Patent Application
20050005962
The present invention relates to solar energy collection.
Sun shields are generally used to protect the interior of a vehicle from the damaging ultra violet light produced by the sun and to reduce interior temperatures of the vehicle when it is hot, such as during the summer. Typically, the sun shields are placed on the interior or exterior of a vehicle's window to block sun light. When not in use, most sun shields can be folded and stowed, such as in the trunk of an automobile.
A portable solar apparatus is described. In one exemplary implementation, the apparatus includes a solar energy collector cell, and a portable substrate. The solar energy collector cell converts light energy received from a light source into electrical current for transfer to a device. The portable substrate supports the solar energy collector cell. In one exemplary implementation, the portable substrate is a sun shield for a vehicle.
The detailed description is explained with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears.
Alternatively, apparatus 102 may be placed on a building, tent, hut, house, storage shed, pool cabana, other structures, and enclosures, to collect energy from light source 106.
Devices 104 may include a cooling unit 104(1), a heat exchange unit 104(2), a light 104(3), a portable entertainment unit 104(3), a computer 104(4), a battery 104(5), and other electronic and/or electromechanical devices. For example, cooling unit 104(1) may represent a fan, a miniature air-conditioning unit, or related cooling devices. Heat exchange unit 104(2) may represent a water pump that circulates water heated by solar cells. Portable entertainment unit 104(3) may represent a radio, CD player or other entertainment device.
In most instances, the light source 106 is the sun, but light energy may be received from other sources, such as fluorescent lights, diodes, streetlights, and other light emitting sources.
Having introduced some of the higher-level aspects of environment 100, it is now possible to discuss some of the more specific embodiments of apparatus 102.
Portable substrate 204 is configured to support solar energy collector cells 104. That is, portable substrate 204 serves as a platform for attaching solar energy collector cells 202. Fasteners, such as, for example clips, pins, thread, glue, tape, epoxy, Velcro, and other fastening devices may be used to attach the solar energy collector cells 104 to the portable substrate 204. Alternatively, cells 202 also may be integrated or embedded into the material of the portable substrate 204 by integrating the cells on a patch of material 209. The patch of material 209 containing one or more cells can then be attached to the portable substrate 204.
Portable substrate 204 is typically made of a lightweight material such as paper, cardboard, plastic and/or a combination of any these materials or related materials. Portable substrate 204 also may include one or more perforations 210 to permit the portable substrate 204 to be folded for easy storage and/or portability.
In one exemplary implementation, portable substrate 204 is a sun shield for vehicles. The sun shield may be used in connection with any part of a vehicle capable of being exposed to a light source. Typically, the sun shield is used on the interior or exterior side of a window, and in particular, the windshield of a vehicle.
Alternatively, portable substrate 204 may take the form of other portable devices, such as a vehicle cover used to protect the exterior of a vehicle from weather conditions and prevent the interior of vehicle from be exposed to heat produced by the sun.
Cells 202 are electrically connected to device(s) 104 via connector 206. That is, connector 206 is electrically coupled to the solar energy collector cells and is configured to transfer electrical current to device(s) 104.
In one exemplary implementation, connector 206 includes a network of wires 212 to provide a conduit to transfer electrical current produced by cells 202. Wires 212 may be connected directly to one or more devices 104. Wires 212 may be fastened to portable substrate 104 by any of the types of fasteners described above.
Alternatively, connector 206 may include a primary connector 214 and wires 212. Accordingly, wires 212 provide electrical conduits to transfer electrical current from cells 202 to primary connector 214. A device(s) 104 may be connected to primary connector 214. Primary connector 214 may take the form of a standard female or male plug to provide a convenient means to plug device(s) 104 into apparatus 102 (i.e., connect devices 104 to apparatus 102).
In either implementation, devices 104 may be connected to apparatus 102 remotely or be integrated directly onto portable substrate 204. For example,
Referring to
Accordingly, if apparatus 102 is part of a sun shield, the use of solar power should offer better cooling in a vehicle by circulating air in the vehicle by a solar powered fan, such as when the vehicle is parked. Additionally, by being portable, apparatus 102 enables devices to be powered when away from traditional electrical power sources, such as when camping or traveling.
Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claimed invention.
