US4136671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electromagnetic radiation reflector
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-03-24
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Granted: 1979-01-30
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Expires: 1997-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A cylindrical arc reflector of electromagnetic radiation which is a rectangular sheet of material having a radiation reflective surface composed of longitudinal segments that reflect substantially all of the impingent radiation to a longitudinal focal line when the reflective surface is held in the form of a concave cylindrical arc by a pressure differential. The sheet is mounted by its longitudinal edges with its transverse edges movably sealed so as to form an enclosure into which a low vacuum is introduced to create the form holding pressure differential. The reflector is particularly adaptable for use in a solar energy collection apparatus that is constructed using a support structure that does not include the precisely accurate shape of the reflective surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl L. Whiteford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:07
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/74; F24S23/745; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A reflector of electromagnetic radiation which comprises: (a) at least one rectangular sheet of flexbile material having a radiation reflective surface; (b) support means securing two opposite edges of said sheet a predetermined distance apart and means movably sealing the remaining two opposite edges of said sheet; (c) said support means including means for substantially gas-tight enclosure of one surface of said sheet; (d) means applying and maintaining a substantially uniform pressure differential between the surfaces of said sheet for holding said sheet in a substantially cylindrical arc; (e) said reflective surface being on the concave surface and having a plurality of longitudinal segments angled with respect to said arc for directing substantially all of the parallel rays of electromagnetic radiation striking said surface toward the same longitudinal focal line whereby said reflective surface is effectively a parabola.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A reflector of electromagnetic radiation which comprises: (a) at least one rectangular sheet of flexbile material having a radiation reflective surface; (b) support means securing two opposite edges of said sheet a predetermined distance apart and means movably sealing the remaining two opposite edges of said sheet; (c) said support means including means for substantially gas-tight enclosure of one surface of said sheet; (d) means applying and maintaining a substantially uniform pressure differential between the surfaces of said sheet for holding said sheet in a substantially cylindrical arc; (e) said reflective surface being on the concave surface and having a plurality of longitudinal segments angled with respect to said arc for directing substantially all of the parallel rays of electromagnetic radiation striking said surface toward the same longitudinal focal line whereby said reflective surface is effectively a parabola.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The reflector of claim 1, wherein said means applying a pressure differential is a means for creating a partial vacuum in a substantially gas-tight enclosure of the surface opposite said reflective surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reflector of claim 2, wherein said vaccum is up to about two pounds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The reflector of claim 1, wherein said means applying a pressure differential is a means for creating a pressure above atmospheric pressure in a substantially gas tight enclosure of said reflective surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The reflector of claim 1, wherein said means for securing two opposite edges of said sheet comprises a matching bead and groove whereby said sheet may be slidably secured.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The reflector of claim 1, wherein said material is a polycarbonate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The reflector of claim 6, wherein said longitudinal segments are made by extruding said material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The reflector of claim 1, wherein said material is reinforced polypropylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The reflector of claim 8, wherein said polypropylene is reinforced with fiberglass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The reflector of claim 9, wherein said longitudinal segments are made by extruding said material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The reflector of claim 8, wherein said polypropylene is reinforced with carbon fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The reflector of claim 11, wherein said longitudinal segments are made by extruding said material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The reflector of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal segments are transversely arcuate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The reflector of claim 1, further comprising a collector means in the form of a cylinder, the longitudinal axis of which is said longitudinal focal line, for collecting said electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for reflecting solar energy which comprises: (a) at least one rectangular sheet of material having a mirror finished surface; (b) support means securing two opposite edges of said sheet a predetermined distance apart and means movably sealing the remaining two opposite edges of said sheet; (c) said support means including means for substantially gas-tight enclosure of one surface of said sheet; (d) means applying and maintaining a substantially uniform pressure differential between the surfaces of said sheet for holding said sheet in a substantially cylindrical arc; (e) said mirror finished surface having a plurality of longitudinal segments angled with respect to said arc for directing substantially all of the solar energy striking said surface toward a longitudinal focal line; and (f) means located at said focal line for collecting said solar energy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for reflecting solar energy which comprises: (a) at least one rectangular sheet of material having a mirror finished surface; (b) support means securing two opposite edges of said sheet a predetermined distance apart and means movably sealing the remaining two opposite edges of said sheet; (c) said support means including means for substantially gas-tight enclosure of one surface of said sheet; (d) means applying and maintaining a substantially uniform pressure differential between the surfaces of said sheet for holding said sheet in a substantially cylindrical arc; (e) said mirror finished surface having a plurality of longitudinal segments angled with respect to said arc for directing substantially all of the solar energy striking said surface toward a longitudinal focal line; and (f) means located at said focal line for collecting said solar energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The reflector of claim 15, wherein said means applying a pressure differential is a means for creating a partial vacuum in a substantially gas-tight enclosure of the surface opposite said reflective surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reflector of claim 16, wherein said vacuum is up to about two pounds.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The reflector of claim 15, wherein said means applying a pressure differential is a means for creating a pressure above atmospheric pressure in a substantially gas-tight enclosure of said reflective surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The reflector of claim 15, wherein said means for securing two opposite edges of said sheet comprises a matching bead and groove whereby said sheet may be slidably secured.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The reflector of claim 15, wherein said material is a polycarbonate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The reflector of claim 20, wherein said longitudinal segments are made by extruding said material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reflector of claim 21, wherein said mirror finished surface is vacuum deposited aluminum.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
The reflector of claim 15, wherein said material is reinforced polypropylene.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The reflector of claim 23, wherein said polypropylene is reinforced with fiberglass.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The reflector of claim 24, wherein said longitudinal segments are made by extruding said material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reflector of claim 25, wherein said mirror finished surface is vacuum deposited aluminum.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The reflector of claim 23, wherein said polypropylene is reinforced with carbon fiber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The reflector of claim 27, wherein said longitudinal segments are made by extruding said material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reflector of claim 28, wherein said mirror finished surface is vacuum deposited aluminum.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
The reflector of claim 18, wherein said longitudinal segments are transversely arcuate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-01-29 | 1982-07-31 | 1983-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-29 | 1986-07-31 | 1987-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-29 | 1990-07-31 | 1991-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |