# US 10,770,915 B2 · Power generating apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,770,915 B2 - Document ID: US10770915B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/571,413 - Filed: 2016-05-20 - Published: 2018-05-17 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-05-20 - Applicants: Lodestar Systems Limited - Inventors: Paul Schelhaas; Simon Legrand - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10770915B2 ## CPC - H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells - F21L 4/08: characterised by means for in situ recharging of the batteries or cells - G08B 13/19621: {Portable camera} - G08B 13/19632: {Camera support structures, e.g. attachment means, poles} - H02J 7/14: for charging batteries from dynamo-electric generators driven at varying speed, e.g. on vehicle - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - H02S 10/40: Mobile PV generator systems - F21S 9/032: {the solar unit being separate from the lighting unit} - F21S 9/037: {the solar unit and the lighting unit being located within or on the same housing} - F21V 21/22: telescopic - F21W 2131/1005: {of working places, building sites or the like} - F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED] - G08B 13/19656: {Network used to communicate with a camera, e.g. WAN, LAN, Internet} - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - Y02E 10/56: Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - F21L: LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF, BEING PORTABLE OR SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR TRANSPORTATION - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - 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) - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A power generating apparatus for use in remote locations, the apparatus including a static base adapted to support a housing and an elongate device support element which is adapted to be upstanding in use, wherein the housing is insulated; an electrical energy storage assembly located within a compartment defined by the housing, the electrical energy storage assembly having an electrical input and an electrical output, and comprising one or more rechargeable batteries; an electrical energy generator carried externally by the housing, wherein the electrical energy generator is the sole source of electrical energy and is in the form of one or more photovoltaic panels configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy, the electrical energy from the electrical energy generator being electrically connected to the input of the energy storage assembly; and a powered device carried by the device support element, the powered device being selected from a camera, a lighting apparatus, a wireless communications assembly and combinations thereof, wherein the powered device is electrically coupled to the output of the energy storage assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power generating apparatus for use in remote locations, the apparatus including a static base configured to support a housing and an elongate device support element which is configured to be upstanding in use, wherein the housing is thermally insulated and the thermal insulation is provided by the housing comprising an outer housing wall and an inner housing wall and a gap is defined between the inner and outer housing walls or an insulating material may be carried by the walls of the housing; an electrical energy storage assembly is located within a compartment defined by the housing, the electrical energy storage assembly having an electrical input and an electrical output, and comprising one or more rechargeable batteries; an electrical energy generator carried externally by the housing, wherein the electrical energy generator is the sole source of electrical energy and is powered by at least one renewable energy source selected from solar energy and wind energy, the electrical energy generator including one or more photovoltaic panels configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy, the electrical energy from the electrical energy generator being electrically connected to the input of the energy storage assembly; and a powered device carried by the device support element, the powered device being selected from a camera, a lighting apparatus, a wireless communications assembly and combinations thereof, wherein the powered device is electrically coupled to the output of the energy storage assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical energy generator comprises two or more photovoltaic panels. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A power generating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the electrical energy generator comprises at least one fixed photovoltaic panel and at least one movable photovoltaic panel which has a variable orientation. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A power generating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fixed photovoltaic panel has a substantially vertical orientation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the compartment and the or each battery includes a heater element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A power generating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the or each heater element is electrically powered. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A power generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the or each heater element is electrically connected to the output of the energy storage assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a vent. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A power generating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the vent is closable and defines a vented configuration in which the interior of the housing is in fluid communication with an external environment, and a closed configuration in which the interior of the housing is isolated from the external environment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage assembly includes a vent conduit in fluid communication with an environment external to the housing, whereby gases generated by the energy storage assembly in use are vented outside of the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each rechargeable battery is enclosed within a polymeric barrier layer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A power generating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the or each rechargeable battery includes a heating element located within the barrier layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device support element is adapted to pivot relative to the base. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device support element is adapted to telescope relative to the base. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each photovoltaic panel is flexible. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each photovoltaic panel is coated with a polymeric barrier layer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A power generating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the polymeric barrier layer is hydrophobic. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the or each photovoltaic panel includes a cleaning apparatus comprising a fluid reservoir, a fluid pump and at least one nozzle adapted to direct a flow of the cleaning fluid across the panel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a GPS location device electrically connected to an output from the energy storage assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A power generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a wireless communications receiver/transmitter.