AIRBORNE POWER STATION

• US 20090229656A1
• Filed: 05/28/2008
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Tillotson, Brian J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,997,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/251
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/80 Airborne solar heat collector modules, e.g. inflatable structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A system for generating power from sunlight collected substantially above the earth'"'"'s surface comprises an airborne platform which supports an apparatus to collect sunlight, an apparatus to convert sunlight to electricity, and an apparatus to transmit the electricity to a selected location on the earth'"'"'s surface. The airborne platform collects solar energy above the clouds and transmits the energy to a receiving station on the ground via a microwave transmission system, avoiding possible attenuating effects of clouds and pollution.

Claims

1. A system for converting sunlight to electricity comprising:

an airborne platform for deployment above the surface of the earth,

a solar power generation system supported by or held in spaced relationship to the airborne platform,

and a microwave transmission system for transmitting power to one or more microwave receiver stations.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the airborne platform is an airship.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the airship includes propulsion and/or steering elements for orienting the airship and/or for stabilizing the airship in position.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar power generation system includes photovoltaic cells.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar power generation system includes concentrating photovoltaic cells.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar power generation system includes a plurality of steerable solar energy collection panels.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the microwave transmission system includes a microwave transmitter that is capable of being aimed substantially directly at the microwave receiver station.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the microwave receiver station is located at the Earth'"'"'s surface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the microwave receiver station is mobile.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the microwave receiver station includes a converter for converting the transmitted power for use with a local distribution system.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the converter for converting the transmitted power is a rectenna.

12. The system of claim 3, further comprising a control station for operating the propulsion and/or steering elements.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar power generation system is comprised of individual photovoltaic arrays and the microwave transmission system is comprised of individual microwave transmit modules, and wherein individual photovoltaic arrays are arranged abutting individual microwave transmit modules.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the photovoltaic arrays are arranged on the surface of airborne platform, and wherein the microwave transmit modules are designed to transmit power through the body of the airborne platform to the microwave receiver station.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tether, said tether being connected to the airborne platform at one end, the other end being connected to a mooring device at the Earth'"'"'s surface.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar power generation system and the microwave transmission system are electrically connected.

17. A method for providing electric power, comprising the steps of:

providing an airship including a solar power generation system and a microwave transmission system;

releasing the airship from its mooring;

controlling flight of the airship to reach and maintain a desired location;

orienting the solar power generation system to substantially maximize power output;

aiming the microwave power transmission system at a microwave power receiver;

and transmitting power to the microwave power receiver.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising converting the transmitted power for consumer use.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising retrieving and landing the airship as needed for maintenance or upgrades.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the airship further includes a power management and distribution system, wherein power from the solar power generation system is distributed by the power management and distribution system to one or more of a propulsion and steering system, a communication system, and a storage system, and wherein the power in the storage system is used to operate the propulsion and steering system when solar power is unavailable.