# US 2020/0395884 A1 · Modular power supply apparatuses and methods for using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0395884 A1 - Document ID: US20200395884A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/903,539 - Filed: 2020-06-17 - Published: 2020-12-17 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-17 - Assignees: Richland County School District Two - Applicants: Richland County School District Two - Inventors: M'Chaelah A. Brown; Andrea V. Cerda; Ronald J. Fowler; Omar A. Herrera; Jeremiah L. Lynch; Murray P. McDaniel; Nithin Saravanapandian; Anaiah S. Thompson; Laila C. Thompson; Kirstin O. Bullington; Robin L. Jones - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200395884A1 ## CPC - H02S 10/40: Mobile PV generator systems - H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells - H02J 7/70: characterised by the mechanical construction - H02S 20/32: specially adapted for solar tracking - H02S 40/32: comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules - H02S 40/34: comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes - H02S 40/36: characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection - H02S 40/38: Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - 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) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A modular power supply apparatus for use in harsh climates that comprises a portable, low cost, easily maintained, durable power supply for energy production as well as systems, methods for forming, and methods of using same. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular power supply apparatus comprising: at least one removable solar panel capable of being repeatedly repositioned manually on a modular power supply shell; at least one terminal block; at least one switch; at least one rechargeable battery; at least one electrical connector; and at least one power output. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular power supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one battery is an external battery. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular power supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least two modular power supply apparatus may be connected in parallel, series, or both parallel and series, reversibly with one another. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The modular power supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the modular power supply apparatus is formed to removably engage and disengage from a second modular power supply apparatus. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The modular power supply apparatus of claim 4, wherein the modular power supply and second modular power supply have mated electrical connectors to enable connection to one another reversibly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The modular power supply of claim 1, further comprising a connection rail configured to electrically connect the modular power supply apparatus to a second modular power supply apparatus. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The modular power supply apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one inverter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The modular power supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solar panel is only manually repositioned via changing position of the at least one solar cell on an attachment. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The modular power supply apparatus of claim 1, wherein the modular power supply apparatus is mobile. ### Claim 10 A method for creating a modular power supply system comprising: forming at least one modular power supply apparatus from locality sourced materials; pivotally affixing at least one solar panel to the modular power supply apparatus, wherein the at least one solar panel is repositioned manually; and enabling different system output voltage and/or current by placing at least two power supply apparatuses in different combinations of serial and/or parallel with respect to one another ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising forming an apparatus shell from locally available wood. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising configuring a connection rail to connect the modular power supply to a second modular power supply. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising connecting at least two modular power supply apparatus in parallel, series, or both parallel and series, reversibly with one another. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising forming the modular power supply apparatus to removably engage and disengage from a second modular power supply apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising forming the at least two modular power supply apparatus with mated electrical connectors to enable connection to one another reversibly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising configuring a connection rail to electrically connect the at least two modular power supply apparatus to one another. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising including at least one inverter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising configuring the solar panel to only be manually repositioned via changing position of the at least one solar cell on a shell of the modular power supply apparatus.