Airborne photovoltaic solar device and method

• US 9,246,433 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2014
• Issued: 01/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leonid Goldstein
• Original Assignee: Leonid Goldstein
• Inventors: Goldstein, Leonid
• Primary Examiner(s): MERSHON, JAYNE L
• Application Number:
  US14/533,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20150053255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 136/246
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64B 1/50 Captive balloons
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 27/32 Rotors
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 31/00 Aircraft intended to be sustained without power plant; Powered hang-glider-type aircraft; Microlight-type aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 27/24 using steam or spring force jet aircraft B64D27/16
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/80 Airborne solar heat collector modules, e.g. inflatable structures
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2020/23 movable or adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/745 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/50 comprising elongate non-rigid elements, e.g. straps, wires or ropes
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 30/425 Horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/042 PV modules or arrays of single PV cells supporting structures for PV modules H02S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0525 including means to utilise heat energy directly associated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Seebeck elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0547 comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/00 PV power plants; Combinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/00 Supporting structures for PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators

Abstract

An airborne photovoltaic solar system, comprising a parabolic reflector-concentrator (110, 1210), spread by wind, a solar panel (102, 1202) raised to high altitude using at least one lighter than air balloon (103, 1201), tracking the sun using aerodynamic surfaces and/or changes in buoyancy, relying on wind and/or cold air to cool the solar panel in one embodiment, as well as related methods and variations and alternatives.

Claims

1. A system for converting solar energy into electric energy, comprising:

at least one airborne platform;

a solar panel, comprising multiple solar cells, attached to the airborne platform;

a reflector-concentrator, focusing solar radiation on the solar panel;

a first actuator for moving the solar panel in space independently of the reflector concentrator;

a second actuator for rotating the reflector-concentrator;

a power cable, connecting the solar panel to an electric grid or an electricity consumer on the ground.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic control system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the airborne platform comprises a lighter than air moored balloon.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the airborne platform comprises a surface, developing aerodynamic lift under impact of wind.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the airborne platform comprises a kytoon.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the airborne platform comprises a rotor with blades, powered by electrical energy, generated by the solar panel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflector-concentrator is airborne.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is an aerodynamic surface, responsive to the control system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflector-concentrator is formed by fabric, having reflective coating on one side.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflector-concentrator and the solar panel are at altitude of 3,000 meters above the sea level or higher.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflector-concentrator maintains its form by the pressure of wind.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the distance between centers of the reflector-concentrator and the solar panel is variable.

13. A method of converting solar energy into electric energy, comprising steps:

elevating a solar panel, comprising multiple solar cells, above the ground, using either buoyancy or aerodynamic lift or both buoyancy and aerodynamic lift;

focusing solar radiation on the solar panel with an airborne trough reflector-concentrator;

keeping an axis of the airborne trough reflector-concentrator nearly aligned with the wind direction;

using either ambient cold air or natural wind or both to cool down the solar cells;

using the solar panel to convert solar radiation into electric energy;

transmitting the electric energy to a ground based installation through a power cable.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein wind helps to maintain proper shape of the airborne reflector-concentrator.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising a step of rotating the airborne reflector-concentrator following apparent sun motion.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the position of the airborne reflector-concentrator is optimized to minimize wind drag.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the position of the solar panel is optimized to minimize wind drag.