Solar energy concentrator assembly and associated method
OwnerRobert C. Stirbl, Peter J. Wilkinventors
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Abstract
A solar energy concentrator assembly comprises flexible polymeric sheet which carries an integral optical element in the form of a Fresnel lens for concentrating a substantial amount of incoming solar radiation on a desired location on the earth's surface. Lofting elements such as propeller driven wings is attached to the sheet for providing aerodynamic lift thereto to maintain the optical element a predetermined distance above the surface of the earth. The propulsion system is powered electrically with energy derived from sunlight.
Claims11
A solar energy concentrator assembly comprising:
- solar concentrator means including a Fresnel lens integral with a sheet of flexible polymeric material for concentrating a substantial amount of incoming solar radiation onto a surface of the earth;
- wing means connected to said solar concentrator means for providing aerodynamic lift to said solar concentrator means, to thereby maintain said solar concentrator means a predetermined distance above the surface of the earth to effectively concentrate incoming solar radiation onto the surface of the earth;
- propulsion means connected to said solar concentrator means for propelling said wing means through the atmosphere to generate aerodynamic lift due to differential air flow along surfaces of said wing means;
- power plant means operatively connected to said propulsion means for supplying power to said propulsion means;
- and
- solar collection means mounted to said solar concentrator means and operatively connected to said power plant means for energizing same in response to solar radiation received by said solar collection means.
A method for concentrating solar energy, comprising the steps of:
- providing a flexible sheet of polymeric material with an integral Fresnel lens capable of concentrating a substantial amount of solar radiation;
- attaching a plurality of air transport devices to said sheet at spaced positions;
- operating said air transport devices to maintain said sheet at a predetermined position and orientation above the earth's surface;
- and
- modifying the distribution of solar radiation passing through said Fresnel lens to thereby concentrate the solar radiation at a predetermined location on a surface of the earth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.