US4484104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar-powered lighting system
Assignee: SOLARMARK INTERNATIONAL Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1980-10-06
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Granted: 1984-11-20
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Expires: 2000-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A solar-powered lighting system suitable for signs or hoardings (10), navigation beacons or as an emergency supply for hotels, cinemas, hospitals or other services. The system incorporates solar cell arrays (17) which generate electricity which is stored in batteries (22). A sensing circuit (14) selectively connects the batteries (22) to lights (14). A timing/switching circuit (32), (32a) may be provided to selectively connect the lights (14) to a mains supply (30).
Inventors
- 👤 Peter O'Brien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:47
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21S; F21S9/00; F21S9/02; F21S9/03; F21S9/035; F21V; F21V23/00; F21V23/04; G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A solar-powered lighting system for illuminated signs and hoardings including: a plurality of solar cells (20) arranged in an array (17) to receive solar energy; battery means (22) to store electrical energy generated by the solar cells (20); light means (14) operable by the electrical energy; timing means (32) operable to cause the sign (10) to be illuminated for a predetermined period; a direct current/alternating current inverter interposed between said battery means (22) and said light means (14); an alternating current mains electricity supply (30) connected to said light means (14); a switch (32a) operable by said mains supply to connect said battery mean (22) to said light means (14) for a predetermined period or when said mains supply (30) is switched off; and sensing means (24) operable to control the illumination of said light means (14) dependent on the light intensity in the vicinity of the sign or hoarding (10).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A solar-powered lighting system for illuminated signs and hoardings including: a plurality of solar cells (20) arranged in an array (17) to receive solar energy; battery means (22) to store electrical energy generated by the solar cells (20); light means (14) operable by the electrical energy; timing means (32) operable to cause the sign (10) to be illuminated for a predetermined period; a direct current/alternating current inverter interposed between said battery means (22) and said light means (14); an alternating current mains electricity supply (30) connected to said light means (14); a switch (32a) operable by said mains supply to connect said battery mean (22) to said light means (14) for a predetermined period or when said mains supply (30) is switched off; and sensing means (24) operable to control the illumination of said light means (14) dependent on the light intensity in the vicinity of the sign or hoarding (10).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that: said sensing means (24) is interposed between said battery means (22) and said light means (14) and includes a light-sensitive component (25) operable to illuminate said light means (14) when the light intensity falls below a preset minimum value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said sensing means (24) includes: a light sensitive resistor (25); a transistor (26) biased by said resistor; and a relay (27) connected to the transistor (26), said relay (27) being normally open isolating said light means (14) from said battery means (22); the components being arranged so that when the light intensity incident on said resistor (25) falls below the preset minimum value, said transistor (26) is switched to operate said relay (27) to interconnect said light means (14) to said battery means (22) to illuminate the sign or hoarding (10).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sensing means includes: a photovoltaic cell; a silicon-controlled-rectifier having its gate connected to the output of the photovoltaic cell; and a relay connected to said rectifier and normally open isolating the light means from the battery means; the components being arranged so that when the light intensity incident on said photovoltaic cell falls below the present minimum value, said rectifier is switched to close said relay to interconnect said light means to said battery means to illuminate the sign.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, further including: a battery voltage regulator (23) controlling the electrical voltage and current generated by said solar cell array (17).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said predetermined period for which said timing means (32) is operable to cause the sign (10) to be illuminated is comprised of a plurality of daily periods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A direct current system as claimed in claim 6, further including: an alternating current mains electricity supply (30); a rectifier (31) connecting the mains supply (30) to said battery means (22); and switch means operable by said timing means (32) to cause said mains supply (30) to supply electricity to the sign (10) for a predetermined period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said light means (14) includes a plurality of electric lamps (14) mounted in a housing (12) behind a display panel (13) operable to back-light said panel (13); and said solar cell array (17) includes a plurality of solar cell modules (16) mounted on said housing (12) and electrically interconnected to generate electricity to operate said lamps (14).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, further including: a battery voltage regulator (23) controlling the electrical voltage and current generated by said solar cell array (17).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in claim 3, further including: a battery voltage regulator (23) controlling the electrical voltage and current generated by said solar cell array (17).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as claimed in claim 4, further including: a battery voltage regulator (23) controlling the electrical voltage and current generated by said solar cell array (17).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said predetermined period for which said timing means (32) is operable to cause the sign (10) to be illuminated is comprised of a plurality of daily periods.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said predetermined period for which said timing means (32) is operable to cause the sign (10) to be illuminated is comprised of a plurality of daily periods.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said predetermined period for which said timing means (32) is operable to cause the sign (10) to be illuminated is comprised of a plurality of daily periods.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A direct current system as claimed in claim 6, further including: an alternating current mains electricity supply (30); a rectifier (31) connecting the mains supply (30) to said battery means (22); and switch means operable by said timing means (32) to cause said mains supply (30) to supply electricity to the sign (10) for predetermined periods.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein: said light means (14) includes a plurality of electric lamps (14) mounted in a housing (12) behind a display panel (13) operable to back-light said panel (13); and said solar cell array (17) includes a plurality of solar cell modules (16) mounted on said housing (12) and electrically interconnected to generate electricity to operate said lamps (14).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein; said light means (14) includes a plurality of electric lamps (14) mounted in a housing (12) behind a display panel (13) operable to back-light said panel (13); and said solar cell array (17) includes a plurality of solar cell modules (16) mounted on said housing (12) and electrically interconnected to generate electricity to operate said lamps (14).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein; said light means (14) includes a plurality of electric lamps (14) mounted in a housing (12) behind a display panel (13) operable to back-light said panel (13); and said solar cell array (17) includes a plurality of solar cell modules (16) mounted on said housing (12) and electrically interconnected to generate electricity to operate said lamps (14).
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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) | 1987-11-20 | 1988-05-21 | 1988-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-11-20 | 1992-05-21 | 1992-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-11-20 | 1996-05-21 | 1996-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |