SOLAR RELAY AIRCRAFT POWERED BY GROUND BASED SOLAR CONCENTRATOR MIRRORS IN DUAL USE WITH POWER TOWERS

• US 20160009402A1
• Filed: 01/15/2014
• Published: 01/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: John William Hunter
• Original Assignee: John William Hunter
• Inventors: Hunter, John William
• Application Number:
  US14/155,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20160009402A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2039/105 of blended wing body type
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/02 characterised by special use
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/02 Aircraft characterised by the type or position of power plants fuselages specially adapted for mounting power plants B64C1/16; wings specially adapted for power plants B64C3/32
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/24 using steam or spring force jet aircraft B64D27/16
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/353 using solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/20 Vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft flying platforms B64U10/13; helicopters B64U10/17
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/90 Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 30/10 Wings
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/13 using external fans or propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/31 generated by photovoltaics
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/34 In-flight charging photovoltaics B64U50/31
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/10 Drag reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/60 Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

A solar relay aircraft system includes a solar relay aircraft having an upper surface, and a lower surface, and equipped with a solar radiation receiver on said lower surface and capable of converting solar energy to electrical energy. An electric motor in electrical connection with said solar radiation receiver to receive the electrical energy and drives a propeller to propel the solar relay aircraft. A number of ground-based reflector arrays include a plurality of reflecting mirrors for receiving solar radiation from the sun and direct the solar radiation from the sun towards the solar relay aircraft.

Claims

16-1. The solar relay aircraft system of claim 1, further comprising a guidance navigation system.

17. A solar relay aircraft system, comprising:

a solar relay aircraft having an upper surface, and a lower surface;

a solar radiation receiver on said lower surface and capable of converting solar energy to electrical energy;

an electric motor mechanically coupled to a propeller and in electrical connection with said solar radiation receiver to receive said electrical energy;

a power tower configured to receive solar radiation and generate electricity in response thereto; and

a means for directing said solar radiation from the sun towards said solar relay aircraft and said power tower.

18. The solar relay aircraft system of claim 17, wherein said solar radiation receiver comprises a plurality of multi-junction solar cells capable of receiving solar radiation having an intensity in excess of one sun.

19. The solar relay aircraft system of claim 18, wherein said solar relay aircraft further comprises an internal combustion engine operable on a fuel selected from gasoline, hydrogen, compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, and hydrocarbons.

20. A method for operating a solar relay aircraft, comprising the steps of:

providing a solar relay aircraft having an upper surface and a lower surface, having a solar radiation receiver on said lower surface and capable of converting solar energy to electrical energy and having an electric motor mechanically coupled to a propeller and in electrical connection with said solar radiation receiver to receive said electrical energy; and

directing solar radiation from the sun towards said solar radiation receiver to provide electrical energy to said solar relay aircraft.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing an internal combustion engine mechanically couplable to said propeller to propel said aircraft.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising a means for selecting between said electric motor and said internal combustion engine.

23. An unmanned aircraft system, comprising:

at least one solar relay aircraft having a solar collector;

at least one mirror facility configured to direct solar radiation from the sun to said solar collector; and

a means for tracking said solar relay aircraft to maintain said solar radiation on said solar collector.