Inflatable fresnel lens solar concentrator for space power

Details Inflatable fresnel lens solar concentrator for space power Inflatable fresnel lens solar concentrator for space power

1998-03-18

2000-08-29

Diamond, Alan

Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric

Photoelectric

Panel or array

136259, 136245, 126624, 126625, 126680, 126698, 126700, 126697, 126909, 250216, 359742, 359743, 165 46, 52 219, H01L 31052, H01L 31045, F24J 236

Patent

active

061111902

ABSTRACT:
A novel, high-efficiency, extremely light-weight, inflatable refractive solar concentrator for space power is described. It consists of a flexible Fresnel lens, flexible sides, and a back surface, together enclosing a volume of space which can be filled with low pressure gas to deploy the concentrator on orbit. The back surface supports the energy receiver/converter located in the focal region of the Fresnel lens. The back surface can also serve as the waste heat radiator. Prior to deployment, the deflated flexible lens and sides are folded against the back surface to form a flat, low-volume package for efficient launch into space. The inflatable concentrator can be configured to provide either a line focus or a point focus of sunlight. The new inflatable concentrator approach will provide significant advantages over the prior art in two different space power areas: photovoltaic concentrator arrays and high-temperature solar thermal conversion systems. Photovoltaic concentrator arrays using the new inflatable lens will be much lighter than prior space concentrator arrays. In addition, for photovoltaic concentrator arrays, the new inflatable lens will eliminate the need for a fragile glass superstrate to support the lens, substantially improving robustness of the lens. Solar thermal concentrator arrays using the new inflatable lens will be much lighter than prior art space concentrators which used parabolic mirrors. In addition, for solar thermal applications in space, the new inflatable lens will eliminate the need for high surface accuracy, which has been a significant problem for prior art concentrators.

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patent: 5344497 (1994-09-01), Fraas et al.
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patent: 5505789 (1996-04-01), Fraas et al.
patent: 5660644 (1997-08-01), Clemens
O'Neill, Chapter 10 of the textbook, Solar Cells and their Applications, published by John Wiley in 1995 (Month Unknown).
O'Neill and Piszczor, "Inflatable Lenses for Space Photovoltaic Concentrator Arrays," 26th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, Anaheim, Oct. 1997.
O'Neill and Piszczor, "Ultralight Inflatable Fresnel Lens Solar Concentrator's," 1st Conference on Orbital Transfer Vehicles at the Space Technology & Applications International Forum (STAIF-98), Albuquerque, Jan. 1998.
Copy of the Jet Propulsion Laboratories World Wide Web Page on the Inflatable Antenna Experiment of May 20, 1996 (URL: http//www.jpl.nasa.gov/iae).

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