Space-based power system

• US 20060185726A1
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solaren Corporation
• Original Assignee: Solaren Corporation
• Inventors: Spirnak, Gary T., Rogers, James E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,612,284 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/243
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/26 using jets
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/36 using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/405 Ion or plasma engines per se F03H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/428 Power distribution and management
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/44 using radiation, e.g. deployable solar arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/443 Photovoltaic cell arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/446 Thermal solar power generation
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/70 with reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0543 comprising light concentrating means of the refractive type, e.g. lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0547 comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/46 Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/292 Space - satellite

Abstract

A space-based power system. The system maintains proper positioning and alignment of system components without using connecting structures. Power system elements are launched into orbit, and the free-floating power system elements are maintained in proper relative alignment, e.g., position, orientation, and shape, using a control system.

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94. A space-based power system, comprising:

a plurality of free-floating power system elements in space, the plurality of power system elements including an intermediate power system element that receives sunlight from one power system element in space and transmits the sunlight to another power system element in space; and

a control system having a plurality of control system elements, each power system element having a control system element so that power system elements can be aligned based on communications between control system components,

the plurality of power system elements being arranged to collect sunlight, generate electrical energy from the collected sunlight, and convert the electrical energy into a form for transmission to a pre-determined location.

95. The system of claim 94, at least one power system element being a mirror.

96. The system of claim 94, the predetermined location comprising a planet, a space station, a satellite or a moon.

97. The system of claim 94, the plurality of power system elements including:

a primary mirror;

an intermediate mirror, wherein the primary mirror reflects sunlight to the intermediate mirror;

a power module, wherein the intermediate mirror directs sunlight to the power module, and the power module generates electrical energy;

an emitter; and

a reflective mirror,

wherein the emitter converts the generated electrical energy into a form that can be transmitted, and the converted energy is provided to the reflective mirror, wherein the reflective mirror is configured to transmit the converted energy to a receiver at the predetermined location.

98. The system of claim 97, the power module comprising a photovoltaic module.

99. The system of claim 98, wherein solar cells of the photovoltaic module are co-located with the emitter.

100. The system of claim 94, wherein the control system adjusts a position, an orientation or a shape of a power system element.

101. The system of claim 94, wherein the control system maintains the alignment of all of the plurality of power system elements.

102. The system of claim 94, wherein the control system includes a displacement element that is selectively activated to adjust a power system element in space.

103. The system of claim 94, wherein the control system includes a plurality of sensors, wherein data of sensors of two power system elements is compared to determine whether the power system elements are properly aligned.

104. The system of claim 103, wherein sensors of adjacent power system elements are arranged to communicate with each other.

105. The system of claim 94, wherein a majority of the power system elements are free-floating in space.

106. The system of claim 94, wherein all of the power system elements are free-floating in space.

107. A space-based power system, comprising:

a plurality of free-floating power system elements in space, the plurality of power system elements including an intermediate power system element that receives sunlight from one power system element in space and transmits the sunlight to another power system element in space; and

a control system including a plurality of sensors and displacement elements, each power system element having a sensor and a displacement element, power system elements being aligned based on communications between sensors and by selectively activating one or more displacement elements,

the plurality of power system elements being arranged to collect sunlight, generate electrical energy from the collected sunlight, and convert the electrical energy into a form for transmission to a pre-determined location.

108. The system of claim 107, at least one power system element being a mirror.

109. The system of claim 107, the predetermined location comprising a planet, a space station, a satellite, or a moon.

110. The system of claim 107, the plurality of power system elements including:

a primary mirror;

a first intermediate mirror, wherein the primary mirror reflects sunlight to the intermediate mirror;

a power module, wherein the first intermediate mirror directs sunlight to the power module, and the power module generates electrical energy;

an emitter; and

a reflective mirror,

wherein the emitter converts the generated electrical energy into a form that can be transmitted, and the converted energy is provided to the reflective mirror, wherein the reflective mirror is configured to transmit the converted energy to a receiver at the predetermined location.

111. The system of claim 110, the power module comprising a photovoltaic module.

112. The system of claim 111, wherein solar cells of the photovoltaic module are co-located with the emitter.

113. The system of claim 107, wherein the control system adjusts a position, an orientation or a shape of a power system element.

114. The system of claim 107, wherein the control system maintains the alignment of all of the plurality of power system elements.

115. The system of claim 107, wherein sensors of adjacent power system elements are arranged to communicate with each other.

116. The system of claim 107, wherein a majority of the power system elements are free-floating in space.

117. The system of claim 107, wherein all of the power system elements are free-floating in space.

118. A method of controlling power system elements to generate power in space and transmit the generated power to a predetermined location, the method comprising:

launching a plurality of power system elements and a control system into space, each power system element including an element of the control system;

positioning the plurality of power system elements in space so that an intermediate power system element in space receives sunlight from one power system element in space and transmits the sunlight to another power system element in space; and

maintaining alignment of the power system elements based on communications between control system elements so that the power system elements are configured to collect sunlight;

generate electrical energy from the collected sunlight, and convert the electrical energy into a form suitable for transmission to the pre-determined location.