Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/406,916, filed 4 Jun. 2013, which is the National Stage International Application No. PCT/CA2013/000543, filed 4 Jun. 2013, and which is a continuation-in-part of a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/507,318, filed 21 Jun. 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,236,762 B2. 
         [0002]    This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/957929, filed 3 Dec. 2015. 
     
    
     SCOPE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a system for the remote monitoring of an autonomous power generating apparatus, and more particularly a system for the monitoring and maintenance of remote lighting and/or security or video installations which may be photovoltaic, wind turbine and/or other direct current source powered. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The use of powered lighting installations is becoming more and more prevalent. Such installations have proven highly effective, particularly when used in remote locations where conventional electrical grid access is not commercially feasible. 
         [0005]    Various third parties, such as United States Patent Publication No. US 2010/0029268 A1 to Myer, published 4 Feb. 2010, have disclosed systems for monitoring and controlling solar powered light installations remotely. In the system developed by Myer, a number of solar powered light poles are provided to wirelessly transmit and receive from a remote controller, information relating to grid usage and/or power outages. The remote controller may be used to activate LED lights on the poles and/or if connected to the grid, supply photovoltaic generated power back into the grid in the case of high load applications. 
         [0006]    The applicant has appreciated, however, that by their nature, the installation of remotely located solar and/or wind powered lighting and other autonomously powered installations presents a unique problem from the point of view of servicing. With conventional solar installation monitoring systems, when a fault or low performance signal is transmitted from a particular solar light pole, the remote location of the solar light pole prevents, on a cost efficiency basis, service technicians from undertaking an initial on-site visit to diagnose the problem. As a result, the manufacturer/maintenance organization will in the first instance, forward replacement parts or components to rectify the perceived “defect”. As a result, light pole repairs are often undertaken which are either inefficient or unnecessary where, for example, low power output or insufficient battery charge results from environmental conditions, such as prolonged periods of cloud cover, or dirt or other organic growth covering photovoltaic cells or other electricity generating components. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention therefore provides for a system of monitoring and/or maintaining remotely located autonomously powered devices. Such devices may include, without restriction, photovoltaic and/or wind powered lights, security systems (video cameras, motion detectors, and/or infra-red lights), parking meters, charging stations, bike rental platforms and/or cellular or radio transmitters, as well as other wind turbine or power generation installations. 
         [0008]    In one mode of operation, the system is operable to receive data signals from a number of the devices, and on detecting a default condition of a particular device, provide a comparison with other similar devices in the same geographic region to assess whether the defect is in fact environmental to devices in a given geographic region, or rather particular to the specific device itself. In another mode of operation, the system is operable to receive data signals from a number of the devices, and on detecting a default condition of a particular device, provide a comparison with other devices of similar technical and situational configuration (across multiple geographies) to assess whether the defect is in fact environmental to components of devices of a given configuration, or rather particular to the specific device itself. In a most preferred mode, data is received and analyzed by a suitable controller such as a processor, and most preferably wirelessly by a central processor which is used in the monitoring and control of a number of separate geographically remote installation sites. 
         [0009]    Another mode of the invention provides a system for the monitoring and/or control of an array of autonomous self-powered devices, such as solar and/or wind powered lights, security cameras, display boards, environmental sensors, telecommunications and the like, and which are typically powered at least in part, by a rechargeable battery or fuel cell (hereinafter the battery). The system is operable to provide for the monitoring and/or control of individual device operating parameters on an individual basis, on a regional basis, or through other groupings such as technical parameters (e.g. by versions of technology) over a preset period of time for day to day operational control, prescheduled maintenance, preventive maintenance, emergency maintenance and life cycle maximization. Although not essential, more preferably, the system includes memory for storing such operating parameters and data. The system may in one embodiment, thus, provide for self-learning algorithms from an analysis of past data, extrapolate future device operating performance expectations and/or parameters, and output modified control commands to the devices in response to the past performance and/or self-learning algorithms remotely. 
         [0010]    In yet another possible mode of control data to the individual solar lights or other load sources of each installation site is weighted or adjusted having regard to either short term projected weather forecasts or events and/or projected seasonal average or long term forecasts. 
         [0011]    In one possible embodiment, environmental conditions such as earlier weather events (sun position, temperature, UV intensity, fog, snow, etc.) are logged and compared against past site power generation and/or load performance. The generation and/or load data is then stored as part of a predictive model to anticipate similar generation and/or load performance values for like weather events moving forward. In a most preferred embodiment, the current operational performance of a site installation is weighted by having regard to past performance during such events and/or controlled predictively having regard to future/current events. 
         [0012]    By way of non-limiting example, where a short term forecast for an installation site at a particular geographic region predicts an upcoming period of inclement weather or rain and cloud cover with high wind velocities, and which for example is characterized as likely to result in increased power generation by the installation site wind turbines, control signals may be sent to the installation site to operation power load with increased output intensity and/or time of operation to reflect the reduced visibility during times of increased power output from turbine generators. 
         [0013]    Similarly where short term forecast data is provided which is indicative of a predicted time period of both lower wind velocity and solar energy generation, as for example on the occurrence of fog and/or extended periods of rain in the absence of significant winds, a control signal may be output to the installation to reduce the operation times and/or intensity of the loads, as for example by reducing the lumen output of solar lights and/or their activation times to reflect any reduced re-charging. 
         [0014]    In addition to short term environmental factors, the output control to the load devices at each installation site may also be regulated by events such as seasonal environmental and/or weather trend factors. By way of example, in northern latitude regions in the spring and fall which are typically characterized by periods of sustained increased winds, the controller may be used to provide control the output loads to increase power output, provide overall brighter lighting and/or longer periods of operation either before complete sunset and/or after complete sunrise, and which would reflect the increased battery recharge capacity attributable to increased wind turbine efficiencies. Similarly during seasonal periods of reduced sunlight exposure and/or the increased tangential impact of solar relative to the solar panel, the controller may be used to provide signals to control the system to provide for the intermittent, selective and/or shortened operation of individual load devices, reduce the overall load intensity of the installation site and/or output times to reflect slower battery recharge capacity. 
         [0015]    According to various non-limiting embodiments, the present invention resides in at least the following aspects: 
         [0000]    1. A maintenance monitoring system for monitoring an operating status of electrical loads and operating parameters of a plurality of autonomously powered discrete devices, said discrete devices being disposed as part of an array located at a first geographic region, the system further including a processing device provided in a second geographic region remote from said first region, each discrete device comprising at least one associated electric load, a generator for generating electricity, a battery for storing electricity produced by said generator and providing electric power to said at least one associated load, a device controller for regulating or controlling a flow of electric power from said generator to said battery and from said battery to said at least one associated load, and a data transmission assembly operable to transmit output data representative of the operating parameters of each of the power generation performance, the battery storage or discharge performance and the at least one associated load, memory for storing said output data of each said discrete device in said array, the processing device being actuable to: compile said output data stored in said memory to determine a regional operating profile for said array for at least one of average power generation performance and average battery storage or discharge performance over a selected period of time, and compile said output data stored in said memory to determine device operating profiles for a selected one of said discrete devices for at least one device power generation performance, and device battery storage or discharge performance over said selected period of time, compare at least one said regional operating profile and at least one said device operating profile, and output a data signal if the compared device operating profile falls outside a predetermined threshold difference from the at least one said regional operating profile, the data signal being indicative of a potential maintenance requirement for said selected discrete device.
 
2. A maintenance monitoring system for a solar light installation, the system comprising, a solar light array comprising a plurality of discretely powered solar light poles operationally disposed in a first geographic region, a processing assembly being disposed in a second geographic region remote from said first region, and memory, each solar light pole having a power generator including at least one photovoltaic panel, a light providing an electrical load, a battery for receiving and storing electricity generated by the photovoltaic panel, a pole controller for controlling the power charging and discharge of the battery and at least one of the operating time and intensity of said light, at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of an anemometer, a photovoltaic sensor, a pollution sensor, a wind vane, an environmental sensor and a battery temperate sensor and a data transmission assembly operable to wirelessly communicate output data both from said at least one sensor and data representative of the power generator performance and battery charging and discharge performance, the memory provided for storing the output data for each light pole in the solar light array, the processing assembly being actuable to: compile said output data stored in said memory to determine a regional operating profile for said array for at least one of aggregate power generation performance and aggregate battery storage or discharge performance over a selected period of time, and compile said output data stored in said memory to determine device operating profiles for a selected one of said discrete devices for at least one device power generation performance, and device battery storage or discharge performance over said selected period of time, compare at least one said regional operating profile and at least one said device operating profile, and output a data signal if the compared device operating profile falls outside a predetermined threshold difference from the at least one said regional operating profile, the data signal being indicative of a potential maintenance requirement for said selected discrete device.
 
3. A system for monitoring an operating status of a plurality of autonomously powered discrete devices, devices selected from one or more of the group consisting of light poles, security camera installations, parking meters, charging stations, bike rental platforms, display boards, environmental sensors, and telecommunication installations, said discrete devices being disposed in an array located at a first geographic region, the system further including a processing assembly provided at a second geographic region remote from said first region, each discrete device comprising a plurality of associated electric loads, a generator for generating electricity, a battery for storing electricity produced by said generator and providing electric power to said plurality of loads, a device controller for controlling a flow of charging electric power from said generator to said battery and discharge power from said battery to said electric loads, and a data transmission assembly, the data transmission assembly being operable to transmit output data representative of the operating parameters of the power generation performance of the generator, the storage or discharge performance of the battery and the load status of the associated electric loads, memory for storing said output data from each said discrete device in said array, and the processing assembly is operable to: compile said output data stored in said memory to determine regional operating profiles for aggregate power generation performance of said array and aggregate battery storage and/or discharge performance of said array over a selected period of time, and compile said output data stored in said memory to determine device operating profiles for a selected one of said discrete devices for device power generation performance of selected device, and device battery storage or discharge performance for the selected device over said selected period of time, compare at least one said regional operating profile and at least one said device operating profile, and output a data signal if the compared device operating profile falls outside a predetermined threshold difference from the at least one said regional operating profile.
 
4. A maintenance monitoring system for monitoring an operating status of electrical loads and operating parameters of a plurality of autonomously powered discrete devices, said discrete devices being disposed as part of an array located at a first geographic region, the system further including a processing device provided in a second geographic region remote from said first region, each discrete device comprising at least one associated electric load, a generator for generating electricity, a battery for storing electricity produced by said generator and providing electric power to said at least one associated load, a device controller for regulating or controlling a flow of electric power from said generator to said battery and from said battery to said at least one associated load, and a data transmission assembly operable to transmit output data representative of the operating parameters of each of the power generation performance, the battery storage or discharge performance and the at least one associated load, the data transmission assembly being operable to receive input control signals to at least one said discrete device to effect a change in said flow of electricity by said device controller, memory for storing said output data of each said discrete device in said array, the processing device being actuable to: compile said output data stored in said memory to determine a regional operating profile for said array for at least one of average power generation performance and average battery storage or discharge performance over a selected period of time, compile said output data stored in said memory to determine device operating profiles for a selected one of said discrete devices for at least one device power generation performance, and device battery storage or discharge performance over said selected period of time, compare at least one said regional operating profile and at least one said device operating profile, and the processing device being operable to output said input device control signals to the selected discrete device in response to at least one of the compared at least one regional operating profile and the at least one device operating profile, and the compiled environmental data.
 
5. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the aggregate power generation performance and/or aggregate battery storage or discharge performance is calculated as one or more of an average performance, a mean performance, a median performance and/or a projected or calculated trend performance.
 
6. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein each discrete device includes a plurality of said electric loads, the electric loads comprising at least one of an LED light, a security camera, a bicycle charging stand, or parking meter.
 
7. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the data transmission assembly is operable to receive and transmit to said device controller input device control signals for controlling the power output of said generator or said battery.
 
8. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the generator includes a photovoltaic generator comprising a plurality of solar panels.
 
9. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspect, wherein the generator comprises a combination wind/solar generator including at least one wind turbine and at least one solar panel.
 
10. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the memory stores further output data representative of the operating parameters of each of the power generation performance and battery storage or discharge performance of a plurality of said discrete devices provided as part of a further array, said further array being disposed at a third geographic location remote from said first geographic location, the processing device being actuable to compile said further output data to determine additional regional operating profiles for said further array, and compare the additional regional operating profiles and at least one of the regional operating profile and the at least one device operating profile.
 
11. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the discrete devices comprise solar powered lamp posts and the at least one associated load includes at least one light.
 
12. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the processing device is operable to output input device control signals to the selected discrete device in response to the output data signal.
 
13. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the output data signal is indicative of at least one of a fault and/or failure of at least one of said generator, said battery and said associated load in the selected discrete device.
 
14. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, comprising a plurality of further arrays located in further geographic regions remote from said first geographic region, each further array comprising a plurality of associated autonomously powered discrete devices, said memory storing further output data representative of the operating parameters of the power generation performance and the battery storage and discharge performance of the associated discrete devices, the processing device operable to compile some or all of the data from said further arrays over a second selected period of time to determine further regional operating profiles, compare the regional operating profile with selected ones of said further regional operating profiles, and output a further data signal if the regional operating profile falls outside a predetermined threshold difference from the selected further regional operating profiles.
 
15. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said processing assembly is further operable to effect the transmission of programming signals to the device controller of said selected discrete devices to modify at least one operating configuration selected from the group consisting of a configuration of said generator, a charging schedule of said battery, a level of power flowing to said at least one associated load, and an operating schedule of said associated load.
 
16. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the autonomously powered discrete devices comprise security installations and the at least one associated load is selected from the group consisting of a video sensing camera, an infrared light sensor, and a motion detector.
 
17. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said output data signal is selected to provide a distinction between operation anomalies resulting from environmental conditions and operation anomalies that result of a hardware failure.
 
18. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said output data signal is provided as an indication of scheduled maintenance and/or inspection requirements of said selected discrete device.
 
19. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said discrete devices are selected from the group consisting of parking meters, charging stations, bike rental platforms, display boards, environmental sensors, and telecommunication installations.
 
20. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein at least one of said discrete devices in said array further comprises environmental sensors for detecting at least one environmental parameter selected from the group consisting of temperature, air movement, and light intensity, said data transmission assembly being further operable to transmit data representative of said environmental parameters for storage in said memory.
 
21. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said data transmission assembly comprises a transmitter selected from the group consisting of Zigbee, cellular, Ethernet, and WiFi.
 
22. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said processing device is further operable to effect the transmission of testing signals to said discrete devices so as to cause said discrete devices to perform voltage tests and/or short circuit tests.
 
23. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said output data signal is selected to provide an indication of an operation anomaly resulting from improper installation of said selected discrete device.
 
24. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said predetermined threshold is adjustable on the basis of a performance history of the maintenance monitoring system and/or an operating history of the discrete devices.
 
25. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the pole controller is a programmable controller, the processing assembly operable to transmit programme instructions to the data transmission assembly to re-programme the light controller of at least one of said of said solar powered lights, and the aggregate power generation performance and/or aggregate battery storage or discharge performance is calculated as one or more of an average performance, a mean performance, a median performance, and a projected trend performance.
 
26. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the processing assembly is operable to transmit said programme instructions to the selected light pole in response to the output signal.
 
27. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the solar powered light array comprises at least ten said light poles, and said first geographic region comprises an area of at least 0.5 hectares, the processing assembly and memory being disposed at geographic regions at least 100 km from the first geographic region.
 
28. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the electric loads comprise at least one of an LED light, a security camera, a bicycle charging stand, a parking meter, a display, and a wireless telecommunication transmitter, and the aggregate power generation performance and/or aggregate battery storage or discharge performance is calculated as one or more of an average performance, a mean performance, a median performance, and a projected trend performance.
 
29. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the data transmission assembly is operable to receive and transmit to said device controller input device control signals for controlling the power output of said generator or said battery, the generator including at least one solar panel and at least one wind turbine generator.
 
30. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the memory stores further output data representative of the operating parameters of the power generation performance, battery storage and/or battery discharge performance of a plurality of said discrete devices provided in a further array, said further array being disposed at a third geographic location remote from both of said first and second geographic locations, the processing assembly being actuable to compile said further output data to determine additional regional operating profiles for said further array, and compare the additional regional operating profiles and at least one of said regional operating profile and the compared device operating profile.
 
31. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said processing assembly is further operable to effect the transmission of programming signals to the device controller of said selected discrete devices to modify at least one operating configuration selected from the group consisting of a configuration of said generator, a charging schedule of said battery, a level of power flowing to at least one said associated loads, and an operating schedule of at least one of said associated loads.
 
32. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said output data signal is selected to provide a distinction between operation anomalies in said discrete device resulting from environmental conditions and operation anomalies that result of a hardware failure.
 
33. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said processing device being actuable to receive predictive near-term weather data for said first geographic region, and further wherein said processing device signals said data transmission assembly to transmit to said device controller input device programming signals in response to the received predictive near-term weather data.
 
34. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said processing device being actuable to receive and/or store predictive seasonal environmental data for said first geographic region, wherein said processing device signals said data transmission assembly to transmit programming signals to said device controller input device in response to said predictive seasonal data.
 
35. A system according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein said processing device is actuable to receive data selected from the group consisting of predictive near-term weather data for the first geographic region and predictive seasonal environmental data for the first geographic region, and wherein said processing device further outputs programming signals to the data transmission assembly to effect a change in the regional operating profile for said array in response to said received environmental data.
 
36. A method for using a system in accordance with any of the foregoing aspects further wherein one or more conditions and/or events are logged and compared against at least one of theoretical power generation and/or load, past power generation and/or load and remote installation power generation and/or made for conditions or events to analyze current operational performance and/or a predictive model performance.
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Reference will now be had to the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows schematically a system for the monitoring and maintenance of a remotely located autonomously powered lighting installation in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates schematically an autonomously powered light pole for use in the installation of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates schematically a light pole communication and monitoring controller used to regulate power storage and/or power to light pole loads; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart showing the monitoring and maintenance control logic for the autonomously powered lighting installation of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates an autonomously powered lighting and security camera pole for use in the installation of  FIG. 1  in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates schematically a security pole communication and monitoring controller used to regulate power storage and/or power to security pole loads. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Reference may be had to  FIG. 1  which illustrates schematically a monitoring, control and maintenance system  10  for remotely located autonomously powered lighting, security/video, monitoring (weather, environmental (including pollution), industrial (flow, sewage, water) or telecommunications (cellular, WiFi, etc.) installation systems. In the embodiment shown, the system  10  includes an autonomously powered light pole array  12 , a central processing unit (CPU)  14  for receiving operational data signals from and providing central signals to the array  12  and a data storage repository  16 . The light pole array  12 , central processing unit  14  and data storage repository  16  are most preferably provided in wireless electronic communication by a suitable cellular, Zigbee or WiFi communications network  18 . 
         [0024]    The light pole array  12  preferably consists of a number of autonomously powered light poles  20  which are installed for operations at a geographic location remote from the CPU  14 . The light poles  20  forming each array  12  may optionally include at least one telecommunications aggregator pole  20 ′, as well as a number of conventional poles  20 . In particular, by reason of their autonomous power source, the light poles  20  are particularly suitable for installation in geographically remote regions which, for example, may lack conventional power infrastructure such as electrical or telephone transmission lines, or even seasonal roads. In this regard, the light pole array  12  may be situated several hundred or even thousands of kilometers from the CPU  14 , not only in developed areas, but also along borders or in other geographically inaccessible areas. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows best the basic design of each light pole  20  using the system  10 . The poles  20  include an aluminum column  22  which extends vertically from a hollow base  24 . The column  22  is used to mount above the ground a pair of LED lights  26   a,    26   b  as respective electric loads, as well as a pair of solar or photovoltaic panels  28   a,    28   b  and a top mounted wind turbine generator  30 . A fuel cell or battery  38  is housed within the interior of the base. As will be described, the fuel cell  38  both receives and stores charging electric current generated by the photovoltaic panels  28   a,    28   b  and wind generator  30 , and supplies a discharge electric current to the LED lights  26   a , 26   b  in response to control signals received from a pole communications and monitoring controller  42 . 
         [0026]    The photovoltaic panels  28   a , 28   b  and wind turbine generator  30  are each electronically coupled to respective voltage/current sensors  32   a , 32   b , 34 . The voltage/current sensors  32   a , 32   b , 34  are operable to provide signals correlated to the voltage and electric current generated by the panels  28   a,    28   b  and wind turbine  30  in real time. In addition to the current sensors  32   a , 32   b , 34 , each pole  20  includes additional sensors for monitoring environmental and/or pole operating parameters. Optionally, a photovoltaic sensor  44  is provided to provide signals respecting ambient and/or sun light at each pole location. 
         [0027]    Similarly a battery temperature sensor  40  within the interior of the column adjacent to the fuel cell  38  provides data relating to the battery temperature and/or ambient air temperature. In addition, optionally wind sensors may be provided as either a separate anemometer, or more preferably as part of the turbine generator  30  itself. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows best schematically the pole communications and monitoring controller  42  as being operable to receive data signals from the sensors  32   a , 32   b , 34 , 44 , 46  and provide control signals to regulate the supply of charging current from power generation produced by the photovoltaic panels  28   a , 28   b  and wind generator  30  to the fuel cell  38 , as well as battery status and the discharge supply current therefrom to the LED lights  26   a , 26   b.  Although not essential, most preferably, the communications and monitoring controller  42  further includes signal transmission and reception capability allowing the communication and/or transmission data and programming respecting the operating parameters of the pole  20 , fuel cell  38  and/or load conditions between adjacent poles  20  within the light pole array  12  by either Ethernet or serial USB connections. 
         [0029]    The telecommunications aggregator pole  20 ′ is essentially identical to the other poles  20 , with the exception in that its communications and monitoring controller  42 , which includes a Zigbee, cell, Ethernet, or WIFI transmitter  50  ( FIG. 3 ) configured to upload data and/or receive control programming from the CPU  14  for the entire array  12  via the cellular communications network  18 . In one most preferred embodiment, within the light pole array  12 , each pole  20  is provided with a Zigbee, cell, or Ethernet transmitter to communicate data to the data storage repository  16  directly without going through a telecommunications aggregator pole  20 ′. In a more economical construction, however, a single telecommunications aggregator light pole  20 ′ is provided with the Zigbee or cell transmission capability. The light pole  20 ′ is adapted to receive and retransmit data from the remaining light poles  20  within the array  12  to the cellular communications network. 
         [0030]    In a further optional embodiment, the communications and monitor controller  42  may also electronically communicate with either a stand-alone weather station situated at the remote location, and/or motion detector or other environmental sensors. 
         [0031]    The operation of the system  10  is shown best with reference to  FIG. 4 . In particular, in a most preferred mode of operation, data from the individual light poles  20  is uploaded via the cellular communications network  18  to a cloud-based processing and data storage repository  16 . Although not essential, the use of a central data processing and data storage repository  16  permits multiple individual users accessing their own CPU  14  to monitor, assess and affect maintenance requirements on a number of different geographically remote light pole arrays  12 . In particular, the communications and monitoring controller  42  of the poles  20  in each array  12  monitors inputs from the various sensors  32   a , 32   b , 34 , 44 , 46 . This permits the system  10  to collect and monitor data respecting the voltage and current which is generated by each light pole  20 , turbine  30  and photovoltaic panels  28   a , 28   b,  and record data as external factors such as temperature, wind and/or sunlight conditions at each remote region received from the photovoltaic and environmental sensors  32 , 32   b , 34 , 44 , 46 . 
         [0032]    The system  10  provides the ability to intelligently change the energy use of the individual light pole  20  loads under certain conditions to achieve lower maintenance, better performance, higher reliability and maximize the life cycle of the system. 
         [0033]    By way of example, if a weather forecast for the next 10 days may be for cloudy weather, the system  10  may determine not enough sun will be received. The CPU  14  proactively manages energy use of the light or other system load to manage through this ‘brown-out’ time period. 
         [0034]    Similarly the micro wind environment of specific locations or the sun profiles of a specific location of the pole  20  dictates lower energy generation. It is possible to change the energy use to manage it so that the system  10  delivers light at reduced hours of operations or dimmed levels to ensure the system continues to perform. 
         [0035]    The system  10  further allows for the analysis of specific device or pole  20  performance against all of the other poles  20  (‘calibration in the cloud’). Where on a select pole  20  the solar panels  28  do not operate according to the specifications or according to the expected performance relative to how the other systems are performing, or the battery does not meet specified levels, the system can change the energy use to make the pole  20  perform and meet the life cycle targets. 
         [0036]    The life cycle of the poles  20  may evolve and change due to battery discharges and other stresses. The system  10  allows for recording of the history and performance of the system and to evolve the energy use/charging to maximize the life of the battery. Customization of the battery charging algorithms based upon environment, application and age of the system of the specific unit may also be achieved. 
         [0037]    Most preferably, the communications and monitoring controller  42  includes an internal processor which may pre-filter the collected data to ensure that the individual operating parameters of the light pole  20  are performing within a predetermined acceptable range. Where the sensed data determines that power generation and/or load output falls outside the pre-selected ranges, the communications and monitoring controller  42  may be used to effect power reduction to the loads (i.e. dimming of the LED lamps  26   a,    26   b ) and/or adjust the fuel cell  38  charging time accordingly. 
         [0038]    The data received from the light pole sensors  32   a,    32   b,    34 ,  44 ,  46  is transmitted by the communications and monitoring controller  42  by the telecommunications aggregator pole  20 ′, for each pole in the array  12  via the cellular and/or ZigBee communications network  18  to the data storage repository  16 . 
         [0039]    Data respecting the light pole power generation and load usage as well as environmental data for each pole  20  is stored in the repository  16  for each pole  20  of each array  12 . 
         [0040]    By means of the CPU  14 , a system administrator can thus monitor power generation for the entire array  12  in aggregate, as well as on an individual light pole  20  basis. Similarly, environmental, wind generation and/or photovoltaic conditions can be aggregated for the entire pole array  12  (or part thereof) and compared against individual data on a selected pole-by-pole basis. 
         [0041]    The system  10  thus advantageously allows a user to monitor and control individual light poles  20  having regard to not only the individual pole operating parameters, but also overall environmental conditions. 
         [0042]    In one mode, the system  10  is used to monitor and/or control LED light operations  26   a,    26   b,  and if necessary provide maintenance instructions as a result for a selected light pole  20 . In particular, in the case of LED lights  26   a,    26   b,  initially LED lamps have a tendency to burn with increased brightness in the first instance, characterized by a reduction in lumen output over time. As such, over the lifespan of a conventional LED bulb, the bulbs may be initially too bright, and subsequently insufficiently bright for the intended site of installation. 
         [0043]    In one preferred mode, the CPU  14  is used to transmit control signals  104  to the communications and monitoring controller  42  to operate LED light loads  26   a,    26   b  at reduced power levels for an initial pre-selected period. As the lamps in the LED lights  26   a,    26   b  age, the CPU  14  controls the communications and monitoring controller  42  to increase power to the lights  26  to compensate for any reduction in performance. 
         [0044]    In another embodiment, external data from other sources outside of the system  10  may also be loaded into the data storage repository  16  for the purposes of servicing the pole  20 . In one instance, where there is an external weather forecast of severe weather with high winds, the CPU  14  may by way of communications and monitoring controller  42  modify the power draw from the wind turbine  30  and configure the turbine  30  to be best able to withstand a high wind event that could cause a failure to the system  10 . 
         [0045]    With the present system  10 , the communications and monitoring controller  42  will upload to the data storage repository  16  to log historical profiles of battery performance. Depending upon the number and rate of battery charging and discharging over periods of time, the CPU  14  may by way of the communications and monitoring controller  42  modify the charging and discharging rate to and from the battery  38  with a view to extending battery life performance. In addition, depending upon environmental conditions for the pole array  12  as determined by the photovoltaic and environmental sensors  36 ,  46 , where, for example, the geographic region where the light pole array  12  is subject to prolonged periods of either cloudiness and/or becalmed winds so as to result in a reduction of charging power to the battery, the CPU  14  may be used to signal the communications and monitoring controllers  42  of each light pole  20  within the light pole array  12  to either dim the output light intensity of the LED lights  26   a,    26   b  and/or their operation time to compensate for regional environmental anomalies. 
         [0046]    The present system  10  therefore allows for the remote troubleshooting and performance testing of the solar panels  28   a,    28   b,  as well as the wind turbine  30  for each individual pole  20 , by a remote web based user or smart device  108 . Most preferably, the CPU  14  is operable to effect control signals to the communications and monitoring controller  42  to provide remote open voltage tests and remote short circuit tests on solar panels  28   a,    28   b.  Similar tests for other systems components are also enable by CPU  14 . By assessing the operating data stored in the data storage repository  16  for a number of light poles  20  and/or light pole arrays  12 , it is therefore possible to compare individual light pole  20  performance across an aggregate number of poles to filter environmental versus hardware defects. The analysis of the performance of individual light poles  20  as compared to the aggregate of the light pole array  12  advantageously may eliminate and/or reduce needless service calls, particularly in case of the light pole arrays  12  which are installed at highly remote or physically inaccessible locations. By way of example, typically power line tree removal is currently undertaken on a ten year cycle, irrespective of whether or not an actual determination has been made whether it is needed. The present system therefore allows a system administrator to assess whether or not a number of light poles  20  in a particular array  12  are performing at a substandard level, triggering a call for intelligent maintenance when for example plant growth is adversely effecting the solar panel  28   a,    28   b  and/or wind turbine  30  operation. It also allows for a system administrator to eliminate a scheduled maintenance operation in the event that a light pole  20  is operating according to design objectives. 
         [0047]    Installation Diagnosis 
         [0048]    In a first exemplary mode of operation, the system  10  is used to identify installation defects where for example solar panels are installed in an incorrect orientation or with over shading structures. By comparing individual solar panel degradation within a configuration of multiple panels, and optionally comparing the performance over a longer period of time to take into consideration the seasonal change in power, the system  10  can identify upcoming potential service issues. In another situation, where a visual inspection of pole  20  may indicate potential shading or other issues, the system may identify that such degradation does not affect the overall performance of pole  20  and therefore, no servicing action is required. 
         [0049]    By tracking changing power output levels for each solar panel  28   a,    28   b  over the calendar year and the change in sun position, it is possible to identify incorrectly positioned solar panels  28   a,    28   b  and obstructions arising from seasonal changes by comparing the average solar panel output for the geographic population of the solar panel array. It is also possible to identify individual solar panels  28   a,    28   b  that provide increasing or decreasing outputs on a seasonal basis. Seasonal change in solar output provides an indication that the changing azimuth of the sun causes the solar panels  28   a,    28   b  to be mis- positioned where overlying obstructions may provide shadows. 
         [0050]    In the event performance drops below predetermined thresholds, the CPU  14  is used to output a maintenance control signal to either a third party maintenance technician or alternately power down pole  20  or alter load power to preserve battery integrity. 
         [0051]    Component Failure 
         [0052]    In a second exemplary mode of operation, the system  10  is used to identify component defect or failure for a selected pole  20  within the array  12 . The cloud  16  is used to provide a pooled performance output of the array  12 , taking into consideration internal and external data point factors, on both a calendar and anticipated product lifespan basis. The CPU  14  is used to identify any individual poles  20  which are providing performance output parameters, which fall below a preselected threshold or warranty thresholds from the average performance for the array  12 . In a simplified analysis, individual poles  20 , which are operating below the predetermined threshold of the array  12 , are identified and tagged for possible maintenance or repair. More preferably, individual pole  20  performance as well as array  12  performance is further assessed with respect to the anticipated degradation rates expected by manufacturer. In this regard, the system  10  advantageously may be used to identify arrays  12  where environmental factors have affected array  12 . 
         [0053]    Corresponding assessments may be made with respect to wind turbine  30  performance. In measuring turbine performance of an individual pole  20 , the CPU  14  may be used to assess data from the cloud  16  to provide an indication of anemometer measured wind speed within the geographic region of the array  12  or alternatively a portion of the geographic region. The measured wind speed may be compared against pre-projected energy output of the mass performance of the turbines  30  to identify any individual turbines  30 , which have fallen below acceptable threshold levels. In an alternate embodiment, power output data for a selected number of pole turbines  30  within a portion of the array  12  is used as a reference. Individual turbine  30  output within the sample population is then assessed for any selected poles  20  which are performing below outside threshold tolerance levels. Assessment may be made periodically and/or averaged over various time periods based upon certain factors. In an alternate embodiment, testing may be prescheduled having regard to anticipated optimum wind or environmental conditions, selected to provide the desired reference output. 
         [0054]    In a further exemplary embodiment, battery temperature, depth of discharge and frequency of deep discharge for each battery  38  within the array  12  is recorded and stored within the cloud data repository  16 , over time. The depth and frequency discharge data for individual batteries  38  may thus be compared against averages for the population and optionally adjusted for manufacturer&#39;s anticipated life span degradation to identify instances where battery  38  performance falls below acceptable performance levels. In this manner, the system  10  may be used to highlight and isolate individual poles where individual batteries may be susceptible to individual failure. 
         [0055]    Component Life cycle Degradation 
         [0056]    In a further exemplary embodiment, the system  10  is operated to monitor and predict ongoing maintenance needs for the array  12  as a whole. The system  12  could be used to assess the performance of the entire array  12  against a series of further geographically remote arrays  12 ; as well system  10  may be used to assess an array  12  of poles  20  against the manufacturer&#39;s projected performance having regard to component age. 
         [0057]    Scheduled Maintenance 
         [0058]    In a further exemplary embodiment, the system  10  may be used to identify and or predict scheduled maintenance needs for individual light pole components such as solar panels  28   a,    28   b,  batteries  38 , LED lamps  26   a,    26   b  or other load or energy generation devices. 
         [0059]    The CPU  14  may be used to access historical data from the repository  16  to monitor the discharge supply current for each pole  20  in the individual array  12  and/or alternatively other arrays  12  of similar attributes. On a degradation of the discharge supply current for the selected array  12 , CPU  14  analysis may, for example, provide an indication of dirt fouling of the solar panels  28   a,    28   b  or lights such that systems begin to fall under manufacturer&#39;s performance projections. Data can be compared with environmental data stored on the repository  16  to provide an assessment whether or not solar panel blockage is a result of cloud or fog conditions or more direct environmental impacts such as dust or snow or alike. In the latter case, the system  10  may be used to provide a signal to remote maintenance personnel signalling that the solar panels  28   a,    28   b  or lamps  26   a,    26   b  may need cleaning or other maintenance. Alternatively, the system  10  can be signalled to modify the operation of the system  10  to reduce the discharge power output level and time ensuring the system  10  continues to perform for a longer period of time before the maintenance can be scheduled and delivered. 
         [0060]    By using data stored in the repository  16  for a number of different autonomously powered light installations within similar regions, the system  10  allows for layout and performance calculations to be undertaken using theoretical calculations from tools such as Homer™. In particular, over time the system  10  will gather actual performance data for the light poles  20  within the array  12  and will permit the calculations of variance versus theoretical algorithms allowing future systems to be designed and/or tailored having regard to the actual measured performance data. More preferably, the CPU  14  will allow for the system  10  to self-learn, permitting the modification of theoretical adjustments and/or assumptions, as more and more systems  10  are brought online. 
         [0061]    By the use of the systems  10 , it is further possible to generate performance curves for the individual wind turbine generators  30 . The turbine performance curves can thus permit users to monitor individual turbine power generation for a selected pole  20  as compared to the average for the entire pole array  12 , allowing for an individual assessment of performance and/or deterioration. 
         [0062]    Similarly, the system may be used to provide maintenance warnings or indications of solar or photovoltaic panel deterioration. In particular, as individual photovoltaic panels  28   a,    28   b  become pitted and damaged, by monitoring the performance of power generated for individual poles  20  versus the entire light pole array  12 , or even a regional average of photovoltaic panels for a particular area, it is possible to assess whether maintenance and/or panel replacement may be required where power generation falls below a pre-selected value. 
         [0063]    In yet a further exemplary embodiment, the CPU  14  is operable to access third party predictive environmental data including predictive near-term data such as short term weather forecast data for the coming one to three weeks (i.e. cloud coverage, wind speeds, etc.); as well as predictive seasonal data (sunlight, solar intensity, predicted short term and/or average seasonal temperature, average wind speeds, average precipitation, etc.). In response to the predicted environmental data, the CPU  14  is operable to output control signals via the communications and monitoring controller  42 , to modify load profiles including one or more of power intensity and/or time of operation of the lights and the charging and/or discharging rates to and from the battery 
         [0064]    With the embodiment, load profiles can be configured at the light pole  20  or device, or through the CPU  14 . Either way, the load requirements can be determined from an energy requirements perspective in order to determine how much available energy is available on-hand in the event that energy generation is anticipated to be problematic due to upcoming weather conditions. 
         [0065]    In one possible mode, the CPU  14  determines that the system  10  has an exemplary storage (i.e. five days&#39; worth) of stored energy to operate, assuming the battery  38  is to provide a load profile without degradation, and may be fully recharged by average wind and/or solar output over that time period. Where the CPU  14  receives weather data predicting significant cloud cover approaching for an extended period, the CPU  14  may anticipate situations where the stored available energy on-hand may decrease, and could potentially run out. 
         [0066]    With advance weather predictions available on the Internet, and from third parties, it is possible to predictively forecast when adverse weather conditions are to occur and adjust the operating parameters of the system  10  to extend the amount of energy available, as for example through decreased windows of light operation and/or through dimming of operational light sources. 
         [0067]    In a mode of implementation an operating matrix for each system  10  includes a prediction model for each light  42  or load device based upon its installation GPS coordinates, time, and date. The further north or south that a light  42  or device is located will impact the seasonally maximum amount of energy generated under optimum conditions. A base level matrix may thus be utilized by the CPU  14  to determine on which days the system  10  can be expected to fully recharge batteries  38 , as well as predict situations where battery charging can be compromised. 
         [0068]    The matrix can furthermore be utilized with other diagnostic applications, as for example to determine when the system  10  is not performing as expected. It can also be utilized from a sizing perspective to design new installations to meet the changing light for each individual location, and/or provide diagnosis warning of post installation growth, obstruction, or building that was not present when the system  10  was installed and/or when solar panels  28   a , 28   b  need cleaning due to buildup of materials on the surface of the panel (more noticeable in southern climates where solar panels are angled more horizontally in nature). 
         [0069]    In one possible monitoring mode, the light poles  20  continuously transmit telemetry data to the CPU  14  on a user-configurable schedule. This information may for example include information about monitor sensor activation, low voltage disconnects, low voltage reconnects, etc. The light pole array data is sued by the CPU  14  for predictive analysis of the normal operating environment for each light pole  20  and/or the array  12 . In situations where a motion sensor is included, the CPU  14  could collect data and determine whether the motion sensor activates repeatedly between pre-set period (i.e. the hours of 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. at an office location) which can be used to accurately predict the energy requirements at smaller time intervals. 
         [0070]    On an hourly, daily, etc. period, the CPU  14  will update its weather parameter such as predicted wind speeds and/or predicted sunshine intensity, as for example as a weighted valve calculated by one or more of time of year, period of each system  10  based upon third party weather reporting API. The predictive model will only force changes at the light pole  20 /device level when the amount of storage fails to meet the anticipated load profile and the battery charging profile required to maintain the load profile. In such a case, the CPU  14  provides a control signal to the light pole array  12  requesting a profile change to extend energy storage. The CPU  14  signals will also include recommended programming changes based on the inventory of the attached energy generation devices (solar panels  28   a , 28   b,  wind turbines  30 , etc.), as well as available battery or power storage facilities. 
         [0071]    In addition, the owner/operator of multiple systems  10  can indicate to the CPU  14  which arrays  12  and/or individual light poles  20  have a higher priority than others (security cameras, for example). This information is used by the CPU to weight the operational performance of the light poles having regard to similar weather and/or seasonal conditions and to control that a selected remote light pole  20  or device changes its operating parameters for energy conservation. In one possible mode, a security camera could be kept online as long as possible whilst other loads in the array  12  such as lighting could be dimmed and/or disabled entirely (weather sensors, etc.). 
         [0072]    While  FIG. 2  illustrates a preferred light pole  20  which includes as electric loads a pair of LED lights  26   a,    26   b,  the invention is not so limited. Reference may be had to  FIG. 5  which illustrates a light pole  20  in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, in which like reference numerals are used identify like elements. 
         [0073]    In  FIG. 5 , the light pole  20  is provided with a single LED light  26 . In addition, as further load sources, the pole  20  is used to mount one or two video sensing cameras  52 , one or two Infrared Light Sensors (likely with Photocell)  50 , one or two Motion Detectors, and separate wireless router for redundant and/or secure communications. It is to be appreciated that in the embodiment shown, the communications and monitoring controller  42  is used to provide control signals to and receive control signals from the infrared light  50 , the motion detector and the security camera  52 , as well as receive and transmit to the data storage repository  16  and or directly to the CPU  14  video images there from. 
         [0074]    It is believed that incorporating light poles  20  of the type shown in  FIG. 5  within the light pole array  12  advantageously may be used to provide off grid security. 
         [0075]      FIG. 6  shows schematically the pole communications and monitoring controller  42  as being operable to receive data signals from the sensors  32   a,    32   b,    34 ,  44 ,  46  and provide control signals to regulate the supply of charging current from power generation produced by the photovoltaic panels  28   a,    28   b  and the wind generator  30  to the fuel cell  38 , as well as battery status and the discharge supply current therefrom to the video sensing cameras  52 , infrared light sensors  57 , and motion detectors  54 . Although not essential, most preferably, the communications and monitoring controller  42  further includes signal transmission and reception capability allowing the communication and/or transmission of data and programming respecting the operating parameters of the pole  20 , fuel cell  38  and/or load conditions between adjacent poles  20  within the pole array  12 , as well as information captured by the sensing cameras  52 , infrared sensors  57  and motion detectors, by either Ethernet or serial USB connections  55 , 56 . 
         [0076]    Although the detailed description describes the system  10  as used in the remote monitoring and control of an array of combination solar and wind powered lampposts, the invention is not so limited. It is to be appreciated that in an alternate embodiment, the system  10  could incorporate a variety of other autonomous solar powered, wind powered, other direct current or alternating current power sources and/or grid-powered devices providing a load. Such devices could include without restriction, electrically powered security cameras, radio or cellular transmitters, parking and/or utility meters, monitoring stations traffic lights, display boards or the like. 
         [0077]    In still a further embodiment of the invention, the system could be provided with autonomous electricity generating wind turbines and/or other power generation sources in addition to, or in place of, the photovoltaic powered light poles, without departing from the current invention. 
         [0078]    Although the detailed description describes and illustrates various preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited strictly to the precise constructions, which are disclosed. Modifications and variations will now occur to persons skilled in the art.

Technology Category: 5