Airborne power station
First Claim
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1. A system for converting sunlight to electricity comprising:
- an airborne platform;
a solar power generation system supported by and held in 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 structural element extending from the airborne platform to the solar power generation system, and wherein the solar power generation system is movable relative to the airborne platform;
at least one ground station; and
at least one power carrier positioned to carry power from the airborne platform to the at least one ground station.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for converting sunlight to electricity comprising:
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an airborne platform; a solar power generation system supported by and held in 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 structural element extending from the airborne platform to the solar power generation system, and wherein the solar power generation system is movable relative to the airborne platform; at least one ground station; and at least one power carrier positioned to carry power from the airborne platform to the at least one ground station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for converting sunlight to electricity comprising:
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an airborne platform; at least one steering element externally attached to the airborne platform, the at least one steering element moveable independent of the airborne platform, wherein the at least one steering element is capable of orienting the airborne platform; a solar power generation system supported by the airborne platform by at least one vertically positioned rigid structural element extending from the airborne platform to the solar power generation system; at least one ground unit; and at least one power carrier positioned to carry power from the airborne platform to the ground unit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for providing electric power, comprising the steps of:
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providing an airship; supporting a solar power generation system with the airship, wherein the solar power generation system is suspended from the airship with at least one vertically-positioned rigid structural element extending from the airborne platform to the solar power generation system; releasing the airship from a mooring; extending at least one power cable from the airship; orienting the solar power generation system to the Sun; and transmitting a power output of the solar power generation system to a ground station with the at least one power cable. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification