Method and apparatus for a mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant

• US 8,448,894 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stuart Park Laforge
• Original Assignee: Stuart Park Laforge
• Inventors: LaForge, Stuart Park
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Tien
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hawk, Steven
• Application Number:
  US12/455,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20090294576A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: 244/30, 244/24, 2441581-1733
• US Class Current: 244/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/405 Cogeneration of heat or hot water
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/184 Regeneration by electrochemical means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/28 Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

The mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant (MASP) provides an improved method and device for the highly efficient collection, storage, transport, and wireless delivery of renewable energy from an airborne platform. This energy can be used to supply electrical power to clients or be used to power directed energy weapons.

Claims

1. A method for using an airship to collect and wirelessly deliver renewable solar energy in a sustained, buffered, and controlled manner to any location at any time of day or night, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a navigable motorized airship, said airship comprising at least one gas envelope for containing a buoyant lifting gas and a fuel, wherein the buoyant lifting gas and the fuel comprise hydrogen gas;

providing a collection means, contiguous with said airship, configured to gather solar radiation and capable of generating a first electricity from said solar radiation;

providing a storage means, contiguous with said airship, wherein said storage means comprises;

at least one water reservoir configured to store water;

at least one electrolytic cell configured to produce a hydrogen fuel from said stored water by application of said first electricity generated by said collection means;

at least one hydrogen compressor configured to compress said hydrogen fuel;

at least one reservoir configured to store said hydrogen fuel, said at least one reservoir selected from the group consisting of said at least one gas envelope, at least one pressurized hydrogen container, and a combination of at least one gas envelope and at least one pressurized hydrogen container; and

at least one fuel cell stack configured to generate a second electricity and heat from said hydrogen fuel drawn from said at least one reservoir;

collecting said solar radiation with said collection means during conditions where solar radiation is sufficient to enable generating said first electricity;

storing said electricity with said storage means during conditions where solar radiation is sufficient to enable generating said first electricity;

flying said airship to a destination where said first or second electricity are to be delivered,

retrieving said second electricity from said storage means at any time;

providing at least one transmission means, contiguous with said airship, configured to directionally emit an electromagnetic beam using said first or second electricity,

providing a targeting means for aiming said transmission means;

providing a target, remote from said airship and at said destination, to which said first or second electricity is delivered;

directing said electromagnetic beam at said target using said transmission means, wherein directing said electromagnetic beam enables a substantial amount of renewable energy to be delivered to said target regardless of the time of day, cloud cover, or other atmospheric conditions; and

providing at least one switching means contiguous with said airship, wherein said at least one switching means is configured to controllably allocate said first or second electricity throughout said airship, and wherein said at least one switching means is further configured to enable a boost mode whereby the step of directing said electromagnetic beam uses both said first electricity and said second electricity in a temporary augmentation of the renewable energy delivered to said target.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmission means further comprises an electromagnetic beam having a frequency of approximately 95 GHz.

2. An apparatus comprising a mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant capable of collecting, storing, transporting and delivering renewable solar energy wirelessly to a remote location in a metered and controllable manner, the mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant comprising:

a self-propelled navigable airship;

at least one gas envelope capable of containing hydrogen for use as a buoyant lifting gas and for use as a fuel;

a propulsion system configured to move said airship;

a collection means contiguous with said airship configured to collect solar radiation and configured to convert said solar radiation into a first electricity;

a storage means contiguous with said airship capable of storing said first electricity in a readily retrievable form, wherein said storage means further comprises;

a water reservoir configured to contain water for use as a source of a hydrogen fuel;

an electrolytic cell configured to use said first electricity generated by said collection means to electrolyze said water into said hydrogen fuel and oxygen;

at least one hydrogen compressor to compress said hydrogen fuel; and

at least one reservoir capable of storing said hydrogen fuel, said at least one reservoir selected from the group consisting of said at least one gas envelope, a high-pressure hydrogen container, and a combination of at least one gas envelope and at least one pressurized hydrogen container;

at least one fuel cell stack configured to retrieve a second electricity and heat from said stored hydrogen fuel;

at least one switching means configured to adjustably route said first and second electricity between said collection means, said storage means, and other components of said mobile aerial sustained solar power-plant;

at least one transmission means electrically connected to said switching means, said at least one transmission means comprising an electromagnetic beam emitter powered by said first or second electricity; and

a targeting means for aiming said transmission means at a target in order to avoid damaging any objects that are not said target; and

wherein said at least one switching means is further configured to enable a boost mode capable of providing a temporary augmentation of the renewable solar energy delivered to said target by said electromagnetic beam emitter by using both said first electricity and said second electricity to power said electromagnetic beam emitter, whereby renewable solar energy in the form of said first and second electricity may be stored, recovered and delivered in a buffered fashion by said apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said collection means is substantially disposed upon all surfaces of said airship including the top, sides, and the bottom of said airship, in order to maximize collection of solar radiation from albedo, reflected, and diffuse sunlight sources of said solar radiation.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said switching means further comprises a digital computer programmed to manage collection, storage and distribution of said electricity.