Multi-function field-deployable resource harnessing apparatus and methods of manufacture

• US 20060033674A1
• Filed: 10/20/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James M. Essig, John R. Essig Jr
• Original Assignee: James M. Essig, John R. Essig Jr
• Inventors: Essig, James M., Essig, John R. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,612,735 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/912
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 61/60 Floating cultivation devices, e.g. rafts or floating fish-farms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/06 Energy recovery
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/14 using solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/441 by reverse osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/80 Airborne solar heat collector modules, e.g. inflatable structures
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/715 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/28 using reflection, e.g. parabolic reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/163 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/81 Aquaculture, e.g. of fish
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/60 Fishing; Aquaculture; Aquafarming
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/33 using wind energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

A multi-function, field-deployable resource harnessing apparatus 600 having, in its embodiments, an inflatable reflector apparatus 610 comprising a least one manufactured parabolic mirror made from a pressure-deformable reflective covering of an inflatable ring for focusing electromagnetic energy from radio frequency radiation (RF) through the ultraviolet (UV) radiation including solar energy for (1) heating and cooking, (2) electrical power generation, (3) enhancing the transmission and reception of radio signals, (4) enhancing vision in low-light environments, and/or (5) projection of optical signals or images. The device also has non-electromagnetic uses, such as the collection and storage of water, harnessing of energy from a fluid stream, and/or harnessing wave energy. A first main embodiment of the inflatable reflector apparatus 610 generally utilizes two pressure-deformable membranes, at least one of which is reflective. A second main embodiment utilizes a reflective membrane and a transparent membrane. In addition to the reflector apparatus 610, the modular apparatus 600 typically further includes modular assemblies to increase versatility, facilitate use, and/or enhance safety such as, for example, a modular support and orienting assembly 612, a separate support ring 614, a safety shield or cage 616, a focal point support assembly 618, a safety cover 620, a safety net or mesh 622, and a stabilizing assembly 624. Portability is enhanced by complete collapsing of the inflatable device.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

(a) a reflector reflective to radiant electromagnetic energy and operable to produce a concentration of electromagnetic energy; and

(b) a safety member disposed to provide a physical barrier at least partially surrounding the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

2. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises

i. a ring support element including at least one ring, and the ring support element defines a vacant center;

and

ii. at least two pressure-deformable membranes extending across the vacant center of the support element, wherein the membranes and the ring support element define at least one reflector chamber, and at least one of the membranes is reflective to electromagnetic radiation.

4. An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the ring support element and the reflector chamber are inflatable, the ring support element is tubular, and the reflector further comprises

iii. at least one inflation device disposed to inflate the ring support element;

and

iv. at least one pressure adjusting or inflating device disposed to adjust the pressure within, or to inflate, the reflector chamber.

5. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the reflector and the safety member are collapsible structures.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the reflector and the safety member are rigid structures.

7. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

(c) a support assembly attached to the reflector.

8. An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the support assembly comprises

i. a spherical support.

9. An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein the support assembly further comprises

ii. a ring, wherein the spherical support is disposed to moveably couch within the ring.

10. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support for holding a material, an accessory element, or a material and an accessory element, in proximity to a focal point of the reflector.

11. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein a safety net or mesh is attached to an upper portion of the safety member.

12. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein a safety cover is attached to an upper portion of the safety member and is deployable to attenuate electomagnetic energy striking the reflector.

13. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the reflector comprises a central rigid concentrating reflector element.

14. An apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein the reflector element is supported by a truss structure.

15. An apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the truss structure is globe-shaped.

16. An apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein the truss structure is supported by a support element.

17. An apparatus as recited in claim 16, wherein the support element is a ring.

18. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support, and a vessel is supported by the cable-stayed support so the vessel is disposed in proximity to the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

19. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support, and a vessel of a distillation apparatus is supported by the cable-stayed support so the vessel is disposed in proximity to the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

20. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support, and a heat exchanger is supported by the cable-stayed support so the heat exchanger is disposed in proximity to the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

21. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support, and a photovoltaic cell is supported by the cable-stayed support so that the photovoltaic cell is disposed in proximity to the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

22. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support, and a heating chamber is supported by the cable-stayed support so that the heating chamber is disposed in proximity to the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

23. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support, and an air-heating device is supported by the cable-stayed support so that the air-heating device is disposed in proximity to the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

24. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support, and an antenna is supported by the cable-stayed support so the antenna is disposed in proximity to the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

25. An apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein the antenna is a basic antenna or a high-gain antenna.

26. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising a support element attached to the reflector and a transceiver device attached to the support element.

27. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is disposed to relay electomagnetic energy to a second apparatus, wherein the second apparatus comprises

i. a second reflector reflective to radiant electromagnetic energy and operable to produce a second concentration of electromagnetic energy;

and

ii. a second safety member disposed to provide a physical barrier at least partially surrounding the second concentration of electromagnetic energy.

28. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support, and a non-collimated light source is supported by the cable-stayed support so the light source is disposed in proximity to the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

29. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support, and an item is supported by the cable-stayed support so the item is disposed in proximity to the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

30. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the safety member supports a cable-stayed support, and a wave guide device is supported by the cable-stayed support so the wave guide device is disposed in proximity to the concentration of electromagnetic energy.

31. An apparatus as recited in claim 30, wherein the waveguide device is connected to a waveguide, and the waveguide is connected to a lamp or a light-energized tool.

32. An apparatus as recited in claim 31, wherein the waveguide is connected to the light-energized tool, and the tool includes a light absorbing element that generates heat when the tool is energized.

33. An apparatus as recited in claim 31, wherein the waveguide is connected to the light-energized tool, and the tool includes a light-emitting tip that generates light or heat when the tool is energized.

3. An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein the safety member is a safety shield or a safety cage.

34. A field-deployable reflector apparatus comprising:

(a) a ring support element comprising at least one ring, and the ring support element defines a vacant center; and

(b) at least two mechanically-deployable membranes extending across the vacant center of the support element, and at least one of the membranes is reflective to electromagnetic radiation.

35. A field-deployable reflector apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein the membranes and the ring support element define at lease one reflector chamber when in a mechanically deployed state.

36. A field-deployable reflector apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein the ring support element is inflatable and tubular, and the reflector apparatus further comprises at least one inflation device disposed to inflate the ring support element.

37. A field-deployable reflector apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein the reflector apparatus is collapsible.

38. A field-deployable reflector apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein the ring support element is a rigid structure.

39. A field-deployable reflector apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein a plurality of internal ribs or cords, or both, connect the two mechanically-deployable membranes to form a faceting pattern.

40. A field-deployable reflector apparatus as recited in claim 39, wherein the membranes and the ring support element define at least one reflector chamber when in a mechanically deployed state, and wherein the apparatus further includes a pressure adjusting device operable to adjust pressure within the reflector chamber.

41. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 34, further comprising:

(c) a support assembly disposed to support and orient the apparatus.

42. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 41, wherein the support assembly is attached to a lower surface of the ring support element, the support assembly comprising

i. a spherical support.

43. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 42, wherein the support assembly further comprises

ii. a toroidal ring, wherein the spherical support is disposed to moveably couch within the toroidal ring.

44. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 43, further comprising:

(d) a safety shield attached to an upper surface of the ring support element.

45. A field-deployable apparatus for collecting, storing, or processing one or more materials, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a ring support element including at least one substantially tubular ring, and the ring support element defines a vacant center;

(b) one or more membranes extending across the vacant center of the support element, wherein a first membrane is disposed at an upper surface of the ring support element so as to form a floor of a collection basin for a material; and

(c) a collecting, storing, or processing assembly disposed to perform one or more functions selected from the group consisting of collecting, storing and processing a material, wherein the collecting, storing, or processing assembly is connected to one or more of the ring support element and the first membrane.

46. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 45, wherein the collecting, storing, or processing assembly comprises one or more toroidal rings attached to the upper surface of the ring support element so as to form a portion of the collection basin.

47. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 46, wherein the collecting, storing, or processing assembly further comprises

a transparent membrane attached at an upper portion of the one or more toroidal rings;

and

a collection vessel disposed to receive material dripping from the transparent membrane.

48. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 45, wherein the collecting, storing, or processing assembly includes at least one valve disposed in the first membrane and the valve is operable to drain material from the collection basin.

49. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 48, further comprising a second membrane disposed at a lower surface of the ring support element so as to form a floor of a processing chamber, wherein the processing chamber is defined by the first membrane, the second membrane and the ring support element, and the valve disposed in the first membrane is operable to drain material from the collection basin to the processing chamber.

50. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 45, further comprising a second membrane disposed at a lower surface of the ring support element so as to form a floor of a processing chamber, wherein the processing chamber is defined by the first membrane, the second membrane and the ring support element, and an ultraviolet light emitting device is disposed in the processing chamber.

51. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 45, further comprising a second membrane disposed at a lower surface of the ring support element so as to form a floor of a processing chamber, wherein the processing chamber is defined by the first membrane, the second membrane and the ring support element, and a radiant energy absorbing upper membrane device is disposed on the first membrane.

52. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 45, further comprising a second membrane disposed at a lower surface of the ring support element so as to form a floor of a processing chamber, wherein the processing chamber is defined by the first membrane, the second membrane and the ring support element, and the first membrane and the second membrane each have an electrically insulated, electrically conductive layer that electrostatically charge.

53. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 45, further comprising a second membrane disposed at a lower surface of the ring support element so as to form a floor of a processing chamber, wherein the processing chamber is defined by the first membrane, the second membrane and the ring support element, and the first membrane is transparent and the second membrane includes a pathogen-killing layer disposed on an inner side within the processing chamber.

54. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the pathogen-killing layer includes silver or titanium-dioxide.

55. A field-deployable apparatus as recited in claim 45, further comprising a second membrane disposed at a lower surface of the ring support element so as to form a floor of a processing chamber, wherein the processing chamber is defined by the first membrane, the second membrane and the ring support element, and a pathogen killing material is disposed within the processing chamber.

56. A field-deployable inflatable apparatus for harnessing energy from waves, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first ring support element comprising at least one substantially tubular inflatable ring, and the first ring support element defines a vacant center, wherein a first membrane extends across the vacant center of the first ring support element and a first spherical cover is attached to the first ring support element;

(b) a mechanical energy harnessing assembly attached to the first ring support element; and

(c) a second ring support element comprising at least one substantially tubular inflatable ring, the second ring support element defines a vacant center, and a second membrane extends across the vacant center of the second ring support element and a second spherical cover is attached to the second ring support element, and

the energy harnessing assembly is also attached to the second ring support element so the energy harnessing assembly is disposed between the spherical covers of the first ring support element and the second ring support element.

57. A field-deployable inflatable apparatus as recited in claim 56, wherein the energy harnessing assembly includes a linear piston.

58. A field-deployable inflatable apparatus as recited in claim 56, wherein the energy harnessing assembly includes a linear generator.

59. A field-deployable inflatable apparatus for harnessing energy from fluid streams, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a first ring support element comprising at least one substantially tubular inflatable ring, and the first ring support element defines a vacant center; and

(b) an energy harnessing assembly attached to the first ring support element, wherein the energy harnessing assembly includes a turbine device.

60. A field-deployable inflatable apparatus as recited in claim 59, wherein the turbine device is a turbine generator device disposed in the vacant center of the first ring support element.

61. A field-deployable inflatable apparatus as recited in claim 59, further comprising:

(c) a safety member attached to the first ring support element, wherein the turbine generator device is mounted within the safety member by a cable-stayed support.

62. A field-deployable inflatable apparatus as recited in claim 59, wherein the energy harnessing assembly includes a plurality of flexible membranous blades attached to the first ring support element so the first ring support element and the plurality of blades form a wind turbine.

63. A field-deployable inflatable apparatus as recited in claim 62, further comprising:

(c) a support assembly comprising a shaft and a generator mounted on the shaft, wherein the wind turbine is attached to the generator so the generator generates electrical energy when wind rotates the turbine on the shaft of the support assembly.

64. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a reflector reflective to radiant electromagnetic energy and operable to produce a concentration of electromagnetic energy;

(b) a safety member disposed to provide a physical barrier at least partially surrounding the concentration of electromagnetic energy; and

(c) a support element, wherein the reflector, the safety member and the support element each comprise a portion of a globe-shaped structure of the apparatus.

65. An apparatus as recited in claim 64, wherein the safety member comprises a first plurality of semicircular rigid elements and the support element comprises a second plurality of semicircular rigid elements.

66. An apparatus as recited in claim 65, wherein the first plurality of semicircular rigid elements are rotatably attached to one side of the reflector and the second plurality of semicircular rigid elements is rotatably attached to the reflector to diametrically oppose the first plurality of semicircular rigid elements.

67. An apparatus as recited in claim 66, further comprising one or more cable-stays connected to stabilize the first plurality of semicircular rigid elements, the second plurality of rigid elements and the reflector as a globe-shaped structure.

68. An apparatus as recited in claim 65, the safety member and the support element are rotatably attached to each other.

69. An apparatus as recited in claim 68, wherein the reflector is disposed to stabilize the first plurality of semicircular rigid elements and the second plurality of semicircular rigid elements.

70. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a globe-shaped truss support structure comprising an equitorial rim and a bottom pole; and

(b) a sub-ambient pressurized reflector chamber attached substantially to the equitorial rim and substantially to the bottom pole of the truss support structure.

71. An apparatus as recited in claim 70, further comprising:

(c) a toroidal support ring disposed to support the truss support structure.

72. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a low-inflation-volume spherical support having an approximately parabolic inner surface; and

(b) a reflective membrane attached to the approximately parabolic inner surface of the low-inflation-volume spherical support.

73. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, wherein at least a portion of the reflective membrane is attached to the low-inflation-volume spherical support by a plurality of substantially circumferential oriented bonds.

74. An apparatus as recited in claim 73, wherein the entire reflective membrane is supported by the low-inflation-volume spherical support.

75. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, further comprising:

(c) a focal point support selected from a rod or cable-stayed support disposed to span the apparatus.

76. An apparatus as recited in claim 74, wherein the low-inflation-volume spherical support also includes an approximately spherical outer surface, and the apparatus further comprises:

(d) a toroidal support ring, wherein the outer surface of the low-inflation-volume spherical support is couched within the toroidal ring support.

77. An apparatus as recited in claim 72, wherein the low-inflation-volume spherical support comprises an inner membrane and an outer membrane joined to the inner membrane, and a plurality of internal elements also join the inner membrane to the outer membrane.

78. A multifunction apparatus, comprising:

(a) a reflector reflective to radiant electromagnetic energy and operable to produce a concentration of electromagnetic energy; and

(b) a safety member disposed to provide a physical barrier at least partially surrounding the concentration of electromagnetic energy, wherein the reflector comprises

i. a support element including at least one ring or frame, and the support element defines a vacant center; and

ii. at least two pressure-deformable membranes extending at least partially across the vacant center of the support element, wherein the membranes and the support element define at least one reflector chamber, and at least one of the membranes is reflective to electromagnetic radiation.