Patent Publication Number: US-2013234605-A1

Title: Hybrid Outdoor Streetlamp Assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a hybrid outdoor lamp assembly for providing overhead light at night or the like, where a lamp of the assembly is powered by both a solar panel array and a wind turbine of the assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to such a lamp assembly where the wind turbine is a vertical-axis wind turbine that is mounted at a midpoint within a vertical pole of the assembly, the lamp is an LED lamp mounted above the turbine, and the solar panel array is mounted above the lamp. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     As is known, an outdoor lamp is typically provided to generate and emit light during nighttime or other times when ambient outdoor lighting is lacking. Such an outdoor lamp often is often mounted atop a pole or the like, and is provided in most any area where such emitted light may be needed, including on a street, in a park, in a parking lot, on a walking path, in a yard, at a storefront, at a building entry, etc. In many cases such an outdoor lamp is powered by electricity or the like as is generated, transmitted, and/or distributed by a power supplier. As should be appreciated, then, wiring and/or other distribution structures and materials must be provided to supply the powering electricity from an available source to the outdoor lamp. 
     At times, however, such an available source for the powering electricity may not be readily available and/or such wiring and/or other distribution structures and materials may not be readily available. Correspondingly, providing such available source and/or such wiring and/or other distribution structures and materials may be problematic, for any of a multitude of reasons. As but one example, it may be that the outdoor lamp is required in the middle of a field or at a beach, but that the available source of powering electricity is relatively far away, or that stringing wiring to the outdoor lamp is prohibited due to safety concerns, among other things. 
     In a similar manner, it may be that, regardless of whether an available source for the powering electricity is readily available and/or such wiring and/or other distribution structures and materials is readily available, a desire is expressed to power the outdoor lamp without the use of such available source of powering electricity. For example, it may be that the cost of such powering electricity is deemed prohibitively expensive, or that the cost of providing such wiring and/or other distribution structures and materials is deemed prohibitively expensive. Similarly, it may be that a desire is expressed to power the outdoor lamp by so-called renewable energy sources, such as from wind power, solar power, and/or the like, in which case the wiring and/or other distribution structures and materials would not be required. 
     In any such instance, it is known to operate an outdoor lamp by the aforementioned wind power and/or solar power or a combination thereof. In particular, it is known to include the outdoor lamp within a hybrid outdoor lamp assembly that also includes a solar panel array, a wind turbine and generator, and related equipment that stores power generated by the solar panel array and the wind turbine in a battery and that delivers the stored power from the battery to the outdoor lamp as needed. 
     Typically, although by no means necessarily, such a hybrid outdoor lamp assembly is generally formed to appear as and is perceived by the general public as a generally vertical pole, where at least the outdoor lamp is mounted near the top of the pole. Thus, the light emitted by the outdoor lamp spreads to a broader ground area. As should be appreciated, such a pole should have a relatively small overall lateral extent a relatively large height, and therefore is perceived as generally unobtrusive, at least aesthetically. 
     In the prior art, many hybrid outdoor lamp assembly manufacturers employ relatively large solar panel arrays that are attached laterally to the pole and thus appear to ‘hang off’ the side of the pole. Significantly, such relatively large solar panel arrays hanging off the side of the pole impart a relatively large overall lateral extent to the pole, and thus are perceived as being obtrusive and unaesthetic. Moreover, from an architectural point of view, such relatively large solar panels look wholly out of place and the overall visual appearance imparted thereby has been known to elicit disgust and even revulsion. 
     In the prior art, many hybrid outdoor lamp assembly manufacturers employ horizontal-axis wind turbines. As should be understood, such turbines rotate on an axis that is generally horizontal, and thus have relatively long windmill-type turbine blades, perhaps on the order of four or five feet, that extend generally radially from such horizontal axis. Significantly, such relatively long turbine blades also impart a relatively large overall lateral extent to the pole, and thus are also perceived as being obtrusive and unaesthetic. 
     In the prior art, other hybrid outdoor lamp assembly manufacturers employ vertical-axis wind turbines. As should be understood, such turbines rotate on an axis that is generally vertical, and thus have blades arranged to extend axially along such vertical axis. While such turbines are typically generally coaxial with the overall vertical extent of the pole, such manufacturers have not taken care to reign in the overall lateral extent of such vertical-axis wind turbines, and such overall lateral extent again is perceived as being obtrusive and unaesthetic. 
     In the prior art, when vertical-axis wind turbines are employed, such vertical turbines are mounted on top of the poles. Thus, the turbines are effectively supported only at the bottom thereof and are particularly vulnerable to wind shear force. In particular, such shear force acts laterally to the axis of the turbine and if strong enough can disengage the turbine from the pole. Moreover, such shear force has been found to exert excessive axial bending force on the axis of the generator, particularly if directly coaxially connected to the axis of the generator, thus excessively wearing and even destroying the bushing or other mount within which the axis of the generator is secured. 
     A need exists then, for a hybrid outdoor lamp assembly with a solar panel array that is attached atop the pole so as to be perceived as being unobtrusive and aesthetic. Also, a need exists for such a hybrid outdoor lamp assembly that employs a vertical-axis wind turbines with a relatively small overall lateral extent so as to also be perceived as being unobtrusive and aesthetic. Further, a need exists for such a hybrid outdoor lamp assembly with a vertical-axis wind turbine that is mounted at a midpoint of the pole such that the turbine is effectively supported both at the bottom and top thereof and is not vulnerable to wind shear force. Finally, a need exists for such a hybrid outdoor lamp assembly that has improved overall aesthetics so that the assembly blends harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned need is satisfied by an outdoor light assembly structured as a generally vertically oriented pole, where the assembly includes a lamp atop the pole, a wind turbine attached to a generator, and a battery. The wind turbine drives the generator and the generator outputs electrical energy upon being so driven, and the battery stores the electrical energy outputted by the generator and delivers the stored energy to the lamp. The wind turbine is housed within a cage defined in the pole at a midpoint in a vertical extent of the pole and generally coaxial with the pole. The midpoint is defined by structures of the pole both above and below such midpoint, and the turbine is supported within the cage in the pole at both upper and lower regions thereof by being coupled to the structure of the pole both above and below. 
     The assembly may also include a solar panel array atop the lamp for outputting electrical energy, where the battery also stores the electrical energy outputted by the solar panel array and delivers such stored energy to the lamp. The solar panel array atop the lamp is substantially hidden from below by the pole and the lamp. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a generally hybrid outdoor lamp assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where the assembly includes a solar panel array on top, a lamp underneath the solar panel assembly, and a vertical-axis wind turbine and generator underneath the lamp; 
         FIG. 2  is a top-down view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and shows the solar panel array atop the lamp; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a partially cut-away and exploded view of the turbine and generator and related components of the assembly of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where the blades of the turbine have been omitted for the sake of clarity; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a partially cut-away view of the turbine and generator and related components of the assembly of  FIG. 1  as positioned within the pole in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where the blades and supports of the turbine have been omitted for the sake of clarity; 
         FIG. 4  is a top-down view of a representative one of the blade supports of the turbine of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of a representative one of the blades of the turbine of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of the electrical elements of the assembly of  FIG. 1  as interconnected in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain terminology may be used in the following description for convenience only and is not considered to be limiting. For example, the words “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, and “back” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Likewise, the words “inwardly” and “outwardly” are directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the referenced object. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is seen that the present disclosure sets forth a hybrid outdoor light assembly  10  in accordance with various embodiments of the present innovation, where the assembly  10  is generally structured as a generally vertically oriented pole  11  or the like which includes a lamp  12 , a solar panel array  14  ( FIG. 2 ) which acts as a first source of energy, a wind turbine  16  attached to a generator  18  ( FIGS. 3-5 ) which acts as a second source of energy, and a battery  20  ( FIG. 6 ) which stores the energy sourced by the solar panel array  14  and generator  18  and which delivers the stored energy to the lamp  12  at appropriate times. Generally, the hybrid outdoor lamp assembly  10  as developed resolves design flaws inherent in prior art assemblies by integrating the lamp  12 , solar panel array  14 , turbine  16 , generator  18 , and battery  20  into the aforementioned pole  11  in a manner that is technically sound and aesthetically pleasing. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the pole  11  of the assembly  10  houses and/or supports the lamp  12 , solar panel array  14 , turbine  16 , generator  18 , and battery  20 . Such pole  11  may be formed as a unitary body, perhaps with appropriate accessing panels as needed, or may be formed as multiple individual parts that are combined in an appropriate manner, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation. Inasmuch as the pole  11  is intended to be both functional and decorative, such pole  11  may be imparted with any appropriated decorative design, such as for example fluting, florets, carved designs, etc. Likewise, the pole  11  may be circular or rectangular in cross-section. As presently envisioned, the pole  11  may be constructed from a light-weight durable material such as a cast aluminum or steel or the like, although other materials including plastic, elastomeric, and polymeric materials may also be employed. 
     In order to be aesthetically pleasing, it is expected that the pole  11  should be relatively thin in general lateral extent (i.e., left-to-right in  FIG. 1 ) and relatively tall in vertical extent (i.e., top-to-bottom in  FIG. 1 ). That said, the pole  11  may have any appropriate dimensions as may be required based on design and use considerations, among other things. Thus, it is expected that the pole  11  and the assembly  10  overall may be anywhere from 6 to 40 feet tall or more. Presumptively, the pole  11  is to be anchored with respect to the ground in a manner so that the pole  11  and assembly  10  are not blown over by any wind that can reasonably be expected. Thus, the pole  11  may be planted in the ground or may be anchored to a base that has been planted in the ground, in a manner that should be understood by the relevant public and therefore need not be set forth herein in any detail. Generally, the pole  11  may have any appropriate design without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation. 
     The lamp  12  is as was set forth above powered from the battery  20  and therefore should be a relatively low-power lamp that can emit a sufficient amount of light based on the area to be lit, the capacity of the battery  20 , the amount of time that the lamp  12  is expected to be on, and the amount of light required from the lamp  12 . While the lamp  12  may be any appropriate lamp without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation, it is presently expected that the lamp  12  will be an LED (light emitting diode) lamp  12  with an array of LEDs, especially inasmuch as such an LED lamp  12  is known to be able to emit light in an efficient manner and with relatively low power needed to do so. In various embodiments, such an LED lamp  12  is expected to consume 30-80 watts at 12-24 volts DC, although other requirements may also be employed. 
     As may be appreciated, the lamp  12  may take any appropriate form and may be incorporated into the assembly  10  in any appropriate manner without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation. Thus, it may be that the lamp  12  is a fixture set within a cage defined by the pole  11  adjacent the top thereof, or that the lamp  12  is a fixture separate from the pole  11  but attached thereto at the top thereof, or that the lamp  12  is a fixture mounted around pole  11  adjacent the top thereof, or that the lamp  12  is a plurality of fixtures mounted around the pole  11 , among other things. Generally, the fixture and lamp  12  may have any appropriate design without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation. 
     The solar panel array  14  as was set forth above acts as a first source of energy to the battery  20  by converting sunlight into electrical energy. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the solar panel array  14  may rest atop the lamp  12 , and accordingly may be substantially hidden atop the assembly  10  from below by the pole  11 , such lamp  12  and/or adjacent structures. Thus, the solar panel array  14 , which may be perceived to be aesthetically ungainly, does not detract from the overall aesthetic appearance of the assembly  10 , at least any more than is necessary. The solar panel array  14  may be of any particular manufacture, size, and physical arrangement as may be deemed necessary or advisable. Such solar panel array  14  is generally know, and therefore need not be described herein in any particular detail other than that which is provided. In various embodiments, such solar panel array  14  is expected to supply 10-150 watts at peak sunlight conditions, although other requirements may also be employed. 
     In order that the solar panel array  14  may be hidden atop the assembly  10 , it may be that the array  14  is of a relatively high efficiency and therefore is relatively smaller, perhaps on the order of about 2 square feet in surface area. Such high efficiency in such array  14  is increasingly being demanded and achieved, and therefore is realistic. Also, it may be that the top of the pole  11  and/or the lamp  12  is relatively large so as to hide the array  14 . For example, and as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it may be that the array  14  is mounted atop a fixture within which the lamp  12  is mounted, where the fixture in turn is mounted to the top of the pole  11 , and that the fixture has a relatively broad generally horizontal top surface that acts to shield the array  14  from viewing from below, perhaps on the order of 24 inches in lateral extent. 
     Note here that such a lamp fixture may include a mount to which the array  14  is affixed, and that the mount may be designed to impart a slight tilt to the mounted array  14 , perhaps on the order of 15 degrees or so from horizontal, as is best seen in  FIG. 1 . As should be appreciated, such a slight tilt may assist to aim the array  14  toward sunlight, and also acts to allow rain water and snow melt water to roll off the surface of the array  14 . Alternately, it may be that the array  14  is mounted atop a cage on the pole  11  within which the aforementioned lamp fixture resides, the cage has the aforementioned relatively broad generally horizontal top surface with the mount. Generally, the array  14  may have any appropriate design without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3-5 , the turbine  16  as was set forth above acts as a second source of energy to the battery  20  ( FIG. 6 ) by converting wind energy into rotational energy which drives the generator  18 . As was set forth above, the turbine  16  is a vertical-axis wind turbine or the like, which has as its salient features a number of blades  22  (omitted from  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  but shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) which are oriented to longitudinally extend generally vertically and thus generally axially with respect to the axis  24  of the turbine  16 . Accordingly, the turbine  16  and the blades  22  thereof prominently extend generally vertically, and not generally horizontally, which is to say that the vertical extent of the turbine  16  is much more prominent than the horizontal extent thereof. As a result, and as was alluded to above, the turbine  16  may be considered to be much more visually aesthetically pleasing than any horizontal-axis wind turbine, and by extension the pole  11  and assembly  10  overall are also considered to be much more visually aesthetically pleasing. 
     Although the turbine  16  may be most any vertical-axis wind turbine without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation, it is to be appreciated that the turbine  16  should be powerful enough to charge the battery  20  sufficiently along with the solar panel array  14 . In various embodiments, such turbine  16  is expected to supply 10-300 watts at peak wind conditions, although other requirements may also be employed. Depending on wind and sun conditions at the locale where the assembly  10  is installed, it may be that only the turbine  16  alone is necessary to charge the battery  20  ( FIG. 6 ), or that only the solar panel array  14  alone is necessary to charge the battery  20 , or that both are necessary to charge the battery  20 . 
     As shown in at least  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in at least one embodiment, the turbine  16  is designed to have 5 blades  22 , where each blade  22  is oriented to extend longitudinally in a plane generally parallel to the axis  24  of the turbine  16  (i.e., top-to-bottom in both  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). Each blade  22  may be constructed from a lightweight and strong material such as a polycarbonate for durability and to minimize weight. Likewise, each blade  22  may be imparted with an aerodynamic shape judged suitable to efficiently catch wind and thereby rotate the turbine  16 . One such aerodynamic shape for each blade  22  is shown in  FIG. 5 , but it should be appreciated that any appropriate shape may be employed. 
     As is best seen in  FIG. 4 , each blade  22  is held at a tangential angle with respect to the axis  24  so as to maximize wind capture and yet minimize excessive shearing torque on such axis  24 , thereby achieving optimal energy capture from wind without damage to the turbine  16  at normal wind speeds. Empirically, it has been found that such tangential angle may be about 35-45 degrees, but that such tangential angle may require adjustment based on local conditions, materials employed, etc. Also empirically, it has been found that by vertically angling the blades  22  a small amount, perhaps on the order of 5 degrees, additionally efficiencies may be obtained. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , to hold the blades  22  at the aforementioned tangential angle, the turbine  16  may include a pair of supports  26  that are coaxially mounted on the axis  24  at upper and lower locations thereon. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , each support  26  includes a number of arms  28  corresponding to the number of blades  22  of the turbine, where each arm  28  has a blade  22  affixed thereto. As also seen, each arm  28  includes a tangential angle surface  30  that abuts the affixed blade  22  and defines the tangential angle thereof. Generally, the turbine  16  may have any appropriate design and construction without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation. 
     In various embodiments, and as best seen in  FIG. 1 , the turbine  16  is of housed within the pole  11  by being situated within an open cage  32  or other similar structure defined at a midpoint in the vertical extent of the pole  11 . Such a midpoint may generally be any point within the vertical extent of the pole  11  that is not at the top or bottom of the pole  11 . Thus, the lamp  12  may reside atop the cage  32  in the pole  11  and the turbine  16  in such cage  32 . Notably, such a midpoint requires that the pole  11  include structure both above and below. As such, the turbine  16  may be supported within the pole  11  at both upper and lower regions thereof by being coupled to the structure of the pole  11  both above and below, in a manner that will be set forth in more detail below. 
     Also notably, such an open cage  32  is conceived to vertically extend along the pole  11  and laterally from the pole  11  in a manner so that the cage  32  is generally coaxial with the pole  11  and does not materially extend laterally beyond the lateral extent of the pole  11 , at least in a manner that would be perceived to be not visually aesthetically pleasing. That is to say, the cage  32  may indeed extend laterally beyond the general lateral extent of the pole  11 , but should only do so in an unobtrusive manner that would be seen to flatter the pole  11  and not ruin the visual lines of the pole  11 , such as is shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, in a case where the pole  11  generally extends laterally about 8 inches (i.e., left-to-right in  FIG. 1 , and particularly below the cage  32 ), it may be that the open cage  32  extends laterally about 14 inches and extends vertically about 48 inches (i.e., top-to-bottom in  FIG. 1 ) and is still perceived to be visually aesthetically pleasing, mainly because the lateral extent of the open cage  32  is so much smaller than the vertical extent thereof, yet is not so much greater than the general lateral extent of the pole  11 . 
     The open cage  32  may be defined within the pole  11  in any appropriate manner, as long as the cage  32  is an open-air structure that receives acceptable wind flow and properly supports the turbine  16  therein, and also as long as the cage  32  and the pole  11  with the cage  32  are structurally sound, and further as long as the cage  32  does not materially weaken the pole  11  or otherwise expose the pole  11  to increased risk of damage or harm. Thus, it may be that the cage  32  is defined laterally by a number of peripheral generally vertical ribs or other similar supports, and also a top structure and a bottom structure to which such vertical ribs are attached. As such, the cage  32  is expected to provide sufficient room for the turbine  16  to be situated therein and rotate freely. 
     Also, the cage  32  is expected to support the turbine  16  therein in an appropriate manner so that the turbine  16  is properly held and is not unduly stressed under normal operating conditions. In particular, and as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the cage  32  in various embodiments includes both a first, upper bracket  34  at about the top structure and a second, lower bracket  34  at about the bottom structure, where the upper and lower brackets  34  support the respective upper and lower ends of the axis  24  of the turbine  16  while allowing the axis  24  and turbine  16  to rotate freely. Thus, the turbine  16  is effectively supported within the upper and lower brackets  34  and is not particularly subject to damage from any wind shear force that acts laterally to the axis  24  of the turbine  16 . The upper and lower brackets  34  may take any appropriate form, including but not limited to the form seen in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , but are each expected to include an appropriate bushing or bearing or the like that receives the respective end of the axis  24  of the turbine  16  and securely holds same while allowing free rotational movement thereof, or are each expected to receive such a bushing or bearing as attached to the respective end of the axis  24  of the turbine  16  (i.e., bushings/bearings  25  shown in  FIG. 3   a ). 
     As was set forth above, the turbine  16  converts wind energy into rotational energy which drives the generator  18 . The generator  18  by extension receives the rotational energy from the turbine  16  and outputs electrical energy, as is known. Such generator  18  may be positioned in the assembly  10  in any appropriate location. That said, it is expected that the generator  18  is positioned immediately below the turbine  16 , as is shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , either within the cage  32  (not shown) or below the cage  32  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and within an internal void defined by the pole  11 . Although the generator  18  may be most any generator without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation, it is to be appreciated that the generator  18  should be energy efficient and should be sized to output the electrical energy at a voltage and current suitable for the battery  20 . 
     It is to be appreciated that the turbine  16  may be directly rigidly linked to the generator  18  and therefore may be coaxial and may even share a common axis. However, such a rigid linkage is not optimal inasmuch as any shearing forces experienced by the axis  24  of the turbine  16  would be transmitted to the axis of the generator  18 , with the result being that the mounting holding the axis of the generator  18  can become weakened and/or damaged. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the turbine  16  and generator  18  are indirectly linked by an appropriate linkage  35 . Such an indirect linkage  35  may be any appropriate linkage such as would be known and/or apparent to the relevant public. For example, such an indirect linkage  35  may be a flexible linkage that transmits rotational forces but not shearing forces. 
     As should be understood, the battery  20  ( FIG. 6 ) receives the energy generated by the solar panel array  14  and by the turbine  16  and stores same until delivered thereby to the lamp  12 . The battery  20  may be any appropriate rechargeable battery as long as such battery  20  is capable of storing a sufficient amount of energy and delivering a sufficient amount of energy to the lamp  12  for a sufficient period of time. For example, the battery  20  may supply energy to the lamp  12  at 12-24 volts DC, and may have enough storage capacity to operate the lamp  12  for 3-5 days. If necessary, the battery  20  may be an array of batteries. Thus, it may be that an array of two batteries has enough capacity to operate the lamp  12  for 6-10 days. 
     The battery  20  may be positioned within the assembly  10  at any appropriate location, although it is expected that the battery  20  may be located at or adjacent the bottom of the pole  11 , perhaps in a void defined therein. Thus, a maintenance worker or the like may easily access the battery  20 , perhaps by way of an access panel in the pole  11  (not shown), for purposes of maintaining such battery  20 . Within the assembly  10 , the battery  20  should be kept from inclement weather and the like so as to remain dry. Thus, the battery  20  is less likely to suffer damage and/or failure based on such inclement weather and the like. Generally, the battery  20  may have any appropriate design without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , it is seen that both the energy generated by the solar panel array  14  and by the turbine  16  are received by the battery  20  by way of a charge controller  36 . The charge controller  36  may be any appropriate controller as long as such controller  36  appropriately regulates the delivery of the energy to the battery  20  in an efficient manner. Thus, the controller  36  ensures that the battery  20  is not overcharged or undercharged, and that the battery is charged at an appropriate voltage, among other things. 
     As with the battery  20 , the charge controller  36  may be positioned within the assembly  10  at any appropriate location, although it is expected that such controller  36  may be located at or adjacent the bottom of the pole  11 , perhaps in a void defined therein. Thus, and again, a maintenance worker or the like may easily access the controller  36 , perhaps by way of an access panel in the pole  11  (not shown), for purposes of maintaining such controller  36 . Generally, the charge controller  36  may have any appropriate design without departing from the spirit and scope of the present innovation. 
     As known, a typical charge controller supplies energy to charge a battery only until the battery is charged, after which the controller diverts the energy away from the battery and to a dummy load. Accordingly, such a battery is not overcharged and damaged thereby. In the present innovation, though, it may be that no specific dummy load is employed. Instead, in the present innovation, the charge controller  36  may supply energy to charge the battery  20  only until such battery  20  is charged, after which the controller  36  diverts the energy away from the battery  36  and directly to the lamp  12 . In such an instance, the lamp  12  acts as the dummy load. As should be understood, the lamp  12  is readily available to be employed as a dummy load, and doing so is not generally harmful to such lamp  12 , especially if the lamp  12  is a long-life LED lamp. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , it is seen that the energy generated by the turbine  16  and converted by the generator  18  may be rectified if need be prior to being applied to the charge controller  36 . In particular, the output of the generator  18  may at times be an alternating current and/or a multi-phase output. In either case, such output should be rectified into an appropriate single-phase direct current (DC) form by an appropriate rectifier  38 . The rectifier  38  may be any appropriate rectifier as long as such rectifier  38  appropriately rectifies the input thereof from the generator  18 , and delivers energy from the turbine  16  to the charge controller  36  in the form of a DC output. 
     Also seen in  FIG. 6  is a photo sensor  40  which may be employed to activate the lamp  12  only when ambient lighting conditions so warrant. As is known, the photo sensor  40  essentially acts as a relay switch that applies the energy from the battery  20  to the lamp  12  when such ambient lighting conditions fall below a predetermined level. Such photo sensor  40  is generally known and therefore need not be described herein in any detail. Such photo sensor  40  may therefore be any appropriate photo sensor. For example, the photo sensor  40  may be a “Flexcharge Night Watchman 12 volt Dusk to Dawn Photoswitch”, among others. Typically, the photo sensor  40  would be positioned on an exterior portion of the assembly  10  adjacent an upper portion thereof in order to sample ambient lighting conditions adjacent the lamp  12 , but not in a location where the activated lamp  12  would affect the photo sensor  40 . Thus, it may be that the photo sensor is above and shielded from the lamp  12 , perhaps adjacent the solar panel array  14 . 
     Note here that in the case where the charge controller  36  employs no specific dummy load, the controller  36  may divert energy away from the battery  36  and directly to the lamp  12  by electronically positively actuating the photo sensor  40  by way of an appropriate signal thereto (represented by the dotted line in  FIG. 6 ). As should be appreciated, such electronic positive actuation causes the photo sensor  40  to apply the energy that would otherwise be stored in the battery  20  to the lamp  12  regardless of ambient lighting conditions. 
     In the foregoing description, it can be seen that the present invention comprises a new and useful hybrid outdoor lamp assembly  10  with a solar panel array  14  that is attached atop the pole  11  of the assembly  10  so as to be perceived as being unobtrusive and aesthetic. The assembly  10  employs a vertical-axis wind turbine  16  with a relatively small overall lateral extent so as to also be perceived as being unobtrusive and aesthetic. The vertical-axis wind turbine  16  is mounted at a midpoint of the pole  11  such that the turbine  16  is effectively supported both at the bottom and top thereof and is not vulnerable to wind shear force. Such an assembly  10  has improved overall aesthetics so that the assembly  10  blends harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. 
     It should be appreciated that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the inventive concepts thereof. For one example, the location of the generator  18  may be above rather than below the turbine  16 , and for another example the solar panel array  14  may be dispensed with if deemed feasible, among other things. It should be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.