Wave energy beaming and holograph tracking for power generating spacecraft platforms

• US 5,685,505 A
• Filed: 01/17/1995
• Issued: 11/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Milton Meckler
• Original Assignee: Milton Meckler
• Inventors: Meckler, Milton
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): DINH, TIEN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US08/375,385
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 244/169, 244/173, 244/158 R, 244/172
• US Class Current: 244/169
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/428 Power distribution and management
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/446 Thermal solar power generation
• CPC Class Codes: F02G 1/043 the engine being operated by expansion and contraction of a mass of working gas which is heated and cooled in one of a plurality of constantly communicating expansible chambers, e.g. Stirling cycle type engines
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/00 Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/71 with parabolic reflective surfaces with cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces F24S23/74
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/20 for tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0543 comprising light concentrating means of the refractive type, e.g. lenses
• 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: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/44 Heat exchange systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators

Abstract

A wave energy receiving platform installed to track in alignment within a look angle of the sun or a wave energy beaming platform, using holographic windows recorded according to time related positions of the platforms as zone plates to concentrate the wave energy in energy converters, and to columnate light for energy beaming, one embodiment utilizing a circular holographic window for "spot" insolation and a dish-shaped reflector for photovoltaic power assimilation and microwave transmission, a second embodiment utilizing a rectilinear-shaped holographic window for "bar"-shaped beaming and an elongated reflector for photovoltaic power assimilation and microwave transmission, a rectilinear Stirling cycle engine directly operating a rectilinear alternator for generating electrical power, the photovoltaic power synchronized therewith for in-house operation and primary propulsion.

Claims

1. A wave energy beaming-tracking and holocentrator light transmission system for powering a space vehicle in earth orbit and including;

at least one power source platform in earth orbit and having insolation means exposed along a reception axis to the sun for converting solar energy into wave form and means for the concentration of and the beaming of the same as collimated light wave energy,

a power generating platform in and in earth orbit with said space vehicle and including a light source concentration means having a holographic window means comprised of a first holographic window means for concentrating low infrared range light onto the heat absorbing means for receiving and concentrating said light wave energy and for the generation of electrical power, and a second holographic window means for collimating high ultraviolet range light onto a photovoltaic electrical power means and comprised of a transparent medium having a thickness accommodating a multiplicity of zone plate means and each provided therein for the reception of and the passage of said light wave energy and for the concentration thereof,

tracking means for positioning the power source platform insolation means reception axis within a look angle of the sun, and tracking means for positioning the power source platform means for beaming said wave energy within a look angle of reception by the holographic window means of the power generating platform;

the vehicle power generating platform having a light energy conversion means for receiving said concentration of light wave energy from the multiplicity of zone plates within said look angle and for the generation of electrical power to operate the space vehicle;

wherein the power source platform means for converting energy and the power generating means for the reception of said wave energy are of rectilinear configuration for transmission of an elongated bar of light wave energy.

2. The energy beaming-tracking system for powering a space vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the space vehicle and power generator platform are in a low earth orbit.

3. The energy beaming-tracking system for powering a space vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the space vehicle and power generator platform are in a geosynchronous earth orbit.

4. The energy beaming-tracking system for powering a space vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one power source platform and insolation means for converting solar energy into wave form are in a low orbit.

5. The energy beaming-tracking system for powering a space vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one power source platform and insolation means for converting solar energy into wave form are in a geosynchronous earth orbit.

6. The energy beaming-tracking system for powering a space vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein the heat absorbing electrical generator means and the photovoltaic electrical power means are connected by commutation means for powering the space vehicle.