US4075034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar converter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-02-08
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Granted: 1978-02-21
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Expires: 1997-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A solar energy converter for producing variable amplitude alternating current waveforms directly from solar energy including a photo-voltaic cell bank array, formed of a plurality of weighted photo-voltaic segments, a multi-sided, high speed, rotating, light concentrating, concave mirror and a servo means for tracking the sun. Rotation of the mirror past the weighted segments of the photo-voltaic bank produces instantaneous outputs which are proportional to the number of cells scanned in each segment. By suitable arrangement of the photo-voltaic segments, a simulated AC waveform is produced.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Butler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:43
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/95; H10F77/953; H10F77/955; F; F24; F24S; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S30/45; F24S30/452; H02; H02M; H02M11/00; H10F19/00; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/488; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52; Y10; Y10S; Y10S136/00; Y10S136/291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A solar energy converter for producing variable amplitude energy waveforms directly from solar energy comprising a solar bank having an array of photo-voltaic segments, each segment including a variable number of photo-voltaic cells and being adapted to produce a weighted voltage output proportional to the number of photo-voltaic cells when activated by solar energy; means for reflecting concentrated solar light onto said solar bank; means for scanning said reflecting means across said solar bank; and circuit means for connecting the output of said solar bank to a load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A solar energy converter for producing variable amplitude energy waveforms directly from solar energy comprising a solar bank having an array of photo-voltaic segments, each segment including a variable number of photo-voltaic cells and being adapted to produce a weighted voltage output proportional to the number of photo-voltaic cells when activated by solar energy; means for reflecting concentrated solar light onto said solar bank; means for scanning said reflecting means across said solar bank; and circuit means for connecting the output of said solar bank to a load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The solar energy converter of claim 1 further including switching means for changing the polarity of the output of said solar converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The solar energy converter of claim 1 further including means for tracking the sun in order to position the converter facing the sun.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The solar energy converter of claim 1 further including an auxiliary solar bank to provide power to said solar converter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The solar energy converter of claim 4 including a motor drive means to drive said scanning means, said motor drive means being powered by said auxiliary solar bank.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The solar energy converter of claim 2 including a second switching means connected in said output circuit to control the polarity of said waveforms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The solar energy converter of claim 1 further including a battery power bank connected to said auxiliary solar bank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The solar energy converter of claim 2 wherein said switching means is defined as a multi-tier switch comprising a plurality of slip ring connections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The solar energy converter of claim 8 wherein said slip ring connections are formed of alternately conducting and insulating segments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The solar bank of claim 1 wherein said segments are weighted in ascending and descending numbers of individual photo-voltaic cells to produce variable outputs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The solar converter of claim 1 wherein said reflecting means comprises a multi-sided reflecting mirror having concave reflecting surfaces to produce a linear high energy light pulse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The solar converter of claim 11 wherein said reflecting means is a four-side configuration and is concave with respect to its vertical axis to produce a vertical energy pulse and said solar bank segments are vertically disposed on said solar bank in order that the vertical energy pulse sequentially energize each of said solar bank segments.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US588177A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |