Apparatus and method for making optimal use of a photovoltaic array on an airborne power system

• US 7,938,364 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2008
• Issued: 05/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Tillotson, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh; Tien
• Assistant Examiner(s): Green; Richard R
• Application Number:
  US12/251,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20090230237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 244/1.TD, 244/158.2, 244/158.3, 244/172.7, 244/172.8, 244/24, 244/30, 244/31, 244/32, 244/33, 244/58, 244/59, 244/60, 244/96, 244/126, 244/127, 446/33, 446/225, 136/292, 320/DIG.33
• US Class Current: 244/127
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/80 Airborne solar heat collector modules, e.g. inflatable structures
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/20 for tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/30 Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• 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 solar power generation system to collect sunlight, convert the sunlight to electricity, and to transmit the electricity to a selected location on the earth'"'"'s surface. The solar power generation system is coupled to the airborne platform by a support which can be manipulated by a control system to move the solar power generation system away from a shadow that might be cast by the airborne platform.

Claims

1. A system for converting sunlight to electricity comprising:

a—

lighter than air—

platform deploying the system;

a solar power generation system coupled to the airborne platform by a support; and

a control system coupled to the support to manipulate the support such that the solar power generation system may be moved away from a shadow that might be cast by the airborne platform

wherein the support comprises a vertical axle coupled to the airborne platform, and a beam or truss that is capable of rotating in a horizontal plane coupled to the vertical axle; and

wherein the solar power generation system is supported adjacent only one end of the beam or truss.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a horizontal axle coupled to the beam or truss, wherein said solar power generation system is coupled to the axle such that the solar power generation system may be pivoted about both the horizontal and vertical axles.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the beam or truss and the vertical axle are comprised of a single moveable system.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a counterbalance coupled to the beam or truss at an end opposite the solar power generation system.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the counterbalance also provides aerodynamic lift to substantially counter torque produced by aerodynamic lift of the solar power generation system.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the counterbalance has a flat side, and the solar power generation system has a sun-facing side, and the counterbalance is mounted such that the flat side is substantially parallel to the sun-facing side of the solar power generation system.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a converter for converting power from the solar energy power generation to microwave energy, and a microwave power transmitter for transmitting microwave energy to a remote collector, supported by the beam or truss.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the support is a tether for maintaining the solar power generation system in a desired location above the Earth.

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

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises actuators coupled to a command system to manipulate the support.

11. The system of claim 1, comprising two or more solar energy power generation systems coupled to the airborne platform.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the two or more solar energy power generation systems are supported on a common axle.

13. The systems of claim 11, wherein the two or more solar energy power generation systems are supported on separate axles.

14. A method of increasing efficiency of a solar power generation system on a lighter than air airborne platform, comprising the acts of:

providing the solar power generation system supported at only one end of a beam or truss coupled to the airborne platform and capable of rotating in a horizontal plane;

monitoring position and angle of absorption with regard to sunlight of the solar power generation system;

engaging a control system to keep the solar power generation system out of the shadow of the airborne platform; and

engaging the control system to orient the solar power generation system such that solar power generation system is substantially perpendicular to sunlight.

15. The method of claim 14, including the step of providing a counterbalance for the solar power generation system.

16. The method of claim 15, including the step of adjusting the counterbalance to counter an aerodynamic lift produced by the solar power generation system.

17. The method of claim 15, including the step of adjusting the counterbalance to counter a torque produced by the solar power generation system.