Solar and fuel powered portable light tower

A solar and fuel powered portable light tower includes a portable base, a light panel arm, a primary power source, a secondary power source, and a control box. The light panel arm, that includes a plurality of light panels, is connected to the portable base while the primary and secondary power sources are positioned within the portable base. The control box, which is positioned within the portable base, controls the solar and fuel powered portable light tower. An insulated wall within the portable base separates the primary power source and the secondary power source for safety purposes. The plurality of light panels is preferably powered the primary power source that includes a plurality of photovoltaic panels and batteries. The plurality of light panels is also powered by the secondary power source that also acts as an onsite generator.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to an apparatus that provides light to a large area. More specifically, the present invention combines a solar powered energy source and a fuel powered energy source to power portable light tower.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most large scaled operations such as, construction projects, public events, and emergency situations require many different components and devices to complete an assigned task. A portable light tower is one of those component that is essential for large scaled night operations. Existing portable light towers are mainly powered from fuel driven generators/engines. Even though the existing portable light towers are able to provide the sufficient light effects, the existing portable light towers also generate environmental pollution and sound pollution. Since many new construction projects are required to meet LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) certification in order to achieve healthy work environments, aforementioned large scaled operations need advanced portable light towers that meet the LEED certification.

It is an object of the present invention to introduce a portable light tower that operates through a primary and secondary power source. More specifically, the portable light tower operates with a solar powered energy source, which is the primary power source, while a fuel powered energy source functions as the secondary power source. Both power sources are combined within a single unit/frame to power light panels of the present invention. Since solar power is utilized as the primary power source, the present invention is able to benefit from the renewable resources credits within the commercial construction industry without compromising any functionality of the portable light towers.

In addition to functioning as a backup power source, the secondary power source also able to control the portable light towers in the event that the solar batteries were to drain during operations or were to not charge due to inclement weather, such as cloudy day and rainy day. The combination of the two different power sources also allows the light panels to be powered by the solar powered energy source while the fuel powered energy source is able to operate other electrical devices. As a result of the solar powered energy source, the present invention is able to reduce the environmental pollution compare to continuously operating fuel powered energy source. The present invention also provides a drastic reduction in noise levels through the operation of solar powered energy source while allowing the light panels to lit up during night shifts. The present invention also allows for increased use of renewable resources, such as solar energy, as well as providing a reduced fuel consumption costs and an available option for dual uses such as a simultaneous operational of the light panels and other electronic devices.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a solar and fuel powered light tower that complies with the renewable energy sources to achieve healthy work environment. In reference toFIG. 1-7, the present invention comprises a portable base1, a light panel arm3, a primary power source5, a secondary power source7, and a control box9. In reference to the general configuration of the present invention, the light panel arm3is hingedly connected to a top panel11of the portable base1so that a plurality of light panels36of the light panel arm3is able to illuminate the worksite. The plurality of light panels36is electrically connected with the primary power source5and the secondary power source7through the control box9to allow the continuous operation of the plurality of light panels36. The primary power source5is positioned on the top panel11and within a first enclosure18of the portable base1. As a result, the plurality of light panels36can be mainly operated through the primary power source5. The secondary power source7is positioned with a second enclosure19of the portable base1and functions as a backup power source for the primary power source5.

The portable base1is main body of the present invention as multiple components are either housed within or externally positioned in relation to the functionality of the present invention. More specifically, the portable base1allows the present invention to be transported from one location to another and selectively power the plurality of light panels36through the primary power source5and/or the secondary power source7. In reference toFIG. 2andFIG. 7, the portable base1comprises a front panel12, a rear panel15, an insulated wall17, a trailer frame20, a first lateral panel23, and a second lateral panel24in addition to the top panel11, the first enclosure18, and the second enclosure19. In order to complete a housing of the portable base1, the front panel12is connected to the trailer frame20from an end while the rear panel15is connected to the trailer frame20, opposite of the front panel12. The top panel11is connected to the front panel12and the rear panel15and positioned opposite of the trailer frame20. The first lateral panel23and the second lateral panel24are oppositely positioned of each other along the top panel and extend from the rear panel15to the front panel12. The first lateral panel23and the second lateral panel24are connected to the top panel11, the front panel12, and the rear panel13completing the basic structure of the housing. The top panel11, the front panel12, the rear panel15, the first lateral panel23, and the second lateral panel24are made by high strength and light weighted material such as aluminum that can withstand the elevated heat created by the present invention.

In reference toFIG. 7, the insulated wall17is centrally positioned between the front panel12and the rear panel15and internally connected to the top panel11and the trailer frame20. As a result of the insulated wall17, the first enclosure18is positioned in between the front panel12and the insulated wall17. The second enclosure19is positioned between the rear panel15and the insulated wall17. The insulated wall17is equipped with fire resistant materials to improve the safety of the present invention. Since the primary power source5is mainly positioned within the first enclosure18and the secondary power source7is positioned within the second enclosure19, the insulated wall17acts as a protective barrier between the primary power source5and the secondary power source7separating the both power sources to reduce any kind of fire hazards within the present invention.

In reference toFIG. 7, the trailer frame20functions as the platform for the housing so that the trailer frame20is able to secure the housing. The trailer frame20comprises an axle assembly21, a pair of wheels22, a hitch connector13, a front stabilizing jack14, and a pair of rear stabilizing jacks16. The axle assembly21and the pair of wheels22assist the present invention to transport from one location to another. More specifically, the axle assembly21is mounted to the trailer frame20opposite of the front panel12and the rear panel15. The pair of wheels22is mounted to the axle assembly21from each end, where the pair of wheels22is positioned parallel to the first lateral panel23and the second lateral panel24. The portable base may also comprise a license plate, brake lights, signal lights, and other necessary components that making the present invention street legal for transporting purposes.

In reference toFIG. 5, the hitch connector13is centrally positioned outside from a bottom edge of the front panel12. The hitch connector13is laterally connected to the trailer frame20and extended outward from the front panel12. The hitch connector13allows the present invention to be hooked to a vehicle so that the present invention can be easily transported. The front stabilizing jack14is perpendicularly connected to the hitch connector13and positioned away from the front panel12. Since the present invention is only equipped with a single pair of wheels22, the present invention requires the front stabilizing jack14to support the frontend of the present invention. The front stabilizing jack14extends toward the ground surface so the portable base1can be stationed parallel to the ground surface. During transportation, the front stabilizing jack14is pulled upward toward the hitch connector13so the front stabilizing jack14does not make contact with the ground surface. The pair of rear stabilizing jacks16is perpendicularly connected to the trailer frame20and positioned external to the rear panel15. The pair of rear stabilizing jacks16is also oppositely positioned of each other across the trailer frame20so that the weight can be equally distributed within the pair of rear stabilizing jacks16. More specifically, the pair of rear stabilizing jacks16supports the backend of the present invention and the weight of the portable base1is evenly distributed within the pair of rear stabilizing jacks16so the present invention can be stationed parallel to the ground surface. During transportation, the pair of rear stabilizing jacks16is pulled upward toward the trailer frame20so the pair of rear stabilizing jacks16does not make contact with the ground surface.

In reference toFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the light panel arm3provides the necessary height and the structure for the plurality of light panels36as the light panel arm3is positioned atop the top panel11. The light panel arm3comprises a telescopic arm31, a vertical arm34, a connecting pin35, and a light emitting diode (LED) driver39in addition to the plurality of light panels36. The vertical arm34is perpendicularly and externally connected to the top panel11from an end so that the telescopic arm31can be hingedly connected to the vertical arm34by the connecting pin35. As a result, the telescopic arm31is able to selectively moves from zero degrees to ninety degrees around the connecting pin35and about a free end of the vertical arm34. More specifically, the telescopic arm31can be configured into an up position and a downed position wherein the up position is perpendicular to the top panel11and the downed position is parallel to the top panel11. The telescopic arm31is moved into the downed position during transportation and storage of the present invention so the light panel arm3and its components can be protected. The telescopic arm31comprises a first lateral arm32and a second lateral arm33. The first lateral arm32and the second lateral arm33that extend outward from the telescopic arm31. More specifically, the first lateral arm32and the second lateral arm33are perpendicularly connected to the telescopic arm31. The first lateral arm32and the second lateral arm33are positioned opposite of the vertical arm34in such a way that the first lateral arm32is adjacently positioned with the first lateral panel23and the second lateral arm33is adjacently positioned with the second lateral panel24.

In reference toFIG. 8, the present invention preferably utilizes light emitting diode (LED) light panels as the plurality of light panels36for increased illumination and efficiency. The plurality of light panels36is adjacently positioned with the first lateral arm32and the second lateral arm33. More specifically, a first set of lights37from the plurality of light panels36is hingedly mounted to the first lateral arm32while a second set of lights38from the plurality of light panels36is hingedly mounted to the second lateral arm. The plurality of light panels36can be tilted up and down so the plurality of light panels36is able to aim a given location. The plurality of light panels36is generally tilted away from the top panel11during transportation to protect the plurality of light panels36from outside element. The plurality of light panels36is electrically connected to the control box9by an insulated conduit line for the functionality. However, the plurality of light panels36can be only operated when the telescopic arm31is configured to be in the up position. The LED driver39is an electrical device that regulates the power to the plurality of light panels36. The LED driver39responds to the changing needs of the plurality of light panels36by providing a constant quantity of power to the plurality of light panels36as its electrical properties change with temperature. As a result, the first set of lights37and the second set of lights38are electrically connected to the LED driver39to match the electrical characteristics of the plurality of light panels36.

Power distribution of the present invention is accomplished by the primary power source5and the secondary power source7. All the electrical connections of the primary power source5and the secondary power source7are completed with the insulated conduit lines. Since the primary power source5and the secondary power source7are electrically connected to the control box9, the plurality of light panels36can be individually operated through the primary power source5and the secondary power source7by utilizing a transfer switch95of the control box9as the transfer switch95can be a manual switch or an automatic switch.

In reference toFIG. 1,FIG. 7, andFIG. 8, the primary power source5comprises a plurality of batteries51, a charge controller52, a plurality of photovoltaic panels54, a combiner box56, a battery temperature sensor57, and a primary power switch58. The plurality of photovoltaic panels54converts solar energy into direct current (DC) electricity within the present invention and comprises a connecting frame55. More specifically, the plurality of photovoltaic panels54is adjacently mounted to the connecting frame55as the connecting frame55is externally attached to the top panel11. The plurality of photovoltaic panels54is positioned in line the connecting frame55and mounted with a 1% slope from the front panel12to the rear panel15. The plurality of photovoltaic panels54can also be mounted side by side. However, side by side mounting results the plurality of photovoltaic panels54to further overhang from the top panel11. If the plurality of photovoltaic panels54overhangs from the first lateral panel23and the second lateral panel24, it is recommended that the portable base1width to be enlarged for protection and structural purposes. Each of the photovoltaic panels54should be at least mono crystal (60 cell)280watts. The plurality of photovoltaic panels54is electrically connected to the charge controller52. The charge controller52limits the rate which DC electricity is added to or drawn to prevent overdrawn or overcharge of the plurality of batteries51. The plurality of batteries51is electrically connected to the charge controller52through the combiner box56. More specifically, the combiner box56is an electrical component which combines multiple sets of wires from the plurality of batteries51into a single set of wires (positive, negative, and ground). The combiner box56is preferably made of sheet metal or fiberglass. As a result, the plurality of photovoltaic panels54is able absorb solar radiation and converts solar energy into DC electricity. Then the DC electricity is transferred through the charge controller52and then to the combiner box56so that the plurality of batteries51can be charged. The battery temperature sensor57is electrically connected between the plurality of batteries51and the charge controller52so that the temperature of the plurality of batteries51can be monitored through the charge controller52to extend the lifespan of the plurality of batteries51. The primary power switch58is electrically connected with the charge controller52, wherein the primary power switch58electrically connects the primary power source5with the transfer switch95. The plurality of batteries51, the charge controller52, the combiner box56, the battery temperature sensor57, and the primary power switch58are positioned within the first enclosure so that the operator of the present invention can easily access these component when necessary.

The secondary power source7is a fuel powered generator that can be powered by gasoline, diesel, propane, or clean diesel. Since propane and clean diesel maintain maximum clean energy efficiency, they are the recommendation as the fuel resources of the fuel powered generator. In reference toFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the secondary power source7comprises an engine71, a direct current (DC) alternator72, an engine controller73, an ignition system74, and a secondary power switch75. The engine71, the DC alternator72, the engine controller73, the ignition system74, and the secondary power switch75are positioned within the second enclosure so that the operator of the present invention can easily separate the two different power sources.

The engine71is electrically connected to the ignition system74, where the ignition system74electrically connected to the control box9through the engine controller73. The DC alternator72is operatively coupled with the engine71and electrically connected to the secondary power switch75. The secondary power source7can be either activated through the transfer switch95or the engine controller73. More specifically, the secondary power switch75electrically connects with the transfer switch5in order to activate the secondary power source5through the secondary power switch75. This method is mainly utilized upon the discretion of the operator. However, the secondary power source7can also be activated through the control box9as the engine controller73is electrically connects with the control box9. This method is recognized as an automated system within the present invention and only utilized when the primary power source5is depleted and no longer able to power the plurality of light panels36.

The present invention can be used in night construction situations, events, utility works, emergency situations, or any kind of general lowlight operations. The operator can easily control the present invention through the control box9. Since the plurality of photovoltaic panels54charges the plurality of batteries51during the daytime, the plurality of light panels36can be activated during nighttime through the primary power source5or the secondary power source7. For example, if the plurality of batteries51drains during operation, the operator can manually turn-off the primary power switch58and turn-on the secondary power switch75. Then the secondary power source7is able to power the plurality of light panels36. In another situation: the plurality of batteries51may not be charged on a cloudy day due to the lack of solar radiation. Since there is not enough power generated within the primary power source5, the present invention can be powered from the secondary power source7. The secondary power source7can also be utilized to power other power tools while the plurality of light panels36is powered by the primary power source5. The simultaneous operation of the plurality of light panels36and the standalone generator improves the efficiency of the present invention compared to traditional light towers.

In reference toFIG. 7, the control box9is positioned within the portable base1, specifically the first enclosure18, to control the functionalities of the present invention. The control box9comprises a first light switch92, a second light switch93, and a battery monitoring unit94, and a transfer switch95. The first light switch92, the second light switch93, the battery monitoring unit94, and the transfer switch95are positioned within the control box9and accessible to the operators of the present invention.

The first light switch92and the second light switch93separately operates the first set of lights37and the second set of lights38within the present invention. More specifically, the primary power switch58is electrically connected with the first light switch92and the second light switch93through the transfer switch95. The secondary power switch75is electrically connected with the first light switch92and the second light switch93through the transfer switch95. The first set of lights37is electrically connected with the first light switch92through the LED driver39so that the first set of lights37can be selectively activated through the control box9. Similarly, the second set of lights38is electrically connected with the second light switch93through the LED driver39so that the second set of lights38can be selectively activated through the control box9. The charge controller52is electrically connected with the battery monitoring unit94. The battery monitoring unit94monitors the energy level of the plurality of batteries51and displays it through the control box9. The control box9may optionally comprise an axillary outlet for power tools and a timer for the plurality of light panels36.

Since the primary power source5drastically reduces the air and noise pollution, the present invention is an earth, and human, friendly device which could gain LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) points from the U.S. Green Building Council as it may create a healthy working environment. The present invention is also an efficient solution for the rising fuel cost because of the low fuel consumption of the present invention compared to traditional light towers. When the present invention is powered from the primary power source5, noise level is drastically reduced compared to the traditional light towers. Because of the reduced noise level in the present invention, the present invention can be used in locations such as, residential areas, active hospitals, occupied hotels, concerts, and many other places where the noise levels need to be maintained at lower levels.