Abstract:
The present invention relates to a portable or stationary light; and in particular, to a portable street light powered by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/160,167 filed May 12, 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a portable light; and in particular, to a portable street light powered by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy. 
         [0004]    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
         [0005]    Mobile portable lighting systems are known in the art. These generally consist of systems that are mounted on trailers or other towable structures and that are powered in conventional manners. For example, the devices may interface directly into the electrical grid, or the devices may use a portable electrical generator powered by gas or diesel fuel. 
         [0006]    While these systems can provide adequate lighting they suffer from a number of drawbacks. In particular, relying on the electrical grid is not always possible. In some instances lighting may be needed in an area with little or no access to electrical outlets, such as parks or other reasonably remote outdoor locations. In other instances, the available electrical outlets may not be able to provide sufficient power, or be configured to meet the power/wattage/current demands of the lighting devices. Or, in emergency situations power from the grid may not be available. 
         [0007]    Additionally, use of the conventional power grid means reliance on carbon generating power means, which furthers various kinds of pollution as well as emitting greenhouse gasses associated with global warming. 
         [0008]    Thus, there is a need exists for a portable lighting source that is not dependent on the electrical grid, and carbon based power sources. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front side perspective view of the lighting device with the wind turbine in the upright position. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the device showing the solar panel array. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a view of a winch mechanism on the pole that supports the wind turbine. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a view inside the electrical box showing batteries, inverter, and electronic controller. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the device showing the lights, and wind turbine in the upright/operational position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side back view of the device showing the wind turbine in the upright position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side front view showing the lower portion of the pole that supports the wind turbine, and the back of the solar panel array. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a close up view of the inside of the electrical box showing the batteries, inverter, and controller. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the device 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the device with the turbine in the reclining position, where the pole supporting the turbine is resting on a saddle of a support pole. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a stationary wind and solar power light. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    In the Figures is shown a portable lighting device  10 . The device  10  is housed in a trailer  12  having a hitch  14  adapted to be towed behind a vehicle (not shown). 
         [0021]    The device  10  includes a vertical axis wind turbine  16  mounted atop of pole  18  anchored to the base of the trailer  12 . The vertical axis turbine  16  is comprised of blades  20  which rotate in the wind in a circular path. The blades  20  do not have to be pointed into the wind. The blades turn a shaft or rotor, that is located inside the pole  18 , which drives an electrical generator located that the base of the turbine  16  inside the trailer  12 . The electricity can be stored in a battery for use as needed, or can be used to create direct electricity on demand. 
         [0022]    The turbine  16  utilizes a main internally located rotor shaft that is generally arranged vertical to the direction of the wind. One advantage a vertical axis turbine is that the turbine does not need to be repositioned in case of a change in wind direction, which is an advantage on a site where the wind direction is highly variable. It is also has the advantage that it is inherently less steerable and can be more easily integrated into a structure such as the trailer. Also, the generator and gearbox can be placed near the ground, using a direct drive from the rotor assembly to the ground-based gearbox, improving accessibility for maintenance. 
         [0023]    The pole  18  includes a hinge  22 , which makes the pole  18  tiltable allowing the top portion of the pole  18  to be laid down toward the front of the trailer  12  during transport or storage. A winch  24  can be used to raise and lower the wind turbine  16  through cabling  26  that runs from the winch  14  to the top of the pole  18  and around a support frame  28 . Guide wires  30  are arranged about the bottom of the pole  18  to provide stability to the wind turbine  16  when in the upright position. A pole  32  at the forward end of the trailer  12  provides a saddle  34  to receive the turbine pole  16  when it is in the reclined position. 
         [0024]    The turbine  16  is one renewable power source for the lights  36 , as well as a rear mounted solar panel array  38 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention the wind turbine  16  is a 300-watt vertical axis turbine, and the solar panel  38  provided up to 280 watts. Different sizes and power rated devices can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0025]    The device  10  comprises two 110-volt LED pole mounted streetlights  36  that produce 2300 lumens of light in 360 degrees (between the two of them). The lights  36  can rotate to provide light in any direction. The lights  36  are mounted on poles  32  located at the forward end of the trailer  12 . The light poles  32  are adjustable/telescoping to allow for positioning the lights  36  and to allow the lights  36  to be lowered during travel or storage and also to avoid contact with the wind turbine  16  when it is in the lowered position. The lights  36  can be raised to 9 feet. As with the other operational specifications, those of the lights  36  and poles  32  can and will vary without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0026]    An electronics box  40  is located at the forward end of the trailer  12 . The box  40  houses batteries  44  to store power from the wind turbine and solar panels, an inverter  46  for converting DC current to AC current. Also, a controller  48  for the wind turbine  16  and solar panels  38  is included. The batteries are rechargeable, and if necessary can accept power from the electrical grid. 
         [0027]    The trailer includes four stabilizers  40  attached to the trailer  12  that can be lowered during operation to ensure the trailer  12  does not tip or move, especially when the wind turbine  16  is raises and in operation. 
         [0028]      FIG. 11  shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising a stationary device  10 . The device  10  includes a turbine  16  mounted to a pole  18 . A solar panel array  38  also mounted to the pole  18 . The electronics  40  (battery, inverter, and controller) are housed in the base of the pole  18 . Further, lights  36  are located on the pole  18 . 
         [0029]    The device  10  of the present invention substantially solves the problems of the prior art by providing a portable lighting source that does not rely on the power grid, and is powered by renewable energy sources thereby preventing emission of pollutants and/or greenhouse gases. The device can provide a high level of light from the power stored in the batteries, which comes primarily from solar and wind generated sources. The device can be used to meet all sorts of illumination needs, such as lighting constructions zones, signs, sporting events, concerts, and the like. 
         [0030]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in reference to the Figures, the invention is not so limited. 
         [0031]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods, and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. 
         [0032]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art that have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.