AU2010100828A4

AU2010100828A4 - Solar lighting tower

Info

Publication number: AU2010100828A4
Application number: AU2010100828A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Adrian Kedwell
Original assignee: Solar Hire Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Solar Hire Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-03
Filing date: 2010-08-03
Publication date: 2010-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-08-03
Also published as: ZA201105727B

Description

AUSTRALIAN INNOVATION PATENT Title: SOLAR LIGHTING TOWER Applicant: Planelec Services Pty Ltd Inventors: Adrian KEDWELL 2 SOLAR LIGHTING TOWER Technical Field The present invention relates to lighting towers and particularly relates to solar 5 lighting towers. Background to the Invention Lighting towers typically take the form of a base unit, to which is attached a retractable, generally vertical mast. The mast is typically of a telescopic form and can 10 be raised or lowered by way of a winch arrangement. An arrangement of electrically powered lamps is affixed to the top of the mast which is electrically powered. Lighting towers are predominantly used where illumination is required in remote locations that do not have ready access to an electricity supply. Typical applications where light towers are used include night roadworks, lighting of industrial 15 facilities and in mining applications. There remains a need for improved lighting towers. Summary of the Invention In a first aspect the present invention provides a lighting tower including: a 20 powered retractable mast; an arrangement of lighting devices are attached to the mast; a wind speed detector; and wherein the retractable mast is arranged to retract when wind speed above a predetermined threshold is detected by the wind speed detector. In a second aspect the present invention provides a lighting tower including: a solar powered power supply; and an electric generator; wherein the generator is 25 powered by a fuel and operates as a backup power supply to the solar powered power supply. In a third aspect the present invention provides a lighting tower including: location detection means for detecting the location of the light tower; and transmission means for transmitting information identifying the location of the light tower to be 30 received at another location. In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a lighting tower including: a retractable mast; an arrangement of lighting devices are attached to the mast; the arrangement of lighting devices is arranged to be rotated about the axis of the mast. In a fifth aspect the present invention provides a lighting tower including: a 35 retractable mast; an arrangement of lighting devices are attached to the mast; the arrangement of lighting devices is arranged to be rotated in a plane that is parallel to the axis of the mast.

3 In a sixth aspect the present invention provides a lighting tower including: a mast; and a high voltage proximity warning system. In a seventh aspect the present invention provides a lighting tower including: a solar powered power supply in the form of one or more solar panels; and wherein the 5 pitch of the panels is adjustable. Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 10 Figure 1 is a side view of a lighting tower according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a rear view of the lighting tower of figure 1 shown with solar panels in their unfolded configuration. 15 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to figures 1 and 2, a lighting tower 10 is shown including a base portion 12 to which is mounted a telescopic powered mast 14. A lighting arrangement 16 including eight lamps 17 is attached to the top end of mast 14. Mast 14 is pneumatically operated and can move between a retracted position and an extended 20 position in which the mast extends to a height of eleven metres. The mast 14 is shown in the extended position in figure 1. The mast can be retracted when the lighting tower 10 is not in use or for the purpose of transporting the lighting tower. Base 12 is in the form of a trailer and is fitted with wheels 15 and a tow hitch. When the mast is retracted, the unit can be towed by a vehicle in a known manner. 25 A wind speed detector in the form of anemometer (not shown) mounted at the top of mast 14 provides an output signal to a control system mounted on base 12 representative of the wind speed measured at the top of mast 14. If the wind speed increases above a pre-determined safe working level, then the control system causes mast 14 to be automatically retracted. This avoids damage that might be inflicted if 30 strong winds were to topple the unit in use and avoids injury to nearby workers. When the wind speed drops back below the pre-determined threshold, then control system again raises mast 14. Lighting tower 10 includes a solar powered power supply in the form of an array 20 of solar panels 20A, 20B and 20C. As best seen in figure 2, the array is 35 foldable. Centre panel 20B is mounted above the base 12, and panels 20A and 20C are hingedly affixed to panel 20B. Panels 20A and 20C are folded out when in use as shown in figure 2. Panels 20A and 20C are folded inwards for storage or transport 4 purposes. The panels are mounted to the base unit at a pitch of 30 degrees. Array 20 generates electricity when light strikes the panels. This electricity is stored by way of charging a bank of 54 storage batteries (not shown) mounted inside base 12. The storage batteries in turn are connected to lighting arrangement 16 and 5 provide power to lamps 17. The capacity of the storage batteries and the power consumption of the lighting arrangement dictates how the long the tower can operate between solar charges. Embodiments of the invention can operate for up to 5 days on one charge. An electric generator 22 is mounted on base 12 and is powered by a liquid fuel 10 such as diesel which is stored in a storage tank in base 12. The generator can be used as a backup power supply in the event that the storage batteries become exhausted of charge and there is no available sunlight for solar charging. Lighting tower includes location detection means for detecting to the location of tower 10 in the form of a GPS transponder 24 mounted inside base 12. The GPS 15 transponder is associated with transmission means in the form of a GSM or other wired modem (not shown). The GPS transponder 24 detects the geographic location of the tower 10 and periodically transmits this information in the form of an SMS message which includes geographic coordinates. Each individual light tower is assigned a unique number, such as a telephone number associated with the GSM modem. The 20 SMS message is received at a command centre and parsed to extract the geographic coordinates and the identifier of the lighting tower. This information is then stored in a database. In this way, the owner or operator of a large facility, or large fleet of equipment can readily determine the current location and recent movements of tower 10 along with other similar towers or other pieces of plant or equipment that are similarly 25 equipped by checking the last known coordinates for a piece of equipment in the database. In some embodiments, a message may be sent from the command centre to the lighting tower to instruct the lighting tower to transmit coordinates of its current location back to the command centre. 30 The lighting arrangement 16 is mounted to the mast 14 by way of an articulated, powered mounting arrangement. Referring to figure 1, and detail A, the lighting arrangement can be swivelled downwards from an upright position by up to 30 degrees to direct the light provided by lighting arrangement 16 in a downwards direction. This movement is effected by an electrically powered winch which is 35 controlled by way of a user control panel provided on base 12. Similarly, referring to figure 2, the lighting arrangement can be swivelled about the axis of mast 14 over a range of 330 degrees to thereby adjust the direction in which light is thrown by the 5 lighting arrangement 16. Again, this rotational movement is effected by an electrically powered actuator that is mounted between the lighting arrangement 16 and mast 14. Lighting tower includes a high voltage proximity warning system comprising a control unit mounted inside the housing on base 12 and an antenna (not shown) 5 mounted at the top of mast 14. Such systems are commercially available such as the Proxyvolt PV5007 available from Proxyvolt Pty Ltd (www.proxyvolt.com.au). Such a system is of particular importance if the lighting tower is to be used near to overhead high voltage lines. The control unit emits an audible and visible alarm if it detects high voltages nearby thereby alerting workers to the potential for the mast 14 to come into 10 contact with overhead wires. The sensitivity of the system can be selected by way of user adjustment on the control panel. In the embodiment described above the lighting arrangement included eight lamps. In other embodiment, a different number of lamps may be used such as four or six lamps. 15 In the embodiment described above the arrangement of solar panels was provided in a hinged configuration in which the panels folded outwardly. In other embodiments the panels may be provided in a pull out cassette arrangement in which the panels are mounted in a stacked arrangement and some of the panels are mounted un runners or the like so that they can be pulled out in a sliding fashion to be exposed to 20 sunlight. In some embodiments the pitch of the solar panels may be adjusted by providing an adjustable mounting for the panels. The pitch may be adjustable between a pitch of 25 to 35 degrees. This allows the pitch of the panels to be selected to best align the panels to the sun to best suit the particular latitude in which the lighting tower 25 is being used and time of year to maximise energy conversion efficiency. It can be seen that embodiments of the invention have at least the following advantages: " Once fully charged, light can be provided for up to five nights. This 30 allows for silent operation during this time. " Mast is automatically lowered during periods of high wind speed. This avoids damage to the unit and surroundings and mast will retract safely when unattended. " Location of tower can be determined remotely. 35 * Generator back up allows for operation and charging in the event of inadequate sunlight for solar charging. " Attitude and direction of the lighting arrangement can be adjusted 6 without the need to lower the mast. " Pitch of solar array may be adjusted to optimise solar efficiency. " Workers are warned of high voltages detected nearby to alert them to the possibility of mast coming into contact with overhead high voltage wires. 5 Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated. Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the 10 present invention.

Claims

1. A lighting tower including: a powered retractable mast; an arrangement of lighting devices are attached to the mast; a wind speed detector; and wherein the retractable mast is arranged to retract when wind speed above a predetermined threshold is detected by the wind speed detector.

2. A lighting tower including: a solar powered power supply; and an electric generator; wherein the generator is powered by a fuel and operates as a backup power supply to the solar powered power supply.

3. A lighting tower including: location detection means for detecting the location of the light tower; and transmission means for transmitting information identifying the location of the light tower to be received at another location.

4. A lighting tower including: a retractable mast; an arrangement of lighting devices are attached to the mast; the arrangement of lighting devices is arranged to be rotated about the axis of the mast.

5. A lighting tower including: a retractable mast; an arrangement of lighting devices are attached to the mast; the arrangement of lighting devices is arranged to be rotated in a plane that is parallel to the axis of the mast.

6. A lighting tower including: a mast; and a high voltage proximity warning system.

7. A lighting tower including: a solar powered power supply in the form of one or more solar panels; and wherein the pitch of the panels is adjustable.