Apparatus and method for concentrating radiant energy emanated by a moving energy source
OwnerJames K. Rasmussoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device efficiently collects energy from a moving source without having to actively track the source. The device includes a primary concentrator, a secondary reflector and a target position. The primary concentrator is positioned to receive energy from the moving energy source and to direct the energy toward the secondary reflector. The secondary reflector has a concave surface which is covered by a number of convex reflecting surfaces. These convex reflecting surfaces direct the energy toward the target position regardless of the relative angle between the energy source and the primary concentrator.
Claims22
An apparatus for collecting electromagnetic energy emanated by a moving energy source, comprising:
- a primary concentrator positioned to receive energy from said moving energy source and to direct the energy toward a nodal point;
- a secondary reflector located near said nodal point and having a secondary concave surface facing toward said primary concentrator, said secondary concave surface having a plurality of convex reflecting surfaces positioned to reflect energy received from said primary concentrator toward a predetermined target position;
- wherein said primary concentrator directs energy to different convex reflecting surfaces depending on the position of the moving energy source relative to said primary concentrator.
A solar collector, comprising:
- a primary concentrator having a primary concave surface generally oriented toward the sky, said primary concentrator suitable for directing sunlight to a nodal point;
- a target position;
- and
- a secondary reflector having a concave surface facing said primary concave surface, said secondary concave surface having a plurality of convex reflecting surfaces positioned to reflect energy received from said primary concentrator toward said target position.
A method for concentrating radiant energy from a moving source to a target position, comprising the steps of:
- providing a concentrator suitable for concentrating the energy towards a point;
- placing a concave surface near said point and facing said concentrator so that the radiant energy strikes a different portion of said concave surface depending on the angle between the moving source and said first concentrator;
- and
- providing a plurality of convex reflecting surfaces on said concave surface, and positioning each convex surface so that it reflects light received from said concentrator toward the target position.
A method for heating a fluid by concentrating radiant energy from a moving source, comprising the steps of:
- providing a concentrator suitable for concentrating the energy towards a nodal point;
- placing a concave surface near said nodal point and facing said concentrator so that the radiant energy strikes a different portion of said concave surface depending on the angle between the moving source and said first concentrator;
- providing a plurality of convex reflecting surfaces on said concave surface, and positioning each convex surface so that it reflects light received from said concentrator toward a heat-absorbing target position;
- and
- placing the fluid to be heated in communication with said heat-absorbing target position so that heat is transferred from said target to the fluid.
A method for lighting the interior of a building by concentrating light from the sun, comprising the steps of:
- providing a concentrator outside of the building and suitable for concentrating sunlight towards a nodal point;
- placing a concave surface near said nodal point and facing said concentrator so that the sunlight strikes a different portion of said concave surface depending on the angle between the sun moving source and said first concentrator;
- providing a plurality of convex reflecting surfaces on said concave surface, and positioning each convex surface so that it reflects light received from said concentrator toward a fixed target position;
- and
- directing concentrated sunlight from said target position to a point inside the building.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.