US3860863A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for converting light energy into electrical energy
Assignee: Rowenta Werke GmbH
•
Filing: 1973-10-12
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-10-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for converting light energy into electrical energy including photoelectric cells connected across a storage device providing a direct voltage input to a d.c. transformer, which converts its direct voltage input into a higher voltage alternating or intermittent output and comprising an oscillator or switching circuit having a photosensitive device connected in its timing circuit so that the frequency of oscillation or switching varies with the illumination level of the photoelectric cells.
Inventors
- 👤 Adolf Lamprecht
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:47
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/38; H02J3/381; H10; H10F; H10F99/00; H02S; H02S99/00; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for the conversion of light energy into electrical energy including a photoelectric transducer capable of generating electrical energy when exposed to visible or other light radiation, an electrical storage device connected to said photoelectric transducer for storing energy generated thereby, a direct current transformer connected to receive electrical energy derived from said photoelectric transducer and stored in said electrical storage device, said direct current transformer being adapted to convert the direct voltage output of said photoelectric transducer into an alternating or intermittent voltage, and a photosensitive device in circuit with said direct current transformer so as, in operation, to control the frequency of said alternating or intermittent voltage in dependence upon the level of illumination of said photoelectric transducer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
An apparatus for the conversion of light energy into electrical energy including a photoelectric transducer capable of generating electrical energy when exposed to visible or other light radiation, an electrical storage device connected to said photoelectric transducer for storing energy generated thereby, a direct current transformer connected to receive electrical energy derived from said photoelectric transducer and stored in said electrical storage device, said direct current transformer being adapted to convert the direct voltage output of said photoelectric transducer into an alternating or intermittent voltage, and a photosensitive device in circuit with said direct current transformer so as, in operation, to control the frequency of said alternating or intermittent voltage in dependence upon the level of illumination of said photoelectric transducer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including a rectifier connected to the output of said direct current transformer for converting said alternating or intermittent voltage into a direct voltage, and a storage capacitor or accumulator cell connected to be charged by said rectified alternating or intermittent voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for converting the direct voltage output of said photoelectric transducer into an alternating or intermittent voltage comprises an oscillator circuit havinG said photosensitive device connected to control the frequency of operation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said oscillator comprises a transistor having a primary winding in its collector-emitter circuit, and a feedback winding inductively coupled with said primary winding and connected in the transistor base circuit, and said photosensitive device is connected in an RC timing circuit coupled to the base of said transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said oscillator is adapted for two phase operation and includes two such transistors operable in antiphase, each said transistor having associated therewith a said primary winding and a said feedback winding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for converting the direct voltage output of said photoelectric transducer into an alternating or intermittent voltage comprises a switching circuit having said photosensitive device connected to control the frequency of switching thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said switching circuit comprises a switching transistor having a primary winding in its collector-emitter circuit and having a trigger circuit, including said photosensitive device, coupled to the base thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said trigger circuit includes an unijunction transistor having its emitter connected to a capacitor arranged to be charged at a rate determined by said photosensitive device and one of its bases connected to the base of said switching transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said photosensitive device is selected to have the same spectral sensitivity as the photoelectric transducer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said photosensitive device is located in the same field of illumination as the photoelectric transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said photosensitive device comprises a photoconductive device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said photosensitive device comprises a photoelectric cell, and a transistor is coupled to said photoelectric cell to transform variations in the output voltage thereof into conductivity variations.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a neutral density filter in front of said photosensitive device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical storage device includes a capacitor connected in parallel with the photoelectric transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical storage device includes an inductor connected in series with the photoelectric transducer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |