Stretched Fresnel lens solar concentrator for space power

Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Photoelectric – Panel or array

Patent

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

136249, 126698, H01L 310232, H01L 31052, F24J 208

Patent

active

060752009

ABSTRACT:
A novel, high-efficiency, extremely light-weight, robust stretched Fresnel lens solar concentrator for space power is described. It consists of a flexible Fresnel lens attached to end supports, wherein said end supports stretch the lens to maintain its proper position and shape on orbit in space. One embodiment of the new concentrator includes means for lens deployment on orbit in space. In this embodiment, prior to deployment, the flexible lens and end supports are folded into a flat, low-volume package for efficient launch into space. Another embodiment of the new concentrator includes non-deployable means of stretching the lens to maintain its proper position and shape in space. Both embodiments of the new concentrator approach will provide significant advantages over the prior art in space photovoltaic concentrator arrays. Photovoltaic concentrator arrays using the new stretched lens will be much lighter and more economical than prior space concentrator arrays. Also, photovoltaic concentrator arrays using the new stretched lens will be easier to stow into a compact volume for launch, and easier to deploy on orbit than prior space concentrator arrays. In addition, the new stretched lens will eliminate the need for a fragile glass superstrate to support the lens, substantially improving robustness of the lens.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3924604 (1975-12-01), Anderson
patent: 4046462 (1977-09-01), Miller et al.
patent: 4069812 (1978-01-01), O'Neill
patent: 4134387 (1979-01-01), Tornstrum
patent: 4173495 (1979-11-01), Rapp et al.
patent: 4237864 (1980-12-01), Kravitz
patent: 4453224 (1984-06-01), Crooks, Jr.
patent: 4487196 (1984-12-01), Murphy
patent: 4493313 (1985-01-01), Eaton
patent: 4596238 (1986-06-01), Bronstein
patent: 4719903 (1988-01-01), Powell
patent: 4744644 (1988-05-01), Kleinwuchter et al.
patent: 4848319 (1989-07-01), Appeldorn
patent: 5096505 (1992-03-01), Fraas et al.
patent: 5202689 (1993-04-01), Bussard et al.
patent: 5210654 (1993-05-01), Williams
patent: 5255666 (1993-10-01), Curchod
patent: 5344497 (1994-09-01), Fraas et al.
patent: 5395070 (1995-03-01), Stirbl et al.
patent: 5496414 (1996-03-01), Harvey et al.
patent: 5498297 (1996-03-01), O'Neill et al.
patent: 5505789 (1996-04-01), Fraas et al.
patent: 5578139 (1996-11-01), Jones et al.
patent: 5660644 (1997-08-01), Clemens
patent: 5865905 (1999-02-01), Clemens

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Stretched Fresnel lens solar concentrator for space power does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Stretched Fresnel lens solar concentrator for space power, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Stretched Fresnel lens solar concentrator for space power will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2070083

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.