Patent US4217147A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4217147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Facility for generating technically useable energy by conversion of solar energy
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-12-21
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Granted: 1980-08-12
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Expires: 1998-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A facility for generating technically useable energy by converting solar energy in which a single large concave mirror is disposed in a depression in the ground and has supported thereabove a supporting structure, on a support arm of which an elongated energy collector is provided extending from the theoretical focal point for rays on the axis to the periphery of the spherical mirror, said supporting structure supporting the energy collector for rotation about the center of the mirror to follow the changing position of the sun. Also disclosed is a method for making such a mirror.
Inventors
- 👤 Georg Ziemba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:19
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/488; F; F24; F24S; F24S20/00; F24S20/20; F24S23/00; F24S23/70; F24S23/72; F24S30/00; F24S30/40; F24S30/42; F24S30/425; H02; H02S; H02S20/00; H02S20/30; H02S20/32; F24S25/00; F24S25/60; F24S2025/601; F24S2030/10; F24S2030/11; F24S2030/115; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/47; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
In a facility for generating technically useable energy by converting solar energy comprising at least one concave mirror and at least one energy collector, by which reflected sun rays can be intercepted and converted into technically useable energy, the improvement comprising: (a) the mirror being a stationary spherical mirror for focusing the solar radiation; (b) means supporting the energy collector such that it is brought to the theoretical focal point of the spherical mirror along its optical axis; (c) said energy collector extending along the optical axis in a direction toward the circumference of the spherical mirror and having annular zones stacked on top of each other as seen in the direction of the axis at the periphery of the energy collector, each zone having solar cells disposed at its circumference for energy conversion into d-c current, the peripheral surface of said annular zones defined by the solar cells being of conical shape in such a manner that the solar radiation reflected from any point of the concave mirror strikes the solar cells substantially perpendicularly; (d) means for moving said energy collector relative to the spherical mirror about an axis going through the center of the latter to follow the changing position of the sun; and (e) means for cooling said energy collector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
In a facility for generating technically useable energy by converting solar energy comprising at least one concave mirror and at least one energy collector, by which reflected sun rays can be intercepted and converted into technically useable energy, the improvement comprising: (a) the mirror being a stationary spherical mirror for focusing the solar radiation; (b) means supporting the energy collector such that it is brought to the theoretical focal point of the spherical mirror along its optical axis; (c) said energy collector extending along the optical axis in a direction toward the circumference of the spherical mirror and having annular zones stacked on top of each other as seen in the direction of the axis at the periphery of the energy collector, each zone having solar cells disposed at its circumference for energy conversion into d-c current, the peripheral surface of said annular zones defined by the solar cells being of conical shape in such a manner that the solar radiation reflected from any point of the concave mirror strikes the solar cells substantially perpendicularly; (d) means for moving said energy collector relative to the spherical mirror about an axis going through the center of the latter to follow the changing position of the sun; and (e) means for cooling said energy collector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement according to claim 1, wherein the energy collector is cylindrically shaped body of rotational symmetry and wherein said body extends up to the periphery of the spherical mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said means for cooling comprise at least one cooling coil passing through the interior of the energy collector for cooling.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement according to claim 3, and further including a d-c line connecting said energy collector to an energy consumer, said line being constructed to also act as a line for a cooling medium which can be fed to the energy collector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement according to claim 4, wherein said cooling medium is liquid hydrogen and said d-c line is made superconducting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement according to claim 2, wherein said energy collector is adapted to convert the sun rays into thermal energy and wherein the outside surface of said energy collector is optimally blackened.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement according to claim 6 wherein said energy collector includes at least one tubular coil in which a heat transport medium is conducted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The improvement according to claim 7 wherein the outside surface of said energy collector is formed of copper or silver sheet and wherein said at least one tubular coil in which a heat transport medium is conducted, is arranged inside said sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improvement according to claim 7 wherein the outside surface of the energy collector is formed by said tubular coil in which a heat transport medium is conducted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement according to claim 9, wherein said tubular coil is formed by blackened tubes which carry a liquid heat transport medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement according to claim 7 wherein said heat transport medium is sodium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The improvement according to claim 7 and further including an energy transport line connecting the energy collector to an energy consumer, said line comprising an evacuated, flexible pipeline which is mirror coated on the inside and in which lines that carry the heat transport medium are arranged, and a counterflow heat exchanger connected to said lines.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement according to claim 12 wherein said evacuated pipeline has a double jacket in which cooling water circulates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a facility for generating technically useable energy by converting solar energy comprising at least one concave mirror and at least one energy collector, by which reflected sun rays can be intercepted and converted into technically useable energy, the improvement comprising: (a) the mirror being a stationary spherical mirror for focusing the solar radiation; (b) a vertical beam arranged along a diameter of said spherical mirror so that it can be rotated about the center of the spherical mirror to follow the changing position of the sun; (c) a first support arm disposed on said vertical beam supporting the energy collector such that it is brought to the theoretical focal point of the spherical mirror along its optical axis, said first support arm extending from said beam and further including adjustable cables suspending said energy collector from said support arm and permitting movement of said energy collector in the vertical direction; (d) said energy collector extending along the optical axis in a direction toward the circumference of said spherical mirror; and (e) at least two additional support arms supported for swinging motion in the vertical direction extending from said beam, said first support arm and additional support arms being arranged approximately at equal angular spacings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
205 words
In a facility for generating technically useable energy by converting solar energy comprising at least one concave mirror and at least one energy collector, by which reflected sun rays can be intercepted and converted into technically useable energy, the improvement comprising: (a) the mirror being a stationary spherical mirror for focusing the solar radiation; (b) a vertical beam arranged along a diameter of said spherical mirror so that it can be rotated about the center of the spherical mirror to follow the changing position of the sun; (c) a first support arm disposed on said vertical beam supporting the energy collector such that it is brought to the theoretical focal point of the spherical mirror along its optical axis, said first support arm extending from said beam and further including adjustable cables suspending said energy collector from said support arm and permitting movement of said energy collector in the vertical direction; (d) said energy collector extending along the optical axis in a direction toward the circumference of said spherical mirror; and (e) at least two additional support arms supported for swinging motion in the vertical direction extending from said beam, said first support arm and additional support arms being arranged approximately at equal angular spacings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
107 words
The improvement according to claim 14, wherein said spherical mirror has a diameter of about 70 to 150 m and said beam is disposed on a support structure comprising a plurality of frame girders, each having one end abutting a support surface in the region of the rim of the concave mirror, said girders having their outer ends firmly connected to each other at a distance above the center of the concave mirror, said girders being in the form of lattice masts, each beam hanging vertically downward from the point where said girders are connected in such a manner that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The improvement according to claim 14, wherein said spherical mirror has a diameter of about 150 to 180 m and wherein said beam comprises a vertical tower structure, the longitudinal axis of which passes approximately through the center of said spherical mirror and the height of which is larger than the radius of the spherical mirror.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
The improvement according to claim 14, wherein said spherical mirror has a diameter of about 180 to 400 m and wherein said beam comprises a tower structure and means for moving said tower structure radially within the spherical mirror along a horizontal track and wherein said energy collector is arranged on a support arm extending laterally away from said tower structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement according to claim 14 and further including a working head arranged at each of said further support arms for constructing and cleaning said spherical mirror.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement according to claim 18 wherein at least one of said working heads is supported to be movable in the radial direction and wherein the length of the support arms is variable.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement according to claim 18 wherein one of said working heads includes a pressure plate with a correspondingly curved outside surface for generating the shape of the spherical mirror.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement according to claim 20 and further including means to heat said pressure plate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement according to claim 20 and further including at least one nozzle for dispensing a material selected from the group consisting of foam material, steam, and solvent, disposed at said one working head.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improvement according to claim 18 wherein at least one of said working heads includes a supply of a substrate foil carrying the mirror layer of the spherical mirror and means for pulling said substrate off and applying it to the wall of the spherical mirror.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement according to claim 23 wherein said supply comprises an exchangeable supply roll for the substrate foil, held resiliently and a glue application device associated therewith for coating the substrate foil with glue before it is applied to the wall of the spherical mirror.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
96 words
The improvement according to claim 18 wherein a working head is provided including: (a) a pressure plate with a correspondingly curved outside surface for generating the shape of the spherical mirror; (b) means to heat said pressure plate; (c) at least one nozzle for dispensing a material selected from the group consisting of foam material, steam, and solvent, disposed at said one working head; and (d) a supply of substrate foil carrying the mirror layer of the spherical mirror and means for pulling said substrate off and applying it to the wall of the spherical mirror.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement according to claim 18 wherein one of said support arms has thereon a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of the mirror layer of the spherical mirror.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement according to claim 18 including balancing weights on each support arm carrying two working heads, said weights arranged so that they can be moved and locked along their longitudinal dimension.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement according to claim 14 and further including propulsion jets for rotating said beam including said support arms in both directions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR635283A
Cited
US4030477A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-12 | 1984-02-11 | 1984-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-12 | 1988-02-11 | 1988-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-12 | 1992-02-11 | 1992-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |