AIRBORNE POWER STATION

• US 20090230236A1
• Filed: 03/14/2008
• 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 8,006,933 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/30
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/06 Rigid airships; Semi-rigid airships B64B1/58 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/50 Captive balloons
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/80 Airborne solar heat collector modules, e.g. inflatable structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/40 Mobile PV generator systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for generating power from sunlight collected substantially above the earth'"'"'s surface, comprised of 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 invention collects solar energy above the clouds and transmits the energy to a receiving station on the ground via a cable, thereby avoiding the attenuating effects of clouds and pollution, resulting in an improved solar power generation system.

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 and held in spaced relationship to the airborne platform,

one or more ground stations, and

one or more power carriers for carrying power from the airborne platform to the ground stations.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more power carriers comprise one or more power cables.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the power cables are attached to one or more mooring devices on the ground.

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

5. The system of claim 1, further including one or more tethers running between the airborne platform and one or more mooring devices on the ground.

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

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the airship includes steering elements for orienting the airship or for stabilizing the airship in position.

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

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

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar power generation system is suspended below the airborne platform by one or more rigid structural elements.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar power generation system is suspended below the airborne platform by cables.

12. 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 the airborne platform,

a mobile ground unit, and

one or more power carriers for carrying power from the airborne platform to the mobile ground unit.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more power carriers comprise one or more power lines.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more power lines are attached to one or more mooring devices on the ground.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the solar power generation system includes a plurality of steerable solar energy collection panels.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the solar power generation system is supported by and held in spaced relationship to the airborne platform.

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

providing an airship supporting a solar power generation system suspended from the airship and power cables and/or tether lines;

releasing the airship from a mooring;

extending the power cables and/or tether lines;

orienting the solar power generation system to the sun, and transmitting the power output to a ground station located at the earth'"'"'s surface.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of converting the power output from the airborne power station for distribution to one or more users.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the solar power generation system includes a plurality of solar energy collection panels, and including the step of orienting the solar energy collection panels towards the sun.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the power cables also serve as tether lines.