A1) (e.g., power profile applications,
light-the-way applications, grid neutral metering, which utilize
on-device and collective intelligence algorithms (A2). Also, the
preferred ACD system has event Driven OS w/Driver Abstraction
(e.g., TinyOS) (B1), which utilizes unique event-driven device
drivers for device capabilities (B2). Also, the preferred ACD
system comprises hardware (chipsets, sensors, radios, etc) (C1),
preferably utilizing a system that is flexible and expandable as
the hardware evolves (C2), for example, as protocols, radios and
sensors evolve. The Power Abstraction Layer (D1) of the preferred
ACD system utilizes standardized and normalized power delivery
(D2).
[0214] The preferred smart wireless mesh connects ACDs into a
self-organizing, self-repairing mesh that enables low-power,
two-way communications; remote troubleshooting and repair; system
monitoring and management; environmental sensing; collective
intelligence; and wide area content aggregation and analytics.
Smart Wireless Mesh-Topology
[0215] The "Smart Wireless Mesh Network" of the preferred ACD
comprises each "population" (each networked group, each
wirelessly-connected plurality of ACDs) having a Gateway Node,
which performs low to high bandwidth mapping as "NOC coordinator,"
initiates mesh forming as "mesh coordinator", and oversees mesh
healing. Each population of ACDs also has Router Nodes that aid in
locating other nodes, cache data for "sleeping children" poles
(hibernating or unused at the time), and that reinforce "good"
paths. Each population of ACDs also has End Nodes, which feature
minimal energy use, wake to connect on demand, and are activity
& connection independent. Then device functionality is overlaid
atop the mesh topology of Isolated Devices needing slow uni-cast
connectivity for monitoring and maintenance (e.g., environmental
sensors); Collective Devices needing slow multi-cast connectivity
for group behavior (e.g., "light the way"); and Streaming Devices
need fast uni-cast connectivity for real-time throughput (e.g.,
contextual advertising).
[0216] The supportability of the preferred Smart Wireless Mesh may
be illustrated by response to an event such as device connectivity
loss, whereafter:
1. Scheduled report-back job flags a customer's non-reporting node;
2. Service sends a device down alert to device manager's mobile
phone; 3. Device ping confirms--no connectivity; 4. In-field
support tech dispatched; 5. Ground-level panel opened; 6. Reset
button pushed; and 7. After a short time, status lights indicate
all systems are operational! Or, after mesh connectivity lost, the
response may be: 1. Report-back job indicates a mesh coordinator
node is down; 2. Device in adjacent mesh is remotely repurposed; 3.
End node program replaced with mesh coordinator program--OTA; 4.
Device remotely reset; 5. New mesh coordinator finds orphaned
nodes, reforms mesh; and 6. Support tech dispatched, resets old
mesh coordinator, re-joins as end node.
[0217] The preferred smart wireless mesh is "open" yet secure, for
example, the smart wireless mesh is open in that it adheres to the
ZigBee protocol (i.e., IEEE 802.15.4-2006 standard for wireless
personal area networks) and allows any device supporting ZigBee to
join the mesh at anytime.
[0218] The smart wireless mesh is secure in that it features a
quarantine (a period of time with limited connectivity while
behavior is watched and deemed proper for device type, or not), for
example, verified, then isolated, then meshed, then monitored, then
managed. The wireless mesh comprises selectable paths, whereby the
connectivity path is selected based on sensitivity of data being
moved, for example, unprotected data is moved by unencrypted ZigBee
over 802.15.4 (mesh forming and healing, collective behavior, for
example); protected date is moved by E2E tunnel-mode VPN using IPv6
over 802.15.4 (remotely updating security keys over-the-air, change
operating profile, for example).
[0219] The preferred ACDs are widely distributed and therefore,
event driven. Events connect sub-systems within a single device,
devices within a smart wireless mesh, the mesh network with content
services in the Network Operations Center (control station). Events
have triggers that percolate up through HW & OS abstractions;
that are discrete (single-instance, occurring once--e.g., motion
detector registers a change) or are continuous (multi-instance,
streaming over time--e.g., battery current). Events are classified
along three dimensions, specifically, type
(info|warning|error|monitor|manage); scope
(device|mesh|service|customer); and risk (low|medium|high).
[0220] The monitoring processes of the ACD network delivers service
and customer scoped events from the field to the Network Operations
Center as they occur, enabling alerts when predefined conditions
are met to facilitate cost-effective maintenance and aggregation of
operational and environmental data over large populations of
devices to facilitate troubleshooting and value-added content. See
the Event Delivery Pipeline in FIG. 25, wherein the box "Identify"
refers to a unique device ID (identification) resolved to assembly
IDs, manufacturer, installer, support, service log and customer;
wherein "De-Dupe" refers to multi-path routing with delivery delays
can cause duplications that get collapsed using unique identifiers;
wherein "Normalize" refers to device and sub-system version
differences being normalized on the way in, to maintain consistency
at the NOC; and wherein "Tag" refers to metadata derived from
context and route being added to events on the way in (duplicate
plus alternate routes).
[0221] The management processes of the ACD network operate on sets
of devices, selected at the Network Operations Center, then
targeted with events delivered using the smart wireless mesh to
enable remote device reset (like CTRL+ALT+DEL), whole system
inventory (e.g., assembly ids, HW/SW/FW versions); data, profile
& SW/FW updates over the air; and programmed tasks (e.g.,
stream video every night at 10 PM for 5 minutes). See the Device
Management Pipeline of FIG. 26, wherein the box "Query" refers to
leveraging of Internet search technology to query populations of
devices that meet specific characteristics; wherein "Select" refers
to sorting and sifting to further refine the set of devices and
creating a narrowly targeted set to select and operate on; wherein
"Apply" refers to defining a task, scheduling a job containing one
or more tasks then applying the job to the set of selected devices;
and wherein "Verify" refers to leveraging monitoring, verifying the
job and tasks were executed, events were delivered to devices,
actions performed and results achieved.
[0222] As discussed briefly elsewhere in this document, "content
services" may be a feature of the preferred ACD and/or other
wireless network. Content aggregated across wide populations of
devices, combined with the ability to reach out a touch an
individual device remotely, enables services such as customer
account creation, user identification, and authorization; device
identification and provisioning; and account and device
disablement. Also, content services are enabled that comprise
management such as troubleshooting and repair, inventory control
w/updatable code, profiles and data, and scheduled device or
population jobs/tasks. Also, content services are enabled that
comprise "visualization" features, such as overlays (Google maps,
insolation, energy costs), customer dashboards w/KPIs for devices,
and redistributable "widgets" for partner networks. Also, content
services are enabled that comprise monitoring such as granular
event logging over time, predefined thresholds with actions, and
automatic actions or email/text alerts. Also, content services are
enabled that comprise analytics, such as searching, sorting and
refining devices by attributes, and correlating operational with
environmental and location to feed back into optimizations and
roadmap.
[0223] Enabling new social & business models from populations
of devices requires a services system with redundant, commodity HW
paradigm (like Google--i.e., 5.times.9's of reliability via quick
healing), real-time and batch inbound processing pipeline to
maintain data integrity, a presentation layer rich with
visualization and Web 2.0 sharing (e.g., widgets), and data
interfaces/schema for converting and then delivering data to
customers in any format (e.g., XML schema and connectors for SOAP).
Preferably, these services comprise location-based visualization
with overlays and real-time search engine based filtering; auto and
manual metadata tagging to support powerful analytics; and creating
jobs w/tasks then targeting devices for delivery and execution.
[0224] ACD services are connected to the Internet, so they must be
designed securely by employing a Threat Model. Such a Threat Model
will comprise Assets & Risks analysis and Vulnerabilities and
Safeguards analysis. Periodic Security Assessments should also be
made, including intrusion detection, DoS; and independent security
certification, if required by customers.
[0225] The outline below lists some, but not all, of the preferred
features/options that may be included in various embodiments of the
ACD invention. This outline is organized into the following three
categories: features provided and/or programmed mainly, or
entirely, "on device," that is, on the pole and/or the lighting or
equipment unit on the pole; features of the preferred smart
wireless mesh for the ACD's; and content services.
1. On Device
[0226] There is a collection of structural elements, methods, and
algorithms that reside on preferably each device. [0227] 1.1 SOLAR
DEVICE [0228] 1.1.1 Device design elements and algorithms for
maximizing solar collection capabilities: [0229] 1.1.1.1
Relationship between pole height, location on solar isolation map
and amp-hours; [0230] 1.1.1.2 Relationship between pole diameter,
location & amp-hours; and [0231] 1.1.1.3 Relationship between
PV efficiency and 1.1.5.1 or 1.1.5.2. [0232] 1.1.2 Hardware and
interfaces for configuring power delivery options like voltage and
current during manufacturing and/or installation to support
multiple different device activities (e.g., lighting, security
gate, broadband wireless.) [0233] 1.1.3 Configurable wiring
harness(es) and routing to support multiple device activities
powered on-device (e.g., lighting, video and broadband wireless at
the top of the device, USB attachments at ground level) and
off-device (e.g., security gate and sensor fence.) [0234] 1.1.4
Granular operational and environmental data logging to correlate
solar collection and charge characteristics as a function of
location and environmental information (e.g., average daily
sunshine, temperature, pressure, humidity.) [0235] 1.1.5 Algorithms
for determining when and how much energy to invert back onto the
grid as a function of device operational and environmental
parameters. [0236] 1.1.6 Algorithms for minimizing energy
consumption as a function of device operational and environmental
parameters as well as sensor triggers like photo cell and motion.
[0237] 1.1.7 A separable solar engine kit that includes solar
collector, charge controller, energy storage, delivery and wireless
monitoring backhaul; along with all the connectors--mechanical,
electrical & software/firmware interface--to enable third
parties to install our solar engine on other types of devices.
[0238] 1.2 LIGHT DELIVERY STACK (See FIG. 27) [0239] 1.2.1
Delineate light delivery into distinct layers with unique
parameters that can be independently adjusted to meet overall
intensity and shape requirements cost effectively. [0240] 1.2.2 A
whole-luminaire, high efficiency lens that integrates diffusion
technology for smoothing light distribution where there are
hotspots with Fresnel lens technology to direct light at precise
wide angles to achieve standard IES luminaire distribution types I
thru V and sufficient environmental protection to achieve IP65/66
approval. [0241] 1.2.3 A luminaire mounting plate with highly
adjustable LED module mounts that enable cost effective, highly
variable lighting patterns outside of the standard IES types I thru
V, along with algorithms for how to adjust modules to achieve a
given light distribution. [0242] 1.3 MODULARITY (SEE FIG. 28)
[0243] 1.3.1 Mechanical modularity of devices that allows different
activities to be attached and configured easily at manufacturing
time, installation time or even in the field post install (e.g.,
Inovus Solar LED shoebox, Lithonia LED shoebox, shoebox lighting
plus Sony internet video camera and PowerFence high-voltage sensor
fence.) [0244] 1.3.2 Harness, conduit and wiring that enables
batteries to be located off-board, meaning off the device yet wired
into the device. [0245] 1.3.3 Well defined abstractions with
interfaces to allow wireless connectivity hardware and protocols to
evolve over time and be upgraded without affecting the architecture
or higher-level applications relying upon this connectivity. [0246]
1.4 DIAGNOSTICS & REPAIR [0247] 1.4.1 Algorithms to diagnose
which Energy Storage Unit pack(s) has a bad or failing Energy
Storage Unit. [0248] 1.4.2 Algorithms to determine whether the
Light Sensitive Device is failing or failed. [0249] 1.4.3
Algorithms to determine whether any of the Motion Sensing or
Occupancy Sensing devices are failing or failed. [0250] 1.4.4
Algorithms to determine whether any of the Light Emitting Devices
(i.e. LED modules) are failing or failed.
[0251] 1.4.5 Algoritluns to determine whether the AC/DC power
converter is failing or failed. [0252] 1.4.5.1 Algorithms to reset
AC/DC power converter (either wirelessly or via hardwire
connection) [0253] 1.4.6 Algorithms to determine whether the Charge
Controller (device converting energy from the Power Generator to
energy to be stored or consumed) is failing or failed. [0254]
1.4.6.1 Algorithms to reset Charge Controller (either wirelessly or
via hardwire connection) [0255] 1.4.7 Algorithms to determine
whether the Power Generator (i.e. Solar Panel) is failing or
failed. [0256] 1.4.8 Algorithms to determine whether the power
inverter is failing or failed. [0257] 1.4.8.1 Algorithms to reset
power inverter (either wirelessly or via hardwire connection)
[0258] 1.4.9 Algorithms to determine whether the Control Board is
failing or failed. [0259] 1.4.9.1 Algorithms to reset Control Board
(either wirelessly or via hardwire connection); [0260] 1.4.9.2
Algorithms to test various subsystems and/or subroutines on the
Control Board (either wirelessly or via hardwire connection);
[0261] 1.4.9.3 Algorithms to put selected subsystems and/or
subroutines in selected states (either wirelessly or via hardwire
connection); and [0262] 1.4.9.4 Algorithms to reset various
subsystems and/or subroutines on the Control Board, including
entire Control Board (either wirelessly or via hardwire connection)
[0263] 1.4.10 Algorithms to determine whether other devices (such
as a security camera) are failing or failed. [0264] 1.4.11
Algorithms to reset those other devices (either wirelessly or via
hardwire connection) [0265] 1.5 SUPPORTABILITY [0266] 1.5.1 All
operational parameters that affect how the systems and algorithms
behave are abstracted out of the code, leaving behind variables in
the code that are evaluated at system start [0267] 1.5.2
Operational parameters are stored separately from code in a profile
that is easily read and processed by the code [0268] 1.5.3.1 The
profile should be easy to replace in its entirety [0269] 1.5.3.2
Individual values for operational parameters in the profile should
be easy to replace [0270] 1.5.3 On system restart or reset, all
systems and algorithms flush their values for operational
parameters then re-read and re-process operational parameters from
the profile [0271] 1.5.4 A method for resetting the device at
ground level (i.e. standing on the street), like a reset button.
Pushing this button is the equivalent to power cycling the system,
which causes all hardware, firmware and software to re-initialize,
re-read and re-process all operational parameters [0272] 1.5.5 A
method for indicating device system status, like a 3-color light or
set of lights (e.g., green, yellow, red) at ground level that
conveys one of three states: operating properly, operating but
there is an issue needing attention, and not operating. This
provides ground level feedback regarding whether to push the reset
button as well as whether or not pushing the reset button resolved
the issue. [0273] 1.5.6 A method for providing a ground-level
memory card reader (e.g., CompactFlash, SmartMedia) [0274] 1.5.7
Memory card reader is bootable, meaning on reset the card reader is
checked for a set of operational parameters and if exists, these
operational parameters are used instead of any others that may be
onboard [0275] 1.5.8 System logging persists on a memory card in
the ground level slot so that the card can easily be replaced, with
logging data taking back for more thorough analysis than can
reasonably occur in the field [0276] 1.5.9 Amount of memory for
operational parameters and logging is easily increased by replacing
lower capacity card with higher capacity card over time [0277]
1.5.10 Methods and algorithms for creating modularity of systems on
the device [0278] 1.5.11 Facilitate unit testing as the number of
components increases [0279] 1.5.12 More easily enable in-field,
black-box replacing as a cost effective support strategy in the
field [0280] 1.5.13 Replaced modules are sent back to Inovus Solar
or certified service rep for troubleshooting, repair and
recirculation [0281] 1.5.14 Methods and algorithms for enabling an
expandable bus architecture on the device to enable in-field
hardware feature expandability over time (e.g., new sensor, high
bandwidth radio, video camera) [0282] 1.6 ENVIRONMENTAL SENSING
[0283] 1.6.1 Methods for collecting and logging environmental data
(e.g., luminosity, temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed) for
later use and correlation with other information like device
operational parameters. [0284] 1.6.2 Methods for adding,
configuring and enabling sensors on a device during manufacturing,
installation and/or in the field.
2. Smart Wireless Mesh
[0285] The basics of mesh networks are known by mesh providers,
such as self-organizing, repairing, route optimization via
feedback, etc. However, some unique innovations occur in how mesh
networking is used to meet the goals of ACDs, for example, the
following features. [0286] 2.1 MESH [0287] 2.1.1 Methods for
providing different backhaul channels to meet the characteristics
of different types of device data (e.g., low bandwidth, best
efforts, open channel; high bandwidth, guaranteed delivery, VPN
channel) [0288] 2.1.2 Algorithm for selecting a backhaul channel
based on the characteristics of a specific type of device data,
that is, data-driven backhaul channels (e.g., for small size,
non-critical, insensitive data, use low bandwidth, best efforts,
open channel; for streaming, real-time sensitive data, use high
bandwidth, guaranteed delivery, VPN channel) [0289] 2.1.3 Method
and algorithms for periodically polling the mesh, checking
differences in the responses, using these differences to determine
when individual devices are unresponsive and then taking action:
sending alerts, repurposing a nearby functioning device to assume
unresponsive device's role, dispatching field support to reset or
troubleshoot if necessary, etc. [0290] 2.2 QUARANTINE [0291] 2.2.1
A method for allowing formerly unknown devices to join a mesh, but
to limit the functionality of the device--and therefore its risk to
the overall system--until the device successfully passes several
well defined phases of quarantine. [0292] 2.2.2 Algorithms for
describing what behavior and conditions must be met for each phase
of quarantine and then determining when a specific unknown device
successfully meets these conditions. [0293] 2.3 COLLECTIVE
INTELLIGENCE [0294] 2.3.1 A method for sharing information
wirelessly with a collection of devices, having each device in the
collection perform tasks to make one or more determinations, and
then sharing these determinations with other devices in the
collection yielding a result that causes a change in the behavior
of a collection (e.g., two or more lighting devices determine a
walker's direction and speed and then light the way ahead of the
walker.) [0295] 2.3.2 An algorithm for lighting the way ahead of a
moving object (e.g., walker, automobile.) [0296] 2.3.3 An algorithm
for pointing a POV video camera in the direction of meaningful
activity and following that activity as it moves. [0297] 2.3.4 An
algorithm for using motion triggered lighting across a large
collection of lighting devices as a way of indicating where
potentially meaningful activity is occurring (e.g., border
crossing, college campus.) [0298] 2.3.5 An algorithm for targeting
advertisements to devices that follow an individual user as they
move. [0299] 2.3.6 Algorithms around how, where and how redundantly
to register a device's capabilities on a network [0300] 2.3.7
Algorithms for determining connectivity issues on the network,
routing around issues, repairing issues and reestablishing routes
once repaired [0301] 2.3.8 Algorithms for favoring efficient
routing, penalizing inefficient routing and adjusting both over
time based on changeable definitions of efficiency [0302] 2.3.9
Algorithms for locating and sharing resources on the network as
resource availability and location changes over time [0303] 2.3.10
Algorithms for securing the network against unauthorized network
joins and ensuring intra-network communications cannot easily be
intercepted and interpreted [0304] 2.3.11 Algorithms for using
monitoring events across a population of devices to determine a
coordinated action to take like lighting the way ahead of a walker
along a pathway or turning on a video camera based on triangulation
of multiple device motion sensors [0305] 2.3.11.1 Algorithms that
detect motion (direction and velocity) and estimate the future
direction and location of the moving object as a function of time.
[0306] 2.3.11.2 Algorithms that activate devices based on the
anticipated location of the moving object per the algorithms in
5.2.3.1. (i.e. turning on or brightening lights or turning
on/waking up security cameras ahead of a moving car or moving
person.) [0307] 2.3.12 Algorithms for determining the location of a
device based on known fixed locations and triangulation of multiple
device radio signals [0308] 2.3.13 Algorithms that allow devices in
a network to look for and sense different sensors that come into
range of the wireless sensor(s) on the devices. [0309] 2.3.14
Algorithms that allow devices in a network to identify and
categorize the different types of sensors that come into range of
the wireless sensor(s) on the devices. [0310] 2.4 REMOTE
TROUBLESHOOTING [0311] 2.4.1 A method and algorithms for
periodically querying a population of devices for connectivity,
comparing these snapshots differentially and determining when
individual devices have lost connectivity [0312] 2.4.3 A method for
remotely resetting a device, which has the effect of cycling the
power on the device, flushing all runtime memory and then reloading
and restarting all systems on the device. [0313] 2.5 EVENT
MANAGEMENT [0314] 2.5.1 Algorithms for monitoring and storing
discrete and continuous triggers, interpreting triggers and
translating them into events to be published [0315] 2.5.2
Algorithms for subscribing to and receiving events with specified
attributes as a way of performing a task in response to a published
event [0316] 2.5.3 Algorithms for interpreting one or a collection
of conditions, assessing their severity and then determining
whether a warning or error condition exists. [0317] 2.5.4
Algorithms around scheduling jobs at predefined times and/or with
predefined frequencies to perform tasks [0318] 2.5.5 Algorithms
enabling the way an event gets treated throughout the system to be
dictated by the classification and characteristics of the event
itself [0319] 2.5.6 Algorithms for aggregating events over
populations of devices, rolling up event information based on
criteria, interpreting low-level event information and using it to
create new higher-order events [0320] 2.5.7 Algorithms involving
securely bridging a low-power, low-bandwidth network and a
medium-power, high-bandwidth network, or providing secure gateway
capabilities between the two networks. [0321] 2.5.8 Algorithms for
aggregating information across populations of devices and securely
delivering this information through a broadband wireless
infrastructure to an Inovus operated network operations center.
[0322] 2.5.9 Algorithms for guaranteed or best-efforts delivery of
information to the network operations center based on the
classification of the information.
3. Content Services
[0323] Methods and elements for delivering content services via
ACD's are described below, which content services may be delivered
by a single ACD but more preferably are delivered by a network of
multiple ACD's. Delivering said content services may be in one or
more directions, for example, gathering of information from a
population (multiple) networked poles for transmittal preferably to
a master pole and then to a control station for processing and/or
use, or (in the opposite direction) dissemination of information,
advertising, alarms, or other content by the control station to the
master pole and then to one or more of the slave poles in the
network. [0324] 3.1 MONITORING [0325] 3.1.1 Methods for setting
thresholds for values generated by devices or populations of
devices that when met, cause actions to be taken like sending an
email or text alert, raising other events, etc. [0326] 3.2
MANAGEMENT [0327] 3.2.1 Methods for defining a task or set of
dependent tasks to be delivered to populations of devices and then
executed. [0328] 3.2.2 Methods for defining jobs, comprised of a
task or group of dependent tasks, that can be scheduled for
delivery and execution to a population of devices. [0329] 3.2.3
Algorithms around creating and managing user/customer accounts and
passwords with associated roles and permissions that span different
kinds of customers as well as the needs of Inovus itself [0330]
3.2.4 Algorithms that enable authentication of individual users to
specific accounts and roles with associated permissions, and tracks
failed authentication attempts for intrusion detection security
[0331] 3.2.5 Algorithms for authorizing individual users/customers
to access and use only their devices and associated data [0332]
3.2.6 Algorithms for detecting when security might be compromised
anywhere in the system and taking action once security is believed
to be compromised such as locking out a user or customer, denying
access to devices or data, locking out parts of the system globally
or by customer and flushing all security keys requiring
re-initialization throughout the system of all security subsystems.
[0333] 3.2.7 Algorithms for creating sets of devices that meet
pre-defined conditions then proactively and remotely managing these
devices including resetting, updating firmware, updating
operational parameters, triggering on-demand information delivery,
troubleshooting issues, overriding operation for prescribed periods
of time, etc. [0334] 3.2.8 Analytical algorithms that operated on
aggregated information at the Inovus network operations center and
provide customers with all manner of operational and environmental
insights. [0335] 3.2.9 Algorithms that allow a network of devices
to manage power being pulled from the power grid or placed back
onto the power grid. [0336] 3.2.9.1 Algorithms that allow a network
of devices on the grid to put power onto the grid a desired times,
either as certain criteria are sensed and met on the grid, or via a
command from a central command center or a Network Operation Center
(NOC). [0337] 3.2.9.2 Algorithms to draw power from the grid at
desired times, as certain criteria are sensed and met on the grid,
or via a command from a NOC. [0338] 3.2.10 Algorithms to vary the
control signal to the load(s) to test its operation (i.e. to test
the ability of the light to run full brightness and dim down to
various dimming levels). See, also, the section entitled "Active
Control for Energy-Efficient Lighting" later in this document.
[0339] 3.3 VISUALIZATION [0340] 3.3.1 Algorithms for placing
devices on a map based on precise location, and then overlaying
weather, insolation, energy cost, other meaningful data. over these
mapped devices. [0341] 3.3.2 Methods for graphically illustrating
key monitoring metrics for devices (e.g., KPI, ROI) in a dashboard.
[0342] 3.3.3 Methods for enabling the distribution of summary
monitoring information on populations of devices to other websites
as widgets. [0343] 3.4 ANALYTICS [0344] 3.4.1 Methods and
algorithms for quickly searching, refining and sorting sets of
devices based on device attributes. [0345] 3.4.2 Methods for
correlating attributes across large populations of devices and then
deriving insights based on the correlations.
Retrofit Solar-Powered Outdoor Lighting System:
[0346] Solar-powered retrofit outdoor lighting system may be
provided according to some embodiments of the invention, which
retrofit systems may be attached to an existing pole, for example a
conventional street light pole, conventional public safety alarm
pole, or conventional security camera pole, to convert the existing
pole to a solar-powered system. Alternatively, while the following
description focuses on retrofit of existing poles that may already
be erected and may already be in conventional service, said
"retrofit" systems may also be attached to new poles that are not
erected or in service, for example, if the community/industry
desires the modular approach of attaching embodiments of the
invented autonomous and/or wireless to poles that they already own
and have stockpiled, or that they want to purchase because such
conventional poles are "known commodities." The main objective is
to make such existing and/or new poles "autonomous" in that it/they
can be powered by an integral renewable energy collection system
such as a solar collector. The energy storage system preferably
provides enough stored energy to keep the system running for at
least 5 days of low-to-limited solar radiation (for example during
a week-long-spell of cloudy weather).
[0347] The solar-retrofit poles will be self-powered during the day
to power the electrical device if needed during the day, and, as
existing poles are typically already tied to the grid, to provide
solar power to the grid during the day (during peak load periods).
Then, at night, when the demands on the grid are less, such
retrofit poles will be powered by grid. Thus, energy storage
devices, such as batteries, are typically not needed for these
retrofit poles, but energy storage devices (in the form of retrofit
modules) may be included for emergency back-up during power
outages. Such emergency back-up energy storage devices would not
require as much energy storage as the autonomous system, as one
would expect such a storage device to be required to power the pole
for at most a few hours during grid repair.
[0348] The solar-retrofit system is preferably adapted so that the
retrofit system is visually integrated with the existing
pole/system to minimize the "modified appearance" of the
retrofitted system. The retrofitted system preferably looks similar
to a standard pole after the modification has been made. This may
accomplish two things, specifically, public acceptance and
vandalism-resistance. The finished retrofit pole product looks
similar to a standard light pole and therefore is more readily
accepted by the public. Also, because the retrofit pole looks like
a standard pole, it is less likely to be targeted by vandals; if
there were obvious equipment and protrusions mounted to the pole,
vandals might be tempted to steal the solar collector or otherwise
tamper with or destroy said equipment/protrusions.
[0349] In addition to saving grid energy compared to conventional
poles, the retrofit systems provide an important public safety
benefit. During periods of a power outage (grid or utility power),
a retrofit light, public alarm, and/or security camera will still
be able to operate, thus providing a safer environment at
night.
[0350] The retrofit system comprises the integration of a solar
collector and other necessary system components (described below),
and preferably an emergency energy storage module, into a retrofit
"package" so that it can be retrofitted & installed as an
independent self-supported system onto an existing or new pole. As
illustrated in FIGS. 29 A-C, in a preferred retrofit embodiment, a
solar collector is attached to the outside surface of a collar 700.
The collector can be a flexible photovoltaic layer 710 that is
attached, grown, or woven onto the surface of the collar. The
collar subtends an arc of at least 180 degrees. Preferably embedded
in the collar are energy storage devices 720, which may be sized
and designed for emergency use as described above. Such devices may
be batteries, capacitors, fuel cells, or devices that store and
release hydrogen. The collar is then mounted or otherwise attached
onto an existing utility or light pole, with wiring extending from
the solar collar to the light fixture. In this manner, replacing
installing the collar would also install an autonomous power system
for the light pole, and/or at least (depending on the size and
capability of said energy storage devices) an energy storage device
for emergency grid outages, as described above.
[0351] Another embodiment of a retrofit solar-powered outdoor
lighting system is to include the solar collector and the energy
storage device, preferably with control hardware/firmware/software,
in the body of or integrally connected to the light fixture, such
as the integral unit 800 portrayed in FIG. 30 (described below in
more detail). The preferred embodiment would have a lightweight PV
layer/panel on the top of the replacement light fixture. The light
fixture itself would contain a lightweight energy storage device,
which in its preferred embodiment, is a high energy density ultra
or super capacitor. In this manner, replacing the light fixture
would also install an autonomous power system for the light pole
and/or at least (depending on the size and capability of said
energy storage devices) an energy storage device for emergency grid
outages, as described above.
[0352] The solar collectors charge the energy storage devices
during daylight hours, then the energy storage devices supply power
to the light fixture at night or (depending on the size and
capability of said energy storage devices) during the night only if
there is a grid-outage.
[0353] There are different ways this invention may be used. For
example, the a retrofit solar-powered pole may power systems other
than lighting, such as stand-alone radio and antenna equipment at
remote sites, or any other application that requires a self-powered
source for support of the equipment. The retrofit solar-powered
pole may comprise additional or alternative features to achieve
various objectives. For example, the lighting control system may
consist of motion sensors, photocells, time-clocks, or any other
type of control to turn the light (or other powered equipment) on
and off or to provide any other control required for the specific
application.
[0354] The preferred methods and apparatus for retrofitting
existing light poles with solar panels and batteries comprises the
solar panels and batteries being integral parts of a unit that is
applied to the existing pole, so that the solar panels and
batteries are not installed separately. The benefits are ease of
installation, better reliability (separate components are more
subject to damage or improper installation), and overall lower cost
compared to the conventional installation of separate solar panel
and battery components on an existing pole. Multiple retrofit
options are possible, with the two preferred options being a
combined solar-panel and battery unit applied to the generally
cylindrical side surface of an existing pole (separate from the
light or other powered equipment), or a combined solar-panel,
battery, and light/powered-equipment unit connected to the existing
pole in locations where a conventional light might be connected.
These two options are discussed in more detail as follows.
[0355] As schematically portrayed in FIG. 29A, a collar may
comprise the preferred flexible solar panel on a flexible or
semi-rigid frame that is adapted to be snapped/installed around a
pole. Said collar may comprise pockets/receiving spaces for
batteries or other energy-storage devices. The preferably-flexible
solar panel or solar "fabric" may be installed on or incorporated
into a variety of flexible or rigid panel, layered composites, or
other solar-panel structure with regions or pockets for receiving
battery/storage apparatus, wherein said solar-panel structure is
mounted onto, flexed or bent around, or otherwise attached to an
existing pole. Thus, said collar that incorporates an outer layer
of a solar collector material and an inner layer of batteries may
be used as the retrofit solar collection and energy storage system
that generally mimics or takes the outer generally cylindrical form
of the existing pole, to power outdoor light(s) or other powered
equipment that is already connected to, or that is retrofit to, the
pole. Said outdoor light(s) typically are separate piece(s) that
are installed separate from the collar, for example, a conventional
light, an embodiment of an invented LED light engine, or other
light fixture at or near the top of the pole. Said other powered
equipment is typically separate pieces(s) that are installed
separate from the collar, also typically at or near the top of the
pole. Thus, said fabric, flexible or rigid panel, layered
composite, or other layered material combines a solar collector and
energy storage device into a single integrated unit, which is
installed separate from but is operatively connected to the light
or other powered equipment.
[0356] As schematically portrayed in FIG. 30, an integrated unit
800 comprising preferably all of the solar panel, batteries, and
LED light engine, may be attached to the existing pole preferably
at or near the top of the pole. This integrated unit therefore, is
positioned where one would expect a conventional outdoor light to
be placed on the pole, with no need for a solar-collector and/or
battery collar on the generally cylindrical side surface of the
pole. The integral unit 800 in FIG. 30 represents one embodiment of
retrofit solar-powered outdoor lighting system that comprises
preferably all of: fixture box 802, such as a "shoebox" or
"cobrahead" or other standard or custom fixture housing or body,
wherein the fixture box may have a thin film photovoltaic (PV)
layer 818 attached to it to convert light into electrical power,
which PV layer is preferably on a generally horizontal top surface
of box 802 and which may replace the solar collector mounted on the
pole or may augment that PV collector; lens 804 preferably
connected to the box 802 and/or to the LED light engine 812;
fixture arm and/or bracket 806 to mount fixture to pole; energy
storage pack 808, which may comprise a lightweight energy storage
pack; such as the preferred high energy density ultra or super
capacitor, batteries, or other energy storage apparatus; energy
storage pack charger 810; LED light engine 812, which may be of
various designs, but is preferably the modular LED system described
elsewhere in this document; motion sensor and photocell 814;
control board w/wireless modem and/or cell phone radio 816. While
such integral units are preferred, it will be understood by those
in skill in the art reading and viewing this document and its
figures, that peak load delay conservation systems according to
embodiments of the invention could also be installed on existing or
new light/equipment poles with the elements called-out for FIG. 30
being provided in separated housings and/or in spaced-apart
locations on or in the pole.
Modular LED Light Engine:
[0357] A modular LED system may be adapted to be part of either new
(OEM) or existing (retrofit) outdoor lighting fixtures. The
preferred modular LED system will allow any and all required
lighting distribution patterns to be emulated, including some
lighting distribution patterns that can not typically be achieved
by conventional light fixtures. The advantages of the more
efficient, and preferably modular, LED lighting systems can be
adapted to traditional light fixtures, for example, by being
installed in traditional light fixtures that are already in use or
are stockpiled, or by being installed in newly-purchased
traditional light fixture housings because a community/industry
prefers the appearance of the traditional housing and/or wishes to
match existing lights.
[0358] As illustrated by the preferred embodiments in FIGS. 31
(A-C), separate modules 1010, may be provided with each module
preferably containing multiple light emitting diodes 1030 (LEDs).
Multiple of said modules 1010 are mounted to a sheet metal plate or
baffle 1012, as illustrated in FIGS. 32A-D, to create a light
fixture comprising a modular LED light engine 1020. The baffle is
then attached to the interior of a light fixture 1014, as
illustrated in FIGS. 33A-E. As discussed elsewhere in this
document, many different light fixtures may be used, as it is the
light engine 1020, and it is the particular the number,
arrangement, and directing of modules 1010 that is the major
determining factor of the light intensity and light pattern.
[0359] The structure and operation of each module 1010 is
preferably the same as the others in said light engine 1020, with
said multiple modules being arranged on the baffle 1012 and each
modules being directed (pointed) in a direction, so that the sum
total of the specially-arranged and specially-directed modules is
the desired light distribution pattern (or simply "light pattern").
The appropriate modules required to achieve the desired lighting
distribution pattern are mounted to the baffle and aimed in the
direction needed for the specific pattern. Thus, several modules
can be combined in different configurations as required, with the
"adaptation" or "adjustment" to obtain the desired light pattern
preferably consisting of: mounting the modules on the baffle in a
particular design arrangement and pivoting the LED housing 1022 of
each module relative to its bracket 1024 to direct each module
(independently from all the others) as desired.
[0360] Each module 1010 preferably has multiple LEDs, for example,
four LEDs 1030, in a single row along the length of the module
housing 1022. All four LEDs 1030 preferably "pointed" in the same
direction inside the LED housing 1022, with "directing" of the
module, and, hence, of the light, being done by said pivoting and
then locking of the module in the desired orientation relative to
the plane of the baffle, and, hence, relative to the surrounding
landscape, roads, and/or buildings, etc. The LED housing 1022 may
be locked in place by a bolt/screw system 1032 or other lock/latch,
preferably at the time of manufacture of the light fixture with
light engine (if the desired light pattern is known), at the time
of installation of the light engine 1020 in an existing fixture,
and/or at the time of installation of the light fixture on the
pole, for example. Each bracket 1024 may comprise one or more
members that may pivotally receives the LED housing 1022 so that
the LEDs may be swung in a direction preferably perpendicular to
the length of the LED row for said directing of the LED module. For
example, two or more ears 1034 may be fixed to the baffle 1012, and
receive the housing 1022 so that is pivots on an axis parallel to
the length of the LED row. The ears 1034 may be considered part of
the module, and/or may be considered part of the baffle 1012,
depending on one's perspective.
[0361] In the preferred LED module, the LEDs 1030 are mounted to,
or less preferably connected to, a circuit board along with
required drivers and circuiting for the LEDs. Said circuit board,
drivers, and circuits for the LEDs are not shown in FIGS. 25-27,
but may be contained within each module housing 1022. Also
contained with the module housing may be heat sink material to draw
heat away from the LEDs as required, as will be understood after
reading this document and after viewing FIG. 7, which portrays a
generally cylindrical light engine as opposed to the generally
planar light engine of FIGS. 31-33. It will also be understood that
multiple modules 1010 may be arranged on variously-sized and shaped
plates, baffles, cylinders, cones, boxes, or other support
structures, wherein the light pattern and the outward appearance
and aesthetics of the light fixture with light engine will be
determined by said support structure, said arrangement of the
modules on the support structure, and said directing of each
module. In addition, or as a partial or total replacement for said
directing of the modules, a lens assembly with reflectors may help
achieve the specific distribution (pattern) required.
[0362] One main advantage of this system is the ability to achieve
improved performance from the LED lighting system within a
traditional light fixture. Traditional outdoor light fixtures
typically utilize high pressure sodium (HPS) or metal halide (MH)
light sources. These traditional light bulbs scatter light in all
directions, so the fixture box requires reflector assemblies to
collect and re-direct the light in the required direction to
achieve the distribution desired. LED's are a highly directional
source of lighting and do not scatter their light in all directions
like HPS or MH light sources. The preferred modular LED sources
utilize the directional lighting characteristics of LEDs to create
lighting patterns that are directed and yet still cover the desired
area to be lit. This not only optimizes the light pattern, but is
more effective in delivering light to only where it is needed and
not into unwanted areas. Therefore, this modular lighting system
also reduces light pollution.
[0363] There are five basic distribution patterns identified for
outdoor lighting. These are type I, II, III, IV and IV. Not only
will the preferred modular LED system, described above with
reference to FIGS. 31-33E, allow these distribution patterns to be
met, but additional and project specific (site specific)
distribution patterns can also be achieved.
[0364] Another key feature of this modular LED system relates to
light egress. Normal outdoor light fixtures require shielding (in
many cases consisting of a sheet metal shroud) to prevent light
egress into adjacent areas. For example, if there is parking lot
lighting next to a residential area, then often some sort of
shielding is required. With this modular system, the shielding
capability is built-in to the design of the modules on the side of
the fixture that requires the shielding so that no external
shielding is required. The shielding is achieved via the highly
directional, focused lighting of the modular system, by selecting,
placing, and directing the modular LEDs to the provide light of
desired coverage in desired directions (desired size, shape, and
intensity of lighting pattern). Other advantages include the
ability to achieve "Dark Sky" compliance, which requires that no
light can project up above the fixture into the sky.
[0365] Virtually any shape or size of light fixture box can be
retrofitted with embodiments of the invented modular LED system.
Because of the small modular size of each modular LED component,
even odd sizes and small fixture assemblies can accommodate, and
operatively cooperate with, this system. This allows it to be
utilized in nearly all types of conventional fixtures and in
custom-designed fixtures.
[0366] It will be understood after reading and viewing this
document that the modular LED system shown in FIGS. 31-33E, and
other modular LED systems embodiments according to the invention,
will have specific advantages compared to conventional lighting.
Specifically, the modular LED system allows lighting designers and
engineers to design a lighting system that is currently largely
unachievable. The challenge with current lighting systems is that
they rely on light sources that throw light everywhere
(uncontrolled light--throwing light in every direction).
Historically, outdoor light fixtures have had an enclosure (with or
without a glass lens to enclose the light source) to protect the
source and a lamp on the inside of this enclosure. A hundred years
ago the light source was a gas lamp or a candle that threw light
everywhere. If you wanted to light a larger area you would increase
the amount of light produced at the source. The two lighting
functions that are difficult to achieve with these traditional
light sources are control and uniformity.
[0367] Since the gas lamp, lighting fixtures have not improved
dramatically. Most current lighting systems still have a single
extremely bright light source (HID--Metal Halide or High Pressure
Sodium) that throws light everywhere.
[0368] To get light somewhat under control, and in order to achieve
a few standard distribution patterns (in the lighting world
identified as types I thru V), many different and varied reflector
configurations have been developed over the years to attempt to
"direct" the light in a pattern that is more useable for the
specific application, that is, to light the specific area that
needs illumination. HID lamps are not directional and so reflectors
have been required to attempt control of lighting patterns. Such
conventional light plus reflector systems are only somewhat
improved from the original way it was done long ago, that is, with
no reflector.
[0369] Regarding uniformity, it is understood by all lighting
designers that the best lighting system is one that provides even
illumination across a given area or site. The closer that
conventional light poles are placed to each other, the lower
maximum to minimum ratios (bright and dark areas) and better or
more even illumination can be achieved. This is because the
brightest area of the light is close to the source. Additionally,
when a unique site or area needs to be illuminated, said
illumination is difficult to achieve with a standard HID system.
For example, when poles are close to a residential area the light
is difficult to control. Typically a sheet metal plate is attached
to the side of the fixture to "shield" the light from the
residential area.
[0370] Regarding standard LED fixtures, the light starts out as a
directional source, because each LED is a point source. No
reflectors are required and all of the light is utilized to
illuminate only the area that is required. Many LED light fixture
manufacturers have taken an approach to only consider this natural
efficiency of LED's in the design of their fixtures and to assemble
them within a light fixture body in the required standard
configurations (or "pre-set" configurations) to achieve a specific
standard distribution pattern (one of the standard five
distribution patterns).
[0371] Embodiments of the invented modular LED system, on the other
hand, overcome the challenges of both HID lamp sources and the
limitations associated with a typical "pre-set" LED system. By
pointing each module towards the area that needs to be illuminated,
the cooperative efforts of these multiple modules allows a greater
overall uniformity to be achieved. The light can actually be
focused on the areas that are far away from the pole to achieve
lower max to min ratios. This greatly improves uniformity.
[0372] The modular system also allows virtually any distribution
pattern to be achieved by adjusting the angle and pitch of the
modules to achieve the desired lighting. This can be done either by
the engineer designing the lighting system, at the factory, or in
the field. No shielding is required because the modules can be
"aimed" away from the area of light trespass.
[0373] Not only does the invented modular LED system allow each
fixture to be "customized", the overall lighting system (network of
poles) can be designed to work together in a unique or custom way
to achieve an overall lighting system for that specific site or
area.
[0374] Other unique qualities and features, not necessarily
represented by the modular LED embodiments of FIGS. 31-33E, but
preferred in alternative embodiments of the invented modular LED
systems include:
[0375] 1. Multiple or different lenses on a standard lens cover.
The LED module is designed in such a way to allow the adaptation of
the lensing at the module to change the shape or focus of the
light. The lens cover is designed to accommodate standard lenses so
that the distribution pattern of an individual module can be
changed to allow additional design flexibility. Also, this brings
down the cost of manufacturing, as only the lens cover (framework
for holding the lenses) is a custom part specific to the module.
The lenses are mass produced at a lower price.
[0376] 2. Individual dimming of modules. Each of the modules has
the electronic drivers "on board" with a control wire that allows
the adjustment of the light level remotely. This is achieved by
sending a signal over the control wire (or wirelessly--see next
option). Without the wireless option these settings are changed via
an RS232 port (or equivalent) connected to a control board that is
in turn connected to the modules and controls the function of the
modules. The control board has time clocks and/or other algorithms
that control the light output of the modules. See, for example, the
section entitled "Active Control for Energy-Efficient Lighting"
later in this document.
[0377] 3. Wireless control option. Each module (and/or set of
modules) can be controlled wirelessly over a wireless network so
that changes to lighting can be done after the fixture has been
installed on the pole. This can be done remotely and globally (over
a whole network of fixtures/poles). Preferably, as discussed in
item 2 immediately above, the individual modules may be controlled
in this wireless manner.
[0378] 4. Pan/tilt option. Each module can be adjusted via the
control wire (or wirelessly). Thus, the distribution pattern and
direction of illumination can be controlled remotely. This could be
achieved with micro controllers or small motors to physically
change the direction or "aim" of the modules. It should be noted
that the modules in FIGS. 31-33E are well-adapted for independent
tilting of each modules and/or for tilting of groups of modules
together. Other modules may be designed and adjustably connected to
the plate/baffle or other support structure that are even more
adjustable, for example, by both pan and tilt adjustments. Again,
these adjustments may be individually done and/or done by
groups.
[0379] 5. Pan/tilt Solid State option. The "direction" of the light
produced by the modules could be achieved by having multiple LEDs
in a wide range of distribution angles and only illuminating those
LEDs pointing in the direction of the desired distribution pattern
(and leaving the other un-needed LEDs dark). With such a system, if
the pattern needs to change, then the control system would "douse"
(or turn off) the LEDs not needed and illuminate the ones that are
directed in the desired vector(s) for the new pattern.
[0380] 6. Solid state redundancy option. With the superfluous
multiple LED system stated above in item 5, the "unlit" LEDs could
alternatively be utilized to turn "on" when an adjacent LED burned
out. This would allow the module to last longer (for example the
initial LEDs would burn for 50,000 hours. After the performance
started to degrade, then the "old" LED would be turned off and the
"new" adjacent LED would be turned on to replaced the old one.
[0381] 7. Color changing. The color of each module and/or each LED
could be controlled via the control wire (or wireless control).
This could be utilized by a municipality to indicate certain
conditions in the city. For example, changing the street lights in
the city to a RED color in an area that may be at risk for fire
would indicate to the residents that they should leave the area. If
there is a condition in a certain part of the city that required
police attention, the lights could be green in color. In addition
to changing the color of the light, other functions could be
achieved. For example the lights could be blinked on and off, or
intensified (brighter light) to indicate an emergency
situation.
[0382] 8. Software Design option. The lighting designer or engineer
can utilize embodiments of the modular LED software program to
design the lighting system to his/her specifications. This software
option allows the information relating to each module (the
rotation/tilt, etc.) to be easily communicated to the factory so
that the specific distribution pattern can be set. This software
tool also gives the engineer much greater flexibility in design. If
there is a specific site that has unique lighting requirements,
each individual fixture can be configured as required.
[0383] Some embodiments of the invention, therefore, may be
described as autonomous outdoor lighting systems according to any
of the features described herein, Energy production (such as
solar), storage of energy, and control of the outdoor lighting, its
poles, and the mesh network for said poles may be included in the
preferred embodiments. Wireless communications channels (WCC) give
the ability to provide wireless connection of poles to the internet
via wireless modems in each individual pole ("slave" pole), with a
"master" or coordinator pole transmitting data via cell phone or
satellite radio to a master station with connection to internet.
The WCC also enables the use of both high bandwidth & low
bandwidth capabilities (channels) that can be selected based on
individual system/network requirements. High bandwidth speed is
preferably greater than or equal to 11,000 kbps (kilobits per
second), and especially in a range of 11,000-50,000 kbps (kilobits
per second), and low bandwidth speed is preferably 20-250 kbps
(kilobits per second). For example, under normal conditions, the
low bandwidth channel is utilized to conserve energy of the system.
Upon the detection of an event (for example, motion sensor
activated), the high bandwidth mode is then employed (for example,
turn on camera). Also, the preferred embodiments may be
self-acting, with event "awareness", wherein actions of each
individual pole are taken based on that pole's "view" of it's local
sensor data (solar collection data, motion sensor data, wind or
barometric pressure, etc.). Cooperative/Community Actions may also
be included in the preferred processes of the poles and network,
wherein the operation of the pole(s) (and attached devices/systems)
change/respond with respect to adjacent poles within the community.
This includes small network actions (10-100 poles), city-wide
actions, and/or large area networks, and part of this includes the
"self-organizing" & "self-recognition" of new poles joining the
network characteristic of Mesh or ZigBee networks.
[0384] Remote configuration is also preferably included in the
processes of the poles/network, wherein changes to the wireless
controller can be done remotely via the internet web interface,
which this includes new programming, firmware, upgrades,
troubleshooting and repair (system reset if required), etc.
Pole/Node Management may include actions needed for "light the
way", power delivery to/from the grid, and/or content services.
[0385] The preferred poles and network are made with a large amount
of modularity, for example, by using an "open" architecture, which
may include the utilization of standard open protocols, hardware
and architecture, with universal bussing that allows the
implementation of new systems, and/or devices that may be needed on
the poles.
[0386] In some poles/networks, financial transactions may be
communicated via RF, security cameras may provide data and video to
law enforcement, and WI-FI routers may be provided. Both for
"on-pole" devices and "off-pole" devices, the long-term
supportability of the system is provided by the control system
self-healing and repair functions, together with the capability of
ground level access and repair. Security (System/Network
protection) is designed to limit connectivity and access based on
who is attempting to connect to the network; new devices will
immediately connect to the network, but under a systematic
quarantine period to determine device type & authorization
level.
Active Control for Energy-Efficient Lighting:
[0387] Active control of the preferred outdoor lighting system
provides effective energy-efficient operation even through extended
periods of low-sunshine days. This is especially important in
autonomous systems not connected to the grid, but may be important
also in systems that are both solar-powered and grid-connected for
overall energy conservation. FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate basic logic
flow diagrams of the active lighting control process, and
error/alert indication processes, according some embodiments of the
invention. The preferred active control determines or predicts
available energy and determine or predict load demand (typically a
lighting load), and then controls the load by modifying the
lighting output and/or lighting timing, with said active control
monitoring the system for error/alert that require modification to,
or shedding of the lighting or peripherals to prevent damage or
failure of the system. By adapting the amount and timing of light
output, the system may increase lighting on an as-needed basis
while reducing energy consumption at other times. In addition, the
technology may indicate lighting system error/alert conditions over
the primary illumination device of the lighting system. The
technology may be also embodied as methods, apparatuses,
manufactures, and/or the like.
[0388] The general process shown in FIG. 34, and specific
embodiments developed therefrom for active lighting control, may be
performed by a micro-controller, a micro-processor, a programmable
logic controller, a digital signal processor, other processor,
and/or the like, for example. Flowing from a start block, a
processor determines the current and/or predicted energy
availability and/or demand for lighting. For example, this
determination may be based on a charge, current, or voltage level
of a battery circuit, historical data regarding energy collection
(e.g. energy generated during the previous day or week), energy
cost data, predicted generation capability (e.g., based on a
weather report received over a network connection, inferred from
past energy generation, or provided by a operator), historical data
regarding motion detection, and/or the like. For example, a
lighting system may be configured to provide more light when
sufficient energy is currently available while reducing the light
output when less energy is currently available and/or when future
energy generation is predicted to be limited.
[0389] The lighting system then adapts and/or selects a light
output profile according to the determined current and/or predicted
energy availability and demand for lighting. As described later in
this disclosure, a lighting profile may include configuration of a
light output level, a duration during which a configured light
output level is provided, whether the lighting system is enabled
(e.g., enabled during the night, disabled during the day), and/or
the like. The lighting system then provides light according to the
adapted and/or selected light output profile.
[0390] The general process shown in FIG. 35, and specific
embodiments developed therefrom for indication of a lighting system
error/alert condition, may be performed by a micro-controller, a
micro-processor, a programmable logic controller, a digital signal
processor, other processor, and/or the like. The process begins at
a decision block where a processor monitors for an onset of an
error/alert condition. For example, an error/alert condition may
include detection of partial failures, degraded performance,
reaching a point of a maintenance interval, and/or the like. If the
processor detects no error/alert condition, the process remains at
the decision block. If the processor detects an onset of an
error/alert condition, processing flows to the next step wherein
the processor determines the error/alert condition. After
determining the error/alert condition, processing flows to the next
step(s) of the processor modulating the lighting system output
according to the determined error/alert condition. As one example,
the processor may blink and/or strobe an error/alert code via the
primary illumination device of the lighting system to indicate the
determined error/alert condition. In an environment where the
lighting system is employed as a street light or other lighting
pole, a passing pedestrian and/or motorist may notice the
error/alert code and notify the relevant lighting system operator.
The operator may then dispatch maintenance and/or repair persons to
correct the error/alert condition. In addition, by employing the
primary illumination device of the lighting system to indicate the
determined error/alert condition, error/alert conditions signaling
capability may be provided without additional components and only
minimal increase in system complexity. From the modulating step,
the process flows to next decision block, wherein the processor
monitors for the termination of the error/alert condition. For
example, this may include detecting if the lighting system has been
repaired, has functioned normally for a predefined time period, a
register has been cleared, and/or the like. If the processor
detects termination of the error/alert condition, the process flows
back to the beginning, otherwise, processing continues to further
modification of the lighting system.
[0391] Aspects of the invention may be stored or distributed on
processor-readable media, including magnetically or optically
readable computer discs, hard-wired or preprogrammed chips,
nanotechnology memory, biological memory, or other data storage
media. Indeed, processor implemented instructions, data structures,
screen displays, and other data under aspects of the invention may
be distributed over the Internet or over other networks (including
wireless networks), on a propagated signal on a propagation medium
(e.g., an electromagnetic wave(s), a sound wave, etc.) over a
period of time, or they may be provided on any analog or digital
network (packet switched, circuit switched, mesh, or other
scheme).
[0392] Further details of multiple embodiments are provided in the
following disclosure and drawings filed herewith. In general, the
description of these embodiments of the invention is not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form
disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for,
the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes,
various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of
the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given
order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps,
or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some
processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided,
combined, and/or modified. Each of these processes or blocks may be
implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes
or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these
processes or blocks may instead be performed in parallel, or may be
performed at different times.
[0393] The overall and main objectives of the invented active
control for energy-efficient lighting are to conserve energy in
solar-powered outdoor lighting systems, so that they can be
implemented in regions and climates in which conventional wisdom
would predict ineffectiveness, spotty performance, and/or failure
because of frequently cloudy or inclement days. The invented active
control for energy-efficient lighting actively manages battery
charging, manages the available energy, and controls the power or
energy delivered to the load. As a result, even in said cloudy or
inclement regions/climates, the lighting system delivers effective
lighting according to the needs/preferences of the community or
business, while protecting the battery from becoming damaged and
short-lived because of draining below its low end threshold. The
preferred systems vary greatly from conventional solar-powered
street light systems that, instead of actively controlling the
load, are actually passively controlled by the load. When the load
draws more energy than is available in the battery of the
conventional lighting system, the load then "turns itself out"
because the battery does not have enough energy left to support the
load.
[0394] The preferred embodiments of the invented active control for
energy-efficient lighting include some or all of the following
features. The preferred system actively monitors all critical
system components to assure maximum performance while conserving
energy, with decisions on energy management made based on system
programming along with sensor input. The preferred system in many
embodiments may be remotely controlled via wireless system by a
remote station such as a utility as required for energy delivery to
the grid during peak loading situations. Both energy storage
(preferably batteries) and solar production may be controlled. Logs
and records data are kept for use by the system to determine future
actions, for example, for predicting future energy availability and
demand for lighting. The system may have multiple energy
operational modes based on current and predicted future conditions,
wherein the preferred modes are described in detail later in this
disclosure. The system delivers power to system devices preferably
according to one of these energy savings modes as required to
conserve energy for future demand when current energy production is
low. The energy management system can support lighting systems and
other loads (devices requiring energy), and the device-specific
control criteria of each load determine the energy delivery to that
specific device. The preferred system's "load shedding" features
may control priorities relating to which devices need to be
supported when energy stores are low.
[0395] FIG. 36 summarizes the operation of the preferred control
system. Energy produced (solar) is delivered to the batteries for
storage or directly to the grid. The energy management system then
determines how the energy is delivered to the loads or the grid.
This may be done according to the control system algorithms and
historical data, along with sensor input. The system may also be
controlled by the utility company as required. Solar and/or stored
energy in the batteries may be delivered to the grid during peak
demand in the middle of the day.
[0396] The preferred active control systems may comprise, or be
implemented with, other energy-efficient and/or "smart" systems
discussed earlier in this document, for example, wireless
intelligent outdoor lighting systems (WIOLS), peak load delay
energy conservation systems, and autonomous connected devices. For
example, the preferred active control system may comprise and/or be
implemented with multiple of the following features:
a) energy conservation by dimming lights, and/or load shedding; b)
energy conservation by operating at lower power levels when demand
is low, for example, utilizing low power low-bandwidth wireless
most of the time, then switching to the high bandwidth only when
required; c) cooperating with the grid, by supplying the grid in
peak load hours, and being recharged in non-peak hours; d) for an
array of light poles, using a master-slave system, wherein
preferably none of the slaves communicate with the control station
but poles may change their roles in the array network based on
strength of signal, and/or error/alert signals, for example,
wherein network communication/control is switched to other routes
through the array if one or mores poles is/are "down" or sending
weak signals; e) adding additional poles by "self-discovery"; a
quarantine system for self-discovery addition of poles to the
network; g) Wi-Fi hot-spots provided by the poles/network; and/or
h) a "Look-ahead" traffic light system;
[0397] Features of the preferred active control system that are
particularly important for energy conservation are systems that may
be called the "Light-the-Way," "Point-the-Camera," and "Coordinated
On/Off." These involve sensors on one or more poles in a
population/array of poles from which the control system receives
input signals that are used for subsequent lighting modification
and/or security action. In a light-the-way system, two or more
motion sensors, within a population of poles, are triggered by
motion of a person or vehicle and cause the population to calculate
an approximate direction and speed and light the way ahead of the
person/vehicle. Each successive motion sensor trigger provides an
opportunity to adjust the direction and speed to keep lighting the
way for said person/vehicle. The light-the-way algorithm preferably
resides on every pole in the population.
[0398] In a point-the-camera system, preferably one pole within a
population of poles includes a pan-tilt camera. As a person or
vehicle passes by two or more lights in the population, a vector is
calculated and used to point the camera at the person/vehicle and
follow as long as the person/vehicle is within the scope of the
poles and range of the camera.
[0399] In a coordinated on/off system, the light threshold for
photo cells across a population of poles varies based on
manufacturing tolerances, plus individual poles experience
different amounts of light based on location and shadowing. Photo
cells across a population of poles can be used to coordinate a
single "light on" and "light off" time for the entire population.
An average, or a minimum or maximum for both the on-time and the
off-time can be calculated each 24-hour period and used to
implement coordinated on/off times for the population.
[0400] These and other methods of best-leveraging solar energy
generated during daylight hours and stored energy during nighttime
hours may be managed via the preferred active control system. For
what may be called generation optimization, the preferred active
control system must determine what to do with energy being
generated by the solar skin as a function of the customer, the time
of day, the time of year, and the state of energy demands from a
single-pole-, multiple-pole--(if a population of poles is in use),
and utility-wide--(if tied to the grid) point of view, the security
scenario (for example, pedestrians and/or vehicles in need of
lighting), and the state of the battery pack. The preferred active
control system performs this optimization to prioritize energy
delivery to lighting, peripherals, the battery pack, and/or to the
grid in grid-tied embodiments. The management algorithms may
include modification of energy delivery to the lighting and/or to
peripherals in order to protect the battery pack and to ultimately
protect the entire lighting system. In embodiments without any tie
to the grid, this active control is crucial to maintaining
operability of the system and preventing damage to the batteries,
over long cloudy or winter days. In grid-connected embodiments,
this active control is crucial to managing the synergistic
relationship between the lighting pole/array, wherein the grid may
rely on the pole/array for energy inverted directly onto the grid
in real time when demand matches generation (e.g., afternoon air
conditioning peak matches afternoon generation peak), or for
battery-stored energy at other times, but wherein the pole/may may
rely on the grid for energy input during the darkest months of the
winter.
[0401] The energy management algorithms, such as N1, E1, E2, etc.
modes described later in this document, as a function of battery
voltage may be relatively simple for a single load (for example,
LED lighting). However, for each added load, the algorithms become
more complex. With a transport layer load (wireless radios) plus
myriad other peripherals (video, security gate, emergency call box,
etc.), the energy management algorithms' scope includes the
management of a prioritized list of "loads" that can be toggled
on/off or reduced in functionality/consumption as a function of
battery voltage, and, in grid-connected embodiments, may also
include algorithms for drawing energy from the grid through the
battery charger to refill.
[0402] At night there is no solar energy generation, but, for poles
tied to the grid, cheap nighttime energy from the grid can be used
to top of the battery pack. This "topping off" of the battery pack
is especially effective in cases where expensive daytime energy
demands have depleted the battery to threshold levels. Also en
mass, a utility company may elect to push cheap energy out to these
highly distributed storage devices at night, leveraging the battery
charger to fill the battery packs, so that immediate local energy
can be delivered later to meet peak demands.
Example
Apparatus and Methods of Active Control for Energy-Efficient
Lighting
[0403] The preferred apparatus comprises an LED-based luminaire, a
photocell, a control board, a charge controller, a solar collector
(or solar collector panel) a battery subsystem (composed of 6-8
batteries, a battery enclosure and wiring harnesses), three motion
sensors, and the pole assembly. See FIG. 37.
[0404] The solar collector captures light during daytime hours and
passes it onto the charge controller. The charge controller manages
the power provided from the solar collector to optimize the power
to be stored in the batteries. The batteries hold stored electrical
energy and release it to power the LED luminaire and other system
electronics. Various modes of energy release are determined and
managed by the control board. The control board uses input from the
photocell to determine when to turn the luminaire on (and off at
dawn), and uses energy-saving algorithms to manage energy to the
luminaire. These algorithms take into account the charged state of
the battery subsystem, the photocell output, the state of the
motions sensors, and the anticipated time before dawn. Certain
variables that determine the degree of power management can be
user-selected. The preferred algorithm sets, named E1, E2, and E3
modes, etc., are detailed later in this document; it will be
understood by those of skill in the art, after reading this
document, that these algorithms/methods are described for a system
that is based on 12 volts, but that these algorithms/methods could
be scaled to systems based on other voltages, for example, 24 or 36
volts.
[0405] The light pole assembly is the structural element of the
overall system, and contains compartments and channels for the
various subsystems and wiring. The preferred light pole assembly is
portrayed in FIGS. 38 and 39, shown with a box-style lighting
fixture. The pole 1112 provides the structural support for the
luminaire 1140, and the channel for all the wiring inside that
connects the other subsystems. It also provides the outer surface
and structural support for the solar collector 1114. Compartments
or holes in the pole are provided for various subsystems depending
on whether they need to communicate to the outside world or whether
they can be wholly contained inside the pole. Those subsystems
include the batteries/battery enclosures, control board, battery
charge controller, solar collector wiring, motion sensors, and
RS-232 ports. Specifically, the preferred pole 1112 is of single
piece construction, and is made from ASTM steel (10 gauge IPS tube)
and is black powder coated to provide protection to the pole from
the elements. A battery compartment 1162 is contained in the lower
10'' diameter portion (enlarged diameter relative to the rest of
the pole) of the pole with a secured door to allow access for
installation and maintenance of the battery subsystem. Openings are
provided at the bottom and top of the pole assembly to allow
natural convective air to enter the interior of the pole to cool
the batteries. The solar collector is wrapped around the
smaller-diameter portion of the pole, from above the
larger-diameter pole bottom end nearly to the top end of the pole.
Thus, the solar collector preferably extends about 20 feet along
the pole. Openings in the pole allow for electrical connection
between the solar collector and the charge controller. Three
openings above the top of the battery chamber allow for the
mounting and electrical connection of the motion sensors. The
control board is mounted at the top of the battery chamber. The
luminaire is supported by an arm that is mounted at the top of the
pole. All electrical wiring required for the luminaire and
associated electronics are channeled through the interior of the
pole.
[0406] The preferred solar collector is a thin-film photovoltaic
device that converts sunlight into electrical energy. The solar
collector operates from about 15 volts on the low end (with lower
current flow at this lower voltage) up to 15% over the rated 33
volts and 136 watts. The initial operation will be 15% over the
ratings, but will stabilize to the nominal collector specifications
within a few months (due to the Staebler-Wronski effect). This
stabilization is well-characterized and understood in the thin film
photovoltaic industry. The center line of the solar collector faces
approximately in the direction of the sun at its highest point in
the sky and wraps 225 degrees around the pole to collect light in
the morning and evening hours. The preferred thin-film solar
collector is highly shade-tolerant, both as far as individual cells
within the collector and the collector as a whole. Generally, a
solar collector is comprised of multiple solar cells. If solar
cells are connected in series, a shaded cell within the collector
can begin to consume current (as opposed to create current). This
not only degrades the overall performance of the collector, but can
create hot spots in the collector that can be damaging to the
collector. The solar collectors used by the present Inventors and
Applicant Inovus Solar, Inc., however, have bypass diodes that
prevent shaded portions of the collector from consuming current.
This preserves the performance of the collector and prevents the
build up of hot spots. Regarding the collector as a whole, the thin
film material that Ruins the active photovoltaic component in the
Inventors' and Applicant's collector is more effective at
converting sunlight on cloudy days. Daylight is composed of direct
sunlight and diffuse or scattered sunlight. During cloudy days,
almost all the light that reaches the collector is diffuse
sunlight. Inventors'/Applicant's thin film collector converts this
diffuse sunlight into usable energy nearly 20% better than
crystalline or polycrystalline Si collectors.
[0407] The solar collector is conformably attached to the surface
of the pole by means of rivets and a strong heat tolerant adhesive
(an ethylene propylene copolymer adhesive-sealant with microbial
inhibitor). In the preferred generally-cylindrical pole, therefore,
the solar collector fits snugly against the pole, itself taking the
generally-cylindrical shape of the pole. Because the collector is
conformably attached, it does not incur any additional wind loading
onto the system. This is a decided advantage compared to flat
panels that incur a high wind load (or snow load) and thus may not
be suitable for many sites. It is virtually impossible for natural
events to dislodge the collector, and it is highly resistant to
vandalism.
[0408] The covering for the solar collector is a durable ETFE (e.g.
Tefzel.RTM.) high light-transmissive polymer. This polymer coating
not only provides a durable physical shield for the collector's
solar cells, but also a durable chemical shield, protecting them
from water, salt spray, etc. It can be easily wash with water and
detergents.
[0409] Measured power generation on Inventors'/Applicant's poles
according to embodiments of the invention has been measured at
least 50 Watts at Boise, Id., U.S.A. during the month of November,
with energy generated well in excess of 300 Watt-hours. The actual
performance of the system depends on the location of the
installation. Many factors influence this including shading from
adjacent buildings or structures and weather patterns in the area
installed. Inventors'/Applicant's preferred solar collector is
currently the Unisolar PVL 136, specifications for which may be
obtained from the company Unisolar and/or from appendices in the
provisional U.S. application of which this application claims
benefit and which are incorporated by reference into this
document.
[0410] The battery charge controller is connected between the solar
collector and the battery subsystem. The charge controller controls
the current and voltage delivered to the batteries and optimizes
the charging conditions to the battery to assure that the batteries
are not overcharged, preferably according to the multi-step process
portrayed in FIG. 40. In addition to the main steps shown in FIG.
40, the multi-step process features an auto-equalize step (to
14.5V) every 28 days or if low charge, that is preferably 3 hours
of over-voltage charge to reduce plate sulfation. Also, the charge
controller provides for low voltage disconnect (LVD) at 11.0V (and
reconnect when 12 V is again reached), to prevent damage to the
batteries from over-draining. Battery charge is monitored through
voltage level, as shown in FIG. 41.
[0411] The Inventors and Applicant use an advanced Maximum Power
Point Tracking technology that converts the voltage from the solar
panel that is above the battery voltage into usable energy that can
be stored in the batteries. Older technologies, including PWM
(pulse width modulation) charge controllers, are unable to do this.
Because the batteries are a 12V system and the solar panel is a
30-33V system, significant energy can be converted from the solar
panel for storage in the batteries. This enables the system to
generate energy on sunny days (or even mostly-sunny days) typically
well in excess of what is consumed at night. This excess is stored
in the batteries.
[0412] As portrayed in FIG. 42, the preferred Morningstar SunSaver
MPPT-15 Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithms provide 90% more
efficient operation (compared to conventional PWM charge
controllers), transferring maximum power to batteries even though
PV array and batteries operating at different voltages.
Specifications for the Morningstar SunSaver system may be obtained
from the company Morningstar and/or from appendices in the
provisional U.S. application of which this application claims
benefit and which are incorporated by reference into this document.
MPPT controllers are apparatus and methods known to those of skill
in the art, and will be understood by those of skill in the art
after reading this disclosure; MPPT controllers are available from
various manufacturers.
[0413] The charge controller is designed to tolerate harsh
environments. The fully solid-state electronics are encapsulated in
an epoxy potting to prevent moisture and harmful chemicals from
degrading the electronics. The casing is a rugged die cast
aluminum, and the terminals are marine rated. The operating
temperature range is specified from -40 degrees C. to +60 degrees
C.
[0414] Preferably, six batteries are connected in parallel in a
12-volt system. Each battery stores 26 Amp-hours for a total of 156
Amp-hours. See FIG. 41. The battery subsystem can accommodate up to
8 batteries in parallel. The battery dimensions of
6.56''.times.6.97''.times.4.92'' allows them to be placed in an
insulated battery enclosure (2 in each enclosure) and fit within
the pole base, preserving the aesthetics of the preferred pole.
[0415] The preferred batteries utilize Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM)
technology that immobilizes the battery's electrolyte in a
fiberglass mat. This leak-proof design means that the electrolyte
will not spill is the casing is damaged. It is the reason these
batteries are approved to be shipped by air by both the D.O.T. and
the I.A.T.A. AGM batteries provide superior tolerance to heat and
low humidity, as little-to-no water is lost under high heat and/or
low humidity. This preserves battery life well beyond simple
lead-acid or gel batteries under these conditions. AGM batteries
also provide recombining of the oxygen with hydrogen to form water
during charging. This not only prevents loss of gas and maintains
the water for the electrolyte. In the case of too-rapid charging
(something that is unlikely to happen with solar collector
charging), there is a vent valve for excess gas to escape. To
further combat high temperature conditions, the battery chamber in
the pole is cooled by a process, described earlier in this
document, that draws cool air up through the interior of the pole.
The active control system is capable of monitoring each individual
battery pack and isolating the rest of the system if one battery
(or set of batteries) goes bad, for example, if a battery cannot
hold a charge. This is accomplished by disconnecting (via relays or
other switching means) the bad batteries from the good batteries in
the system. If allowed to stay connected to the system, the bad
batteries would otherwise bring down the voltage and performance of
the entire system. Left unchecked, it could potentially cause the
entire system to degenerate to the point of failure. By
disconnecting the bad batteries, the rest of the battery storage
system will continue to operate (albeit at a lower overall storage
capacity) until the bad batteries are replaced.
[0416] The battery casing and lid are made of a non-conductive and
high impact resin. The material is also resistant to chemicals and
to flammability. The plates within the battery are optimized for
surface area via porous electrode materials. This increases energy
density and optimizes capacity. The battery enclosures are made of
polypropylene, with an insulating layer between the battery casing
and the battery enclosure walls. A wire harness connects all the
batteries in parallel, and is made of marine grade wiring. The
Inventors' and Applicant's current preferred and approved batteries
are PowerSonic's Model 12260. Specifications for which may be
obtained from the company PowerSonic and/or from appendices in the
provisional U.S. application of which this application claims
benefit and which are incorporated by reference into this
document.
[0417] SLA-AGM type batteries (sealed lead acid, absorbant glass
mat) have been preferred, but they have approximately a 4 year life
and must be recycled (lead acid, being potentially toxic). A
possible alternative is LiFE PO3 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries
that may have a 12-15 year life and be entirely environmentally
inert (iron-based).
[0418] The preferred lighting fixture comprises a 12 volt LED lamp
source. The preferred LED modules and mounting brackets for the
modules are described earlier in this document, with examples
portrayed in FIGS. 30-33E. Also, FIG. 43 provides a close-up view
of the preferred LED module, detached from any mounting bracket.
Preferably, there are 8 modules of LED's, with each module
containing 4 LED's, for a total of 32 LED's. A 0-5V PWM line
connects the control board to the drivers on the LED engine. The
modulated pulses from the control board determine how the drivers
output current to the LED's, thus affecting the LEDs' lumen output.
Each LED has a nominal raw output of 100 lumens/Watt at a thermal
pad temperature of 25 degrees C. (Philips data sheet). Slightly
lower luminous output will be experienced as the pad temperature
rises. Pad temperature under operation has been measured at 50
degrees C., so luminous raw output per LED may drop to 93% of
nominal output (Philips data sheet).
[0419] The LEDs are mounted on a PCA (printed circuit assembly),
and each LED has a small glass lens to create an initial desired
illumination pattern. There is a high transmittance polycarbonate
layer that fits closely over the LED's. This polycarbonate layer
has additional lensing and reflective surfaces to generate the
final desired illumination pattern from each LED. The assembly of
the PCA with LED's, the polycarbonate lenses, a heatsink, and
wiring comprises a module. The preferred 8-module light fixture
operates at 50 Watts or about 1.5 W per LED. Under operation, the
heatsink has been measured at 40 degrees C. at a 25 degree C.
ambient temperature. The temperature gradient between heatsink and
thermal pad is 7 degrees C./Watt, so the pad temperature under
those conditions is 50 degrees C. The temperature gradient between
pad and LED junction is 10 degrees C./Watt (Philips data sheet).
So, under these conditions, the junction temperature is 65 degrees
C. The net temperature gradient between ambient and junction is
thus roughly 40 degrees C. Even at ambient temperatures of 60
degrees C. (140 degrees F.), the junction temperature should remain
around 100 degrees C. This is important from a lifetime and
reliability standpoint.
[0420] FIG. 44 is a plot of lifetime for Philips LED's as a
function of junction temperature. The preferred lighting fixture
operates at 450 mA, so the trend will be closer to the 350 mA trend
line than the 700 mA trend line. B10 is the value at which 10% of
the population is expected to fail, and L70 defines a lumen
maintenance failure when a unit delivers less than 70% of its
initial output. So the lifetime at (B10, L70) is the expected
stress time (at a 90% confidence level) at which 10% of the
population is expected to have either failed or has degraded by
more than 30% from the initial light output. At a junction
temperature of 100 deg. C., there should be plenty of margin for
maintaining a 60,000 hour LED lifetime.
[0421] The preferred lighting fixture, using eight modules arranged
in various patterns, can optimize the lighting distribution to meet
Type 1-5 Lighting Patterns, which lighting patterns are known in
the lighting industry. FIGS. 45A-C illustrate multiple, but not the
only, possible arrangements for the LED modules, including a
regular eight-module arrangement (FIG. 45A), a more random
eight-module arrangement (FIG. 45B), and a twelve-module
arrangement (FIG. 45C). As described elsewhere in this document,
other styles of lighting fixtures may be used on the pole assembly,
to match preexisting fixtures or the preferences of the
customer.
[0422] Illuminance is a key parameter to assessing the ability of
the luminaire to put light onto a surface. For Type 2 lighting
patterns, which are possible from the LED modules arrangement shown
in FIG. 45A (but with the two central modules preferably tilted
slightly outward), illuminance on the surface at certain distances
away from the pole are important. Measured illuminance from the
Inventors' and Applicant's Type 2 luminaire at a 25 ft. pole height
is 0.1 footcandles at 50 ft. This is roughly equivalent to the
illuminance of a 100 watt High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide
luminaire after the bulb has burned in. This illuminance is created
when running the luminaire at 50 watts total power (6.25
watts/module). Total luminaire Efficacy is 45 lumens/watt.
[0423] Currently-approved LED's for the luminaire are the Philips
Rebel LXML-PWC1-0100 and the Cree XREWHT-L1-0000-00C01 and
XREWHT-L1-0000-00D01. The LED Driver is preferably a SuperTex
HV9910, high efficiency PWM driven control IC.
[0424] The controller consists of a microprocessor-based PCA and
the associated firmware that controls the functions described
herein. The PCA comprises Microchip's PIC18F6622 microprocessor,
various logic components, power circuitry, an RS232 serial port,
and low voltage connectors and circuitry for connection to other
electrical subsystems/components. Most of the electrical
connections to other subsystems are either for sensing the various
states of those subsystems or for managing power to those
subsystems. The control board senses the following: [0425] 1) The
amount of light detected by the photocell, and manages the
algorithms in response to the light detected. [0426] 2) Whether
motion is detected by any of the motion sensors, and manages the
algorithms in response to the motion detected. [0427] 3) The
voltage of the battery system, and manages the selection of the
energy savings modes from that information. [0428] 4) The current
sent from the charge controller to the battery system, and reports
that amount.
[0429] To manage the light output by the LED light fixture, the
control board sends a 0-5V PWM output to the LED drivers in the
luminaire to control the drive currents. The PWM values are
determined via the microprocessor by executing the energy
management algorithms (detailed below), which take into account
values from the photocell, motion sensor and battery system. The
control board communicates to the outside world via the RS232
serial port. Simple serial port communication programs can "talk"
with the control board. Communication via the RS232 is primarily
for reporting and testing. The control board is currently mounted
inside the pole at the top of the battery compartment, at an angle
to allow access to the RS232 connector. It is conformally coated
with a protective film to guard against degradation from
environmental extremes such as moisture, chemicals and salt
air.
[0430] Motion sensors detect movement during low light or nighttime
conditions. There are three motion sensors mounted on the light
pole. They are low profile and unobtrusive (black body blends in
with the pole). The motion detectors are capable of sensing motion
out to 10 meters. Yet they have high a high S/N ratio and are low
power consumption. Any motion detected is fed back to the
controller board which then decides how to brighten the
illumination of the LED's. Key variables in the algorithms include
the current state of illumination and the battery voltage. The
preferred motion sensors are Panasonic's Model AMN14111
"black".
[0431] The photocell detects the ambient light conditions, and is
primarily active within the system around dusk and dawn. Detected
light level is used to adjust the resistance of the photodetector
in the photocell circuitry. The control board senses the change in
resistance of the photocell and uses it to determine when to turn
the luminaire on (generally at dusk) and when to turn the luminaire
off (generally at dawn). The photocell is a twist-lock mounted
device that mounts onto standard photocell interfaces on the top of
light fixture boxes. The electronics are conformally coated to
withstand environmental extremes and are enclosed inside a UV
resistant, high impact polypropylene case. It is also rated to
operate from -40 deg C. to +70 deg C. The current photocell is the
Fisher-Pierce 7760-ESS.
[0432] The wiring harness connects the batteries in parallel and
connects all the subsystems. All wiring is Marine-grade, UL1426
approved wire. All connectors are initially coated with dielectric
grease to prevent oxidation and corrosion of the metal contacts.
All main power lines (from solar collector to charge controller
& from charge controller to load and batteries) are fused (5
amps).
Example Normal Mode Operation:
[0433] As portrayed in FIG. 46, toward the end of the day, as it
starts to get dark, the photocell turns on the light at 100%
(factory preset) normal power. It stays at 100% for two hours
(factory preset) then dims down to 25% brightness (factory preset)
for the balance of the night w/ motion sensor over-ride. If motion
is detected it immediately brightens up to 100% for 10 minutes
after the last-detected motion. It then dims back down to the lower
setting over one minute. Towards dawn, the light will brighten back
up to full brightness approximately 30 minutes (factory preset)
prior to dawn. When the photocell threshold for dawn is crossed,
the light will turn off.
Example Energy-Savings Mode Operation:
[0434] FIG. 47 portrays examples of how system conditions can be
utilized to determine the appropriate energy modes based on current
states to modify power delivered, to the light or other loads,
beyond or instead of the "normal" changes over time shown in FIG.
46. For example, the voltage of the batteries (on the right of the
figure) is one indicator of how much energy is available in the
battery storage. As the battery voltage drops, the energy mode is
adjusted so that energy can be conserved. On the left of the
figure, the Ah decision block is referring to the solar production
(in Amp-Hours, Ah) from the previous day. This Ah information is
also an indicator of whether or not energy needs to be conserved.
On any given day, if the energy produced is less than normal, then
the energy mode is adjusted to conserve energy, over and above the
adjustments shown in FIG. 46, preferably during the following
night.
[0435] Energy Savings Modes are available (modes E1 through E6),
and selection of the modes is determined by the measuring the
battery voltage at the end of the day. During modes E1 and E2 the
light is still brought up to full brightness initially & then
dimmed down to less than 25% brightness down to a minimum
brightness (for example, of 5-10%). During modes E3 through E5, the
light is brought up to 80%, 70% and 50% of full brightness
initially, and then dimmed down to less than 25% brightness down to
as low as 7.5%. The time at which the light is brightened back up
before dawn in also scaled back so that it is not up at full
brightness for as long as normal mode. If the battery voltage drops
below a minimum level (Vnb<11V), the controller enters the
lowest energy savings mode, E6, and the light is turned off. It
will not be allowed to turn on at all until the batteries are
charged to 12V. Normal mode N1 and energy-savings modes E1-E6 are
detailed below in three different programming versions.
Example Programming for Various Energy-Savings Modes E1-E6 (Version
A):
[0436] Look at daily production data from previous day: Total
Amp-hours produced=Ah; and Ending battery voltage (that
evening)=Veb.
If Ah>=14.4 and Veb>=12.5 then Mode=N1; If Ah>=14.4 and
12.0<Veb<12.5 then Mode=E1; If Ah>=14.4 and
11.5<Veb<12.0 then Mode=E2; If Ah>=14.4 and
11.0<Veb<11.5 then Mode=E3; If Ah>=14.4 and
10.5<Veb<11.0 then Mode=E4; If Ah>=14.4 and
10<Veb<10.5 then Mode=E5; If Ah>=14.4 and Veb<10.0 then
Mode=E6; If 12.8<Ah<14.4 and Veb>=12.5 then Mode=E1; If
12.8<Ah<14.4 and 12.0<Veb<12.5 then Mode=E2; If
12.8<Ah<14.4 and 11.5<Veb<12.0 then Mode=E3; If
12.8<Ah<14.4 and 11.0<Veb<11.5 then Mode=E4; If
12.8<Ah<14.4 and 10.5<Veb<11.0 then Mode=E5; If
12.8<Ah<14.4 and Veb<10.5 then Mode=E6; If
11.2<Ah<12.8 and Veb>=12.5 then Mode=E2; If
11.2<Ah<12.8 and 12.0<Veb<12.5 then Mode=E3; If
11.2<Ah<12.8 and 11.5<Veb<12.0 then Mode=E4; If
11.2<Ah<12.8 and 11.0<Veb<11.5 then Mode=E5; If
11.2<Ah<12.8 and Veb<11.0 then Mode=E6; If
9.6<Ah<11.2 and Veb>=12.5 then Mode=E3; If
9.6<Ah<11.2 and 12.0<Veb<12.5 then Mode=E4; If
9.6<Ah<11.2 and 11.5<Veb<12.0 then Mode=E5; If
9.6<Ah<11.2 and Veb<11.5 then Mode=E6; If 8.0<Ah<9.6
and Veb>=12.5 then Mode=E4; If 8.0<Ah<9.6 and
12.0<Veb<12.5 then Mode=E5; If 8.0<Ah<9.6 and
Veb<12.0 then Mode=E6; If 6.4<Ah<8.0 and Veb>=12.5 then
Mode=E5; If 6.4<Ah<8.0 and Veb<12.5 then Mode=E6. During
the nighttime hours the battery is continuously monitored. The
night battery voltage=Vnb, and If Vnb ever drops below 10 volts
then turn light off and won't come on until Vnb>=10.5 volts.
Mode N1:
[0437] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 50% w/ time clock (time-clock factory pre-set for 2 hrs.
after dusk--`Timer` mode); light then turns up to full-brightness 2
hrs before dawn; motion sensor over-ride turns light up to
full-brightness immediately then dims down according to the
following motion sensor dim-up/down rules, which apply to all modes
(N1 thru E5):
[0438] If Vnb>=12.5 then increase light to 100.0% for 10 minutes
& then dim down to 50% over 6 minutes; If 12.0<Vnb<12.5
then increase light to 100.0% for 8 minutes & then dim down to
50% over 4 minutes; If 11.5<Vnb<12.0 then increase light to
100.0% for 6 minutes & then dim down to 40% over 4 minutes; If
11.0<Vnb<11.5 then increase light to 100.0% for 4 minutes
& then dim down to 30% over 2 minutes; If 10.5<Vnb<11.0
then increase light to 100.0% for 2 minutes & then dim down to
30% over 2 minute; If 10.0<Vnb<10.5 then increase light to
50% for 1 minute & then dim down to 20% over 1 minute; If
Vnb<10.0 then light remains off.
Mode E1:
[0439] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 40% w/ time clock; light then turns up to
full-brightness.times.number of hrs before dawn (if dawn timer mode
set); motion sensor over-ride per listing above.
Mode E2:
[0440] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 30% w/ time clock; light then turns up to
full-brightness.times.number of hrs before dawn (if dawn timer mode
set); motion sensor over-ride per listing above.
Mode E3:
[0441] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 25% w/ time clock; light then turns up to full-brightness
0.75 times the number of hrs before dawn (if dawn timer mode set);
and motion sensor over-ride per listing above.
Mode E4:
[0442] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 20% w/ time clock; light then turns up to full-brightness
0.5 times the number of hrs before dawn (if dawn timer mode set);
motion sensor over-ride per listing above.
Mode E5:
[0443] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 15% w/ time clock; light then turns up to full-brightness
0.25 times the number of hrs before dawn (if dawn timer mode set);
motion sensor over-ride per listing above.
Mode E6:
[0444] Light turns off & remains off until Vnb>10.0.
Time Clock Functions:
[0445] Time clock can be set according to two modes: a. Clock Mode;
b. Timer Mode (uses the photo cell to determine pre-dawn and
post-dusk times). There are two settings for Timer Mode: 1.
"On"-Timer sets the amount of time the light turns on post-dusk; 2.
"Off"-Timer sets the amount of time the light turns on pre-dawn.
The Clock Mode allows the user to set the pre-dawn and pre-dusk ON
times in hours and minutes. The lights will turn OFF based on the
Timer Mode ON and OFF settings. Note that the factory default
setting for the Timer Mode ON and OFF timers is 2 hrs.
Battery Voltage Check Delay:
[0446] All battery voltages shall be verified by checking for at
least 30 seconds. For example, if the battery voltage drops below
10.0 volts, it must stay below 10.0 volts for 30 seconds before
turning the light off. Once the voltage goes above 10.0 volts, it
must stay above 10.0 volts for at least 30 seconds before turning
the light back on again (or performing actions per the rules
above)
Example 1 Under Version a Programming:
[0447] Total Watt-hours produced; Ah=15.6; Starting battery voltage
(morning of November 1.sup.st); Vsb=12.2V; Ending battery voltage
(evening of November 1.sup.st); Veb=13.1V; Time clock setting is
timer on & off (dawn 2 hrs & dusk 2 hrs).
Mode=N1, Example 1:
[0448] The light turns on at 100% at dusk & remains on for 2
hours. The light dims down to 50% and remains at 50% until the
motion sensor activates the light back up to 100% for 10 minutes.
The light then dims back down to 50% over the next 6 minutes. The
light turns on at 100% at dawn and remains on for 2 hours then
shuts off. The unit then switches to charging mode (lights off)
until dusk mode. Note that both dusk and dawn modes are determined
by a photocell.
Example 2, Under Version a Programming:
[0449] Ah=11.8, Vsb=12.0V, Veb=11.7; Time clock setting is timer on
& off (dawn 2 (.times.0.5) hours & dusk 2 hours).
Mode=E4, Example 2:
[0450] The light turns on at 100% at dusk & remains on for 2
hours. The light dims down to 20% and remains at 20% until the
motion sensor activates the light back up to 100% for 2 minutes.
The light then dims back down to 20% over the next 2 minutes. The
light turns on at 100% at dawn and remains on for 1 hour then shuts
off. The unit then switches to charging mode (lights off) until
dusk mode.
Example Programming for Various Energy-Savings Modes E1-E6 (Version
B):
[0451] Look at daily production data from previous day: Total
Watt-hours produced=Wh; starting battery voltage (morning of
previous day)=Vsb; ending battery voltage (that evening)=Veb.
If Wh>=180 and Veb>=25.0 then Mode=N1; If Wh>=180 and
24.0.0<Veb<25.0 then Mode=E1; If Wh>=180 and
23.0<Veb<24.0 then Mode=E2; If Wh>=180 and
22.0<Veb<23.0 then Mode=E3; If Wh>=180 and
21.0<Veb<22.0 then Mode=E4; If Wh>=180 and
20.0<Veb<21.0 then Mode=E5; If Wh>=180 and Veb<20.0
then Mode=E6; If 160<Wh<180 and Veb>=25.0 then Mode=N1; If
160<Wh<180 and 24.0<Veb<25.0 then Mode=E2; If
160<Wh<180 and 23.0<Veb<24.0 then Mode=E3; If
160<Wh<180 and 22.0<Veb<23.0 then Mode=E4; If
160<Wh<180 and 21.0<Veb<22.0 then Mode=E5; If
160<Wh<180 and Veb<21.0 then Mode=E6; If 140<Wh<160
and Veb>=25.0 then Mode=E1; If 140<Wh<160 and
24.0<Veb<25.0 then Mode=E3; If 140<Wh<160 and
23.0<Veb<24.0 then Mode=E4; If 140<Wh<160 and
22.0<Veb<23.0 then Mode=E5; If 140<Wh<160 and
Veb<22.0 then Mode=E6; If 120<Wh<140 and Veb>=25.0 then
Mode=E3; If 120<Wh<140 and 24.0<Veb<25.0 then Mode=E4;
If 120<Wh<140 and 23.0<Veb<24.0 then Mode=E5; If
120<Wh<140 and Veb<23.0 then Mode=E6; If 100<Wh<120
and Veb>=25.0 then Mode=E4; If 100<Wh<120 and
24.0<Veb<25.0 then Mode=E5; If 100<Wh<120 and
Veb<24.0 then Mode=E6; If 80<Wh<100 and Veb>=25.0 then
Mode=E5; If 80<Wh<100 and Veb<25.0 then Mode=E6; If
Wh<80 then Mode=E6; If Veb<20.0 then Mode=E6 During the
night-time hours the battery is continuously monitored. The night
battery voltage=Vnb; if Vnb ever drops below 20 volts then turn
light off. In any of the modes below, the low light level (when
light is not at 100% per timeclock/photocell) setting shall be as
follows: If Vnb>=25 then low light level is 50%; If
24<Vnb<25 then low light level is 50%; If 23<Vnb<24
then low light level is 40%; If 22<Vnb<23 then low light
level is 30%; If 21<Vnb<22 then low light level is 30%; If
20<Vnb<21 then low light level is 20%; If Vnb<20.0 then
turn light off.
Mode N1:
[0452] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 50% w/ time clock (Time-clock factory pre-set for 2 hrs.
after dusk--`Timer` mode); Light then turns up to full-brightness 2
hrs before dawn; Motion sensor over-ride turns light up to
full-brightness immediately then dims down according to the
following motion sensor dim-up/down rules apply to all modes (E1
thru E6):
If Vnb>=25 then increase light to 100% for 10 minutes & then
dim down to 50% over 6 minutes; If 24<Vnb<25 then increase
light to 100% for 8 minutes & then dim down to 40% over 4
minutes; If 23<Vnb<24 then increase light to 100% for 6
minutes & then dim down to 30% over 4 minutes; If
22<Vnb<23 then increase light to 100% for 4 minutes &
then dim down to 25% over 2 minutes; If 21<Vnb<22 then
increase light to 100% for 2 minutes & then dim down to 20%
over 2 minute; If 20<Vnb<21 then increase light to 50% for 1
minute & then dim down to 15% over 1 minute; If Vnb<20.0
then light remains off.
Mode E1:
[0453] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 40% w/ time clock; Light then turns up to
full-brightness.times.number of hrs before dawn (if dawn timer mode
set); Motion sensor over-ride per chart above.
Mode E2:
[0454] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 30% w/ time clock; ight then turns up to
full-brightness.times.number of hrs before dawn (if dawn timer mode
set); Motion sensor over-ride per chart above.
Mode E3:
[0455] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 25% w/ time clock; Light then turns up to full-brightness
0.75.times. number of hrs before dawn (if dawn timer mode set);
Motion sensor over-ride per chart above
Mode E4:
[0456] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 20% w/ time clock; Light then turns up to full-brightness
0.5.times. number of hrs before dawn (if dawn timer mode set);
Motion sensor over-ride per chart above.
Mode E5:
[0457] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to 15% w/ time clock; Light then turns up to full-brightness
0.25.times. number of hrs before dawn (if dawn timer mode set);
Motion sensor over-ride per chart above.
Mode E6:
[0458] Light turns off & remains off until Vnb>20
Time Clock Functions:
[0459] Time clock can be set according to two modes: a. Clock
Mode=time of day (lights off at 10 p.m.); b. Timer Mode=Set to turn
on according to timer (2-hr. timer). There are two options in timer
mode: 1. "On"-Timer sets the amount of time the light turns on
post-dusk; 2. "Off"-Timer sets the amount of time the light turns
on pre-dawn (for example the factory pre-set is 2 hrs. for "On"
& "Off" timers). The timer can also be set in both time-clock
for "on" & timer "off" mode which allows the user to set the on
time at 10 p.m. & also have the light turn on for an hour
pre-dawn.
Battery Voltage Check Delay:
[0460] All battery voltages shall be verified by checking for at
least 30 seconds. For example, if the battery voltage drops below
20 volts, it must stay below 20 volts for 30 seconds before turning
the light off. Once the voltage goes above 20 volts, it must stay
above 20 volts for at least 30 seconds before turning the light
back on again (or performing actions per the rules above).
[0461] An example for the night of November 1.sup.st to November
2.sup.nd, Looking at daily production data from November 1.sup.st:
Total Watt-hours produced; Wh=195.21; Starting battery voltage
(morning of November 1.sup.st); Vsb=24.43V; Ending battery voltage
(evening of November 1.sup.st); Veb=26.24V; Time clock setting is
timer on & off (dawn 2 hrs & dusk 2 hrs). Light turns on to
100% at dawn & remains on for 2 hrs. At this time Vnb=25.54, so
the light dims down to 50% & remains at 50% until the motion
sensor activates the light back up to 100% for 10 minutes. The
light then dims back down to 50%. At this time Vnb=24.96 &
remains below 25 for more than 30 seconds. The light then dims down
to 40% over the next 4 minutes. The motion sensor activates it
again & it brings it back up to 100% for 8 minutes, then dims
down 40% over the next 4 minutes. The battery voltage remains above
24 volts until 2 hrs. before dawn at which time it brings the light
back up to 100%. During these 2 hrs. the voltage drops below 21
volts, so the light is dimmed down to 50% until the photocell turns
the light off at dawn.
Example Programming for Various Energy-Savings Modes E1-E6 (Version
C):
[0462] Create a hidden menu that allows certain variables to be
stored in non-volatile memory. User access to these variables may
be restricted. These variables should include: Peak Power (Pp);
Dusk Reference; Dawn Reference; and Dim Down Time, wherein: Peak
Power=Pp, and is adjustable in Hidden Menu; "On" time at Dusk (in
minutes)=Tk, and is adjustable in Local Programming, and default is
120; "Off" time pre-Dawn (in minutes)=Tn; and is adjustable in
Local Programming, and default is 30; Night time period (# minutes
it is dark at night)=Nt; Dimmed down percentage=Dp, and is
adjustable in Local Programming, and default is 25; Night-time
(during the night) battery voltage=Vnb; and Ending battery voltage
from previous day=Veb.
If Veb>=12.5 then Mode=N1; If 12.0=<Veb<12.5 then Mode=E1;
If 11.5=<Veb<12.0 then Mode=E2; If 11.0=<Veb<11.5 then
Mode=E3; If 10.5=<Veb<11.0 then Mode=E4; If
10.0=<Veb<10.5 then Mode=E5; If Veb<10.0 then Mode=E6; For
the first full cycle, the system will operate according to the
factory pre-sets. The default Nighttime period will be set to 24
hours. The photocell will "start the timer" for Future Night Timer
at dusk & the photocell will "stop the timer" in the morning in
order to determine what the value (Nt) will be for the second
night. Nt will be saved to EEPROM so that it is not lost when the
unit is reset. A check will be put in place to prevent any unusable
Nt values from being saved. If a timer value is changed in local
programming after it has already begun running it will not be used
until the next time that timer starts.
[0463] The photocell turns on the light at dusk & keeps the
light on for the pre-set time period Tk (in minutes), at which time
it gradually (over one min) dims it down to a lower power level
defined by Dp. Dp is the dimmed percentage from the Peak Power (Pp)
setting. For example, if the `normal` Peak Power (Pp) condition
consumes 48 Watts (4 amps at 12 volts), and Dp=0.25, then the
dimmed down percentage is 25% and would reduce the power consumed
to 12 Watts (or 1 amp at 12 volts).
[0464] At Nt-x*Tn number of minutes pre-dawn, the light is turned
back up to full-brightness. So if Nt=480 min., x=100% and Tn is 60
minutes, then Nt-Tn=420 minutes. So, after the light turns on at
night (per the photocell), it dims down per Tk, then brightens back
up to full brightness after 420 minutes until the photocell turns
it off at dawn.
[0465] The photocell overrides the timer. If dawn occurs before the
predawn timer has finished running the light will be turned off.
The light should never be on while the sun is out. In the event
that the Dawn Reference is crossed before a true dawn event (i.e. a
"false dawn event"), it is possible that the Future Night Timer
value becomes too short, and the light could be FULL ON for hours
the following night. To prevent this from happening, a true Dawn
Timer should be implemented such that after Tn minutes, if the Dawn
Reference is not crossed, the light will dim back down to its
appropriate dim down percentage. All other conditions and
algorithms remain unchanged. If the Dawn Reference is crossed
during the countdown of Tn (i.e. real dawn), the light will turn
OFF. During the nighttime hours the battery is continuously
monitored. The night battery voltage=Vnb. If Vnb ever drops below
10 volts then turn light off and don't turn on until Vnb>=10.5
volts.
Mode N1:
[0466] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then turns
down to lower light level (per Dp) after the time period Tk. Light
then turns up to full-brightness Tn number of minutes before dawn.
During the night (when in the dimmed down state), motion sensor
over-ride turns light up to full-brightness immediately then dims
down according to the following, wherein the following motion
sensor dim-up/down rules apply to all modes (N1 thru E5):
[0467] If Mode=N1 then increase power to 100.0% for 10 minutes
& then dim down over 1 minute; If Mode=E1 then increase power
to 100.0% for 8 minutes & then dim down over 1 minute; If
Mode=E2 then increase power to 100.0% for 6 minutes & then dim
down over 1 minute; If Mode=E3 then increase power to 80.0% for 4
minutes & then dim down over 1 minute; If Mode=E4 then increase
power to 70.0% for 2 minutes & then dim down over 1 minute; If
Mode=E5 then increase power to 50% for 1 minute & then dim down
over 1 minute; If Mode=E6 then light remains off. The program
continues to monitor for motion even while running its motion
detection timer. Timer will be reset each time motion is
detected.
Mode E1:
[0468] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then smoothly
(over one minute) ramps down to 80% (of Dp) after Tk minutes. Light
then turns up to full-brightness 80% of Tn minutes before dawn.
Motion sensor over-ride per rule list above.
Mode E2:
[0469] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then smoothly
(over one minute) ramps down to 60% (of Dp) after Tk minutes. Light
then turns up to full-brightness 60% of Tn minutes before dawn.
Motion sensor over-ride per rule list above.
Mode E3:
[0470] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then smoothly
(over one minute) ramps down to 50% (of Dp) after Tk minutes. Light
then turns up to full-brightness 50% of Tn minutes before dawn.
Motion sensor over-ride per rule list above.
Mode E4:
[0471] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then smoothly
(over one minute) ramps down to 40% (of Dp) after Tk minutes. Light
then turns up to full-brightness 40% of Tn minutes before dawn.
Motion sensor over-ride per rule list above.
Mode E5:
[0472] Light turns on (full-brightness) at dusk & then smoothly
(over one minute) ramps down to 30% (of Dp) after Tk minutes. Light
then turns up to full-brightness 30% of Tn minutes before dawn.
Motion sensor over-ride per rule list above.
Mode E6:
[0473] Light turns off & remains off until Vnb>10.5.
Timer Function:
[0474] The timer can be set according to the following options.
Timer Mode may use the photo cell to determine the time period of
the night. Photocell values for dusk and dawn can be set in the
Hidden Menu. Defaults are 600 for Dawn and 700 for Dusk. These will
need to be more precisely determined with testing. Dawn will be
determined by monitoring the photocell value at an adequate level
of brightness. Dusk will be determined by monitoring the photocell
value at an adequate level of darkness. A photocell value greater
than the Dusk setpoint will be considered night. A photocell value
less than the Dawn setpoint will be considered day. There will be a
sufficiently large deadband between the two setpoints. A trigger
time of one minute will be given to each Dawn/Dusk setpoint. The
light will never be on when the photocell reading is below the Dawn
setpoint once the trigger time criteria has been met.
[0475] There are two settings for Timer Mode, which are: 1)
"On"-Timer sets the amount of time the light turns on to full
brightness at dusk; and 2) "Off"-Timer sets the amount of time the
light dims back up to full brightness pre-dawn. The Timer Mode
allows the user to set the pre-dawn and pre-dusk ON times in
minutes. The lights will turn on & off based on the Timer Mode
ON and OFF settings. Note that the factory default setting for the
Timer Mode ON timer is 2 hrs. (variable Tk), and the factory
default setting for the Timer Mode OFF timer is 0.5 hr. (variable
Tn).
Duty Cycle to Brightness Correlation:
[0476] The relationship of PWM to the percentage of power is based
on the equation 100*(1-PWM) 2=Power %. Such that a duty cycle of
0.2=64%, 0.5=25%, and a duty cycle of 0.9=1%.
Battery Voltage Check Delay:
[0477] All battery voltages shall be verified by checking for at
least 30 seconds. For example, if the battery voltage drops below
10.0 volts, it must stay below 10.0 volts for 30 seconds before
turning the light off. Once the voltage goes above 10.5 volts, it
must stay above 10.5 volts for at least 30 seconds before turning
the light back on again (or performing an action per the rules
above).
Example 1, Under Version C Programming:
[0478] Starting battery voltage (morning of November 1.sup.st);
Vsb=12.2V; Ending battery voltage (evening of November 1.sup.st);
Veb=13.1V; Factory pre-sets for Tk=120 & Tn=30 (dusk 2 hrs
& pre-dawn 0.5 hr.); Dp=0.25; Mode=N1; and Light is turned on
& off by the photocell.
[0479] Photocell turns the light on at 100% at dusk & remains
on for 2 hours, at which time the light dims down to 25% power over
the next minute. The light remains at the dimmed down light level
state until the motion sensor is activated, at which time the light
is brought back up to 100% for 10 minutes. The light then dims back
down to 25% power over the next minute. The light dims back up to
100% 30 minutes pre-dawn and remains on until the photocell shuts
the light off.
Example 2, Under Version C Programming:
[0480] Starting battery voltage Vsb=12.0 V; Ending battery voltage
Veb=11.3 V; Factory pre-sets for Tk=120 & Tn=30 (dusk 2 hrs
& pre-dawn 0.5 hr.); Dp=0.25; Mode=E3; and Light is turned on
& off by the photocell.
[0481] Photocell turns the light on at 100% at dusk & remains
on for 2 hours, at which time the light dims down to 12.5% power
(50% of Dp) over the next minute. The light remains at the dimmed
down light level state until the motion sensor is activated, at
which time the light is brought back up to 80% for 4 minutes. The
light then dims back down to 12.5% power over the next minute. The
light dims back up to 100% 0.5 hr. pre-dawn and remains on until
the photocell shuts the light off.
Charging Circuit:
[0482] A minimum Ah threshold will be set to eliminate noise that
could create false counts on the Ah Min and Ah Hours readings.
Test/Diagnostic Capabilities:
[0483] The following numbered list comprises requests in firmware
to facilitate testing and diagnosing problems. It is assumed that
that there is a test tool available that allows communication with
the control board and to pass along test and diagnostic parameters,
as well as receiving responses/output from the control board.
1) Ability to provide external commands which dictate a specific
duty cycle to be output from control board PWM output line to
drivers in the LED engine. 2) Ability to send response from control
board regarding duty cycle of PWM pulses just sent. This needs to
be done either through an automatic reporting algorithm
(information reported periodically or at set intervals) or on issue
of a "manual" command to do so. 3) Ability to "manually override"
data for the following variables and input an artificial value for
that variable. a) "On" time at Dusk (in minutes)=Tk b) "Off" time
pre-Dawn (in minutes)=Tn c) Night time period (# minutes it is dark
at night)=Nt d) Dimmed down percentage=Dp e) Night-time (during the
night) battery voltage=Vnb f) Ending battery voltage from day just
completed=Veb 4. Ability to report the status of the variables
listed in 3) above any time a command to report those variables is
given.
Data Dump:
[0484] Change Data Dump's frequency to seconds. Data Dump values
can be imported into an Excel.csv file with column headings.
Controller Operational Modes:
[0485] Nightly energy consumption for the Inovus Visia.TM. 100
luninaire (featuring 8 LED modules, in arrangement similar to FIG.
45A) is from 84 watt-hours to 206 watt-hours.
Load Shedding:
[0486] The main function of the Load Shedding System is to maintain
power to the most important loads as energy conservation modes are
incorporated.
[0487] Power is retained to Primary Loads (Gate Motor and Pan-tilt
Camera), which are the most critical functions in the example shown
in FIG. 48. Because of this, these are the loads that will remain
connected to power the longest.
[0488] When energy stores in the batteries drop below the
predetermined levels, the loads will begin to be "shed"
(disconnected from the power source, that is, the batteries). The
Secondary Loads (First WIFI and then LED Luminaire) are shed first.
The control board sends a control signal to each required load shed
relay (in turn) as required to conserve energy while still maintain
power to the Primary Loads.
Efficiency and Adaptations to Last Through the Winter
[0489] The preferred solar collector is an amorphous, rather than a
crystalline material, and, while it is fairly low in efficiency
compared to many recently-developed photovoltaic cell materials,
the preferred solar collector has features described herein, and
the invented active control system has features described herein,
that result in surprisingly effective and successful solar-powered
outdoor lighting.
[0490] Referring to FIG. 49, research data over the years for many
different photovoltaic cells is shown, with efficiencies currently
ranging from approximately 5-43% for different photovoltaic cells.
Efficiency in FIG. 49 is defined as the maximum watts per square
meter of solar collector surface area compared to solar irradiance
over the earth. The average irradiance or solar insolation over the
entire earth (as an average) is approximately 164 watts per square
meter. So, a solar collector that is 40% efficient would produce
approximately 66 watts. The key for FIG. 49 represents various
photovoltaic cells, under the general categories of A=multijunction
concentrators and single junction GaAs; B=Crystalline Si Cells;
C=thin-film technologies; and D=emerging PV. The subsets of the key
are: A1=three-junction (2-terminal monolithic); A2=two-junction
(2-terminal, monolithic); A3=single crystal; A4=concentrator;
A5=thin film; B1=single crystal; B2=multicrystalline; B3=thick Si
film; C1=Cu(In,Ga)Se.sub.2; C2=CdTe; C3=amorphous SiH (stabilized);
C4=Nano, micro, poly-Si; C5=multipjunction polycrystalline;
D1=dye-sensitized cells; and D2=organic cells (various
technologies).
[0491] FIG. 49 includes the solar collector, used in the preferred
embodiments of the invention (marked "Inovus," for Applicant Inovus
Solar, Inc.). This collector is in the category of amorphous SiH
(stabilized) photovoltaic cells and has improved over the years to
approximately 13% efficiency. Although this efficiency is low
compared to many photovoltaic cells that are available, the
preferred embodiments are able, because of special features of this
amorphous photovoltaic cell material, and because of the preferred
active control methods, to achieve surprising results even through
winter and/or extended cloudy periods. The preferred solar
collector material is much more shade tolerant than non-amorphous
solar panels, which is am important advantage above and beyond the
advantage of being economical compared to the high-efficiency
(greater than 25% efficient, for example) PV cells. It is better at
collecting solar energy when it is cloudy, and it is also better at
collecting scattered and incident light; see the discussion of
shade-tolerance and collection of diffused light earlier in this
Example. The inventors contend that cloudy/diffuse-light days are
when performance of a solar-powered lighting system is most
critical; when the collection opportunity is hampered by
shade/diffuse light, the preferred amorphous PV cell material is
actually is more efficient under such conditions than a crystalline
PV system.
[0492] The vertically-mounted "wrapped" configuration of the solar
collector on a round pole, in the preferred embodiments, is
superior in two ways. First of all, the collector always has a good
portion of its surface area facing the sun. So, if there is great
sun in the morning, but limited sun after noon, then the total for
the day is still good due to the morning collection. The system can
collect much more than a conventional system because a conventional
system only faces the optimum location at noon--missing out on
possible opportunities in the morning or late afternoon. The second
advantage of the preferred system is the fact that the angle of the
sun with respect to the solar collector is optimum in the morning
& late afternoon (when the sun is lower in the sky) and also in
the winter. These are the times when it is typically more important
to collect as much energy as possible (because the days are shorter
in the winter). In the summer, there is plenty of sun, so the
preferred system performs well, too, even though it is optimized
(by design) for winter operation.
[0493] Because the batteries can only store a set amount of energy,
there is no way that the storage system could be large enough to
store energy from the summer to use in the winter. Therefore, all
"overproduction" in the summer is basically wasted. By maximizing
(focusing on) the winter performance in the preferred embodiments,
every possible bit of solar energy is "squeezed out" and also
conserved during operation over the winter nights, to keep the
system operational over the winter. Even on the cloudiest day, the
preferred embodiments of the invention produce about 20% of the
normal (sunny day). This allows the system to always have some
energy available, even if it can only turn the light on (at a lower
dimmed down state) for a couple of hours at the beginning of the
night. In testing, such dimmed-down operation being possible for
only a couple of hours has only happened once, in Houston, Tex.
testing, when a pole reached the lowest energy mode, but said
lowest energy mode was due to "false motion" events. A tree with a
light source behind it was shining towards the motion detector, and
the wind blowing the tree was interpreted as motion (the IR
detector saw the heat from the light & therefore the motion).
To avoid such events, programming was changed to ignore continuous
motion and treat it as an error/alert condition to be ignored after
a certain period of time. "Continuous" in this context may be set
by the manufacturer, for example, and preferably means in the range
of motion at least every two minutes for a set time period in the
range of 30-minutes. Aiming the motion detectors down, so that
motion above about 10 feet high would be ignored, has also been
found to be effective, so that human and vehicular traffic is
sensed but not swaying trees limbs.
[0494] Therefore, because of the synergistic effects of the
superior performance of the selected amorphous PV cell material in
shade and diffused light, and the energy-saving active control
discussed above, surprising results have been achieved in testing
of the preferred embodiments. FIGS. 50 and 51A and B illustrate
these surprising results for autonomous poles (not tied to the
grid) that operated independently from each other (not networked
for the purpose of these tests), wherein long periods of successful
operation of the outdoor lighting was accomplished, without any tie
to or contribution of energy from the electrical grid, without any
replacement of the batteries, and without any energy input into the
batterys or any part of the lighting system except from the
amorphous PV cell material on each pole.
[0495] In FIG. 50, one may see long periods of days and weeks of
sky cover (measured in hours during the day, defined as "cloudy" or
"overcast" as judged from the local weather report), but the system
maintained minimum battery voltage above the important benchmark of
approximately 11 volts all through the roughly two month winter
period, except for the "waving tree limb" incident in December,
described above. In FIGS. 51A and B, which represent a different
test, of a set of poles operating over about 2.5 winter months (the
graph being split roughly in two), multiple poles operating
independent of each other and autonomously (not tied to the grid)
all performed continuously at or above 11 volts throughout the
winter, despite long stretches of little or no sunshine per day.
Even during the dark days of January, only a few of the poles came
near to dropping to 11 volts, at which increased dimming action per
the energy-savings mode E6 kept the poles operating successfully,
at least at dimmed condition, during the crucual periods after dusk
and before dawn, and upon motion being sensed. Up an increase in
sunshine late in January, the batteries all rebounded to a range of
12-12.5 volts.
[0496] Preferred embodiments may therefore be described as
including: A solar-powered outdoor lighting system comprising: a
flexible photovoltaic solar collector panel curved at least 180
degrees around a generally cylindrical light pole and attached to
the light pole so that the panel is generally vertical; a lighting
fixture connected to the pole and comprising multiple light
emitting diodes (LEDs); at least one battery operatively connected
to the solar collector panel and the LEDs; an active controller
system comprising a maximum power point tracking charge controller
adapted to charge said at least one battery, and a load controller
adapted for management of energy delivery to said LEDs, wherein
said management of energy delivery is adapted to turn on, turn off,
dim and brighten said LEDs; at least one motion sensor connected to
said pole and operatively connected to said load controller;
wherein said load controller is adapted, in response to said motion
sensor sensing motion near the pole when the LEDs are in a dimmed
state, to increase power to said LEDs to brighten said LEDs at
least while said motion is detected. Said active controller may be
adapted to dim said LEDs when said at least one battery falls to a
battery voltage in the range of 1-2 volts above a minimum safe
battery voltage, said minimum safe battery voltage being a voltage
below which battery damage occurs. Said solar-collector preferably
is amorphous silicon (non-crystalline) photovoltaic material having
an efficiency in sunshine in the range of 10-16%. Said active
controller system may be adapted to determine an amount to dim said
LEDs, during a nighttime at least when said at least one motion
sensor is not sensing motion near the pole, based on battery
voltage of said at least one battery at dusk prior to said
nighttime. Or, said active control system may be adapted to
determine an amount to dim said LEDs, during a nighttime at least
when said at least one motion sensor is not sensing motion near the
pole, based on energy production in amp-hours by said solar
collector panel in a previous time period comprising one or more
days. Or, said active control system may be adapted to determine an
amount to dim said LEDs, during a nighttime at lease when said at
least one motion sensor is not sensing motion near the pole, based
on historical data of energy collection by the solar collector over
a period one year earlier. The active control system may be adapted
to disconnect any battery that fails, for example, by failing to
hold a charge. Said active controller system may be adapted to turn
on said LEDs and bring said LEDs to full brightness at said dusk,
and then dim the LEDs down to 25% or less brightness down after a
predetermined amount of time and throughout the nighttime except
for times during the nighttime when said at least one motion sensor
senses motion near said pole. Or, said active controller system may
be adapted to turn on said LEDs at dusk at a reduced brightness in
the range of 50%-80% of full brightness, to dim the LEDs down to
less than 25% brightness after a predetermined amount of time
throughout the nighttime except for times during the nighttime when
said at least one motion sensor senses motion near said pole. Or,
said active controller (or said load controller) may be adapted, in
response to said motion sensor sensing motion near the pole when
the LEDs are in a dimmed state, to increase power to said LEDs to
brighten said LEDs to 50-80% of full brightness while said motion
is detected. Or, said active controller system may be adapted to
turn on said LEDs at dusk at a reduced brightness in the range of
50-80% of full brightness, and then dim the LEDs down to a range of
7.5%-25% of full brightness after a predetermined amount of time
and throughout the nighttime except for times when said at least
one motion sensor sensed motion near said pole. The lighting system
may also comprise peripheral devices on said pole powered by said
at least one battery, and wherein said active controller system is
adapted to shed loads connected to the battery by turning off said
peripheral devices to conserve battery energy. Said active
controller system may be adapted to brighten said LEDs in response
to said at least one motion detector only when said motion is below
about 10 feet from the ground and only when said motion is not
continuous. Also, the preferred embodiments of the invention may be
methods of controlling an outdoor lighting system, for example,
comprising: providing a flexible solar collector panel curved at
least 180 degrees around a generally cylindrical light pole so that
the solar collector is generally vertical; providing a lighting
fixture connected to the pole and comprising multiple light
emitting diodes (LEDs); providing at least one battery operatively
connected to the solar collector panel and the LEDs; providing at
least one motion sensor on said pole; actively controlling energy
delivery from said at least one battery to said LEDs, by turning
on, dimming and turning off said LEDs according to at least one
mode of operation, said at least one mode of operation comprising a
normal operation mode comprising turning said LEDs on at dusk to
full brightness for a first predetermined amount of time, and,
after said first predetermined amount of time, dimming said LEDs to
a first fraction of said full brightness, until said at least one
motion sensor detects a motion event near said pole and then
increasing energy delivery to said LEDs for a second predetermined
amount of time starting when said at least one motion sensor no
longer detects said motion event, followed by reducing energy
delivery to said LEDs to dim said LEDs, so that the LEDs are dimmed
to less than full brightness in between motion events. The methods
may include actively controlling energy delivery from said at least
one battery to said LEDs by increasing energy delivery to said LEDs
for a third predetermined amount of time before dawn so that said
LEDs remain at full brightness until dawn. The methods may include
dimming said LEDs when said at least one battery falls to a battery
voltage in the range of 1-2 volts above a minimum safe battery
voltage, said minimum safe battery voltage being a voltage below
which battery damage occurs. The methods may include determining
dimming based on battery voltage, previous amp-hours production,
and/or historical data or weather or solar collector
performance/production. The methods may include at least one mode
of operation includes at least one energy-saving mode comprising
turning said LEDs on at dusk to a second fraction of full
brightness for said first predetermined amount of time, and then
dimming said LEDs to a further-reduced third fraction of full
brightness, until said at least one motion sensor detects a motion
event near said pole and then increasing energy delivery to said
LEDs for said second predetermined amount of time to said second
fraction of full brightness, and, when said at least one motion
sensor no longer detects said motion event, reducing energy
delivery to said LEDs to dim said LEDs again to said third fraction
of full brightness, so that the LEDs are dimmed to said third
fraction of full brightness in between motion events. Said second
fraction of full brightness may be in the range of 50%-80% of full
brightness, and said third fraction is 7.5%-25% of full brightness.
Said methods may include brightening said LEDs to said third
fraction of full brightness for a third predetermined amount of
time before dawn.
[0497] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to one
of skill in the art after reading this disclosure and viewing the
drawings. Although this invention is described herein and in the
drawings with reference to particular means, methods, materials and
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to these disclosed particulars, but extends instead to all
equivalents within the broad scope of the following claims.
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