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OwnerJames C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Charles G. Miller +1inventors
InventorsJames C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Charles G. Miller, Jens G. Pohl
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A tracking three-dimensional solar energy concentrator is provided by a stretched aluminized polymeric membrane supported by a hoop, the polymeric membrane being formed to a desired curvature by differential loading. The loading on the polymeric membrane determines its curvature. The loading can be varied by utilizing a plastic membrane that has a non-uniform radial distribution of thickness with uniform differential pressure or by applying a non-uniform differential pressure on a membrane having uniform thickness. Reflector membranes having a non-uniform radial distribution of thickness can be obtained by selective spraying of a dissolved plastic such as Krylon on the underside of the aluminized membrane. A non-uniform differential pressure is obtained by using a uniform differential pressure in combination with localized electrostatic or magnetic pressure. The membrane concentrator and its supporting equipment is maintained in a slightly pressurized spherical-cap envelope of transparent plastic to protect the concentrator from the elements.
A three-dimensional tracking solar energy concentrator, comprising:
A method for making a low cost three-dimensional tracking solar energy concentrator, comprising:
A method for making a low cost three-dimensional solar energy concentrator, comprising:
A method for making a low cost three-dimensional solar energy concentrator, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.