Solar energy electric generating system
First Claim
1. A solar energy electric generating system, comprising in combination:
- (a) an array of photocells;
(b) means for gating the electrical direct current energy produced by said array of photocells;
(c) means for transforming the electrical direct current energy at an output of said array of photocells whereby an alternating current at the output of said transforming means is produced, and which is controlled by a control device for controlling the rate and duty cycle of said gating means; and
(d) a photosensitive sampler which samples light incident upon said photocell array and outputs a proportional signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solar energy electric generating system for space vehicles is provided which directly generates alternating current from ambient light without the use of inefficient power conversion. Light incident to photocell arrays is mechanically or electrically gated to produce fluctuating DC. A number of transforming devices are provided to convert the fluctuating direct current to alternating current. By varying the frequency and duty cycle of the pulsing output voltage, frequency and phase relative to some reference may be controlled. Additionally, direct current may also be produced efficiently from the same photocell arrays. A closed-loop system is provided for regulation. The rotational torque produced by a rotating shutter version may also be used, under inertial navigation control, to provide a rotational torque for vehicle positioning.
27 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A solar energy electric generating system, comprising in combination:
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(a) an array of photocells; (b) means for gating the electrical direct current energy produced by said array of photocells; (c) means for transforming the electrical direct current energy at an output of said array of photocells whereby an alternating current at the output of said transforming means is produced, and which is controlled by a control device for controlling the rate and duty cycle of said gating means; and (d) a photosensitive sampler which samples light incident upon said photocell array and outputs a proportional signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A solar energy electric generating system, comprising in combination:
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(a) an array of photocells; (b) means for gating the electrical direct current energy produced by said array of photocells; (c) means for transforming the electrical direct current energy at an output of said array of photocells whereby an alternating current at the output of said transforming means is produced, and which is controlled by a control device for controlling the rate and duty cycle of said gating means; (d) a photosensitive sampler which samples light incident upon said photocell array and outputs a proportional signal; (e) a comparator which compares said proportional signal, a sample of the output voltage, a sample of the output frequency, and a sample of the output current, to an external reference and outputs voltage, phase, and frequency correction signals; and
,(f) a voltage, frequency and phase regulator which takes said voltage, phase, and frequency correction signals and causes said control device to gate said energy produced by said array of photocells, thereby forming a closed control loop system which outputs an alternating current power source of fixed voltage, frequency, and phase.
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9. A solar energy electric generating system, comprising in combination:
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(a) an array of photocells; (b) means for gating the electrical direct current energy produced by said array of photocells, wherein said array of photocells comprises a cylinder upon whose outer surface are interspersed photocells, wherein said gating means comprises a rotating superimposed cylinder with apertures; (c) means for transforming the electrical direct current energy at an output of said array of photocells whereby an alternating current at the output of said transforming means is produced, and which is controlled by a control device for controlling the rate and duty cycle of said gating means; (d) a photosensitive sampler which samples light incident upon said photocell array and outputs a proportional signal; and (e) a three-axis joint, and three-axis actuators, and a 3-axis joint controller, whereby the axis of rotation of said rotating cylinder at a distal end of said three-axis joint may be varied so as to impart a controllable inertial torque to said system. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A solar energy electrical generating system, comprising in combination:
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(a) an array of photocells; (b) means for gating the electrical direct current energy produced by said array of photocells; and (c) means for transforming the electrical direct current energy at an output of said array of photocells whereby either an alternating current at a first output of said transforming means is produced or a direct current at a second output of said transforming means is produced. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for converting light energy to electrical energy, comprising:
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a photovoltaic cell for converting incident light energy to direct electrical current, variable shutter means for causing said light energy incident upon said photocell to vary periodically and repetitively from a relatively low value to a relatively high value and back to said relatively low value in a gradual manner. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification