Micro-optics concentrator for solar power satellites

Abstract

There is an increasingly intense need to harness solar energy due to an ever growing shortage of conventional energy sources, The instant invention is concerned with method and apparatus for solar concentrator micro-mirrors on solar power satellites and the moon to focus and reflect large quantities of solar energy. Method and apparatus are taught for directly reflecting solar energy to the Earth; reflecting solar energy to a microwave converter in space which transmits microwave energy to the Earth; and reflecting solar energy to a laser radiation converter which beams laser radiation to the Earth. The concentrated energy received at the Earth may be converted directly to electricity or indirectly by thermo-mechanical means. The advantages and disadvantages of the different means of sending such concentrated energy to the Earth are discussed. A particularly important objective of this invention is the focussing of sunlight for solar power conversion and production. The instant invention can contribute to the goal of achieving environmentally clean solar energy on a large enough scale to be competitive with conventional energy sources.

Description

[0001] The following U.S. patents, allowed patent applications, and pending patent applications are fully incorporated herein by reference: [0002] 1. U.S. Pat. No. 6,843,573 by Mario Rabinowitz and Mark Davidson “Mini-Optics Solar Energy Concentrator” issued on Jan. 18, 2005. [0003] 2. U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,176 by Mario Rabinowitz and Mark Davidson, “Dynamic Multi-Wavelength Switching Ensemble” issued on May 18, 2004. [0004] 3. U.S. Pat. No. 6,612,705 by Mark Davidson and Mario Rabinowitz, “Mini-Optics Solar Energy Concentrator” issued on Sep. 2, 2003. [0005] 4. U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,693 by Mark Davidson and Mario Rabinowitz, “Solar Propulsion Assist” issued on Mar. 2, 2004. [0006] 5. U.S. Publication #2003-0193726-A1 by Mark Davidson and Mario Rabinowitz, “Active Reflection, Illumination, and Projection” published on Oct. 16, 2003. [0007] 6. U.S. Publication #Not Designated Yet, by Mario Rabinowitz, “Spinning Concentrator Enhanced Solar Energy Alternating Current Production” is Pending...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a way to reduce the cost of solar energy by using a micro-optics concentrator that is lightweight and low-cost. The concentrator can be used in a satellite or the moon to transmit solar energy to the Earth. It can directly reflect light to the Earth, convert it to microwaves, or beam it to the Earth using laser technology. The invention provides a means to achieve affordable solar energy by reducing the cost of energy converters. The micro-optics concentrator can be aligned using an induced dipole method, which simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs. The invention can contribute to the goal of achieving environmentally clean energy on a large scale."

Problems solved by technology

A limiting factor in the utilization of solar energy is the high cost of energy converters such as photovoltaic cells.

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