Solar window shade

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016137282-A1
Application number	US-201514936863-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 10, 2015
Priority date	Nov 14, 2014
Publication date	May 19, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A solar window shade for a window seat in an airliner for supplying electrical energy to charge a personal electronic device, including a window shade configured to cover a window, a solar panel attached to an outside face of the window shade, the solar panel facing outward to receive light from outside a passenger cabin, and a charging port incorporated into the window shade, the charging port electrically connected to the solar panel.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A solar window shade adapted for use in an airliner passenger cabin, comprising:
a window shade; a solar panel incorporated into the window shade, the solar panel arranged to face outward to receive light from outside the passenger cabin; and a charging port incorporated into the window shade, the charging port electrically connected to the solar panel and operable for charging an electronic device.

2 . The solar window shade of claim 1 , wherein the solar panel is attached to an outside face of the window shade such that at least one solar cell of the solar panel faces outside the cabin.

3 . The solar window shade of claim 1 , wherein the window shade is a thin pliable sheet of material and the solar panel is adhered to the thin pliable sheet of material by way of lamination.

4 . The solar window shade of claim 1 , wherein the window shade is selectively moveable between a position completely covering the window, a position in which the window is uncovered, and positions therebetween.

5 . The solar window shade of claim 1 , wherein the charging port comprises at least one of a wired electrical connection and a wireless inductive charger.

6 . The solar window shade of claim 1 , further comprising a battery incorporated into the window shade and electrically connected to the solar panel and the charging port, the battery operable for storing electrical energy generated by the solar panel.

7 . The solar window shade of claim 1 , wherein electrical wiring electrically connecting the solar panel and the charging port is incorporated into the window shade.

8 . The solar window shade of claim 1 , wherein the window shade comprises a handle arranged along a bottom edge thereof, and wherein the charging port is located in the handle and faces inward in a direction of the cabin.

9 . The solar window shade of claim 8 , wherein the charging port includes a wireless inductive charger and a wired charger collocated in the handle in a side-by-side arrangement.

10 . The solar window shade of claim 8 , further comprising a battery located in the handle, the battery electrically connected to the solar panel and the charging port.

11 . A solar window shade for a window seat for supplying electrical energy to charge a personal electronic device, comprising:
a window shade configured to cover a window; a solar panel attached to an outside face of the window shade, the solar panel facing outward to receive light from outside a passenger cabin; and a charging port incorporated into the window shade, the charging port electrically connected to the solar panel.

12 . The solar window shade of claim 11 , wherein the window shade is a thin pliable sheet of opaque material and the solar panel is attached to the thin pliable sheet of opaque material by way of lamination.

13 . The solar window shade of claim 11 , wherein the charging port comprises at least one of a wired electrical connection and a wireless inductive charger.

14 . The solar window shade of claim 11 , further comprising a battery incorporated into the window shade and electrically connected to the solar panel and the charging port, the battery operable for storing electrical energy generated by the solar panel.

15 . The solar window shade of claim 11 , wherein electrical wiring electrically connecting the solar panel and the charging port is incorporated into the window shade.

16 . The solar window shade of claim 11 , wherein the window shade comprises a handle arranged along a bottom edge thereof, and wherein the charging port is located in the handle and faces inward in a direction of the cabin.

17 . The solar window shade of claim 16 , wherein the charging port includes a wireless inductive charger and a wired charger collocated in the handle in a side-by-side arrangement.

18 . The solar window shade of claim 16 , further comprising a battery located in the handle, the battery electrically connected to the solar panel and the charging port.

Assignees

• Be Aerospace Inc

Inventors

• Hontz Jeffrey W
• Finlay Travis K
• Pozzi Alexander Nicholas

Classifications

• H02J7/35

  with light sensitive cells · CPC title

• B64C1/1484 Primary

  Windows (B64C1/1492 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H02J7/025

  Electricity · mapped topic

• B64C1/14

  Windows; Doors; Hatch covers or access panels; Surrounding frame structures; Canopies; Windscreens {accessories therefor, e.g. pressure sensors, water deflectors, hinges, seals, handles, latches, windscreen wipers}(fairings movable in conjunction with undercarriage elements B64C25/16; bomb doors B64D1/06) · CPC title

• E06B9/24

  Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; {Slat blinds}(operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00) · CPC title