Flashlight with photovoltaic power source
US7670023B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 2, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E70/30
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A flashlight including a photovoltaic power source adapted to convert incident light energy to electrical energy and wherein the flashlight is configured such that the flashlight is induced to orient the photovoltaic power source to face upwards when the flashlight is placed on a generally horizontal surface. The flashlight can include a rechargeable battery pack so as to have a hybrid power supply. Also, a method of powering a flashlight including attaching at least one solar cell to a body of a flashlight, connecting the at least one solar cell to a battery such that electrical output of the solar cell can charge the battery, and connecting a switch and a lamp to the at least one solar cell and the battery such that a user can actuate the switch to connect the battery to the solar cell for charging of the battery or to the lamp for generation of light from the flashlight.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.