Space-based power system

• US 6,936,760 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2003
• Issued: 08/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solaren Corporation
• Original Assignee: Solaren Corporation
• Inventors: Spirnak, Gary T., Rogers, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAMOND, ALAN D
• Application Number:
  US10/724,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20040173257A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 136/292, 136/244, 136/246, 244/173, 322/2.R, 342/352, 342/354, 342/357.08, 606/418
• US Class Current: 136/246
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/26 using jets
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/36 using sensors, e.g. sun-sensors, horizon sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/405 Ion or plasma engines per se F03H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/428 Power distribution and management
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/44 using radiation, e.g. deployable solar arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/443 Photovoltaic cell arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/446 Thermal solar power generation
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/70 with reflectors
• 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: H02S 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/46 Conversion of thermal power into mechanical power, e.g. Rankine, Stirling or solar thermal engines
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/292 Space - satellite

Abstract

A space-based power system. The system maintains proper positioning and alignment of system components without using connecting structures. Power system elements are launched into orbit, and the free-floating power system elements are maintained in proper relative alignment, e.g., position, orientation, and shape, using a control system.

Claims

1. A space-based power system, comprising:

a plurality of power system elements in space, the plurality of power system elements including at least one intermediate power system element in space that receives sunlight from one power system element in space and transmits the sunlight to another power system element in space; and

a distributed control system, the plurality of power system elements in space including a control system component of the distributed control system, wherein

one or more of the elements of the plurality of power system elements are free-floating, and the plurality of power system elements are arranged to collect sunlight, generate electrical energy from the collected sunlight, and convert the electrical energy into a form for transmission to a pre-determined location, and

the distributed control system maintains alignment of the one or more free-floating power system elements based on communications between control system components of adjacent power system elements.

2. The system of claim 1, the plurality of power system elements including a mirror.

3. The system of claim 2, the mirror comprising a fold mirror.

4. The system of claim 2, the mirror comprising a spherical mirror.

5. The system of claim 2, the mirror having a diameter of about 1 km to about 2 km.

6. The system of claim 2, the mirror being supported by an inflatable tube.

7. The system of claim 2, the mirror including a substrate and an optical coating.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the optical coating reduces photon pressure on the mirror.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the optical coating maintains a shape of the mirror.

10. The system of claim 2, the mirror being supported by a membrane.

11. The system of claim 1, the predetermined location comprising a planet.

12. The system of claim 11, the planet comprising Earth.

13. The system of claim 1, the predetermined location comprising a space station or a satellite.

14. The system of claim 1, the plurality of power system elements including:

a primary mirror;

a first intermediate mirror, wherein the primary mirror reflects sunlight to the intermediate mirror;

a power module, wherein the first intermediate mirror directs sunlight to the power module, and the power module generates electrical energy;

an emitter; and

a reflective mirror,

wherein the emitter converts the generated electrical energy into a form that can be transmitted, and the converted energy is provided to the reflective mirror,wherein the reflective mirror is configured to transmit the converted energy to a receiver at the predetermined location.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a second intermediate mirror wherein the converted energy is provided to the second intermediate mirror, and the second intermediate mirror reflects the converted energy to the reflective mirror.

16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a second intermediate mirror, wherein the primary mirror reflects sunlight to the first intermediate mirror, and the first intermediate mirror reflects the sunlight to the second intermediate mirror, and the second intermediate mirror reflects sunlight to the power module.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising a concentrator, the concentrator focusing the sunlight from the intermediate mirror onto the power module.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the intermediate mirror tracks the orientation of the primary mirror so that the intermediate and primary mirrors remain aligned with each other and the sun.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the power module generates direct current electricity.

20. The system of claim 14, the power module comprising a photovoltaic module.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein solar cells of the photovoltaic module are co-located with the emitter.

22. The system of claim 14, the power module comprising a thermoelectric power module.

23. The system of claim 14, wherein the reflective mirror is about the same size as the primary mirror.

24. The system of claim 14, the converted energy reflected by the reflective mirror being focused on an antenna at the predetermined location.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the converted energy is transmitted as a diffraction-limited beam.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the converted energy comprises radio frequency energy.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the converted energy comprises optical energy.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system adjusts a position of a power system element.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system adjusts an orientation of a power system element.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system adjusts a shape of a power system element.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system maintains the alignment of all of the plurality of power system elements.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein all of the control system is located in space.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein a component of the control system is located on Earth.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system includes a displacement element, and the displacement element is selectively activated to adjust an alignment of a power system element in space.

35. The system of claim 34, the displacement element comprising a thruster.

36. The system of claim 35, the thruster comprising an ion thruster.

37. The system of claim 34, each element in space having a displacement element.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein the displacement element alters a position of a power system element in space.

39. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system includes a plurality of sensors, wherein data of sensors of two power system elements is compared to determine whether the two power system elements are properly aligned.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein sensors of adjacent power system elements are arranged to communicate with each other.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein each power system element includes a positioning system sensor.

42. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system includes a plurality of distance sensors, wherein data from the distance sensors indicates a distance between two power system elements.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein each power system element includes a distance sensor.

44. The system of claim 1, the control system utilizing radar or lidar.

45. The system of claim 1, the control system utilizing an interference pattern to determine whether a power system element should be re-aligned.

46. The system of claim 1, wherein the elements are configured so that a solar wind adjusts the alignment of power system elements.

47. The system of claim 1, wherein the power system elements are configured so that an electro-static force adjusts the alignment of the power system elements.

48. The system of claim 1, wherein the power system elements are maintained in an orbit.

49. The system of claim 1, the plurality of power system elements including a direct radiating array or phased array antenna, the antenna transmitting the electrical energy to the predetermined location.

50. The system of claim 1, wherein a majority of the power system elements of the plurality of power system elements are free-floating in space.

51. The system of claim 1, wherein all of the power system elements are free-floating in space.

52. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system maintains optical alignment of a plurality of power system elements that are free-floating in space.

53. The system of claim 1, wherein one or more power system elements reflect selected wavelengths of incident sunlight.

54. The system of claim 1, wherein all of the power system elements are in space.

55. A space-based power system, comprising:

a plurality of power system elements in space, including the following power system elements;

a primary mirror;

an intermediate mirror, wherein the primary mirror directs sunlight to the intermediate mirror;

a power module, wherein the intermediate mirror directs sunlight to the power module, the power module generating direct current electricity;

an emitter, wherein the emitter converts the direct current electricity into RF or optical energy; and

a reflective mirror, wherein the emitter directs the RF or optical energy to the reflective mirror, and the reflective mirror directs the RF or optical energy to a receiver at a predetermined location; and

a distributed control system, the control system including;

a plurality of sensors, and

a plurality of displacement members,

wherein one or more elements of the plurality of power system elements are free-floating, each respective power system element in space includes a sensor and a displacement member, and the control system maintains alignment of the one or more free-floating power system elements in space by selectively activating a displacement member in response to sensor data.

56. The system of claim 55, the power module comprising a photovoltaic module.

57. The system of claim 55, the power module comprising a thermoelectric power module.

58. The system of claim 55, the predetermined location comprising a planet.

59. The system of claim 55, the predetermined location comprising a space station.

60. The system of claim 55, the predetermined location comprising a satellite.

61. The system of claim 55, the power system elements further comprising a concentrator, the concentrator focusing the sunlight from the intermediate mirror onto the power module.

62. The system of claim 55, wherein the RF or optical energy is provided directly to the reflective mirror.

63. The system of claim 55, further comprising a second intermediate mirror, wherein the intermediate mirror directs sunlight to the second intermediate mirror, and the second intermediate mirror directs the sunlight to the power module.

64. The system of claim 55, wherein the reflective mirror provides a diffraction-limited beam.

65. The system of claim 55, optical power reflected by the reflective mirror being focused on an antenna at the predetermined location.

66. The system of claim 55, wherein the control system adjusts a position of a power system element in space.

67. The system of claim 55, wherein the control system adjusts an orientation of a power system element in space.

68. The system of claim 55, wherein the control system adjusts a shape of a power system element in space.

69. The system of claim 55, wherein the control system maintains the alignment of all power system elements in space.

70. The system of claim 55, wherein all of the control system is located in space.

71. The system of claim 55, wherein a component of the control system is located on Earth.

72. The system of claim 55, the displacement element comprising a thruster.

73. The system of claim 72, the thruster comprising an ion thruster.

74. The system of claim 55, wherein data of sensors of two power system elements in space is compared to determine whether the two power system elements are properly aligned.

75. The system of claim 55, wherein the control system includes a plurality of distance sensors, wherein data from the distance sensors indicates a distance between two power system elements in space.

76. The system of claim 55, the control system utilizing radar or lidar.

77. The system of claim 55, the control system utilizing an interference pattern to determine whether a power system element in space should be re-aligned.

78. The system of claim 55, wherein the power system elements in space are configured so that a solar wind adjusts the alignment of the power system elements.

79. The system of claim 55, wherein the power system elements in space are configured so that an electro-static force adjusts the alignment of the power system elements.

80. The system of claim 55, wherein the power system elements in space are maintained in an orbit.

81. The system of claim 55, the power module comprising a photovoltaic module.

82. The system of claim 55, the power module comprising a thermoelectric power module.

83. The system of claim 55, the plurality of elements including a direct radiating array or phased array antenna, the antenna transmitting electrical energy to the predetermined location.

84. The system of claim 55, wherein a majority of the power system elements of the plurality of power system elements are free-floating in space.

85. The system of claim 55, wherein all of the power system elements are free-floating in space.

86. The system of claim 55, wherein the control system maintains optical alignment of a plurality of power system elements that are free-floating in space.

87. The system of claim 55, wherein one or more power system elements reflect selected wavelengths of incident sunlight.

88. The system of claim 55, wherein all of the power system elements are in space.

89. A method of aligning power system elements to generate power in space and transmit the generated power to a predetermined location, the method comprising:

launching a plurality of power system elements and a distributed control system into space, wherein one or more power system elements of the plurality of power system elements are free-floating in space, and the distributed control system includes components on the plurality of power system elements in space;

positioning the plurality of power system elements in space, the plurality of power system elements including at least one intermediate power system element in space that receives sunlight from one power system element in space and transmits the sunlight to another power system element in space; and

maintaining alignment of the free-floating power system elements using the distributed control system based on communications between control system components of adjacent power system elements so that the power system elements are configured to;

collect sunlight;

generate electrical energy from the collected sunlight, and convert the electrical energy into a form suitable for transmission to the pre-determined location.

90. The method of claim 89, maintaining alignment further comprising adjusting an orientation of a power system element.

91. The method of claim 89, maintaining alignment further comprising adjusting a shape of a power system element.

92. The method of claim 89, maintaining alignment further comprising adjusting a position of a power system element.

93. The method of claim 89, maintaining alignment further comprising activating a thruster to adjust an alignment of a power system element.

94. The method of claim 89, maintaining alignment further comprising maintaining alignment using radar or lidar.

95. The method of claim 89, maintaining alignment further comprising utilizing a laser interference pattern to determine whether a power system element should be re-aligned.

96. The method of claim 89, wherein a majority of the power system elements of the plurality of power system elements are free-floating in space.

97. The method system of claim 89, wherein all of the power system elements are free-floating in space.

98. The method of claim 89, maintaining alignment comprising maintaining optical alignment of the free-floating power system elements.

99. The method of claim 89, wherein one or more power system elements reflect selected wavelengths of incident sunlight.

100. The method of claim 89, wherein all of the power system elements are in space.