WO2009131622A2

WO2009131622A2 - Solar-powered valance-mounted lighting system

Info

Publication number: WO2009131622A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/002136
Authority: WO
Inventors: Todd M. Herrick
Original assignee: Herrick Todd M
Priority date: 2008-04-25
Filing date: 2009-04-06
Publication date: 2009-10-29
Also published as: WO2009131622A3

Abstract

The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system (10) is attached to an adjustable valance that can tilt. The system provides direct artificial light in an area designed for human use. The system (10) is mounted above a window frame and hidden from view. LEDs (20) are connected to the valance and positioned to produce artificial light in the area designed for human use. To collect solar energy, the system includes a photovoltaic solar panel (26) positioned on or near the window (12). The collected solar energy is converted into electrical energy. A rechargeable power source receives and charges from the electrical energy. After charging, the electrical energy is discharged to power the system (10) independently of any external electrical power source. An LED power module (34) is also electrically connected to the LEDs and provides steady electrical energy to the LEDs (20) to produce light in the area designed for human use.

Description

SOLAR-POWERED. VALANCE-MOUNTED LIGHTING SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to lighting systems, and particularly to a solar-powered, valance-mounted light system for lighting the interior of a house or office.

BACKGROUND ART

Solar whole house systems are very expensive. Still, the "free power" of the sun to power a house or office has been sought over the years. Especially, now with the price of oil and gasoline, and coal being a non-environmental friendly source of power. So, the key benefit of solar power is that it is environmentally friendly as in the current slogan "go green." Thus, a solar power system that saves money on light bills when used to illuminate the interior of a building, that is low cost and low maintenance, and that is easy to install is desirable.

Of course, some solar systems have been developed to operate air conditioning units for buildings. Other solar panel type assemblies, using rechargeable batteries, have been developed that power window blinds or shades. Still, others have been developed to light interior rooms by utilizing the slats of the binds. More specifically, assemblies or devices have been developed with the vertical slats of the blinds having solar cells for absorbing sunlight on one side and LEDs connected to the other side to illuminate an interior area. These devices have proved to be too costly and, because the LEDs are so small, the light produced only lights the window area and not the interior room.

Additionally, because the solar cells are mounted on the vertical slats of the blinds, the blinds must be nearly always closed for the solar cells to absorb sunlight during the daytime in order to produce light later. In fact, a solar cell with this type of vertical slat mounted assembly requires sunlight for eight to ten hours to charge the batteries to provide approximately nine hours of radiant light. So the vertical slats will have to be closed for a substantial part of the day, thus blocking any direct sunlight from entering the interior room.

Thus, a solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system solving the aforementioned problems is desired. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system provides direct artificial light in an area designed for human use. The system is mounted on circuit boards made of a material to dissipate heat, and the valance, with the system mounted thereon, is then installed above a window frame where it is hidden from view. The system includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted to the valance, and the LEDs are positioned to produce artificial light in the area designed for human use.

The system further includes at least one photovoltaic solar panel positioned on or near the window to receive solar energy from sunlight. The at least one photovoltaic solar panel collects the solar energy and converts the collected solar energy into electrical energy for powering the system. A rechargeable power source is connected to the at least one photovoltaic solar panel to receive and store the electrical energy. The rechargeable power source discharges the stored electrical energy to power the system independently of any external electrical power source. An LED power module is electrically connected to the rechargeable power source and receives the discharging electrical energy. The LED power module is also electrically connected to the plurality of LEDs and provides steady electrical energy to the plurality of LEDs to produce the light for the system in the area designed for human use.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an environmental front view of a solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to the present invention, shown mounted above an interior window of a home with LEDs of the system illuminating the room. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit for the solar-powered, valance- mounted lighting system according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a partial environmental front view of the solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to the present invention, looking into the exterior of the window of Fig. 1, showing components mounted therein. Fig. 4 is an exterior environmental view of the solar-powered, valance-mounted, lighting system according the present invention, looking into the exterior of the window of Fig. 1, showing another embodiment with the photovoltaic solar panel mounted to vertical blinds.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit for an alternative embodiment of a solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to the present invention that includes the use of a microprocessor and a computer network.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system for lighting an interior of a house or office. The lighting system is applicable to both residential and commercial type buildings. The system is easy to install, inexpensive, environmentally friendly, saves money on the lighting bills, and has low maintenance costs.

In Fig. 1, an exemplary solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is shown as installed. The system 10 is mounted above a window 12 and below a curtain rod 14, and then covered with a curtain or draperies 16. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) 20 (in this embodiment, there are six LEDs) shine through the curtains 16 hanging from the rod 14. The LEDs 20 are efficient LEDs, with low power consumption and high light output, for example, 200 lumens per diode. The LEDs 20 put out a soft, white, aesthetically pleasing light. The LEDs 20 will be described more fully with respect to Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is an electrical schematic diagram of the solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system 10. The system 10 includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells (P.V. cells) 22, 23, 24, and 25 forming a photovoltaic solar panel 26. The photovoltaic solar panel 26 is for harnessing the free power of the sun. Thus, the photovoltaic solar panel 26 is positioned to receive solar energy from sunlight, as shown and further discussed with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

An exemplary photovoltaic solar panel 26 suitable for use in the system 10 is made by PowerFilm, Inc. The PowerFilm photovoltaic solar panels are based on amorphous silicon technology applied to a durable polymer substrate that is 2 mils (0.05mm) thick. The especially rugged construction of these PowerFilm modules includes an ultraviolet (UV) stabilized surface, extra edge seal for weather protection, and tin-coated copper leads that extend from the module. Each of the P.V. cells 22, 23, 24, and 25 are encapsulated in 3 mil clear polyester film with the following specifications: the output is 10OmA at 3.6V and the open-circuit voltage is 4.8V. The total size is 2.9 inches by 5.9 inches and the total solar cell size is 2.4 inches by 5.9 inches. Lastly, the total thickness is 0.22mm (8 mil), and the weight of each P. V. cell is a few grams. There is a photo diode 27 in the middle of the panel 26 between the P. V. cells 23 and

24. The photo diode 27 is normally open and closes when darkness is detected. Thus, when the photo switch 27 is closed, the LEDs 20 turn on. This function can be pre-programmed through microprocessor 209, and can be re-programmed at any time.

For battery charging, the voltage of the solar panel 26 must be higher than the voltage of a battery to be charged. In some embodiments, it requires at least 6.0 volts to charge 1.2- volt batteries wired in series. In the preferred embodiment, a rechargeable power source 30 is connected to the photovoltaic solar panel 26. The rechargeable power source receives and stores electrical energy and, after charging, discharges the stored electrical energy to power the system 10 independent of any external electrical power source. The rechargeable power source 30 is 1.2V/4000mAh "C" nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) rechargeable batteries (twelve each).

With the solar panel 26, the only real maintenance of the system 10 would be that the rechargeable battery pack has to be replaced every three to five years. Of course, the system 10 can also be connected to an optional power source that is shown as an AC/DC transformer 32 and electric plug to receive power from a standard wall socket, with 115 AC to 14.4V and 1.5 amp DC being supplied in times when there is a need to circumvent or replace the power source 30. When using several lighting modules, a (whole house) solar charge/battery system may be used. This would be a larger capacity battery/solar charger assembly.

An LED power module 34 is electrically connected to the rechargeable power source 30 and receives the discharging electrical energy. The LED power module 34 can be either a 3021 or 3023 BuckPuck wide range LED power module, or any similar constant current power source. These LED power modules are a line of current-regulated drivers for powering LEDs. The BuckPuck line of LED drivers is for powering all types of high brightness and high power LED packages and LED arrays. The BuckPuck LED drivers exhibit high efficiency and require no external current limiting resistors or additional heat sinking in operation. The BuckPuck Wide Range LED Power Module is a high efficiency dc-to-dc converter that delivers a fixed output current by varying the output voltage as required to maintain the specified current. The fixed output versions are designed to supply their rated current to one or more LED junctions. For example, the 350 mA rated power module 34 will drive up to six Luxeon LEDs connected in series. Due to the nature of the buck regulator, the input voltage must always be higher than the total forward voltage drop of the LED junction(s) connected in series (2.0 V of DC models, and approximately 4.0V for AC models). For a series string of six junctions having an average forward drop of 3.5V, the required minimum input voltage will be 5V dc. Also, the BuckPuck LED power module 34 permits a manual switch control 36 by replacing the potentiometer. Thus, the system 10 can be manually controlled, as well.

As previously mentioned, the LED power module 34 can easily power six LEDs connected in series. The system 10 preferably utilizes Luxeon Star LEDs with model number LXHL-N WE8. These LEDs are energy efficient and an ultra compact light source that combines the lifetime and reliability advantages of LEDs with the brightness of conventional lighting. The Luxeon Star LED features one or more power light sources mounted onto an aluminum core printed circuit board. These LEDs, generally indicated with numeral 20, allow for ease of assembly, optimum cooling and accurate light center positioning. This LED has the highest flux per LED family in the world. The operating life is up to 100,000 hours, and the LEDs are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and most halogen lamps. Plus, the LEDs operate under low DC voltage. The beam is cool and safe to the touch. Thus, the plurality of LEDs 20 are capable of producing light for the system 10 in the area designed for human use, such as the interior of a home. Fig. 3 shows a partial environmental view of the system 10 looking into the exterior of the window in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the photovoltaic solar panel 26 is shown, and it is basically placed or mounted on the window 12 to absorb solar power from the sunlight. The rechargeable power source 30 and LED power module 34, as well as the LEDs 20, are connect by wires 38. The rechargeable power source 30, LED power module 34, and LEDs 20 are mounted on a valance 40 atop the window. The valance 14 is made of a material to dissipate heat. Such an ideal material would be aluminum, but tin would also work. Holes are made in the valance 40 to receive the LEDs 20 so that the LEDs 20 can protrude through and light the room.

The valance 40 is also adjustable to redirect the light from the LEDs 20 to either point upward or downward. For example, it may be that the lighting produced by the LEDs 20 is too bright when shining directly into the room. Accordingly, the valance 40 can be tilted upward to have the light reflect off a part of the ceiling. Also, there may be a need to provide additional light to plants near the window. The valance 40 can be tilted downward to place more light on these plants. The valance 40 is only visible in Fig. 3 in order for the invention to be shown and described. When fully mounted, the valance 40 would be hidden, both from the exterior view and the interior view.

As shown in Fig. 4, the valance 14 has been mounted above window 12 in order to be out of sight. Additionally, in this embodiment, the solar panel 26 has been mounted on one of the vertical slats of the blinds 42. Thus, when the blinds 42 are closed, the solar panel 26 will be absorbing solar power. Of course, the solar panel 26 can also be mounted on horizontally designed slats.

As shown in Fig. 5, an alternative configuration includes the use of a master control board, i.e., a main circuit board or motherboard 500, which has a microprocessor 209 (or a microcontroller) connected to constant current driver 34, which drives the lights 20. Digital temperature sensor 213 is connected to microprocessor 209, which reads the temperature reading and reduces or shuts off the power-voltage supply if the temperature reaches an unsafe threshold value, thereby preventing a fire or damage to the circuit board 500. It should be understood that microprocessor 209 may access computer readable media, such as an EPROM, ROM, paper tape, punch cards, a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, RAM, a USB drive, a CD-ROM, or any other magnetic or optical storage medium bearing a set of instructions executable by microprocessor 209 (or a microcontroller) to carry out the features of the system described herein.

An example of control instructions executed by microprocessor 209 includes the case wherein the set point of photo diode 27 is modifiable by microprocessor 209 to precisely control on-off timing of the LEDs 20. Additionally, an adjustable dimmer is implemented via control switches 36a and 36b in operable communication with microprocessor 209. Moreover, microprocessor 209 facilitates operation of a plurality of valance-mounted lighting systems 10. Microprocessor 209 has a set of instructions that interpret position and sequencing of momentary switches 36a and rocker switch 36b. Via a first sequence of momentary push button switches 36a, the microprocessor 209 controls current driver 34 to adjust the light intensity of lights 20 up or down between a low value of approximately 600 lumens and a high value of approximately 1,080 lumens by modulating the current flow responsive to the up or down position of rocker switch 36b.

Via a second sequence of momentary push button switches 36a, the microprocessor 209 accepts input from rocker switch 36b to control a set point of photo diode 27 thereby controlling dawn-dusk on/off times of lights 20. Via a third sequence of momentary push button switches 36a, the microprocessor 209 utilizes a timer only (no dependence on the state of photo diode 27) to activate the lights 20 at pre-set conditions (times).

Via a fourth sequence of momentary push button switches 36a, the microprocessor 209 places the system 10 in an off mode in which the system 10 will charge, provided it has a battery pack 30 connected to a PV array 22, 23, 24, 25 exposed to light.

It is contemplated that the system may be centrally operated, e.g., for commercial applications that require many banks of individual light strips and many floor levels in the building. In this case, power would be applied to the centrally located motherboard 500 having the microprocessor 209, a plurality of control switches 36a, 36b, etc., and other control circuits mounted thereon. The photovoltaic solar power charging system components may be located on a remote circuit board connected to the motherboard by appropriate wiring. Similarly, the LEDs 20, and optionally the LED drivers 34, may be mounted on one or more remote circuit boards connected to the motherboard by appropriate wiring, cabling, or through a computer network, either by Ethernet of by wireless computer network. A remote circuit board can be comprised of three lights 20 per board. A designer of the system has the choice of using the necessary number of circuit boards 500 to achieve a specified lumens output, given that typical lumens output for a single board is contemplated to be between approximately 300 lumens and approximately 540 lumens. A plurality of systems 10 may be connected together for use in an entire house that requires a higher capacity battery/solar charger assembly. The microprocessor 209 can control the LED power module or driver 34, which is electrically connected to the rechargeable power source 30 and receives the electrical energy discharged to the load. Moreover, a group of systems 10 can be controlled via a single microprocessor 209 due to network access control module 211 on the motherboard 500

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. A solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system, comprising: an adjustable valance adapted for mounting above a window frame; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted to the valance, the LEDs being adapted for illuminating an interior of a room; at least one photovoltaic solar panel adapted for being positioned to receive solar energy from sunlight; a rechargeable power source electrically connected to the at least one photovoltaic solar panel; and an LED power module electrically connected to the rechargeable power source and to the plurality of LEDs.

2. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising a photodiode mounted in the at least one photovoltaic solar panel, the photodiode switching on power to the lights when the solar energy from the sunlight reaches a low threshold value.

3. The solar-powered, valance-mounted, lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs are electrically connected in series and equally spaced from each other on the valance, the valance being made of a material capable of dissipating heat.

4. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the valance is adjustable to tilt and redirect light emitted from the plurality of LEDs.

5. A solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system, comprising: at least one photovoltaic solar panel adapted for being positioned to receive solar energy from sunlight; a rechargeable power source electrically connected to the at least one photovoltaic solar panel; a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted for illuminating an interior of a room; a constant current driver receiving electrical power from the rechargeable power source and delivering power to the plurality of LEDs, thereby energizing the plurality of LEDs; a microprocessor modulating output of the constant current driver, thereby switching LEDs on and off and controlling light output intensity of the LEDs; and a network module in operable communication with the microprocessor for facilitating control by the microprocessor of additional solar-powered lighting systems.

6. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to claim 5, further comprising an adjustable valance adapted for mounting above a window frame, the microprocessor, the constant current driver, the LEDs and the network module being mounted to the valance.

7. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to claim 6, wherein the valance is adjustable to tilt and redirect light emitted from the plurality of LEDs.

8. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to claim 5, further comprising a photodiode adapted for remote mounting, the photodiode switching on power to the light emitting diodes when solar energy from the sunlight reaches a low threshold value.

9. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to claim 5, further comprising a temperature sensor in operable communication with the microprocessor, the microprocessor reading a temperature signal output from the temperature sensor and adjusting power to the LEDs based on the temperature reading.

10. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to claim 5, further comprising: means for selectively adjusting the output intensity of the lights between a predetermined low lumens value and a predetermined high lumens value; and means for selectively interrupting power while recharging the power source.

11. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to claim 5, further comprising: a photodiode adapted for remote mounting, the photodiode switching on power to the light emitting diodes when solar energy from the sunlight reaches a low threshold value; and means for selectively controlling a set point of the photodiode for controlling dawn- dusk on/off times of the LEDs.

12. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting system according to claim 5, further comprising means for selectively activating the LEDs at preset times.

13. A solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting kit, comprising: a motherboard; a plurality of room illuminating light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on the motherboard; a constant current driver mounted on the motherboard, the driver being connected to deliver power to the plurality of LEDs; a microprocessor mounted on the motherboard, the microprocessor modulating output of the constant current driver for controlling light output intensity of the LEDs; and a network module mounted on the motherboard, the network module being in operable communication with the microprocessor, thereby facilitating control by the microprocessor of additional valance-mounted lighting kit motherboards.

14. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting kit according to claim 13, further comprising: at least one photovoltaic solar panel adapted for being positioned to receive solar energy from sunlight; and a rechargeable power source electrically connected to the at least one photovoltaic solar panel, the power source delivering power to the motherboard.

15. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting kit according to claim 13, further comprising a photodiode adapted for remote mounting, the photodiode switching on power to the light emitting diodes when solar energy from the sunlight reaches a low threshold value.

16. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting kit according to claim 13, further comprising a temperature sensor in operable communication with the microprocessor, the microprocessor reading a temperature signal output from the temperature sensor and adjusting power to the LEDs based on the temperature reading.

17. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting kit according to claim 13, further comprising at least one remote circuit board having a plurality of room illuminating light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted thereon, the motherboard having means for controlling the at least one remote circuit board.

18. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting kit according to claim 17, further comprising a valance adapted for mounting above a window frame, said remote circuit board being mounted to said valance.

19. The solar-powered, valance-mounted lighting kit according to claim 13, further comprising a valance adapted for mounting above a window frame, said motherboard being mountable to said valance..