Solar propulsion assist

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to method and apparatus for solar-boost assist and solar-sail assist by a mini-optics light concentrator system utilizing a dynamic ensemble of mini-mirrors. In the boost phase of a rocket ship launch, the system focusses solar energy into the rocket chamber to raise the temperature of the propellant and increase the impulse. In the mid-course phase, the system focusses solar energy onto the rocket's solar sail to increase the thrust. In both cases, the system reduces the weight of the rocket by providing a weightless source of thrust.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an electrically charged bipolar sphere with an equatorial flat reflecting surface. This sphere is one of a multitude of optical elements which actively reflect and focus incident light.

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetically charged bipolar sphere with an equatorial flat reflecting surface. This sphere is one of a multitude of optical elements, which actively reflect and focus incident light.

#FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a monopolar electric cell filled with two immiscible fluids, and shiny charged particles of the same sign in the bottom one. This cell is one of a multitude of optical elements which actively reflect and focus incident light.

#FIG. 1 shows a rotatable element 1 of a focussing planar mini-mirror with an equatorial flat reflecting surface 2 to actively reflect and focus an incident beam of light 3. The element 1 shown is a cross-sectional view of an electrically charged bipolar sphere 4 with charge +q in one hemisphere and charge −q in the opposite hemisphere, that is operated in the well-known electrical gyricon mode. This sphere 4, shown here to operate by means of an electric field E, is one of a multitude of rotatable optical elements 1 which reflect and focus incident light. The active element 1 may operate in any of the well-known gyricon modes, such as electrical monopolar, magnetic, polar gradient, or combination thereof.

#It should be noted that the elements in prior art “direct observation display modes” must be able to rotate 180 degrees without binding up, in order to display a generally black or white side up. In the instant invention, a 90 degree rotation of the active element 1 is more than sufficient as this produces a 180 degree reflection of the incident beam of light, since the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence on the active reflecting element 1. Thus a doubling of the angle is produced in the instant invention.

#FIG. 2 shows a rotatable active element 1 of a focussing planar mini-mirror with a flat equatorial reflecting surface 2 which reflects and focusses a beam of incident light 3. The element 1 shown is a cross-sectional view of a magnetically charged bipolar sphere 4 with north magnetic field N in one hemisphere and south magnetic field S in the other hemisphere, that is operated in the well-known magnetic gyricon mode. This sphere 4, shown here to operate by means of a magnetic field B, is one of a multitude of active rotatable optical elements 1 which reflect and focus incident light. The material of element 1 in all the figures needs to be transparent or translucent so the incident light can reach the reflecting surface 2.