Solar panel having visual indicator

{
  "publication_number": "US2005030187A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Solar panel having visual indicator",
  "abstract": "A solar panel incorporating a selectively actuable energy availability indicator arrangement. The arrangement includes a visual indicator, such as an LED, and a selectively actuable button. Actuation of the button completes a circuit to read the level of energy available. A resistor in series with the LED as it is connected to the terminals of the solar panel limits the current flow through the LED. A blocking diode connected in series with a charging battery prevents the LED from reading the charge of the battery.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A circuit comprising: a solar panel comprising a first output port and a second output port; and, a power indicator electrically coupled between the first output port and the second output port for providing an indication of electrical power generated by the solar panel in response to light incident thereon. 2. A circuit according to claim 1, wherein the power indicator comprises a variable power indicator for variably indicating an amount of power generated by the solar panel, the amount of power varying with variations in an amount of incident light. 3. A circuit according to claim 2, wherein the power indicator comprises a visual indicator. 4. A circuit according to claim 3, wherein the visual indicator comprises an LED. 5. A circuit according to claim 3, wherein the visual indicator comprises a plurality of indicator circuits each for resulting in visual indication indicative of a different range of energy generated by the solar panel. 6. A circuit according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of indicator circuits each comprise an LCD. 7. A circuit according to claim 1, wherein the power indicator includes circuitry for measuring the electrical energy generated by the solar panel. 8. A circuit according to claim 1, comprising: a charge storage device for storing energy provided by thee solar panel; and, an isolator circuit for isolating power indicator circuit from charge storage devices. 9. A circuit according to claim 1, comprising an actuator for selectively activating the power indicator circuit. 10. A circuit according to claim 1, wherein the circuit is enclosed within a same housing. 11. A circuit according to claim 1, wherein the circuit is integrated within a single device. 12. A circuit according to claim 1, wherein the indicator includes an audible indication. 13. A circuit comprising: a solar panel comprising a first output port and a second output port; a power indicator electrically coupled for indicating an amount of electrical power generated by the solar panel in response to light incident thereon; and, an actuator for selectively activating the power indicator circuit. 14. A method of aligning a solar panel comprising: (a) providing a visual indication of an amount of energy generated by the solar panel; and, (b) changing at least one of location and orientation of the solar panel until the visual indication indicates one of sufficient energy being generated and a near optimal amount of generated energy. 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein providing a visual indication is performed in response to user actuation of a circuit, the circuit temporarily actuated and wherein both (a) and (b) are repeated until the visual indication indicates one of sufficient energy being generated and a near optimal amount of generated energy."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/489,084 filed Jul. 22, 2003.\n\nThis invention generally relates to the use of solar panels, and, more particularly, to an indicator that is used to detect whether or not electrical energy is available in such a solar panel.\n\nIn recent years, the use of photovoltaic or solar panels for harnessing and applying the energy of the sun has greatly expanded. New technologies have increased the versatility of solar panels, thus widening the scope of their application. For example, solar panels are increasingly capable of powering devices such as vehicle battery chargers, radios, computers, and other personal electronic devices, among other things. Solar panels are frequently used in both stationary locations, such as the home or office, as well as mobile locations, such as vehicles, trailers. They are utilized both indoors and out of doors.\n\nInasmuch as solar panels produce electrical energy from sunlight, the provision of adequate electrical energy from the solar panel(s) to power the load device(s) is of primary concern in utilizing solar panels. Therefore, most solar powered applications incorporate a charge storage device for receiving electrical energy from a solar panel in electrical communication therewith and for providing stored power to a load circuit. Typically, the charge storage device is a battery.\n\nIt is important that the user be able to verify that the solar panel is able to provide adequate power for servicing a given load device.",
  "cpc": [
    "G05F 1/70",
    "H02J 7/35"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G05F 1/70",
    "G08B 21/00",
    "H10N 10/00",
    "F21L 4/00"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Sass Peress",
    "Po Lau"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2004-07-22",
  "publication_date": "2005-02-10",
  "priority_date": "2003-07-22",
  "application_number": "US-89595604-A",
  "family_id": "34062159",
  "cited_by_count": 62,
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}