Airborne power station

• US 7,997,532 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2008
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• 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:
  US12/128,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20090229656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,175 Days
• Field of Search: 244/1.A, 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, 244/116, 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: 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,

a solar power generation system supported by the airborne platform and held in a spaced relationship to the airborne platform, wherein the solar power generation system is suspended below the airborne platform by at least one vertically-positioned rigid arm, and wherein the solar power generation system is movable relative to the airborne platform;

and a microwave transmission system for transmitting power to at least one microwave receiver stations.

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

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the airship includes at least one of a propulsion and a steering element for orienting the airship and for stabilizing the airship in position.

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

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

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

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

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one microwave receiver station is mobile.

9. 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.

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

11. 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.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tether connected to the airborne platform at one end, and connected to a mooring device at the Earth'"'"'s surface at another end.

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

14. 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, wherein the solar power generation system is suspended below the airborne platform by at least one vertically-positioned arm, and wherein the solar power generation system is movable relative to the airborne platform;

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

and transmitting power to the microwave power receiver.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising converting the transmitted power for consumer use.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising retrieving and landing the airship.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

distributing power from the solar power generation system by a power management and distribution system to at least one of a propulsion and steering system, a communication system, and a storage system, and;

using the power in the storage system is used to operate the propulsion and steering system when solar power is unavailable.