Method and apparatus for tracking and concentrating electromagnetic waves coming from a moving source to a fixed focal point

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromagnetic wave concentrators, such as solar parabolic dishes and lenses, require a complex tracking mechanism to maintain a moving focal point as they track a moving source, limiting their application, especially when the receiver is heavy or requires material flow, and restricting large-scale solar energy generation to 25 KW.

Innovation Solution

A tracking system that impedes a parabolic dish or concentrating lens within a hemisphere, allowing the hemisphere to rotate around its fixed center to maintain a focal point on the ground, ensuring continuous concentration of electromagnetic waves onto a fixed focal point using motors and mechanical controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a parabolic dish or lens tracks a moving source, then the concentration of electromagnetic waves is maintained, but the focal point moves, requiring a complex tracking mechanism for the receiver

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of electromagnetic wavesVSAvoidtracking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the receiver to follow the focal point, the patent inverts the approach by moving the concentrator (parabolic dish or lens) to track the source while keeping the receiver fixed. The concentrator rotates on a vertical axis and tilts on a horizontal axis to maintain proper orientation toward the moving source, thereby keeping the focal point stationary at the receiver location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic tracking mechanisms for the concentrator, allowing it to rotate and tilt in real-time to follow the moving source. This dynamic adjustment of the concentrator's position and orientation ensures continuous proper alignment with the source while maintaining a fixed focal point at the stationary receiver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the receiver is made heavy for industrial applications, then the concentration capability is improved, but the tracking mechanism becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration capabilityVSAvoidtracking mechanism operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by inverting which component moves. The heavy receiver remains stationary while the lighter concentrator performs the tracking motion. This allows the receiver to be made heavy for industrial applications without increasing tracking mechanism complexity, as the tracking is performed by the concentrator rather than the receiver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the focal point is kept fixed to the ground, then material flow and heavy receiver applications are enabled, but the tracking mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial flow capabilityVSAvoidtracking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables fixed focal point applications by inverting the tracking approach. The concentrator tracks the source while the receiver with fixed focal point remains stationary on the ground. This allows material flow and heavy receiver applications while the tracking complexity is confined to the concentrator's rotation and tilting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient concentration of solar beams and telecommunication signals onto a fixed focal point, facilitating continuous metal melting, high-efficiency solar power generation, and large-scale electricity production, overcoming the limitations of moving focal points in existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

This concentration of the electromagnetic waves may be done by reflection, as in the case of a reflecting dish

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

or by refraction as in the case of a concentrating lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS9772121B1Method and apparatus for tracking and concentrating electromagnetic waves coming from a moving source to a fixed focal point

Publication Date: 2017.09.26 WAHAJ INVESTMENT LLC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for concentrating electromagnetic waves coming from a moving source at a focal point fixed to the ground. The invention discloses a tracking system for a device capable of concentrating incoming electromagnetic waves at a fixed focal point. This concentration of the electromagnetic waves may be done by reflection, as in the case of a reflecting dish, or by refraction as in the case of a concentrating lens, which is impeded in a hemisphere, which can be real or imaginary, such that its focal point coincides with the center of the hemisphere and using this apparatus to track such moving source by rotating around said hemisphere's fixed center, so as to face the incoming electromagnetic rays normally. A receiver can be kept at the focal point of the device which uses the concentrated rays for various applications such as melting metals or charging a solar cell.