TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to solar energy devices. More particularly, the present technology relates to a photovoltaic charging system comprising a supplemental charging system removably coupled with a primary charging system.

BACKGROUND

Solar cells have long been used to power many kinds of electronic devices. Their use is ubiquitous and can be found in everyday devices such as calculators, RVs, wearables, backpacks, and homes, as well as in more extraordinary devices like space exploration. Furthermore, in the face of climate change, shifting from fossil fuel reliance towards renewable energy proliferation becomes increasingly important. Solar energy is one such viable renewable resource, but is presently met with some limitations.

For example, the ability of a solar panel to generate power is dependent on the availability of a light source. In situations where the solar panel is obstructed from the sun's rays, power generation may be interrupted. Generating electricity from photovoltaic cells can thus be negatively impacted by unpredictable cloudy weather. Night time and other low-light situations can further stifle the energy produced by solar panels.

Furthermore, even in clear and sunny conditions, the effectiveness of static solar panels is generally limited to the span of time during which the sun is positioned within the optimal range of angles with respect to the solar panels. As to non-static solar cells mounted on motorized panels that in conjunction with a device that tracks the position of the sun, continually repositions the panels to more optimally absorb sunlight throughout the day, such devices remain susceptible to inclement weather.

Despite the continuing improvements to the efficiency of solar cells, it is of interest to provide a system adapted to continue to provide power when solar power accumulation may be interrupted, and to provide a means for recycling energy collected by a solar panel.

The information disclosed in this background section of the disclosure is only to enhance the understanding the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods that are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, and not limiting in scope.

Generally, a photovoltaic system is described comprising a supplemental charging system detachably coupled with a primary charging system. The supplemental charging system comprises a supplemental photovoltaic panel, a charge controller configured to receive a voltage input from the supplemental photovoltaic panel, a battery storage configured to receive a voltage input from the charge controller, a power inverter configured to receive a direct current from the battery storage and transmit an alternating current to a supplemental light-emitting source, wherein the supplemental light-emitting source is configured to selectably produce light to be received by the supplemental photovoltaic panel. The primary charging system comprises a means for converting renewable energy into electricity and an operational load. The primary charging system is mated with the supplementary system by at least one electrical pathway that joins the charge controller of the supplemental charging system to the primary photovoltaic panel of the primary charging system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a supplemental charging system coupled with a primary charging system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a supplemental charging system coupled with a primary charging system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of a supplemental charging system coupled with a primary charging system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a supplemental charging system coupled with a primary charging system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of a supplemental charging system coupled with a primary charging system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, an embodiment of a supplemental charging system 100 is shown to be removably coupled with a primary charging system 200. Supplemental charging system 100 includes a supplemental light source 110, and a supplemental photovoltaic panel 120 configured to receive light emission from at least the supplemental light source 110. Primary charging system 200 includes a charge controller/load balancer (hereafter referred to as "charge controller") 130 configured to receive a voltage input from the supplemental photovoltaic panel 120, a battery storage 140 configured to receive a voltage input from the charge controller 130, and a power inverter 150 configured to receive a direct current (hereafter referred to as "DC") from the battery storage 140. In this embodiment, the supplemental light source 110 is configured to receive alternating current (hereafter referred to as "AC") power from the power inverter 150. It is noted that the supplemental light source 110 may additionally comprise internal components that can alter the voltage or current as needed. Referring still to FIG. 1, a primary light source 300 may comprise direct sunlight, indirect sunlight, other forms of natural lighting, and artificial or man-made lighting. A primary charging system 200 further includes at least a primary solar panel 220 configured to receive light emission from the primary light source 300, and a load 260 configured to receive AC power from the power inverter 150. The primary solar panel 220 is adapted to convert light energy into electrical energy, which is then received by the charge controller 130.

FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of a supplemental charging system 101 detachably coupled with a primary charging system 201, wherein each of the supplemental charging system 101 and primary charging system 201 includes a power inverter in their respective systems. Supplemental charging system 101 includes a supplemental power inverter 152 configured to receive DC power from battery storage 140. The supplemental power inverter 152 is further configured to deliver AC power to supplemental light source 110. Primary charging system 201 includes a primary power inverter 252 configured to receive DC power from the battery storage 140. The primary power inverter 252 is further configured to provide AC power to the load 260.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of a supplemental charging system 102 electrically mated with a primary charging system 202, wherein each of the supplemental charging system 102 and primary charging system 202 includes a battery storage in their respective systems. Primary charging system 202 includes a charge controller 130, a primary battery storage 242 configured to receive an input voltage from the charge controller 130 and deliver an output voltage to the primary power inverter 252. Supplemental charging system 102 includes a supplemental battery storage 142 configured to receive an input voltage from the charge controller 130 and deliver an output voltage to the supplemental power inverter 152.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a supplemental charging system 103 in connective operation with a primary charging system 203, wherein each of the supplemental charging system 103 and the primary charging system 203 includes a charge controller in their respective systems. In this embodiment, supplemental charging system 103 includes a supplemental charge controller 132, and primary charging system 203 includes a primary charge controller 232. The supplemental charge controller 132 is in electrical communication with the primary charge controller 232 in this embodiment. It is further contemplated that additional charge controllers or other control modules may be installed between the primary charge controller 232 and the supplemental charge controller 132.

Referring still to FIG. 4, the supplemental photovoltaic panel 120 is adapted to generate DC power to be received by the supplemental charge controller 132. The supplemental charge controller 132 may selectably direct power to the supplemental battery storage 142 and to the primary charge controller 232. Furthermore, the primary charge controller 232 is adapted to receive power generated from the primary photovoltaic panel 220 and to selectably direct power to the primary battery storage 242 and to the supplemental charge controller 132.

In a further embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the supplemental charge controller 132 and the primary charge controller 232 are operatively connected to each other to allow for parallel charging. Directly connected in this manner, the charge controllers 132, 232 provide a useful redundancy by maintaining electrical communication between the supplementary charging system 103 and the primary charging system 203 should one of the charge controllers 132, 232 fail.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a supplemental charging system 104 that is detachably connected with a primary charging system 204 via an electrical connection between supplemental charge controller 132 and the primary battery storage 242. In this embodiment, the primary battery storage 242 is configured to receive a plurality of input voltages, wherein at least one input voltage of said plurality of input voltages is delivered from the supplemental charge controller 132, and wherein at least one input voltage of said plurality of input voltages is delivered from the primary charge controller 232.

In one embodiment, supplemental photovoltaic panel 120 may be configured to receive, in lieu of or in addition to the light emission from supplemental light source 110, light from other sources as well, such as from the primary light source 300.

In another embodiment as illustrated by FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the primary battery storage 242 may be configured to have a substantially greater charge storage capacity than the supplemental battery storage 142. In another embodiment, if the current produced by the primary photovoltaic panel 220 falls below a predetermined current threshold, which may be a result of a full or partial occlusion of the primary photovoltaic panel 220, such as by a passing cloud or the onset of night time, the charge controller 130 or supplemental charge controller 132 may activate the

supplemental light source 110 to emit light onto the supplemental photovoltaic panel 120. In such an embodiment, the supplemental charging system 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 essentially operates in two states: one in which supplemental light source 110 is switched on, and the other in which the supplemental light source 110 is switched off.

In a further embodiment as represented by FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, when the charge stored in the supplemental battery storage 142 reaches a predetermined maximum threshold, for example at 100%, the charge controller 130 or supplemental charge controller 132 may switch off the supplemental light source 110 so that it ceases to emit light. With the supplemental light source 110 thus disabled, the charge controller 130 or supplemental charge controller 132 would cease to direct power to the supplemental battery storage 142. Regarding the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the battery storage 140 reaches a predetermined maximum threshold, the charge controller 130 switches off the supplemental light source 110, such that the load 260 may continue to draw power from the battery storage 140 through the power inverter 150 or the primary power inverter 252. Turning back to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, when the supplemental battery storage 142 reaches a predetermined maximum threshold and the supplemental light source 110 is switched off, the charge controller 130, supplemental charge controller 132, or primary charge controller 232 is configured to continue to send power to the primary battery storage 242.

In another embodiment, if the predetermined maximum threshold of the battery storage 140 or if the predetermined maximum threshold of the supplemental battery storage 142 has not been met, the supplementary charging system 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 and the primary charging system 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 may be concurrently active whereby electricity continues to be routed through their respective systems.

In another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the light source 110 may be switched on if the current delivered from the primary charging system 202, 203, 204 to the charge controller 130 or supplemental charge controller 132 falls below a predetermined current, or if the charge stored by the primary battery storage 242 falls below a predetermined charge.

In an exemplary embodiment the battery storage 140 or the supplemental battery storage 142 may transmit 3,000Ah to the supplemental light source 110.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, in one embodiment the supplemental battery storage 142 has priority charging such that the charge controller 130, supplemental charge controller 132, or primary charge controller 232 prioritizes charging the supplemental battery storage 142 until the charge stored in the supplemental battery storage 142 reaches a predetermined minimum threshold before transmitting power from the charge controller 130, supplemental charge controller 132, or primary charge controller 232 to the second battery storage 242.

It is important to note that whereas the primary charging systems 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 are adapted to convert solar energy into electricity by means of the primary solar panel 220, a primary charging system in an alternative embodiment can obtain power from other types of renewable energy sources, such as wind energy, hydropower, biomass, or perhaps a combination of such renewable sources. In essence, the supplementary charging system 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 may be compatible with a primary charging system 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 comprising any type of renewable energy system.

In one embodiment, the primary charging system 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 may be housed in a building such that the primary photovoltaic panel 220 is mounted on the roof of the building or affixed to the ground, and the electrically-connected battery storage 140 or primary battery storage 242 is stored within the building, for example inside a dedicated room. In this embodiment, supplementary charging system 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 may be placed in close proximity to the primary charging system 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, such as in a shed or a separate building.

In another embodiment, the supplementary charging system 100, 101, 102, 103, 204 may be disposed within the same building housing the primary solar charging system 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, such as in a compact enclosure. In such an enclosure, the supplemental light source 110 may be closely stacked next to the supplementary photovoltaic panel 120 to save space. In a further embodiment, the battery storages 140, 142, 242 may be composed of any combination of rechargeable batteries such as NiMH batteries, Li-Ion batteries or lead acid batteries.

Examples of the charge controllers 130, 132, 232 described herein include Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) devices, Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) devices, and could even be a constituent part of a smart module, which is a type of solar panel with an embedded power optimizer.

In a further embodiment wherein the battery storage 140, 142, 242 is composed of Li-Ion batteries, the battery storage 140, 142, 242 may be configured to continuously stay above a predetermined charge, for example at 30% of the battery capacity.

In another embodiment, the primary photovoltaic panel 220 and the supplemental

photovoltaic panel 120 may each comprise any combination of amorphous cells,

monocrystalline silicon solar panels, polycrystalline silicon solar panels, thin film panels, or bifacial solar cells. Moreover, certain types of thin film solar cells, such as dye- sensitized solar cells (DSSC), may be suitable for low-light conditions, such as indoors or within an enclosure.

In a further embodiment, the supplemental light source 110 may comprise any combination of light-emitting devices, including halogen lamps, incandescent light bulbs, metal-halide lamps, light-emitting diodes (hereafter referred to as "LEDs"), and other semiconductor light sources. A supplemental light source 110 comprising an array of LEDs may include any type of LEDs, such as high output LEDs, application specific LEDs, full spectrum LEDs, bi-color LEDs and tri-color LEDs. Any combination of such LEDs may be selected for optimal output and low energy consumption based on the needs of the system. It is noted that such an array of LEDs may be mounted in a number of different ways, and not limited to a matrix orientation or on a rigid PCB. For example, it may be desirable for the array of LEDs be mounted on a flexible strip so as to more efficiently communicate with a curved solar panel.

In another embodiment, the supplemental light source 110 may comprise Chip-On-Board (hereafter referred to as "COB") LEDs. COB LEDs can occupy less space while generating substantially more light per square inch than, for example, standard LEDs arranged in a similar area.

In one configuration, a COB panel of LEDs may emit approximately 7,000 lumens and draw 5W of power. In another configuration, it is contemplated that an exemplary embodiment may include a light source comprising three such COB panels, together emitting

approximately 21,000 lumens and drawing 15W to 30W.

It is further contemplated that devices such as a parabolic reflector or a Fresnel lens may be installed between the supplemental light source 110 and the supplemental photovoltaic panel 120 to enhance the reception of light in the supplemental charging system 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, respectively.

It is additionally contemplated that the supplementary charging system 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 may be configured to be remotely accessible and controllable, such as by a mobile device, via the charge controller 130, 132, 232.

CONCEPTS

The following concepts are disclosed.

Concept 1. A photovoltaic system comprising: a charge controller configured to receive a plurality of electrical inputs and to deliver a plurality of electrical outputs,

wherein at least one electrical input of said plurality of electrical inputs is received from a renewable energy system, and

wherein the charge controller is further configured to deliver at least one electrical output of said plurality of electrical outputs to the renewable energy system; a rechargeable battery storage operatively connected with the charge controller, wherein the rechargeable battery storage is configured to receive at least one electrical output of said plurality of electrical outputs from the charge controller, wherein the rechargeable battery storage is configured to store a charge, wherein the rechargeable battery storage is associated with a predetermined maximum threshold and a predetermined minimum threshold; a light-emitting device configured to be powered by the rechargeable battery storage;

a photovoltaic module operatively connected with the charge controller and configured to generate electricity and deliver at least one electrical input of said plurality of electrical inputs to the charge controller,

wherein the photovoltaic module is mounted adjacently to the light-emitting device such that the light-emitting device is configured to transmit light to the photovoltaic module when the charge stored by the rechargeable battery storage is less than the predetermined maximum threshold.

Concept 2. The photovoltaic system of Concept 1 further comprising a supplemental power inverter configured to receive a direct current from the rechargeable battery storage, and to deliver an alternating current to the light-emitting device.

Concept 3. The photovoltaic system of Concept 1 or 2 wherein the rechargeable battery storage is a supplemental rechargeable battery storage, and wherein the renewable energy system comprises a primary rechargeable battery storage.

Concept 4. The photovoltaic system of Concept 3 wherein the primary rechargeable battery storage is configured to receive at least one electrical output of said plurality of electrical outputs from the charge controller when the charge stored by the supplemental rechargeable battery storage has met or exceeded the predetermined minimum threshold. Concept 5. The photovoltaic system of Concept 3 or 4 wherein the renewable energy system further comprises a primary power inverter configured to receive a direct current from the primary rechargeable battery storage and to produce an alternating current.

Concept 6. The photovoltaic system of Concept 5 wherein the renewable energy system further comprises an electrical load configured to receive the alternating current from the primary power inverter.

Concept 7. The photovoltaic system of any one of Concepts 1 to 6 wherein the photovoltaic module comprises at least one solar panel.

Concept 8. A photovoltaic energy management system comprising: a charge controller configured to receive a plurality of voltage inputs and to deliver a plurality of voltage outputs,

wherein at least one voltage input of said plurality of voltage inputs is produced from a renewable energy source, and a supplemental rechargeable battery storage configured to receive at least one voltage output of said plurality of voltage outputs from the charge controller,

wherein the supplemental rechargeable battery storage is configured to store a charge; a photovoltaic module configured to provide at least one voltage input of said plurality of voltage inputs to the charge controller; a primary rechargeable battery storage configured to receive at least one voltage output of said plurality of voltage outputs from the charge controller; and a light source unit configured to be powered by at least the supplemental rechargeable battery storage, said light source unit further configured to selectably provide light emission to be received by the photovoltaic module.

Concept 9. The photovoltaic energy management system of Concept 8 further comprising a power inverter configured to receive a direct current from the supplemental rechargeable battery storage, said power inverter further configured to deliver an alternating current to the light source unit.

Concept 10. The photovoltaic energy management system of Concept 8 or 9, wherein the supplemental rechargeable battery storage further comprises a predetermined maximum threshold.

Concept 11. The photovoltaic energy management system of Concept 10, wherein the light source unit ceases to emit light when the charge stored by the supplemental rechargeable battery storage meets or exceeds the predetermined maximum threshold.

Concept 12. The photovoltaic energy management system of any one of Concepts 8 to 11, wherein the supplemental rechargeable battery storage further comprises a predetermined minimum threshold.

Concept 13. The photovoltaic energy management system of Concept 12, wherein the charge controller prioritizes charging the supplemental rechargeable battery storage when the charge stored by the supplemental rechargeable battery storage is below the predetermined minimum threshold.

Concept 14. The photovoltaic energy management system of any one of Concepts 8 to 13, wherein the light source unit comprises an array of LEDs. Concept 15. The photovoltaic energy management system of Claim 8 wherein the charge controller is configured to selectably power the light source unit directly and bypass the supplemental rechargeable battery storage when the charge stored by said supplemental rechargeable battery storage is less than a predetermined charge.

Concept 16. The photovoltaic energy management system of any one of Concepts 8 to 15, wherein said charge controller is configured to be remotely accessible and controllable.

Concept 17. The photovoltaic energy management system of any one of Concepts 8 to 16, further comprising at least one Fresnel lens disposed between the light source unit and the photovoltaic module.

Concept 18. The photovoltaic energy management system of any one of Concepts 8 to 17, wherein the supplemental rechargeable battery storage and the primary rechargeable battery storage each comprises a plurality of individually replaceable battery packs.

Concept 19. The photovoltaic energy management system of any one of Concepts 8 to 18, wherein the photovoltaic module comprises at least one solar panel.

Concept 20. A supplemental charging system for receiving a primary electrical input from a primary charging system and for delivering an electrical output to the primary charging system, said supplemental charging system comprising: a charge controller configured to receive a primary electrical input from the primary charging system, said charge controller further configured to deliver a plurality of electrical outputs, wherein at least one electrical output of said plurality of electrical outputs from said charge controller is delivered to the primary charging system; a battery storage configured to receive at least one electrical output of said plurality of electrical outputs from said charge controller, said battery storage configured to store a charge; a light source configured to be powered by the battery storage, said light source configured to selectably emit light; and a photovoltaic module adapted to receive light emitted from the light source, said photovoltaic module further adapted to provide a secondary electrical input to the charge controller.

Although the description above contains many details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for..." and no method or process step herein is to be construed under those provisions unless the step, or steps, are expressly recited using the phrase“comprising the step(s) of...

All elements, parts and steps described herein are preferably included. It is to be understood that any of these elements, parts and steps may be replaced by other elements, parts and steps or deleted altogether as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.