Solar power portable cell
US20250317102A1
Abstract
A solar power portable cell system (SPPC) including: a case; a battery; an AC input charge connection for receiving an AC input charge; an AC charge controller for receiving the AC input charge from the AC input charge connection and converting the AC input charge to a DC charge for outputting the DC charge to the battery; a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller for receiving a solar electrical charge from at least one solar panel and converting the received solar electrical charge to a DC charge for outputting the DC charge to the battery; at least one DC output charge capable of charging one or more external or internal devices using the DC output charge; and an inverter for converting an output DC charge from the battery to an output AC charge.
Description (excerpt)
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.78(a)(4), this application claims the benefit of and priority to prior filed co-pending Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/631,629, filed Apr. 9, 2024, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States for all governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to solar power cells and, more particularly, to solar power portable cells installed in kits transportable by aircraft. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There can be a critical need for reliable power production in austere environments. In regions where access to conventional power sources is limited or entirely absent, such as remote military bases, disaster-stricken areas, or off-grid locations, essential solutions for continuous and stable power may go unsatisfied. Solar energy may provide eco-friendly, sustainable means of generating electricity, ensuring that essential equipment can function and maintain operations regardless of the local infrastructure. Moreover, options for transporting current systems to and from such austere locations may be limited or non-existent. For example, there is currently not a lightweight, compact, and robust solution to a need for portable electrical generation. Freight of existing systems via aircraft may provide particular challenges. For instance, existing systems may be prohibited on flights due to risks associated with overheating, fire, or even explosions. Accordingly, there may be a need for portable charging systems that can perform whether deployed in military operations, humanitarian missions, or emergency response efforts in a wide variety of conditions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the foregoing problems and other shortcomings, drawbacks, and challenges of current solar power portable cell systems. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. To the contrary, this invention includes all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. According to one embodiment of the present invention a solar power portable cell system (SPPC) includes a case; a battery; an AC input charge connection for receiving an AC input charge; an AC charge controller for receiving the AC input charge from the AC input charge connection and converting the AC input charge to a DC charge for outputting the DC charge to the battery; a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) charge controller for receiving a solar electrical charge from at least one solar panel and converting the received solar electrical charge to a DC charge for outputting the DC charge to the battery; at least one DC output charge capable of charging one or more external or internal devices using the DC output charge; and an inverter for converting an output DC charge from the battery to an output AC charge. Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a solar power portable cell (SPPC) system according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. FIG. 2 shows additional aspects of the SPPC system of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 shows an electrical schematic of the SPPC system of <
Filing details
- Inventors
- Steven Pyott
- Assignee
- Government Of The United States As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air …
- Filed
- Mar 19, 2025
- Granted
- Application pending
Bibliographic data and excerpted text sourced from Google Patents (public record) as part of IP TechMatch's current-filings monitor. This filing is not part of the 2019 historical archive. For the authoritative full text, drawings, and legal status, see the source links above or consult USPTO records directly.