Energy conversion system

Patent · Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6062671

Murphy, L M

This patent describes a light-weight and self-contained solar energy conversion apparatus for converting solar radiation to electrical energy, which consists of: an array of photovoltaic cells mounted on a thin film substrate membrane and connected together to provide an electric power source, the thin film being stretched and mounted on a circular rim; support means connected to the rim for supporting the array of photovoltaic cells in a position adapted to be exposed to solar radiation, the support means being adjustable about two orthogonal axes and having strength design parameters sufficient to support the array, substrate membrane, and rim safely in a still atmosphere without regard to ambient outside wind and hail loads; and a substantially spherical dome positioned over and enclosing a chamber around the array of photovoltaic cells and support means, the dome being comprised of a specularly translucent, flexible, thin film material anchored around the support means and inflated to a pressure in the chamber in the range of about 0.02 to 0.10 pounds per square inch more than the pressure outside the chamber. The thin film material of the dome is also tear-resistant and sufficiently strong to withstand normal wind and hail storm forces and having sufficient resilience to yield without puncturing to hail stones, yet to recover to its spherical surface shape under the urging of the inflation pressure in the chamber.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4691075
• OSTI ID: 6062671
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 16 Sep 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
DESIGN
OPERATION
FLEXIBILITY
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PRESSURE EFFECTS
SHAPE
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SUBSTRATES
SUPPORTS
THIN FILMS
WIND
CONVERSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ENERGY CONVERSION
EQUIPMENT
FILMS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TENSILE PROPERTIES
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion