Solar energy collection system

Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Photoelectric – Panel or array

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C126S576000, C126S694000, C126S696000, C250S203400

Reexamination Certificate

active

07968791

ABSTRACT:
In one aspect of the present invention, a solar energy collection system that includes multiple longitudinally adjacent collectors is described. The collectors are coupled end to end to form a collector row. The collector row extends along a longitudinal axis and is arranged to rotate about a pivot axis to track the sun in at least one dimension. Each collector includes a reflector, one or more solar receivers and a support structure. The support structure includes a tube assembly that underlies the reflector. The tube assemblies of the collector row are arranged end to end along the longitudinal axis. There is a space between the tube assemblies of adjacent collectors in the collector row, where the reflectors of the adjacent collectors extend beyond the underlying tube assemblies to form a substantially continuous reflective surface over the space. A coupling device is positioned in the space between the tube assemblies. The coupling device connects and helps to rotate the tube assemblies of the adjacent collectors. Some embodiments relate to various types of coupling devices and collector arrangements.

REFERENCES:
patent: 1830375 (1931-11-01), Shoop
patent: 3760624 (1973-09-01), Robinson
patent: 4135493 (1979-01-01), Kennedy
patent: 4148298 (1979-04-01), Sherman, Jr.
patent: 4243019 (1981-01-01), Severson
patent: 4243301 (1981-01-01), Powell
patent: 4249431 (1981-02-01), Pruvot et al.
patent: 4257403 (1981-03-01), Chevalier
patent: 4306540 (1981-12-01), Hutchison
patent: 4335708 (1982-06-01), Holter et al.
patent: 4337758 (1982-07-01), Meinel et al.
patent: 4348798 (1982-09-01), Hutchison
patent: 4422614 (1983-12-01), Santos
patent: 4423719 (1984-01-01), Hutchison
patent: 4432343 (1984-02-01), Riise et al.
patent: 4528977 (1985-07-01), Malley
patent: 4571812 (1986-02-01), Gee
patent: 4583520 (1986-04-01), Dietrich et al.
patent: 4611575 (1986-09-01), Powell
patent: 5038858 (1991-08-01), Jordan et al.
patent: 5058565 (1991-10-01), Gee et al.
patent: 5288337 (1994-02-01), Mitchell
patent: 5538563 (1996-07-01), Finkl
patent: 5722145 (1998-03-01), Haushalter et al.
patent: 5771966 (1998-06-01), Jacoby
patent: 5961739 (1999-10-01), Osborne
patent: 6020554 (2000-02-01), Kaminar et al.
patent: 6035850 (2000-03-01), Deidewig
patent: 6260610 (2001-07-01), Biber et al.
patent: 6276359 (2001-08-01), Frazier
patent: 6399874 (2002-06-01), Olah
patent: 6401807 (2002-06-01), Wyler et al.
patent: 6508301 (2003-01-01), Marsala
patent: 6615909 (2003-09-01), Fast
patent: 6861293 (2005-03-01), Soule
patent: 6870087 (2005-03-01), Gallagher
patent: 6978827 (2005-12-01), Armstrong
patent: 6994082 (2006-02-01), Hochberg et al.
patent: 7065873 (2006-06-01), Kang et al.
patent: 2004/0261786 (2004-12-01), Kirk
patent: 2006/0225730 (2006-10-01), Anderson
patent: 2006/0266407 (2006-11-01), Lichy et al.
patent: 2007/0089777 (2007-04-01), Johnson, Jr. et al.
patent: 2007/0144578 (2007-06-01), Cunningham et al.
patent: 2007/0272295 (2007-11-01), Rubin et al.
patent: 2008/0134497 (2008-06-01), Corrales et al.
patent: 2008/0135085 (2008-06-01), Corrales et al.
patent: 2008/0135086 (2008-06-01), Corrales
patent: 2008/0142319 (2008-06-01), Manter
patent: 2008/0308091 (2008-12-01), Corio
patent: 2009/0056698 (2009-03-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 2009/0056785 (2009-03-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 2009/0056786 (2009-03-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 2009/0056787 (2009-03-01), Johnson et al.
patent: 20314372 (2004-01-01), None
patent: 53-131781 (1978-11-01), None
patent: WO 01/63665 (2001-08-01), None
patent: WO 03/098705 (2003-11-01), None
patent: WO 2004/114419 (2004-12-01), None
patent: WO 2005/006435 (2005-01-01), None
patent: WO 2006/083742 (2006-08-01), None
patent: WO 2008/013976 (2008-01-01), None
GSS Slew Drive, a product schematic from Sunflower Energy Inc.
International Search Report dated Apr. 16, 2009 in PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/075250.
Written Opinion dated Apr. 16, 2009 in PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/075250.
International Search Report in PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/075247 dated Nov. 30, 2009.
Written Opinion in PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/075247 dated Nov. 30, 2009.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability in PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/075250 dated Dec. 7, 2009.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability in PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/075247 dated Jan. 21, 2010.
Robinson Fin website: http://www.robfin.com/portals/0/R600006%20ruffled%20Model%20(1) downloaded on Apr. 17, 2009.
U.S. Appl. No. 29/324,036, filed Sep. 4, 2008.
“Continuing Testing Materials and Concepts,” Solar20, www.solar20.com/SE/EN/1210-EN—prototype2.php, 2003 (1 page).
“Harmony 11.5 kW Solar Cogeneration,” HelioDynamics, Product datasheet (2 pages).
“Industrial Solar Engery,” Menova Energy Inc., 2006 (5 pages).
“Solar Power for a Sustainable World,” Abengoa Solar IST, www.solucar.es/sotes/solar/en/tec—ccp.jsp, printed from online Apr. 15, 2008 (4 pages).
Alarte et al. “Design, Construction and Measurement of a Single-Minor Two-Stage (SMTS) Photovoltaic Concentrator.” 2ndWorld Conference and Exhibition on Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion, Vienna, Austria, Jul. 6-10, 1998.
Database WPI Week 200735, Thomson Scientific, London, GB; AN 2007-370318, XP002512878 & RU 2300058C2 abstract.
Invitation to Pay Additional Fees in PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/075250 dated Feb. 10, 2009.
Mohedano et al., “Design of a Simple Structure for the D-SMTS Concentrator,” 16th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Glasgow, UK 2000, pp. 2563-2566.
Mohedano et al., “Design, Construction and Measurement of a Dielectric-Single Mirror Two Stage (DSMTS) Photovoltaic Concentrator,”Proc. Of the SPIE, 4446, 2002, pp. 20-31.
Partial International Search Report dated Feb. 11, 2009 in PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/075247.
Sala et al., “480 kWpeak Euclides™ Concentrator Power Plant Using Parabolic Troughs,” Springer Berlin / Heidelberg, ISSN 0342-4111, 2007 (6 pages).
Sala et al., “The 480 kWp EUCLIDES™—Thermie Power Plant: Installation, Set-Up and First Results,” (6 pages).
Smeltink et al., “40kW PV Thermal Roof Mounted Concentrator System,” Energy Conversion, Conference Record of the 2006 IEEE 4th World Conference on vol. 1, May 2006 (4 pages).
Smeltink et al., “The ANU 20kW PV/Trough Concentration,” Conference paper, 1999 (4 pages).
Wenham et al., “Applied Photovoltaics” Second Edition, Earthscan, ISBN-10:18-4407-401-3, 2007 (7 pages).
Whitefield et al. “The Development and Testing of Small Concetrating PV Systems.” Solar Energy, Pergamon Press. Oxford, GB, vol. 67, No. 1-3, pp. 23-34, Jul. 1, 1999.
Winston et al., “Nonimaging Optics,” Elsevier Academic Press, ISBN-13:978-0-12-759751-5, 2005 (10 pages).
Notice of Allowance dated Mar. 26, 2010 from U.S. Appl. No. 12/100,726.
International Search Report dated Mar. 29, 2011 in PCT Application No. PCT/US2010/043763.
Written Opinion dated Mar. 29, 2011 in PCT Application No. PCT/US2010/043763.

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

Solar energy collection system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Solar energy collection system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Solar energy collection system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2652503

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