# US 10,484,305 B2 · Method and apparatus for delivering communications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,484,305 B2 - Document ID: US10484305B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/948,636 - Filed: 2018-04-09 - Published: 2019-02-21 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-17 - Assignees: Buckey Mountain, Inc. - Applicants: Buckeye Mountain, Inc. - Inventors: Greg Dunnell; Steve Hill - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10484305B2 ## CPC - H02S 10/20: Systems characterised by their energy storage means (H02S40/38 takes precedence) - H02S 20/10: Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground (H02S20/30 takes precedence) - H02S 40/38: Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules - H02S 99/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass - H04L 49/40: Constructional details, e.g. power supply, mechanical construction or backplane - H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells - H04L 12/10: Current supply arrangements - H04L 12/12: Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof - H04W 88/08: Access point devices - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - Y02E 70/30: Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract The disclosed technology herein relates to delivering communications services, and more particularly to portable self-contained rugged systems and methods for providing and supporting communications capabilities in remote areas including but not limited to railway yards. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A free-standing communications system comprising: a weatherproof housing having at least first, second, third and fourth outside surfaces, wherein the third outside surface is perpendicular to each of the first and second outside surfaces; a first solar panel disposed on the first outside surface; a second solar panel disposed on the second outside surface; a third solar panel disposed on the third outside surface; a fourth solar panel disposed on the fourth outside surface; and plural wireless communications devices powered by electrical power the first, second, third and fourth solar panels produce based on exposure of the panels to solar energy from the sun, the plural wireless communications devices interconnecting wireless local area network communications to a cellular or satellite backhaul, wherein the first, second, third and fourth solar panels are configured to continually power the plural wireless communications devices even under low outdoor light conditions irrespective of the rotational alignment of the housing relative to the position of the sun. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the solar panels supply enough Watt Hours to operate the plural wireless communications devices continuously. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system can operates in ambient temperatures from −22 deg F. to 140 deg F. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system is structured to be safe to deploy, operate and service. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system is structured to sustain high straight line winds. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system includes a battery bank connected to the solar panels, the battery bank being maintenance free and having at least a 4 year lifespan. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system is fully manageable by a remote controller to perform remotely controlled functions including power cycling. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system is structured to support industry standards for networking and network security. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system is structured to support physical security including video surveillance. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system maintains continuous reliable power for more than four years or 1,600 Cycles. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system is structured to maintain operation on batteries alone for up to ten days or consumption of 6,912 watt hours. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system is structured to require no battery maintenance. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system further comprises an air filtration system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 including an integrated telescoping tower projecting from the housing, the tower carrying antennas coupled to at least some of the plural wireless communications devices. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the system is further structured to provide power over Ethernet at both 24 VDC and 48 VDC. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 wherein the plural wireless communications devices comprise a Wi-Fi transceiver, a Narrow Band radio frequency transceiver, and a Video Surveillance device. ### Claim 17 A free standing communications system comprising: a solar power source providing first, second and third solar-sensitive surfaces at right angles to one another, the solar power source encasing a terminal server, a switch, and multiple wireless communications devices; the terminal server being powered by the solar power source irrespective of the rotational alignment of the surfaces relative to the position of the sun; the switch being operatively coupled to the terminal server and powered by the solar power source irrespective of the rotational alignment of the surfaces relative to the position of the sun; the multiple wireless communications devices being operatively coupled to the switch and powered by the solar power source irrespective of the rotational alignment of the surfaces relative to the position of the sun, the switch configured for routing data between said multiple wireless communications devices to enable local wireless and backhaul connectivity and remote monitoring and control of the system; and a pole that suspends at least an antenna for said backhaul connectivity. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17 wherein the pole also suspends a digital camera. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17 wherein the switch provides power over Ethernet. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17 wherein the multiple wireless communications devices comprise (a) a point-to-point transceiver, (b) a point-to-multipoint transceiver, and (c) an 802.11 access point.