Patent Publication Number: US-2004040325-A1

Title: Solar panel and recreational vehicle arrangement

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement for maintaining an electrical charge level of a recreational vehicle battery and more particularly relates to an arrangement for maintaining an electrical charge level of a recreational vehicle battery through the use of a solar panel mounted on the recreational vehicle.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0002] Recreational vehicles are used in a different manner than may other vehicles. Recreational vehicles may be stationary (i.e., without the engine running) for long periods of time. For example, the recreational vehicle may remain stationary for a period of time while being used on a recreational outing. As another example, the recreational vehicle may remain stationary for a period of time between recreational outings.  
       [0003] When a recreational vehicle is stationary (i.e., engine off), the engine is not providing electrical energy to the battery. During stationary periods, battery drain may occur. A long stationary period may lead to a drained battery condition. Therefore, it would be useful to help avoid battery drain for recreational vehicle batteries during stationary periods.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides an arrangement including a recreational vehicle with living space therein, a roof and a battery; an air conditioning unit proving conditioned air to the living space; a protective shroud enclosing the air conditioning unit and a solar panel for providing energy output for charging the battery, wherein the solar panel is mounted on an outer surface of the protective shroud. In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an arrangement, including a recreational vehicle with living space therein, a roof and a battery; an air conditioning assembly proving conditioned air to the living space; a solar panel for providing energy output for charging the battery, wherein the solar panel is mounted on the air conditioning unit.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recreational vehicle with a solar panel affixed thereto in accordance with one aspect of the present invention; and  
     [0006]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the recreational vehicle of FIG. 1, which includes the solar panel. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0007] An arrangement including a recreational vehicle  100 , an air conditioning unit  180 , a protective shroud  140 , and a solar panel  150  is schematically shown in FIG. 1. According to the present invention, the arrangement provides for maintenance of an electrical charge level of a battery  110  of the recreational vehicle  100 .  
     [0008] The recreational vehicle  100  is a vehicle useful in a variety of applications, including, but not limited to, providing a mobile home. The recreational vehicle  100  has an interior living space  170  (shown by the phantom arrow to indicate location therein) and a roof  105  on the top of the recreational vehicle  100 . Further, the recreational vehicle  100  has at least one battery  110  for supplying electrical energy for starting the vehicle engine, powering accessory devices (such as lights), etc.  
     [0009] The air conditioning unit  180  provides conditioned air to the living space  170  of the recreational vehicle  100 . The air conditioning unit  180  is mounted on top of the roof  105  by means known in the art.  
     [0010] Within the shown example, the air conditioning unit  180  is enclosed by a protective shroud  140 . The protective shroud  140  encloses and protects the air conditioning unit  180 . The protective shroud has an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface  143 . The inner surface faces the air conditioning unit  180 . The outer surface  143  is the surface exposed to the outer environment. Further, the protective shroud  140  has one or more air vents  145  to allow air flow to the air conditioning unit  180  thereunder.  
     [0011] Within the shown example, the protective shroud  140  is aerodynamically designed. The aerodynamic design reduces the amount of air resistance the protective shroud  140  causes when the recreational vehicle  100  is being driven.  
     [0012] The solar panel  150  is provided to charge the battery  110  by converting solar radiation  130  into electrical energy. The solar panel  150  is constructed from materials and methods known in the art. Within the shown example, the solar panel  150  is mounted on the outer surface  143  of the protective shroud  140  in a manner so as to maximize exposure to solar radiation  130 . Also in the shown example, the solar panel  150  is mounted on the protective shroud  140  in a location that does not interfere with or block the air vents  145 .  
     [0013] The mounting of the solar panel  150  on top of the protective shroud  140  has certain advantages. For example, placement of the solar panel  150  on top of the protective shroud  140  may protect the solar panel  150  from being damaged. The roof  105  of the recreational vehicle  100  can be used as a location for storage. By placing the solar panel  150  on top of the protective shroud  140 , the solar panel is removed from areas that may be used for storage, and thus is protected from damage. Further, placement of the solar panel  150  on top of the protective shroud  140  may offer other advantages such as providing unobstructed access to solar radiation  130 , providing a location less prone to becoming muddied or dirtied, etc.  
     [0014] The outer surface  143  of the shroud  140  may have a recessed center portion. Within the shown example, the solar panel  150  is located within the recessed portion to further enhance aerodynamic properties and/or protection abilities of the shroud  140 .  
     [0015] The solar panel  150  is operatively connected  160  to the battery  110 . In the shown example, the operative connection  160  includes wires that extend from the solar panel  150  to interact with an electrical system  120  and wires that extend to the battery  160 . The electrical system  120  provides, inter alia, voltage regulation of energy supplied to the battery. In one specific example, the wires of the operative connection  160  extend from the solar panel  150  and pass directly through the protective shroud  140  and into the electrical system  120 . It is contemplated that the wires  160  may extend from the solar panel  150  and pass around the protective shroud  140  without directly passing through the same and then continue to the electrical system  120  and battery  110 .  
     [0016] It is contemplated that the arrangement may further include a control means that prevents the solar panel  150  from charging the battery  110  when the recreational vehicle  100  is in operation and allows the solar panel  150  to charge the battery  110  when the recreational vehicle  100  is not in operation. The control means may include a switch device (not shown). The switch may be automatically regulated. In one example, the switch may sense whether the engine of the recreational vehicle  100  is operating and only allow the solar panel  150  to charge the battery  110  when the engine is not operating. In the alternative, a manually operated switch device may be within the interior of the recreational vehicle  100  in a location readily accessible to a driver. The switch may be driver-operated and be any form including, but not limited to, a toggle switch, a push button switch or an electronic switch.  
     [0017] The present invention is useful in maintaining the electrical charge level of the battery  110  of the recreational vehicle  100 . The solar panel  150  of the present invention is especially useful for the recreational vehicle  100  in storage or non-operation conditions. Thus, the solar panel  150  can protect against excessive battery drainage when the recreational vehicle  100  is in storage or otherwise not in operation for a period of time.  
     [0018] For example, the air conditioning unit  180  may be provided as an air conditioning assembly (not shown). The air conditioning assembly comprises, inter alia, the air conditioning unit  180 . As another example, the air conditioning assembly is provided without a protective shroud  140  and the solar panel  150  is mounted directly on the air conditioning unit  180 .  
     [0019] From the above description of the invention, those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the appended claims.