Stand alone solar battery charger
AssigneeSunCore, Inc.
InventorsPeter English, Richard E. Sanett, Steven R. Brimmer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A portable solar battery charger comprises a photovoltaic array, a power regulator, a controller, and a battery. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to increase the charging current provided by the power regulator to the battery over time using discrete current levels. A comparator can compare the voltage of the photovoltaic array to a threshold, and provide the result to the controller. The controller can be configured to decrease the current to a previously selected level when the comparator indicates the voltage of the photovoltaic array is below a threshold, thereby improving the efficiency of the current delivery to the battery.
Claims1
A battery charger comprising:
- a photovoltaic array having a first face adapted to receive light and a second face opposite the first face;
- a first body portion having an opening therethrough, wherein the opening is configured to allow light to reach the first face of the photovoltaic array;
- a second body portion, wherein the second body portion is mateable with the first body portion along a parting plane running substantially parallel to a plane containing the mouth of the opening;
- a redistribution layer configured to electrically connect to the second face of the photovoltaic array;
- a battery;
- a heat sink positioned between the battery and the photovoltaic array, wherein the heat sink is configured to absorb thermal energy emanating from the photovoltaic array;
- a printed circuit board having at least one integrated circuit, wherein the printed circuit board is configured to electrically connect to the battery and the redistribution layer;
- and
- a display, wherein the display is configured to be visible through the opening of the first body portion,
- wherein when the first and second body portions are assembled, the first and second body portions define a cavity containing the PV array, the redistribution layer, the battery, the heat sink, the printed circuit board, and the display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.