US4148301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water-borne rotating solar collecting and storage systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-09-26
•
Granted: 1979-04-10
•
Expires: 1997-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A water-borne solar energy collecting and converting system employing an azimuth-tracking, floating platform equipped with reflectors and associated thermal collector tubes.
Inventors
- 👤 C. Brent Cluff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:07
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/80; F24S20/00; F24S20/70; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S30/42; F24S30/422; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An improved heat exchange means comprising: a floating platform, an array of juxtapositioned reflectors mounted on the top of said platform, each of said reflectors having a reflecting surface, means for mounting each of said reflectors in a parallel arrangement on said platform, at least one fluid-bearing tube mounted on said platform and extending longitudinally of said reflectors on said platform and approximately disposed with the axis of at least a portion of said tube in the focal zone of at least two of said reflectors, and means for moving said platform along said given path to orient and maintain said platform and said reflectors approximately in a plane containing the sun's center, whereby the reflection of the sun's rays are concentrated by at least two of said reflectors in a line image along said portions of said tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
An improved heat exchange means comprising: a floating platform, an array of juxtapositioned reflectors mounted on the top of said platform, each of said reflectors having a reflecting surface, means for mounting each of said reflectors in a parallel arrangement on said platform, at least one fluid-bearing tube mounted on said platform and extending longitudinally of said reflectors on said platform and approximately disposed with the axis of at least a portion of said tube in the focal zone of at least two of said reflectors, and means for moving said platform along said given path to orient and maintain said platform and said reflectors approximately in a plane containing the sun's center, whereby the reflection of the sun's rays are concentrated by at least two of said reflectors in a line image along said portions of said tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 1, including: means for adjusting the vertical angle of said reflectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 1 wherein: said means for mounting each of said reflectors comprises a pivotal mounting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 3 in further combination with: a second means for moving said reflectors independently of said platform in unison through a similar arc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 1 wherein: at least a part of said platform comprises an expanded polystyrene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 1 wherein: said part of said platform comprises a plurality of sheets secured in a planar arrangement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 6 in further combination with: a frame forming a part of said platform for supporting and holding together said sheets and transmitting the stress caused by rotation of said platform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 1 in further combination with: a reservoir for containing water for floating said platform in, and wherein: said means for positioning said platform for arcuate movement comprises a post secured to the reservoir at a position near its center, said platform arcuately moving around said post.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 8 wherein: the movement of said platform is provided by an electrically powered propeller or water jet attached near the periphery of the platform directing force against the body of water on which the platform floats.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 1 wherein: said reflectors comprise a plurality of mirrors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 1 wherein: at least the planes of some of said reflectors are positioned at various angular positions with the axis of the sun.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 4 wherein: said reflectors comprise a plurality of mirrors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 12 wherein: at least the plane of some of said mirrors are positioned at different angular positions with relation to the axis of the sun.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 11 in further combination with: means for simultaneously moving said reflectors through a similar arcuate path to maintain them in a given relationship to the sun.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 1 wherein: the body of water on which the collector floats is also used to store thermal energy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improved heat exchange means set forth in claim 1 wherein: photovoltaic cells are mounted to said tubes which tubes circulate fluid to cool the cells while producing electricity.
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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) | 1982-04-09 | 1982-10-09 | 1983-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-09 | 1986-10-09 | 1987-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-09 | 1990-10-09 | 1991-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |