# US 12,770,944 B2 · Solar powered rechargeable device for use with an electronic device and method of use thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,770,944 B2 - Document ID: US12770944B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/846,067 - Filed: 2020-04-10 - Published: 2020-07-30 - Granted: 2026-10-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-11-30 - Assignees: Xplor LLC - Applicants: Xplor LLC - Inventors: Gary William Oakley, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12770944B2 ## CPC - H01M 10/465: {with solar battery as charging system} - H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells - H02J 7/751: {concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries} - H02S 20/30: Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment - H02S 30/20: Collapsible or foldable PV modules - H01M 10/44: Methods for charging or discharging (circuits for charging H02J7/00) - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - 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) ## Abstract A solar powered device comprising a solar radiation collection portion, wherein the solar radiation collection portion includes: a solar panel to collect solar radiation, a concentrator surrounding the solar panel to concentrate the solar radiation, and a charge controller coupled to the solar panel, a base portion, a plurality of legs, and a connection portion operably connecting the solar radiation collection portion to the base portion, the connection portion including a connection member having a first end and a second end is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device comprising: a foldable solar panel array comprising a circuit electrically coupled to a panel having a photovoltaic cell and configured to regulate a flow of current produced by the foldable solar panel array for transfer to an electronic device connectable to the device; and a receptacle electrically coupled to the circuit and integrated with a housing of the circuit, wherein the housing is mounted to the panel; a battery unit located external to and remote from the housing; and at least one movable leg to raise at least a portion of the foldable solar panel array a distance above a ground surface; wherein the circuit and the receptacle are configured to move together with the panel as a single integrated unit during folding of the panel, such that the circuit, receptacle, and panel fold together as one unit; wherein, when an electronic device is physically coupled to the receptacle and electrically coupled to the circuit, the flow of current being regulated by the circuit is transferred directly to the electronic device; wherein, when the battery unit is physically coupled to the receptacle and electrically coupled to the circuit, the flow of current being regulated by the circuit is transferred to the battery unit to charge a battery located within the battery unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein, when the panel is folded, the panel faces another panel of the foldable solar panel array. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a mating means for establishing a mated, electrical connection with the electronic device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, further comprising an additional receptacle electrically coupled to the battery unit, and when the electronic device is electrically coupled to the additional receptacle, the battery unit charges the electronic device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a mobile computing device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the foldable solar panel array is user-carryable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit is enclosed in the housing which has a thin cross-section such that the folding of the panel is not restricted. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the flow of current being regulated by the circuit is transferred directly to the electronic device without first charging a battery unit of the device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one movable leg hinges outward to raise the portion of the foldable solar panel array above the ground surface. ### Claim 10 A device comprising: a solar panel array, the solar panel array having a first solar panel electrically coupled to a second solar panel, wherein the first solar panel and the second solar panel are foldable such that when a first sector of the first or second solar panel is folded, the first sector faces a second sector of the first or second solar panel; a receptacle; a circuit electrically and physically coupled via a housing to a panel of the solar panel array such that the circuit and the receptacle are configured to move together with the panel as a single integrated unit during folding of the panel, such that the circuit, receptacle, and panel fold together as one unit, wherein the circuit is configured to control an electrical energy converted by the solar panel array that is transferred directly to an electronic device when the electronic device is connected to the receptacle; a battery unit located external to and remote from the housing; and at least one movable leg to raise at least a portion of the foldable solar panel array a distance above a ground surface; wherein the receptacle is integrated with the housing of the circuit, and the housing is mounted to the panel; wherein, when the battery unit is physically coupled to the receptacle and electrically coupled to the circuit, a flow of current being regulated by the circuit is transferred to the battery unit to charge a battery located within the battery unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the receptacle is configured to accept an electrical connector from the electronic device to establish an electrical connection for charging an internal battery of the electronic device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is a mobile computing device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, further comprising an additional receptacle electrically coupled to the battery unit, and when the electronic device is electrically coupled to the additional receptacle, the battery unit charges the electronic device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the solar panel array is user-carryable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the circuit is enclosed in the housing which has a thin cross-section such that the folding of the panel is not restricted. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one movable leg hinges outward to raise the portion of the foldable solar panel array above the ground surface. ### Claim 17 A method comprising: converting solar radiation into electrical energy for charging one or more electronic devices and/or a battery using a foldable solar array comprising a circuit electrically coupled to a panel of the array and configured to regulate a flow of current produced by the foldable solar panel array for transfer to an electronic device connectable to the device, a receptacle electrically coupled to the circuit and integrated with a housing of the circuit, wherein the housing is mounted to the panel, a battery located external to and remote from the housing, and at least one movable leg to raise at least a portion of the foldable solar panel array a distance above a ground surface; wherein the circuit and the receptacle are configured to move together with the panel as a single integrated unit during folding of the panel, such that the circuit, receptacle, and panel fold together as one unit; wherein the converting includes: regulating the flow of current from the foldable solar panel array through the circuit; in response to the electronic device being electrically coupled to the circuit, transferring the electrical energy to the electronic device directly from the circuit to the electronic device; in response to the battery unit being electrically coupled to the circuit, transferring the electrical energy from the circuit to the battery unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the at least one movable leg hinges outward to raise the portion of the foldable solar panel array above the ground surface.