Electromagnetic energy concentrating device and method therefor
AssigneeSolarcat, Inc.
InventorsBasset Brittingham, III, Zoltan Farkas, Patrick K. Soliday
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electromagnetic energy concentrating dish (22) that comprises a contoured polymeric support (62) and a reflective surface (60). A contour (26) is determined that will reflect electromagnetic energy from reflective surface (60) to a receiver (36) set at focus region (28). A net or near net polymeric foam (100) is machined to form contoured polymeric support (62) having contour (26′). Reflective surface (60) is laid upon contoured polymeric support (62), and angles of reflection from reflective surface (60) adjust to reflect electromagnetic energy to focus region (28).
Claims24
An electromagnetic energy concentrator (22) for reflecting electromagnetic energy comprising:
- a reflective surface (60) capable of reflecting electromagnetic energy;
- a contoured polymeric support (62) having a contour (26);
- and
- an adhesive (76) bonding said reflective surface (60) to said contoured polymeric support (62) such that said reflective surface (60) has said contour (26).
A method of constructing an electromagnetic energy concentrator (22) comprising:
- determining a contour (26) for said electromagnetic energy concentrator (22);
- contouring a polymeric foam (98) to said contour (26), to form a contoured polymeric support (62);
- and
- attaching a reflective surface (60) to said contoured polymeric support (62).
A method of constructing an electromagnetic energy collection dish (22) comprising:
- determining a contour (26″) for each of a plurality of electromagnetic energy collection segments (52);
- fabricating said plurality of electromagnetic energy collection segments (52) to exhibit said contour (26″);
- combining said plurality of electromagnetic energy collection segments (52) to form an electromagnetic energy collection sector (38);
- combining a plurality of said electromagnetic energy collection sectors (38) to form said electromagnetic energy collection dish (22).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.