U.S. patent application number 15/226535 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-09 for portable solar panel system electrical control.
The applicant listed for this patent is Goal Zero LLC. Invention is credited to Walker Ford, Henry J. Howell, Norman L. Krantz, Sterling Robison, Keyvan Vasefi.
Application Number | 20170040801 15/226535 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57943827 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170040801 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robison; Sterling ; et
al. |
February 9, 2017 |
PORTABLE SOLAR PANEL SYSTEM ELECTRICAL CONTROL
Abstract
A solar panel assembly includes a solar panel and an output
module. The solar panel includes a plurality of solar cells
configured to absorb light energy from a light source to generate
electrical power. The output module has an input interface
electrically coupled to the plurality of solar cells and an output
interface configured to at least one of power and charge a load
device. The output module is configured to provide an output power
having an output current and an output voltage at the output
interface. The output module includes a processing circuit
configured to control the output voltage based on a maximum
available power associated with the plurality of solar cells.
Inventors: |
Robison; Sterling;
(Bluffdale, UT) ; Ford; Walker; (Holladay, UT)
; Vasefi; Keyvan; (Payson, UT) ; Krantz; Norman
L.; (Draper, UT) ; Howell; Henry J.;
(Herriman, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Goal Zero LLC |
Bluffdale |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57943827 |
Appl. No.: |
15/226535 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62201062 |
Aug 4, 2015 |
|
|
|
62201100 |
Aug 4, 2015 |
|
|
|
62275000 |
Jan 5, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/007 20130101;
H02S 40/425 20141201; H01L 31/048 20130101; H02S 40/34 20141201;
H02J 3/383 20130101; H02S 50/00 20130101; H02J 7/35 20130101; H02J
7/0047 20130101; G05F 1/67 20130101; H02J 7/00 20130101; H02S 20/30
20141201; H02S 10/40 20141201; Y02E 10/50 20130101; H02J 7/0068
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02J 3/38 20060101
H02J003/38; H02J 7/35 20060101 H02J007/35; H02S 20/30 20060101
H02S020/30; H02J 7/00 20060101 H02J007/00; H02S 50/00 20060101
H02S050/00; H02S 10/40 20060101 H02S010/40 |
Claims
1. A solar panel assembly, comprising: a solar panel including a
plurality of solar cells configured to absorb light energy from a
light source to generate electrical power; and an output module
having an input interface electrically coupled to the plurality of
solar cells and an output interface configured to at least one of
power and charge a load device, wherein the output module is
configured to provide an output power having an output current and
an output voltage at the output interface, the output module
including a processing circuit configured to control the output
voltage based on a maximum available power associated with the
plurality of solar cells.
2. The solar panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the output module
is configured to stop and thereafter restart providing the output
power in response to a determination that the load device stopped
charging.
3. The solar panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the output module
is configured to determine that the load device stopped charging
by: monitoring at least one of the electrical power from the solar
panel, an input voltage of the electrical power from the solar
panel, and an input current of the electrical power from the solar
panel; and at least one of (i) comparing the at least one of the
electrical power from the solar panel, the input voltage, and the
input current to a threshold value and (ii) comparing a rate of
decrease of the at least one of the electrical power from the solar
panel, the input voltage, and the input current to a threshold
rate.
4. The solar panel assembly of claim 2, wherein the output module
is configured to determine that the load device stopped charging
by: monitoring at least one of the output power, the output
voltage, and the output current; and at least one of (i) comparing
the least one of the output power, the output voltage, and the
output current to a threshold value and (ii) comparing a rate of
decrease of the least one of the output power, the output voltage,
and the output current to a threshold rate.
5. The solar panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the output module
includes a communication device configured to facilitate
transmitting data regarding operation of the solar panel to at
least one of the load device and an external device.
6. The solar panel assembly of claim 5, wherein the communication
device is configured to transmit data using a wireless
communication protocol.
7. The solar panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the output module
includes a display configured to provide an indication regarding an
operational characteristic of at least one of the solar panel and
the output module.
8. The solar panel assembly of claim 7, wherein the operational
characteristic includes at least one of (i) a level of intensity of
the light energy received by the plurality of solar cells, (ii) a
level of the electrical power from the solar panel, (iii) a level
of an input voltage of the electrical power from the solar panel,
(iv) a level of an input current of the electrical power from the
solar panel, (v) a level of the output power, (vi) a level of the
output voltage, and (vii) a level of the output current.
9. The solar panel assembly of claim 7, wherein the display
includes plurality of LEDs, wherein the output module is configured
to illuminate the plurality of LEDs to provide the indication.
10. The solar panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the output module
is configured to: monitor the electrical power at the output
interface; compare the electrical power at the output interface to
an available input electrical power associated with the solar
panel; and adjust the output voltage based on the electrical power
at the output interface and the available input electrical power to
maximize the electrical power provided to the output interface.
11. The solar panel assembly of claim 10, wherein the output module
is configured to determine the available input electrical power by:
incrementally increasing a load applied to the plurality of solar
cells; monitoring an instantaneous power level provided by the
plurality of solar cells at the input interface; and associating
the available input electrical power with the instantaneous power
level in response to a decrease in the instantaneous power
level.
12. The solar panel assembly of claim 10, wherein the output
current is non-linearly related to the output voltage.
13. The solar panel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a panel
module including an output, wherein the panel module is coupled to
a rear surface of the solar panel and electrically coupled to the
plurality of solar cells.
14. The solar panel assembly of claim 13, wherein the input
interface of the output module is configured to interface with the
output of the panel module to detachably couple the output module
to the solar panel and thereby selectively electrically couple the
output module to the plurality of solar cells.
15. An output module for a portable solar panel, comprising: an
input interface configured to engage an output of the portable
solar panel to receive an input electrical power having an input
voltage and an input current; an output interface configured to
engage an input of a load device and provide an output electrical
power having an output voltage and an output current; and a
processing circuit configured to: monitor at least one of the input
electrical power, the input voltage, the input current, the output
electrical power, the output voltage, and the output current;
determine whether the load device has stopped charging based on a
change in the at least one of the input electrical power, the input
voltage, the input current, the output electrical power, the output
voltage, and the output current; and stop providing and thereafter
again provide the output electrical power to the load device in
response to determining that the load device stopped charging.
16. The output module of claim 15, wherein the processing circuit
is configured to adjust the input voltage to provide at least one
of the output voltage, the output current, and the output
electrical power to the load device at a target value.
17. The output module of claim 15, wherein the output module is
configured to detachably interface with the portable solar panel
such that the input interface selectively engages the output of the
portable solar panel.
18. An output module for a portable solar panel, comprising: an
input interface configured to engage an output of the portable
solar panel to receive an input electrical power generated by a
plurality of solar cells of the portable solar panel; an output
interface configured to selectively engage an input of a load
device to facilitate providing an output electrical power having an
output voltage and an output current to the load device to at least
one of power and charge the load device; and a processing circuit
configured to control the output voltage based on a maximum
available power associated with the plurality of solar cells.
19. The output module of claim 18, further comprising a regulator
configured to adjust the output voltage, wherein the processing
circuit is configured to: monitor the output electrical power at
the output interface; compare the output electrical power at the
output interface to an available input electrical power associated
with the portable solar panel; and control the regulator to adjust
the output voltage based on the output electrical power at the
output interface and the available input electrical power to
maximize the output electrical power provided to the output
interface.
20. The output module of claim 19, further comprising a test
circuit configured to facilitate variably loading the plurality of
solar cells, wherein the processing circuit is configured to
monitor the input electrical power generated by the plurality of
solar cells during the variable loading to determine the maximum
available power.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/201,062, filed Aug. 4, 2015, U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/201,100, filed Aug. 4, 2015,
and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/275,000, filed Jan.
5, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A solar panel is a packaged assembly of photovoltaic cells.
Solar panels use light energy (e.g., photons) from the sun to
generate an electric current via the photovoltaic effect. A solar
panel is typically used to generate and supply electricity to a
load device or system. Solar panels are an environmentally-friendly
alternative to other sources of energy such as coal, oil, or
gasoline. Portable solar panels may be used in place of traditional
portable power supply devices (e.g., generators, batteries).
SUMMARY
[0003] One exemplary embodiment relates to a solar panel assembly.
The solar panel assembly includes a solar panel and an output
module. The solar panel includes a plurality of solar cells
configured to absorb light energy from a light source to generate
electrical power. The output module has an input interface
electrically coupled to the plurality of solar cells and an output
interface configured to at least one of power and charge a load
device. The output module is configured to provide an output power
having an output current and an output voltage at the output
interface. The output module includes a processing circuit
configured to control the output voltage based on a maximum
available power associated with the plurality of solar cells.
[0004] Another exemplary embodiment relates to an output module for
a portable solar panel. The output module includes an input
interface, an output interface, and a processing circuit. The input
interface is configured to engage with an output of the portable
solar panel to receive an input electrical power having an input
voltage and an input current. The output interface is configured to
engage an input of a load device and provide an output electrical
power having an output voltage and an output current. The
processing circuit is configured to (i) monitor at least one of the
input electrical power, the input voltage, the input current, the
output electrical power, the output voltage, and the output
current, (ii) determine whether the load device has stopped
charging based on a change in the at least one of the input
electrical power, the input voltage, the input current, the output
electrical power, the output voltage, and the output current, and
(iii) stop providing and thereafter again provide the output
electrical power to the load device in response to determining that
the load device stopped charging.
[0005] Another exemplary embodiment relates to an output module for
a portable solar panel. The output module includes an input
interface, an output interface, and a processing circuit. The input
interface is configured to engage an output of the portable solar
panel to receive an input electrical power generated by solar cells
of the portable solar panel. The output interface is configured to
selectively engage an input of a load device to facilitate
providing an output electrical power having an output voltage and
an output current to the load device to at least one of power and
charge the load device. The processing circuit is configured to
control the output voltage based on a maximum available power
associated with the plurality of solar cells.
[0006] The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
carried out in various ways. Alternative exemplary embodiments
relate to other features and combinations of features as may be
recited herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like
elements, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a solar panel
assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the solar panel assembly
of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 3 is another front perspective view of the solar panel
assembly of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the solar panel assembly of
FIG. 1 in a folded configuration, according to an exemplary
embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the solar panel
assembly of FIG. 1, according to another exemplary embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a rear plan view of the solar panel assembly of
FIG. 1 with an output module, according to an exemplary embodiment;
and
[0014] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the output module of the
solar panel assembly of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the
exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the
present application is not limited to the details or methodology
set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It
should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose
of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0016] Conventional solar panels may operate as a static source of
power without a system that (i) balances load power to available
power (ii) restarts the flow of energy in response to a load device
stopping an acceptance of power due to a temporary voltage drop,
and/or (iii) communicates available power and output power to an
end-user. Some large, commercial scale solar panel systems employ
Maximum Power Point Tracking ("MPPT") algorithms to optimize
available solar energy, but these implementations typically exist
as a stand-alone charge controller designed for a specific battery
chemistry. Some portable solar panels implement a feature which
attempts to restart the flow of energy to a device that has stopped
charging due to a temporary low voltage condition by periodically
disabling and enabling the output, irrespective of whether power is
actually being transferred to the load, resulting in an unnecessary
interruption in the power supply. While dedicated solar meters are
available for measuring available power, these devices typically
require a dedicated solar cell and display to communicate this
information. The data from such devices is not precisely
representative of the power at a panel, and traditional devices
therefore provide at best an approximation of the solar power
available at the desired panel.
[0017] In one embodiment, the method and the system of the present
disclosure optimize the relationship between incoming solar energy
and an end-user device through several methods. The method and
system may employ an algorithm to balance outgoing power with
available power by (i) measuring environmental conditions and (b)
maximizing available energy (e.g., by attempting control of the
load device, etc.). The method and system may monitor and control
the outgoing power in order to ensure a load device continues to
accept energy after a condition occurs which temporarily interrupts
the power. The method and system may improve the user experience
with a photovoltaic power source by measuring incident solar energy
as well as outgoing power and providing the information to an
end-user. The user may use employ this information to orient the
panel for increased (e.g., maximum, etc.) energy reception.
[0018] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, a
solar panel assembly, shown as solar panel assembly 10, is
configured to generate electrical power from incident light. The
generated electrical power may be provided to at least one of
charge and power a load device (e.g., a phone, a tablet, a
computer, a portable and rechargeable battery pack, etc.). In one
embodiment, the solar panel assembly 10 is configured (e.g.,
arranged, sized, etc.) to provide an output power of up to 7 watts
("W"). In another embodiment, the solar panel assembly 10 is
configured to provide an output power of up to 14 W. In other
embodiments, the solar panel assembly 10 is configured to provide
still another output power (e.g., 10 W, 20 W, etc.). The power
output of the solar panel assembly 10 may be related to a surface
area thereof and/or a relative orientation between the solar panel
assembly and a light source (e.g., the sun, etc.). According to an
exemplary embodiment, the solar panel assembly 10 is lightweight
and portable.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the solar panel assembly includes a
first surface, shown as front surface 12, and an opposing second
surface, shown as rear surface 14. The front surface 12 is
separated from the rear surface 14 by a thickness of the solar
panel assembly 10, according to an exemplary embodiment. The solar
panel assembly 10 has a first edge, shown as bottom edge 16, an
opposing second edge, shown as top edge 18. The bottom edge 16 is
separated from the top edge 18 by a height of the solar panel
assembly 10, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3, the solar panel assembly 10 has a first end, shown
as left end 22, and an opposing second end, shown as right end 24.
The left end 22 is separated from the right end 24 by a width of
the solar panel assembly 10, according to an exemplary embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the bottom edge 16, the top edge 18, the
left end 22, and the right end 24 define a generally-rectangular
shape of the solar panel assembly 10. In alternative embodiments,
the solar panel assembly 10 is otherwise shaped (e.g., square,
circular, hexagonal, etc.). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the solar
panel assembly 10 defines an axis, shown as axis 20. The axis 20 is
vertical and equidistantly positioned between the left end 22 and
the right end 24, according to an exemplary embodiment. According
to an exemplary embodiment, the axis 20 divides the solar panel
assembly 10 into a first side, shown as left side 26, and a second
side, shown as right side 28.
[0020] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 and
5, the solar panel assembly 10 is constructed of multiple layers.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the solar panel assembly 10 includes a first
layer, shown as cover layer 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the solar panel
assembly 10 includes a second layer, shown as solar cell layer 40.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the solar cell layer 40 includes a
plurality of solar cells 46 arranged into a first solar panel,
shown as left solar panel 42, and a second solar panel, shown as
right solar panel 44. According to an exemplary embodiment, the
solar cells 46 are configured to receive and convert solar power
(e.g., light energy, etc.) from a light source (e.g., the sun,
etc.) to generate electrical power. A third layer, shown as
structural layer 50, is provided as part of the solar panel
assembly 10, according to an exemplary embodiment. According an
exemplary embodiment, the structural layer 50 includes a printed
circuit board ("PCB"). The PCB may include a substrate (e.g., a
non-conductive substrate, etc.) configured to mechanically support
the solar cells 46. The PCB may also electrically couple the solar
cells 46 (e.g., using conductive tracks, pads, and/or other
features etched or otherwise formed into sheets that include copper
or another material laminated onto the substrate, etc.). As shown
in FIG. 2, the solar panel assembly 10 includes a fourth layer,
shown as cover layer 60. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the cover layer
60 is disposed along the structural layer 50.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, an adhesive layer, shown as adhesive
layer 32, is disposed between the cover layer 30 and the solar cell
layer 40. The adhesive layer 32 couples the cover layer 30 and the
solar cell layer 40. As shown in FIG. 2, an adhesive layer, shown
as adhesive layer 34, is disposed between the solar cell layer 40
and the structural layer 50. The adhesive layer 34 couples the
solar cell layer 40 and the structural layer 50. As shown in FIG.
2, an adhesive layer, shown as adhesive layer 36, is disposed
between the structural layer 50 and the cover layer 60. The
adhesive layer 36 couples the structural layer 50 and the cover
layer 60.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the solar panel assembly 10
defines a plurality of apertures, shown as through holes 98. Solar
panel assembly 10 may be supported using (e.g., hung by, etc.)
and/or support other devices (e.g., provide a hanging point for,
etc.) using the through holes 98. By way of example, the through
holes 98 may facilitate coupling the solar panel assembly 10 to a
backpack, belt, or other structure (e.g., using a clasp, rope, a
zip-tie, etc.).
[0023] As shown in FIG. 4, the solar panel assembly 10 is
selectively reconfigurable (e.g., foldable, etc.) about the axis 20
into a folded orientation. In one embodiment, the left end 22 of
the left side 26 and the right end 24 of the right side 28 of the
solar panel assembly 10 meet when the solar panel assembly 10 is
arranged into the folded orientation. The foldable solar panel
assembly 10 may be stored in smaller areas and/or more easily
transported by a user (e.g., carried, etc.) relative to traditional
solar panel assemblies.
[0024] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and
5, the solar panel assembly 10 includes a module, shown as module
70. The module 70 may be configured to support the solar panel
assembly 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the module 70 includes a support,
shown as kickstand 80. In one embodiment, the kickstand 80 includes
a storage compartment, shown as storage pocket 90. The kickstand 80
is rotatably coupled to a base portion of the module 70, according
to an exemplary embodiment. The kickstand 80 may thereby pivot away
from the rear surface 14 to adjust an angle at which the solar
panel assembly 10 is oriented. According to an exemplary
embodiment, changing the orientation angle of the solar panel
assembly changes (e.g., increases, decreases, etc.) the intensity
of the solar energy incident upon the solar panel assembly 10. In
some embodiments, the kickstand 80 is vented. Such venting may
facilitate heat transfer (e.g., convective heat transfer, etc.)
from a device (e.g., a load device, etc.) disposed within the
storage pocket 90. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage pocket 90 is
partially defined by a mesh layer 92 coupled to a backing plate of
the kickstand 80. The mesh layer 92 and the backing plate of the
kickstand 80 define a cavity therebetween. According to an
exemplary embodiment, a load device (e.g., a phone, a battery pack,
etc.) may be disposed within the cavity of the storage pocket 90.
The mesh layer 92 provides ventilation through the cavity and
thereby reduces the risk of overheating the load device. The
storage pocket 90 is closable using a fastener, shown as zipper 94.
The zipper 94 is configured to facilitate accessing the cavity
defined between the kickstand 80 and the mesh layer 92. In other
embodiments, another type of fastener is provided (e.g., hook and
loop fasteners, magnets, etc.) to facilitate selectively closing
the storage pocket 90.
[0025] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-7,
the solar panel assembly 10 includes an output, shown as output
100, coupled to an output module, shown as output module 110. The
output 100 is configured to couple the output module 110 to the
solar cells 46 of the solar panel assembly 10, according to an
exemplary embodiment. The output module 110 may couple a load
device 160 (e.g., a smartphone, a cell phone, a rechargeable
battery pack, a tablet, a personal computer, a laptop, a
smartwatch, etc.), to the solar panel assembly 10. In an
alternative embodiment, the output 100 is configured to directly
couple the load device 160 to the solar panel assembly 10 (e.g.,
bypassing the output module 110, in embodiments where the solar
panel assembly 10 does not include the output module 110, etc.). In
some embodiments, the output 100 and/or the output module 110 are
disposed within the cavity of the storage pocket 90.
[0026] As show in FIG. 6, the output 100 includes a module, shown
as panel module 102, that is coupled to the output module 110 with
a cable, shown as cable 104. The panel module 102 is configured to
couple the output module 110 to the solar cells 46 of the solar
panel assembly 10, according to an exemplary embodiment. In one
embodiment, the cable 104 is hard wired into the panel module 102.
In other embodiments, the cable 104 is removably coupled to the
panel module 102 (e.g., with corresponding male and female
connectors, etc.). As shown in FIG. 6, the cable 104 is coupled to
the output module 110 with a connector, shown as output connector
106. In one embodiment, the cable 104 is configured to couple the
panel module 102 with the output connector 106. The output
connector 106 may be configured to couple the panel module 102 to
at least one of the output module 110 and the load device 160.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the output module 110 includes an
input, shown as input interface 112, and an output, shown as output
interface 114. According to an exemplary embodiment, the output
connector 106 includes a male connector (e.g., a barrel plug,
etc.), and the input interface 112 includes a female connector
configured to interface with and receive the output connector 106.
In an alternative embodiment, the output connector 106 includes a
female connector and the input interface 112 includes a male
connector. According to an exemplary embodiment, the output
interface 114 includes a female connector. In one embodiment, the
female connector of the output interface 114 is a female USB
interface configured to receive a male USB connector (e.g., of a
charging and/or power cable for the load device 160, etc.). In an
alternative embodiment, the output interface 114 is a male
connector (e.g., a lightning connector, a 30-pin connector, a micro
USB, a mini USB, etc.).
[0028] The output module 110 may thereby be detachably coupled to
the solar cells 46. The output module 110 may receive power from
the solar cells 46 and at least one of power and charge the load
device 160 (e.g., coupled to output interface 114, etc.). Solar
panel assembly 10 having an output module 110 that is releasably
coupled to the panel module 102 may be upgraded (e.g., with new
and/or redesigned output modules 110, etc.) by unplugging the
existing output module 110 and replacing it with a different output
module 110. In an alternative embodiment, the cable 104 is hard
wired to the output module 110. In another alternative embodiment,
the output module 110 is coupled to and/or integral with the module
70 (e.g., disposed within a cavity positioned behind the kickstand
80, etc.).
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 6-7, the output module 110 includes a
display, shown as display 116. According to an exemplary
embodiment, the display 116 is configured to indicate the intensity
of the solar energy incident upon the front surface 12 of to the
solar panel assembly 10 (e.g., providing a power flow indicator,
etc.). According to another embodiment, the display 116 is
configured to indicate the available input power associated with
the solar cells 46. According to still another embodiment, the
display 116 is configured to indicate the current draw associated
with the load device 160. According to an exemplary embodiment, the
display 116 includes a plurality of LEDs. By way of example, as the
solar intensity increases, the number of LEDs of the display 116
that illuminate may increase, providing an indication as to the
intensity of solar energy incident upon the solar panel assembly
10. In an alternative embodiment, the display 116 is or includes a
digital display or any other type of display that provides an
indication of the solar intensity and/or other information (e.g.,
current draw, input power, etc.). According to an exemplary
embodiment, the display 116 is positioned such that a user of the
solar panel assembly 10 may see the intensity of the incident solar
energy and reorient the solar panel assembly 10 (e.g., rotate the
solar panel assembly 10, adjust the angle of the kickstand 80,
change the panel-to-sun placement, etc.) to achieve a maximum power
output from the solar panel assembly 10.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 7, the output module 110 includes a
regulator, shown as switching regulator 118. The output module 110
includes a communication device 120, according to the embodiment
shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the output module includes a
processing circuit 130. An input current sensor 150 (e.g.,
positioned to monitor a current of the electrical power provided to
the output module 110 from the solar cells 46, etc.), an input
voltage sensor 152 (e.g., positioned to monitor a voltage of the
electrical power provided to the output module 110 from the solar
cells 46, etc.), an output current sensor 154, and an output
voltage sensor 156 are provided as part of the output module 110,
according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. In other embodiments,
the output module 110 includes a different combination of sensors
and/or still other types of sensors. In still other embodiments,
the output module 110 includes a combination of electrical
components (e.g., diodes, resistors, capacitors, etc.) that replace
and/or supplement at least one of the switching regulator 118, the
communication device 120, the processing circuit 130, the input
current sensor 150, the input voltage sensor 152, the output
current sensor 154, and the output voltage sensor 156.
[0031] According to an exemplary embodiment, the switching
regulator 118 is configured to regulate (e.g., change, increase,
reduce, decrease, throttle, etc.) at least one of an output voltage
and an output current provided by the output module 110. By way of
example, the output module 110 may provide an output power (e.g.,
having the output voltage and/or the output current, etc.) to the
load device 160. According to an exemplary embodiment, the
switching regulator 118 is configured to buck (e.g., reduce,
decrease, throttle, etc.) the output voltage (e.g., via pulse width
modulation ("PWM"), etc.) of the output power provided by output
module 110 to a target voltage (e.g., 5 Volts, etc.). In one
embodiment, the output module 110 is configured to buck the output
voltage (e.g., with the switching regulator 118, etc.) an amount
that varies as a function of the input power (e.g., the electrical
power provided to the output module 110 from the solar cells 46,
etc.). By way of example, the processing circuit 130 may monitor an
available input power and regulate the output voltage as a function
of the available input power.
[0032] According to an exemplary embodiment, the solar cells 46 of
the solar panel assembly 10 are at least one of configured and
arranged to produce an input voltage of up to approximately 12
Volts. In one embodiment, the output module 110 is configured to
provide an output of 5 Volts, corresponding with the standard
voltage of USB connections. According to an exemplary embodiment,
the switching regulator 118 is configured to receive the 12 Volt
input from the solar cells 46 and reduce, decrease, throttle, etc.
the 12 Volts to 5 Volts such that the 5 Volts may be provided to
the load device 160 (e.g., via the output interface 114, etc.). In
other embodiments, the output module 110 does not include the
switching regulator 118 and/or the switching regulator 118 is
configured to not buck the input voltage (e.g., in all instances,
etc.). Such an output module 110 may provide an output voltage that
is substantially the same as the input voltage (e.g., 12 Volts,
etc.).
[0033] In one embodiment, the switching regulator 118 of the output
module 110 is configured to regulate the output voltage to a target
voltage level. In one embodiment, the processing circuit 130 is
configured to determine the target voltage level based on the
available input power. The available input power may vary with the
electrical current and voltage provided to the input interface
112.
[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment, the input current
sensor 150 is configured to acquire input current data relating to
the electrical current provided to the input interface 112 of the
output module 110 by the solar cells 46 (e.g., monitor an input
current of an electrical power provided to the output module 110
from the solar cells 46, etc.). According to an exemplary
embodiment, the input voltage sensor 152 is configured to acquire
input voltage data relating to a voltage provided to the input
interface 112 of the output module 110 by the solar cells 46. The
processing circuit 130 may calculate the amount of electrical power
generated by the solar cells 46 (i.e., from solar energy) using the
input current data and the input voltage data. According to an
exemplary embodiment, the output current sensor 154 is configured
to acquire output current data relating to a current provided by
the output interface 114 of the output module 110 to the load
device 160. According to an exemplary embodiment, the output
voltage sensor 156 is configured to acquire output voltage data
relating to a voltage provided by the output interface 114 of the
output module 110 to the load device 160. The processing circuit
130 may calculate the amount of electrical power provided by the
output interface 114 (e.g., to the load device 160, etc.) using the
output current data and the output voltage data.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, the processing circuit 130 includes a
processor 132 and a memory 134. The processor 132 may be
implemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate
arrays (FPGAs), a digital signal processor (DSP), a group of
processing components, or other suitable electronic processing
components. The memory 134 (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash Memory, hard disk
storage, etc.) may store data and/or computer code for facilitating
the various processes described herein. Thus, the memory devices
may be communicably connected to the processor 132 and provide
computer code or instructions to the processor 132 for executing
the processes described in regard to the output module 110 herein.
Moreover, the memory 134 may be or include tangible, non-transient
volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Accordingly, the memory 134
may include database components, object code components, script
components, or any other type of information structure for
supporting the various activities and information structures
described herein.
[0036] The memory 134 includes various modules for completing the
activities described herein. As shown in FIG. 7, the processing
circuit 130 includes a display module 136, a comparison module 138,
and a restart module 140. In other embodiments, the processing
circuit 130 includes additional, fewer, and/or different modules.
The display module 136, the comparison module 138, and the restart
module 140 may be configured to receive inputs relating to various
data and/or information (e.g., current data, voltage data,
electrical power data, etc.) and provide signals. In one
embodiment, the processing circuit 130 analyzes the output signals
(e.g., with the processor 132, etc.) and controls one or more
components of the solar panel assembly 10. By way of example, the
processing circuit 130 may control the operation of the display
116, the switching regulator 118, and/or the communication device
120, among other components, based on the various data. While
various modules with particular functionality are shown in FIG. 7,
it should be understood that the output module 110 and the memory
134 may include any number of modules for completing the functions
described herein. By way of example, the activities of multiple
modules may be combined as a single module, as additional modules
with additional functionality may be included, etc. Further, it
should be understood that the output module 110 may further control
other activity (e.g., other aspects of the solar panel assembly 10,
functionality associated with the load device 160, etc.).
[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment, the display module 136
is configured to interpret the input current data (e.g., acquired
and/or calculated based on data provided by the input current
sensor 150, etc.) to determine the intensity of the solar energy
incident upon the solar cells 46 of the solar panel assembly 10.
The display module 136 may be configured to calculate the
electrical power provided by the solar cells 46 of the solar panel
assembly 10. In one embodiment, the display module 136 is
configured to calculate the electrical power provided by the solar
cells 46 by multiplying the input current with the input voltage
(e.g., acquired and/or calculated based on data provided by the
input current sensor 150, the input voltage sensor 152, preset and
stored in memory, etc.).
[0038] The display module 136 may be configured to provide a signal
such that the processing circuit 130 produces a command to the
display 116. The display 116 may receive the command and provide an
indication of the solar intensity to the user of the solar panel
assembly 10. According to another embodiment, the display 116 is
configured to indicate the available input power associated with
the solar cells 46 (e.g., as determined by the comparison module
138, etc.). According to still another embodiment, the display 116
is configured to indicate the current draw associated with the load
device 160 (e.g., as measured by one or more output current sensors
154, etc.). The command may include a series of commands (e.g.,
voltages, etc.) applied to the one or more LEDs of the display 116
(e.g., to illuminate certain LEDs based on the displayed
information value, etc.).
[0039] In one embodiment, the display module 136 is configured to
provide levels of user indication that vary based on the available
input power of the solar cells 46 (e.g., as determined by the
comparison module 138, etc.). By way of example, the display module
136 may be configured to provide commands such that: no LEDs are
illuminated in response to a determination that the available input
power is less than 1 Watt, one LED is illuminated in response to a
determination that the available input power is greater than or
equal to 1 Watt, two LEDs are illuminated in response to a
determination that the available input power is greater than or
equal to 2 Watts, three LEDs are illuminated in response to a
determination that the available input power is greater than or
equal to 3 Watts, and four LEDs are illuminated in response to a
determination that the available input power is greater than or
equal to 4 Watts (e.g., for a 7 W set of solar cells 46, etc.).
[0040] The display module 136 may be configured to provide a
command such that the illuminated LEDs blink at a rate that is
related to the output current or the current being drawn by the
load device 160. By way of example, the display module 136 may be
configured to provide a command such that the illuminated LEDs
blink at a rate of 1 blink per second when the current draw of the
load device 160 is approximately 0.1 Amps and the illuminated LEDs
blink at a rate of 8 blinks per second when the current draw of the
load device 160 is approximately 1 Amp. The blink rate may be
related to the current draw linearly, according to a step function,
or still otherwise related.
[0041] In another embodiment, the display module 136 is configured
to provide a first level of user indication (e.g., illuminate one
of the LEDs of the display 116, etc.) in response to a
determination that the intensity of the solar energy incident upon
the solar cells 46 of the solar panel assembly 10 is less than 25%
of a maximum level. In another embodiment, the display module 136
is configured to provide a first level of user indication (e.g.,
illuminate one of the LEDs of the display 116, etc.) in response to
a determination that the electrical power produced (e.g., current,
voltage, etc.) by the solar cells 46 is less than 25% of a maximum
level. In still another embodiment, the display module 136 is
configured to provide a first level of user indication (e.g.,
illuminate one of the LEDs of the display 116, etc.) in response to
a determination that the input current produced by the solar cells
46 and/or the output current provided by the output module 110 is
less than 25% of a maximum level.
[0042] The display module 136 may be configured to provide a second
level of user indication (e.g., illuminate two LEDs of the display
116, etc.) in response to a determination that at least one of (i)
the intensity of the solar energy incident upon the solar cells 46,
(ii) the electrical power produced by the solar cells 46, and (iii)
the input current produced by the solar cells 46 and/or the output
current provided by the output module 110 is greater than 25% but
less than 50% of a maximum level. The display module 136 may be
configured to provide a third level of user indication (e.g.,
illuminate three LEDs of the display 116, etc.) in response to a
determination that at least one of (i) the intensity of the solar
energy incident upon the solar cells 46, (ii) the electrical power
produced by the solar cells 46, and (iii) the input current
produced by the solar cells 46 and/or the output current provided
by the output module 110 is greater than 50% but less than 75% of a
maximum level. The display module 136 may be configured to provide
a fourth level of user indication (e.g., illuminate four LEDs of
the display 116, etc.) in response to a determination that at least
one of (i) the intensity of the solar energy incident upon the
solar cells 46, (ii) the electrical power produced by the solar
cells 46, and (iii) the input current produced by the solar cells
46 and/or the output current provided by the output module 110 is
greater 75% of a maximum level. In other embodiments, the display
module 136 is configured to initiate control of the LEDs according
to step thresholds other than the combination of 25%, 50%, and 75%.
In other embodiments, the display module 136 is configured to still
otherwise initiate control of the display 116 to facilitate user
control of the solar panel assembly 10 (e.g., facilitating a user's
efforts to maximize or otherwise increase the performance of the
solar panel assembly 10, etc.).
[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment, the comparison module
138 is configured to increase performance of the solar panel
assembly 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the output module 110 includes a
circuit, shown as test circuit 180. The test circuit 180 is coupled
to the input interface 112, according to an exemplary embodiment.
In one embodiment, the test circuit 180 is configured to variably
load the solar cells 46. The test circuit 180 may "load down" the
solar cells 46 and/or the solar panel in an "on demand" manner. By
way of example, the available input power of the solar cells 46 may
be 10 Watts, and 8 Watts may be provided to the load device 160.
The test circuit 180 may load down the solar cells 46 and/or the
panel (e.g., at 2 Watts, with an increasing load starting with zero
or another reduced load, etc.) until the test circuit 180 and/or
the comparison module 138 notices a decrease in the power from the
solar cells 46 and/or the panel (e.g., begins to decrease,
decreases at more than a threshold rate, decreases to below a
threshold level, etc.). The power from the solar cells 46 and/or
the panel may be measured using the input current sensor 150 and/or
the input voltage sensor 152.
[0044] In one embodiment, the voltage of the electrical power
provided by the solar cells 46 is generally constant (e.g., 12
Volts, etc.). The comparison module 138 may interface with (e.g.,
provide a command signal to, communicate with by way of the
processing circuit 130, etc.) the test circuit 180 to variably load
the solar cells 46. In one embodiment, loading the solar cells 46
includes increasing the current draw using the dedicated test
circuit 180. The comparison module 138 is configured to determine
an available input power associated with the solar cells 46,
according to an exemplary embodiment, by interfacing with the test
circuit 180. In one embodiment, the comparison module 138 is
configured to monitor the voltage and/or the current provided at
the test circuit 180 and determine an instantaneous power level
associated with the solar cells 46 (e.g., by multiplying the
voltage and the current draw of the test circuit 180, etc.).
[0045] According to an exemplary embodiment, the comparison module
138 is configured to incrementally increase the load applied by the
test circuit 180 while continuing to monitor the instantaneous
power level associated with the solar cells 46. As the current draw
applied by the test circuit 180 continues to increase, the input
voltage applied by the solar cells 46 may at a threshold load level
decrease (e.g., drop off, suddenly decrease, sharply decrease,
etc.). The decrease in the input voltage applied by the solar cells
46 may decrease to a large degree, thereby decreasing the
instantaneous power level associated with the solar cells 46. The
comparison module 138 is configured to maximize the power level of
the solar cells 46 (e.g., and thereby maximize electrical power
provided to the load device, etc.). In one embodiment, the
comparison module 138 is configured to determine that the solar
cells 46 are providing an available input power (e.g., a potential
input power, a maximum available input power, operating at a
maximum power point, etc.) in response to a decrease in an
instantaneous power level (e.g., below a threshold level, at a rate
that is greater than a threshold rate, etc.). The decrease in the
instantaneous power level may occur in response to the incremental
increase in the load applied by the test circuit 180. The
comparison module 138 may regularly or intermittently determine the
available input power (e.g., multiple times per second, etc.).
[0046] The comparison module 138 is configured to manipulate the
output voltage (e.g., the voltage applied at the output interface
114, the voltage provided to the load device 160, etc.), according
to an exemplary embodiment, such that the output power corresponds
with (e.g., matches, etc.) the available input power associated
with the solar cells 46. By way of example, the comparison module
138 may be configured to monitor the available input power and
interface with (e.g., command, provide signals such that the
processing circuit 130 commands, etc.) the switching regulator 118
to manipulate the output voltage. The comparison module 138 may be
configured to manipulate the output voltage regularly or
intermittently in response to determining the available input
power.
[0047] The current draw of the load device 160 may be related to
the voltage applied thereto (e.g., the output voltage, etc.). The
current draw of the load device 160 is non-linearly related to the
applied voltage, according to an exemplary embodiment. The specific
relationship between the current drawn and the applied voltage may
vary based on one or more characteristics of the load device 160.
By way of example, the load device 160 may draw 2.3 Amps with an
applied voltage of 5.2 Volts, 2.0 Amps with an applied voltage of 5
Volts, 1.5 Amps with an applied voltage of 4.8 Volts, and 1.2 Amps
with an applied voltage of 4.6 Volts. The comparison module 138 is
configured to interface with the switching device 118 to produce
small variations in the output voltage that yield larger variations
in the current draw of the load device 160. The inventors of the
present application discovered a non-liner relationship between a
change in the applied voltage and the current draw of the load
device 160.
[0048] By way of example, the comparison module 138 may be
configured to interface with the switching regulator 118 to
selectively increase the output voltage, thereby causing the load
device 160 to increase the current draw and therefore increasing
the output power being provided to the load device 160. By way of
another example, the comparison module 138 may be configured to
interface with the switching regulator 118 to selectively decrease
the output voltage, thereby causing the load device 160 to decrease
the current draw and therefore decreasing the output power being
provided to the load device 160. The comparison module 138 may be
configured to monitor the output power being provided to the load
device 160 (e.g., using one or more of an output current sensor
154, an output voltage sensor 156, and the voltage at which the
comparison module 138 instructed the switching regulator 118 to
produce, etc.). In one embodiment, the comparison module 138 is
configured to selectively vary (e.g., increase, decrease, etc.) the
output voltage based on the available input power. By way of
example, the comparison module 138 may be configured to monitor the
output power, compare the output power with the available input
power, and determine a target voltage to be applied by the
switching regulator 118 at the output interface 114. By way of
another example, the comparison module 138 may be configured to
selectively vary the output voltage based only on the available
input power (e.g., using a predetermined algorithm for determining
the output power, etc.). In one embodiment, the switching regulator
118 is configured to regulate the output voltage to values between
4.7 Volts and 5.3 Volts.
[0049] In one embodiment, the comparison module 138 is configured
to monitor the input power (e.g., the electrical power generated by
the solar cells 46, etc.) and the output power (e.g., based on the
electrical current drawn by the load device 160, etc.). The
comparison module 138 may be configured to vary (e.g., reduce,
etc.) the output voltage based on the available input power. In one
embodiment, the comparison module 138 is configured to vary the
output voltage to increase (e.g., maximize, etc.) the power output
provided by the solar cells 46 (e.g., to provide an MPPT
controller, etc.).
[0050] The comparison module 138 may be configured to interpret the
input current data and the input voltage data to determine the
input power and interpret the output current data and the output
voltage data to determine the output power. In one embodiment, the
comparison module 138 reduces the output voltage (e.g., by
controlling the switching regulator 118, etc.) to increase the
power level of the solar cells 46. Comparison module 138 may
thereby determine a current to provide to the load device 160 to
prevent an adverse decrease in the voltage provided by the solar
cells 46 (e.g., rather than increasing the output current and the
input current to elevated or maximum values, which may decrease the
input voltage provided by the solar cells 46 and thereby adversely
decrease the power provided by the solar cells 46, etc.). The
comparison module 138 may determine the current to provide to the
load device 160 using an algorithm that relates the power generated
by the solar cells 46, the power provided to the load device 160,
the input current, the input voltage, the output current, and/or
the output voltage (e.g., to prevent an adverse decrease in the
voltage provided by the solar cells 46, etc.). According to an
exemplary embodiment, the comparison module 138 is configured to
control the switching regulator 118 to adjust the output voltage
provided to the load device 160 to increase the electrical power
generated by the solar cells 46 and/or the electrical power
provided to the load device 160.
[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment, the restart module 140
is configured to "restart" the electrical power supply provided by
solar panel assembly 10 in response to determining that the load
device 160 may no longer be charging. By way of example, the
restart module 140 may determine that the load device 160 is no
longer charging in response to the current drawn by the load device
160 decreasing at a rate that is greater than a threshold rate.
Restarting may include stopping a supply of output current from the
output module 110 to the load device 160 for a period of time, and
then thereafter providing the output current supply from the output
module 110 to the load device 160. In one embodiment, the restart
module 140 is configured to monitor the input voltage. The restart
module 140 may disable the output (e.g., terminate the output
current, continue terminating the output current, etc.) in response
to a determination that the input voltage is below a threshold
level.
[0052] The output module 110 may include a timer module (e.g., a
countdown timer, etc.) configured to facilitate pausing the
electrical power supply from the solar panel assembly 10. In one
embodiment, the restart module 140 is configured to provide a
signal to again provide electrical power in response to receiving a
signal from the timer module (e.g., in response to the timer module
counting down to zero and thereafter providing an alert signal,
etc.).
[0053] By way of example, the load device 160 may reject the power
output of the output module 110 if at least one of the output
voltage and the output current fall below a voltage threshold
and/or a current threshold, respectively, instantaneously and/or
for a predetermined period of time. The load device 160 may
determine that the charging device (e.g., the solar panel assembly
10, etc.) is not a compatible device and stops charging. By way of
example, the load device 160 may be charging via the power output
of the solar panel assembly 10. A cloud may pass overhead,
decreasing at least one of the output current and the output
voltage provided to the load device 160 below the threshold. The
load device 160 may thereafter reject the power supply from the
solar panel assembly 10 and stop charging. The cloud may then pass
by, and the voltage output to the load device 160 may increase to a
level above the threshold. Even during the period of decreased
current and/or voltage, the load device 160 may draw a reduced
current (e.g., 0.1 Amps, etc.). The restart module 140 may stop and
reinstate the charging session, thereby reducing the risk that the
load device 160 may not again receive charging current from the
solar panel assembly 10 to reinstate the charging session until the
power supply is disconnected and thereafter reconnected.
[0054] In one embodiment, the restart module 140 is configured to
monitor the output current and determine whether the output current
is decreasing and, if so, the rate at which the output current is
decreasing. In response to a determination that the rate at which
the output current is decreasing exceeds the threshold rate (e.g.,
a cloud comes overhead, etc.), the restart module 140 may initiate
a restart. In another embodiment, the restart module 140 is
configured to begin monitoring at least one of the input voltage,
the input current, and the input power in response to a
determination that the rate at which the output current is
decreasing exceeds the threshold rate. In response to the input
power increasing (e.g., a cloud or obstruction passes, etc.), the
restart module 140 may restart the power supply provided by the
solar panel assembly 10 (e.g., decrease the output current to 0
Amps, etc.). The solar panel assembly 10 thereby "tricks" the load
device 160 into perceiving that a new charging cycle has been
initiated with a compatible device (e.g., simulating unplugging and
then plugging in the charging cable, etc.) such that the charging
of the load device 160 may continue.
[0055] In some embodiments, the output module 110 is communicably
coupled to the load device 160 (e.g., via the output interface 114,
etc.) and/or an external device (e.g., a smartphone, a cell phone,
a tablet, a personal computer, a laptop, a smartwatch, a remote
server, etc.), shown as external device 170 (e.g., via the
communication device 120, etc.). According to an exemplary
embodiment, the communication device 120 is configured to transmit
various information and data (e.g., current data, voltage data,
power data, charging history, etc.) to at least one of the load
device 160 and the external device 170. The communication device
120 may use one of various types of communication protocol to
facilitate the exchange of information between and among the output
module 110, the load device 160, and/or the external device 170. In
this regard, the communication protocol may include any type and
number of wired and wireless protocols. For example, a wired
connection may include a serial cable, a fiber optic cable, a CAT5
cable, radio frequency (RF) or any other form of wired connection.
The communication device 120 may facilitate a wireless connection
(e.g., across the Internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (BLE), Zigbee,
cellular, radio, etc.). In one embodiment, a controller area
network (CAN) bus including any number of wired and wireless
connections provides the exchange of signals, information, and/or
data. Further, the communication device 120 may include a local
area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection
may be made to an external computer (e.g., through the Internet
using an Internet Service Provider).
[0056] According to an exemplary embodiment, the communication
device 120 is configured to transmit (e.g., on a mobile
application, using a website, etc.) present power data, charging
history, and other performance characteristics to the external
device 170 and/or the load device 160. Therefore, a user may be
provided with increased visibility into the performance of the
solar panel assembly 10 and/or the load device 160 (e.g., as
compared to the indications provided only as part of the display
116, etc.). In other embodiments, the display 116 includes a screen
(e.g., and LCD screen, etc.) upon which the processing circuit 130
provides (e.g., displays, etc.) such information.
[0057] According to an exemplary embodiment, the solar panel
assembly 10 establishes three distinct functions to maximize the
available PV panel power. First is a method for testing the panel
for available input power. Second is a method for adjusting the
power drawn from the panel output. Third is a controller to
interpret sensor data and facilitate control of input and output
activity.
[0058] According to an exemplary embodiment, panel testing is
accomplished by pulsing a test load onto the panel output while
continuously monitoring voltage and current. The test load may
include a transistor configured to switch power through a fixed
value resistor. The transistor may be driven from an off state
through its linear region to provide an increasingly strong load on
the panel. Voltage and current information may be used to calculate
the panel power. As the load is increased, the power may be
monitored and its maximum value may be recorded. The system may
employ this series of steps periodically at a frequency that may
appear continuous to an end-user.
[0059] According to an exemplary embodiment, adjusting output power
is accomplished by varying the voltage at the output of the panel.
The voltage may be varied by manipulating the feedback voltage of
an adjustable output regulator. The feedback voltage may be a
scaled version of the output voltage that keeps the regulator
providing a fixed voltage. This feedback signal may be adjusted by
the controller to force the output voltage to vary in accordance
with a control scheme employed by the controller.
[0060] According to an exemplary embodiment, with the input power
information it has gathered, the controller manipulates the output
voltage available to a device to balance the available energy with
the demands of the output. With this scheme, the system operates
the panel at its maximum power point under varying environmental
conditions.
[0061] According to an exemplary embodiment, a unique control
scheme is utilized to address a common problem encountered during
the use of active load devices (e.g., smartphones) with
photovoltaic panels under varying lighting conditions. This problem
results when the source of power (e.g., the sun, etc.) is
temporarily interrupted. This interruption may result in a
momentary drop in output voltage to which the device may respond by
disabling its input charging circuit in order to protect itself
(e.g., the device may interpret this interruption as a failing
power source, etc.). The result of this process is a device that
refuses to accept power despite a now valid source (e.g., when a
cloud obstructing the sun passes, etc.). One approach to solving
this issue is to periodically disable then re-enable the source on
the chance that the energy source has become unavailable during the
preceding period. This approach is problematic in that power is
regularly interrupted unnecessarily. The system pf the present
application provides a reactive scheme to reset the connection.
This has the advantage of avoiding unnecessary interruptions while
practically eliminating the time between a device ceasing to accept
power and restarting the flow of energy. The restart may be
facilitated by an algorithm in firmware that monitors the average
output current and voltage. The processor may be configured to
interpret a decrease in output current as a need to restart the
flow of energy, which it does by briefly disabling the output. This
same action may be performed if the output voltage becomes invalid
due to insufficient input voltage.
[0062] According to an exemplary embodiment, an end-user is
provided with unique information that facilitates more effective
use of a connected photovoltaic panel. Several systems for
communication may be provided. One such embodiment provides light
emitting diodes. The LEDs may be manipulated to communicate
information in several ways including being arranged into a bar
graph, varying intensity, varying frequencies, multiple colors,
etc. Another embodiment provides a digital data link such as USB or
Bluetooth to an application on a user's device with an integrated
display. By communicating the incident power in near real-time, the
panel is orientable to receive the maximum available solar energy.
Similarly, communicating output power to the user facilitates
observation that the panel is working as intended, avoiding
situations where energy is not being transferred due to other
factors such as cable faults and/or incorrect charger profiles.
[0063] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems, and
program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing
various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may
be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special
purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated
for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments
within the scope of the present disclosure include program products
comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having
machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon.
Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be
accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other
machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable
media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical
disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage
devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store
desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions
or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose
or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When
information is transferred or provided over a network or another
communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a
combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine
properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus,
any such connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium.
Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of
machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include,
for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose
computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing
machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.
[0064] Although the figures may show a specific order of method
steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is depicted.
Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with
partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and
hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations
are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software
implementations could be accomplished with standard programming
techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the
various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and
decision steps.
[0065] As utilized herein, the terms "approximately", "about",
"substantially", and similar terms are intended to have a broad
meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of
ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this
disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in
the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to
allow a description of certain features described and claimed
without restricting the scope of these features to the precise
numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be
interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential
modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and
claimed are considered to be within the scope of the invention as
may be recited in appended claims.
[0066] It should be noted that the terms "exemplary" and "example"
as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to
indicate that such embodiments are possible examples,
representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and
such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are
necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
[0067] The terms "coupled," "connected," and the like, as used
herein, mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to
one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent, etc.)
or moveable (e.g., removable, releasable, etc.). Such joining may
be achieved with the two members or the two members and any
additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single
unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two
members and any additional intermediate members being attached to
one another.
[0068] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., "top,"
"bottom," "above," "below," "between," etc.) are merely used to
describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It
should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ
according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations
are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
[0069] It is important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the solar panel assembly as shown in the exemplary
embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments
of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those
skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily
appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations
in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the
various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use
of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially
departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject
matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed
may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. It should be
noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the components
described herein may be constructed from any of a wide variety of
materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of
a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly,
all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope
of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications,
changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating
conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary
embodiments without departing from scope of the present disclosure
or from the spirit of the appended claim.
* * * * *