Mobile renewable energy light tower

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a mobile light tower that utilizes multiple sources of energy to provide a highly energy efficient source of illumination. The lights of the light tower draw power from the energy stored in the batteries. During the day, solar energy can captured and stored in batteries. In times of cloud cover, or at night, wind energy can be captured and stored in the batteries. Additional alternative energy sources can also be incorporated. In the event that neither of these sources are sufficient, a fuel powered generator can be utilized to generate energy to be stored in the batteries.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing mobile illumination from a renewable energy source, comprising: a. a trailer frame component; b. a mast component, wherein the bottom of said mast component is fixedly attached to said trailer frame component; c. a utility bar attached to the top of said mast component; d. one or more lights attached to said utility bar; e. a battery system mounted on said trailer frame component; f. a power management component mounted on said trailer frame component and electrically connected to said battery system and said one or more lights; g. a renewable energy generator electrically connected to said power management component; h. a backup energy generator powered by a fuel component and electrically connected to said power management component; wherein said power management component receives power generated by said renewable energy generator if available, otherwise from said backup generator, and stores said power in said battery system for use in illuminating said one or more lights.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a housing cover with ventilation means mounted on said trailer frame component wherein said housing cover encloses said battery system and said power management component.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said housing cover further encloses said backup energy generator.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said renewable energy generator comprises one or more solar panels.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said renewable energy generator comprises one or more wind turbines.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said renewable energy generator comprises one or more fuel cells.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said backup energy generator comprises a gas-powered generator mounted on said trailer frame component.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power management component prioritizes energy generated from said renewable energy generator.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more secondary renewable energy generators wherein each of said one or more secondary renewable energy generators provide power from a different renewable energy source than said renewable energy generator.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said one or more secondary renewable energy generators provide power from a different renewable energy source than said renewable energy generator and each of the other said one or more secondary renewable energy generators.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said power management component prioritizes power generation on the optimal source.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said trailer frame component is optimized for transportation on a standard semi-trailer such that the width of said trailer frame component is less than half the width of said standard semi-trailer whereby two of said apparatus may be loaded side-by-side on said standard semi-trailer.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a compound winch and pulley system affixed to said mast component wherein each mast segment moves vertically in the same ratio as each other mast segment.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said power management component includes a charge controller, an AC/DC power center, an inverter, and a transformer.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an electrical outlet electrically connected to said power management component, wherein said electrical outlet is a 120 volt 20 amp receptacle.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plug in connector electrically connected to said power management component whereby said plug in connector can be connected to a recharging station to recharge said battery system.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wireless network connector communicatively connected to said power management component whereby information can be transmitted from said power management component to remote locations.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said wireless network connector can receive instructions from remote locations.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a video camera communicatively connected to said wireless network connector whereby video images can be transmitted from said video camera to remote locations.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said trailer component further comprises a base with perimeter walls protruding upwards, thereby comprising a secondary containment for any components containing effluents whereby said secondary containment retains any effluents that may leak out from any of said components containing effluents.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said trailer component further comprises forklift receptacles mounted on each side of said trailer component.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said trailer component is less than 10 feet 7 inches in length thereby providing efficiency in transporting said apparatus on a standard semi-trailer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a line drawing of a top oblique view of the frame component, mast component and utility bar.

(3) FIG. 2 is a line drawing of a top oblique view of the frame component.

(4) FIG. 3 is a line drawing of a side oblique view of the mast component.

(5) FIG. 4 is a line drawing of a front oblique view of the utility bar.

(6) FIG. 5 is a line drawing of a side oblique view of the frame component, mast component, utility bar, generator, battery system and power management component.

(7) FIG. 6 is a line drawing of a front view of the frame component, mast component, utility bar, generator, and power management component.

(8) FIG. 7 is a line drawing of a top view of the frame component, utility bar, battery system, generator, and power management component.

(9) FIG. 8 is a line drawing of a front oblique view of the frame component, mast component, utility bar, battery system, generator, and power management component.

(10) FIG. 9 is a line drawing of a front oblique view of the frame component, mast component, utility bar, housing, and solar component.

(11) FIG. 10 is a line drawing of a rear oblique view of the frame component, mast component, utility bar, housing, and solar component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) Before the invention is described in further detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.

(13) Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed with the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.

(14) Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

(15) It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

(16) All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, if dates of publication are provided, they may be different from the actual publication dates and may need to be confirmed independently.

(17) It should be further understood that the examples and embodiments pertaining to the systems and methods disclosed herein are not meant to limit the possible implementations of the present technology. Further, although the subject matter has been described in a language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the Claims.

(18) In FIG. 1, the three core structural components of a MRE Light Tower are shown. A frame 200 provides both the mobility and stability for a MRE Light Tower. The frame 200 provides the platform base for attachment of a power source, as well as other energy providers such as a fuel component, a solar component, a wind component, a fuel cell component, and a plug-in component. The frame 200 also provides the platform base upon which to fixedly attach a mast 300. The mast 300 is preferably fixedly attached to the frame by welding flanges on the mast 300 to a flat surface on the frame 200.

(19) Turning now to FIG. 2, the basic structure of the frame 200 is shown. The frame 200 provides the framework to secure and transport the other components comprising the present invention, including the mast component, the utility bar, the power management component, the battery system, along with other energy sources such as a fuel component, a solar component, a wind component, a fuel cell component, and a plug-in component. Other features such as an outlet component, a network component, and a surveillance component can also be attached to the frame 200. Network component and surveillance component can alternatively be attached to the mast or to a utility bar.

(20) The frame 200 comprises a trailer which can include a rear frame 210, leaf springs 215 coupled to the rear frame 210, an axle 220 coupled to the leaf springs 215, wheels 230 coupled to the axle 220, a forward frame 240 attached to the rear frame 210, and a housing frame 250. The housing frame can be used to attach a covering for a power management component and battery system, as well as to provide a base upon which to attach a fuel component and a solar component. In one embodiment of the present invention, the rear frame 210 can comprise a bed comprised of steel tubing in a rectangular configuration with supporting cross members. In an embodiment, the rear frame 210 comprise perimeter walls protruding upwards from a steel base with, constituting a secondary containment for all components containing effluents wherein the bed thereby contains any effluents that may leak out from any of the other components. In an embodiment, the axle can be a 6,000 lb. axle that is cut down and configured to fit an approximate 5.2 foot trailer width. In an embodiment, a hitch is coupled to a front end of the forward frame 240, and a stanchion 260 for supporting the frame 200 when the MRE Light Tower is not being towed. The forward frame 240 can include a flat surface upon which to mount a mast component. In one embodiment, the hitch is a standard pintle hitch for ease of towing.

(21) Still referring to FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the housing frame 250 can also include a cover coupled to the housing frame 250 to protect a power management component and battery system. In an embodiment, the cover can also protect a fuel component. In an embodiment, brackets can be attached to both sides of the housing frame 250 such that a fuel component can be mounted and supported a safe distance above the power management component and battery system mounted on the bed of the rear frame 210. In an embodiment, brackets can be attached to housing frame 250 to support a solar component. In an embodiment, a cover attached to the housing frame 250 is provided with ventilation for an enclosed power management component. In an embodiment, the cover is provided with ventilation for an enclosed fuel component.

(22) The frame 200 can be fabricated to any dimensions. In an embodiment, the frame should be easily driven on public roads and should fit within standard traffic lanes. The width of the frame 200 may be approximately 5 feet to 8.5 feet which is the maximum legal width for most U.S. highways. In an embodiment, the width of the frame 200 is 5.2 feet, which allows maximum efficiency in transporting the trailers on trucks. The length of the frame 200 can be about 10 to 20 feet in length. In an embodiment, the length of the frame 200 is 10.5 feet, which allows maximum efficiency in transporting the trailers on trucks. The frame 200 can be made of steel tubing which can have circular, square or rectangular cross sections. For example, the frame 200 may be made of 2″×3″ or 3″×3″ steel tube.

(23) Turning now to FIG. 3, the mast 300 is used to raise the utility bar component, which is attached to the light component, to the appropriate level for optimum lighting when in use, and to lower the utility bar component when the MRE Light Tower is not in use, being transported, or in storage. The bottom of the mast 300 can be attached to the forward frame of the frame of the structure component. The top of the mast 300 can be coupled to a utility bar component attached to a light component.

(24) In an embodiment, the mast 300 comprises a base support, which base support comprises a stanchion 310, a plurality of flanges 320, and a mast ring 330. The mast 300 further comprises a base mast section 340, a plurality of telescoping mast sections 350, a winch 360, a plurality of winch cable guides 365, electrical cable 370, and an electrical cable conduit 375.

(25) Still referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the stanchion 310 is a piece of vertically oriented steel square tube with flanges 320 welded on each side of the lower end of the steel tube. In an embodiment, the base support is integrated with the frame at the forward frame. The bottom of the steel tube of the stanchion 310 and four flanges 320 are welded to the forward frame of the frame of the structure component. On the front face of the lower end of the steel tube of the stanchion 310, a base plate is fixedly attached. The base plate has a hole capable of receiving a bolt, and is mounted high enough such that a nut may be affixed to the received bolt without impinging on the front end of the forward frame of the structure component. On the front face of the upper end of the steel tube of stanchion 320, a mast ring 360 is attached. On the back face of the steel tube of the stanchion 310, an electrical cable conduit 375 is fixedly attached.

(26) The mast 300 may be a two stage unit with a base mast section 340 and one telescoping mast section 350, a three stage unit with a base mast section 340 and two telescoping mast sections 350, a four stage unit as shown with a base mast section 340 and three telescoping mast sections 350, or may comprise even further stages with additional telescoping mast sections. In some embodiments, the mast 300 may be characterized as a telescoping construction wherein successive stages may nest within previous stages. Such construction can be beneficial to facilitate extension and contraction of the mast to alter the height thereof relative to the ground.

(27) Still referring to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, a mast ring 330 is mounted on the upper end of the stanchion 310. The stanchion 310 is fixedly attached to the forward frame such that a bolt affixed to the bottom of the stanchion is inserted into the hole in a base plate fixedly attached to, or part of, the forward frame, and affixed with a nut, and the stanchion 310 is oriented vertically such that the base mast section 340 extends up through the mast ring 330 mounted on the upper end of the stanchion 310, and mast base section 340 has a mast ring interface is positioned at the juncture of the mast ring 330 such that the base mast section 340 is capable of swiveling around its axis, thus allowing the light component to be rotated to provide optimum lighting.

(28) In such extendable embodiments, the mast 300 may include a winch 360 for moving a plurality of telescoping mast sections 350 between an un-extended position and an extended position. For example, the mast 300 may be extendable such that when the mast 300 is in an extended position, the light component connected thereto can be positioned at a height of about 24 feet relative to the ground. In one embodiment of the present invention, the mast 300 may be un-extendable such that when the mast 300 is in an un-extended position, the light component connected thereto can be positioned at a height of about 7 feet relative to the ground.

(29) The light component can be coupled to the top of the mast component such that it can be raised to the optimum height for providing illumination. Turning now to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, the light component can be comprised of a utility bar extension 410, a plurality of brackets 420, and a plurality of lights 430. The utility bar can be steel tubing configured in a t-junction such that the stem can be coupled to the topmost section of the mast, and both sides of the cross-member are configured to receive utility bar extensions 410. The utility bar extension 410 can also be steel tubing of a smaller diameter than the cross-member of the utility bar, such that the utility bar extensions 410 can rotate axially when coupled with the cross-member. Brackets 420 can be fixedly attached to the light bar extensions. Lights 430 can be fixedly attached to the brackets. Consequently, when the MRE Light Tower is deployed, the lights 430 can be adjusted by swiveling the utility bar extensions 410 around a horizontal axis, and by swiveling the base section of the mast component around a vertical axis.

(30) In an embodiment, the power management component and battery system can be mounted on the bed, providing additional safety and stability for the MRE Light Tower. As the battery system is primarily comprised of batteries and which comprise a substantial portion of the weight of the device, mounting the battery system on the bed provides the lowest practical center of gravity. Turning now to FIG. 5, shown is a side view of the frame, mast, utility bar, battery and power management components. In operating mode, the frame component 200 is supported by rear stanchion 510 and side stanchions 520. The frame component 200 supports the mast component 300, a power management component 500, a battery system 530, and a generator 540. In an embodiment, the battery system 530 comprises lithium-ion batteries.

(31) Turning now to FIG. 6, shown is a front view of frame component 200, mast component 300, utility bar 400, power management component 500, and generator 540.

(32) Turning now to FIG. 7, shown is a top view of the frame component 200, utility bar 400, power management component 500, battery system 530, and generator 540.

(33) Turning now to FIG. 8, shown is a front oblique view of the frame 200, mast 300, utility bar 400, power management component 500, battery system 530 and generator 540.

(34) Turning now to FIG. 9, shown is a front oblique view the frame 200, mast 300, utility bar 400, housing cover 910, and solar component comprising solar panels 920 and solar panel brackets 930.

(35) Turning now to FIG. 10, shown is a rear oblique view of the frame 200, mast 300, utility bar 400, housing cover 910, and solar component comprising solar panels 920 and solar panel brackets 930.

(36) Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.