Energy conversion system
Abstract
The energy conversion system includes a photo-voltaic array for receiving solar radiation and converting such radiation to electrical energy. The photo-voltaic array is mounted on a stretched membrane that is held by a frame. Tracking means for orienting the photo-voltaic array in predetermined positions that provide optimal exposure to solar radiation cooperate with the frame. An enclosure formed of a radiation transmissible material includes an inside containment space that accommodates the photo-voltaic array on the stretched membrane, the frame and the tracking means, and forms a protective shield for all such components. The enclosure is preferably formed of a flexible inflatable material and maintains its preferred form, such as a dome, under the influence of a low air pressure furnished to the dome. Under this arrangement the energy conversion system is streamlined for minimizing wind resistance, sufficiently weatherproof for providing protection against weather hazards such as hail, capable of using diffused light, lightweight for low-cost construction, and operational with a minimal power draw.
- Inventors:
-
- Lakewood, CO
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 866356
- Patent Number(s):
- 4691075
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24S - SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS
H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10093
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- energy; conversion; photo-voltaic; array; receiving; solar; radiation; converting; electrical; mounted; stretched; membrane; held; frame; tracking; means; orienting; predetermined; positions; provide; optimal; exposure; cooperate; enclosure; formed; transmissible; material; inside; containment; space; accommodates; forms; protective; shield; components; preferably; flexible; inflatable; maintains; preferred; form; dome; influence; air; pressure; furnished; arrangement; streamlined; minimizing; wind; resistance; sufficiently; weatherproof; providing; protection; weather; hazards; hail; capable; diffused; light; lightweight; low-cost; construction; operational; minimal; power; draw; predetermined position; preferably formed; electrical energy; solar radiation; energy conversion; preferred form; predetermined positions; air pressure; providing protection; stretched membrane; minimal power; tracking means; photo-voltaic array; receiving solar; flexible inflatable; /136/
Citation Formats
Murphy, Lawrence M. Energy conversion system. United States: N. p., 1987.
Web.
Murphy, Lawrence M. Energy conversion system. United States.
Murphy, Lawrence M. Thu .
"Energy conversion system". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/866356.
@article{osti_866356,
title = {Energy conversion system},
author = {Murphy, Lawrence M},
abstractNote = {The energy conversion system includes a photo-voltaic array for receiving solar radiation and converting such radiation to electrical energy. The photo-voltaic array is mounted on a stretched membrane that is held by a frame. Tracking means for orienting the photo-voltaic array in predetermined positions that provide optimal exposure to solar radiation cooperate with the frame. An enclosure formed of a radiation transmissible material includes an inside containment space that accommodates the photo-voltaic array on the stretched membrane, the frame and the tracking means, and forms a protective shield for all such components. The enclosure is preferably formed of a flexible inflatable material and maintains its preferred form, such as a dome, under the influence of a low air pressure furnished to the dome. Under this arrangement the energy conversion system is streamlined for minimizing wind resistance, sufficiently weatherproof for providing protection against weather hazards such as hail, capable of using diffused light, lightweight for low-cost construction, and operational with a minimal power draw.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987},
month = {Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987}
}