GB2481402A - Apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation - Google Patents

Apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2481402A
GB2481402A GB1010440.4A GB201010440A GB2481402A GB 2481402 A GB2481402 A GB 2481402A GB 201010440 A GB201010440 A GB 201010440A GB 2481402 A GB2481402 A GB 2481402A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
enclosure
reflective surface
solar radiation
envelope
mounting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1010440.4A
Other versions
GB201010440D0 (en
Inventor
Nicholas James Deakin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Athene Works Ltd
Original Assignee
Athene Works Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Athene Works Ltd filed Critical Athene Works Ltd
Priority to GB1010440.4A priority Critical patent/GB2481402A/en
Publication of GB201010440D0 publication Critical patent/GB201010440D0/en
Publication of GB2481402A publication Critical patent/GB2481402A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/054—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
    • H01L31/0547—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/054—Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
    • F24S20/80—Airborne solar heat collector modules, e.g. inflatable structures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
    • F24S30/42—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with only one rotation axis
    • F24S30/422—Vertical axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
    • F24S30/42—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with only one rotation axis
    • F24S30/425—Horizontal axis
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
    • H01L31/048—Encapsulation of modules
    • H01L31/0522—
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
    • F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
    • F24S23/74—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with trough-shaped or cylindro-parabolic reflective surfaces
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S23/00—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
    • F24S23/70—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors
    • F24S23/79—Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with spaced and opposed interacting reflective surfaces
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
    • Y02E10/52—PV systems with concentrators

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation, comprises: an enclosure for example, an inflatable envelope 10, 14, comprising at least one transparent section. A reflective surface 18 is contained within the enclosure adjacent the at least one transparent section and actuator for example an electric motor powered by a Miller Solar Engine, is contained within the enclosure and is connected to the reflective surface for adjusting the orientation of the reflective surface 18 relative to the enclosure about an axis. The reflective surface has a shape configured to focus reflected solar radiation onto a focal area and a photovoltaic cell 40 is positioned within the focal area. The apparatus may include solar trough 24. The enclosure may enable the aerodynamic profile of the apparatus to be improved. The reflective surface is mounted inside the enclosure, so the enclosure shields it from the wind and determines the aerodynamic profile. The orientation of the reflective surface relative to the enclosure can be changed to direct the reflective surface towards the sun without altering the aerodynamic profile.

Description

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICITY FROM INCIDENT SOLAR
RADIATION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation, which includes a reflective surface within an enclosure.
Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are well known. Typically they are mounted at a fixed pitch angle into mid-day sun to compensate for the installation latitude.
A type of solar panel known as a parabolic trough is also known. The parabolic trough reflects and focuses light into a solar cell or panel when one or more PV cells are employed. This increases the intensity of solar radiation incident on the PV cells.
Parabolic troughs may be made from a silvered mirror sheet that is formed around a parabolic backplate to provide structural support. The trough may be oriented by motors and control systems These prior art systems require strong, expensive support systems because of the load exerted in high winds.
A conventional flat plate solar panel has a drag co-efficient of 1.2 based on frontal area and a parabolic dish has a drag co-efficient typically exceeding of 1.6 based on frontal area when exposed to the wind head on. If the panels, troughs or dishes track the sun, require substantial supportive framework to carry the load of the heavy mirror. The force applied by wind is the square of wind speed times the drag co-efficient, so wind loading forces can be substantial, requiring an heavy structure that is expensive and difficult to transport.
According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation comprising: an enclosure comprising at least one transparent section; a reflective surface contained within the enclosure adjacent the at least one transparent section; an actuator contained within the enclosure connected to the reflective surface for adjusting the orientation of the reflective surface relative to the enclosure about an axis; and a photovoltaic cell; wherein the reflective surface has a shape configured to focus reflected solar radiation onto a focal area and the photovoltaic cell is positioned within the focal area.
TO The enclosure enables the aerodynamic profile of the apparatus to be improved. The reflective surface is mounted inside the enclosure, so the enclosure shields it from wind and determines the aerodynamic profile. The orientation of the mirror can be changed to direct it towards the sun without altering the aerodynamic profile. The photovoltaic cell can be inside or outside the enclosure, but is preferably inside to maximise the aerodynamic benefits. This reduces the wind-loading a support structure must withstand, enabling cheaper and lighter support structures. A further benefit is that cheaper materials can be used for the reflective surface, such as a mirror film, because the enclosure shields the reflective surface from wind-loading.
The reflective surface may have a wide variety of shapes which focus reflected solar radiation. In general any concave shape can achieve some degree of focussing. Greater levels of focussing can be achieved by use of more specific shapes such as a parabolic dish or trough, which may be offset, or a cassegrain arrangement, which may include secondary mirrors.
The reference to "focal area" is used to refer to the fact that the photovoltaic cell need not necessarily be situated at the precise focal point of the reflective surface, but may be located forward or backward of that point, providing that a greater intensity of solar radiation is incident on the photovoltaic cell than would be the case if it were simply exposed to the ambient light.
The term "transparent" is used to refer to any material through which at least a portion of incident light may travel. Thus, it includes not only materials which allow all wavelengths of incident radiation to pass through, but also to coloured or filter materials, providing that a least portion of the radiation incident can pass through.
The actuator may be an electric motor. The apparatus may further comprise a Miller Solar Engine circuit to power the electric motor.
The enclosure may have an at least partially tubular shape. The drag coefficient of the enclosure may be 0.4 or less. In one embodiment this may be achieved by using a circle profile exposed to a left to right air flow, but other shapes and profiled may be used in other embodiments..
The enclosure may comprise an inflatable envelope. This enables it to provide a strong lightweight structure, improving portability.
The inflatable envelope may further comprise a closable air inlet. This can be used to inflate the inflatable envelope, for example using exhaled air. Alternatively, an electrically powered air pump may be provided outside the enclosure. The air pump is connected to the air inlet and is for inflating the inflatable envelope.
The apparatus may further comprise an electrically powered air pump inside the enclosure, which is connected to the air inlet and is for inflating the inflatable envelope; and a Miller Solar Engine circuit for powering the electrically powered air pump.
A mounting pole may be connected to the enclosure.
In one embodiment, an apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation may comprise: a mounting frame; and at least one apparatus as described above connected to the mounting frame..
The apparatus may further comprise an actuator connected to the mounting frame for rotating the mounting frame about an axis. A mounting pole may be connected to the mounting frame.
The apparatus may be mounted in a horizontal or vertical position that offers higher solar yields in northerly or southerly latitudes over a horizontally orientated solar trough.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective view of the preferred embodiment: Figure 1 a is a diagrammatic representation of a front view of the envelope with film sections that provide a mounting for a tracking mechanism; Figure lb is a diagrammatic representation of a front view of the air pump; Figure ic is a diagrammatic representation of a side view of the tracking mechanism; Figure 1 d is a diagrammatic representation of a plan view of the tracking mechanism; Figure 1 e is a diagrammatic representation of a plan view of one end of the parabolic mirror mounting; Figure if is a diagrammatic representation of a side view of a parabolic mirror; Figure 1 g is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective close-up between the tracking mounting and the envelope; Figure 1 h is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective exploded view of mounting pole; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a side view of an alternative embodiment with off-centred parabolic mirror; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a side view of an alternative embodiment with a primary reflecting mirror and secondary cassegrain mirror; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective of an alternative embodiment envelope to frame mounting; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective of an alternative embodiment envelope to pole mounting; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective of an alternative embodiment with the addition of a yaw axis tracking mechanism, supporting arms and mounting pole; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective of a vertical mounting method.
Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a perspective of an alternative embodiment of a vertical pole mounting; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a purality of vertical mounted yaw actuated inflated solar troughs on an attitude actuated sub-frame.
Figure 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a purality of horizontally mounted pitch actuated inflated solar troughs on a yaw actuated sub-frame.
Referring to the drawings, a solar trough is held within an enclosure which is formed by an inflatable envelope, as shown in Figure 1. It comprises a mounting tube 2 that can be hammered into the ground or inserted into a ground fixing (not shown). An inflatable envelope is made of clear UV stabilised polymer film with two conical sections 10 and cylindrical or tubular section 14. Contained within the conical sections 10 are two tapered film sections, that connect the envelope to the tracking mechanism 30. The envelope is initially inflated through a sealable air inlet 8, which may be similar to an inflatable airbed's inlet. Flaps and eyelets 6 are provided for vertical mounting. The tracking mechanism 30 connects with a brace 22 and mirror film mounting section 20 that is formed in a parabolic profile. A reflective surface is provided by a UV stabilised mirror film 18 connected to the mounting section 20. In the preferred embodiment mirror film 18 is an aluminiumised polymer film. In alternative embodiments a silvered or coppered or any film known as a metalised film can be used. A photovoltaic solar cell or plurality of solar cells that form a panel 26 are mounted on a trough length support 24, that in the preferred embodiment is an aluminium trough length support.
The inflatable envelope is continuously inflated through the day with an air pump 34, that is connected with a flexible pipe 44 to an air inlet 42 that draws in atmospheric air and introduces pressurised air to the envelope. The pump is mounted on a plate 38, that accommodates a solar PV cell 40, that charges a capacitor 36. When capacitor 36 is fully charged a short pulse of power is sent to the air pump, such circuits are known in the art as Miller solar circuits or Miller solar engines.
The internal solar trough is actuated with a motor 48 that ideally has a step down gear box.
In the preferred embodiment the motor 48 is a micro electrical motor with integrated multistage planetary gearbox. The motor 50 has a drive shaft that connects to a mounting block 98 with a fixture 100 that is inserted through a sleeve in the tapered film section 12, that is bonded to itself 96 to form the sleeve to receive the mounting block 98. Solar cells 52 and 54 are mounted at opposite angles to incoming light. In the preferred embodiment are mounted at 45 degrees to incoming light. A stepped section 48 is inserted through apertures 56 and 58 of the brace 22. The stepped section provides a mounting at each end of the solar trough for solar cells 24 and trough length support 26.
The brace 22 fits into parabolic profile section 20 through an aperture 60 and secured with a tether line 62, that in the preferred embodiment is a polymer filament, with stopper 64, that fits into slot 66.
Light 70 enters into the envelope 14 and is reflected by the parabolic mirror film 18 into a photovoltaic cell 26.
Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment for an off-centre parabolic mirror, where 74 is a one of two actuated end section. The end sections are attached with fixtures 80 to solar mounting section 78, that includes a counter balance 76, a secondary corrective film mirror 82 that runs the length of the trough and solar collector cells 84 that also run the length of the trough. Mirror film 72 runs the length of the trough and is attached to the actuated end section 74. It should be noted that tracking mechanism 87 is positioned into incoming sunlight.
Figure 3 is a further alternative embodiment of a cassegrain parabolic trough, where 90 is the primary mirror. Primary mirror 90 reflects sunlight 70 into a secondary mirror 92 that runs the length of the trough and reflects light into a solar collector cell 94 that also runs the length of the trough and is bonded to the mirror film 90.
In an alternative embodiment, a strip 16 with stepped end section (not shown) runs around the circumference of the envelope and fits into an aperture at the other end (not shown), that is restrained with a film sleeve 68. The film sleeve 69 runs 3590 or less around circumference of the envelope and is bonded to the envelope to form a sleeve.
The envelope's conical sections 10, has a restraint triangular section 102, that allows the envelope to slip into a slot in the mounting tube 2. Stopper 4 secures the envelope to the tube mountings. In the preferred embodiment the stopper has an internal rotary thread and the mounting tube 2 has a corresponding thread. In an alternative embodiment the stopper is held in place with a fixture.
Figure 4 shows the preferred embodiment to attach a plurality of envelopes to a mounting frame. 110 is a mounting frame, or subframe, that in the preferred embodiment is a aluminium tube. The envelope conical section 10 is bonded to itself 108. Two washers 106 with a fixture 104 secure the envelope to the subframe.
Figure 5 shows an alternative mounting to attach the conical section 10 of the envelope to a mounting pole 10.
Figure 6 shows an embodiment with yaw, or vertical, axis actuation. 2 is a single mounting tube with large pulley wheel 122 that is connected with a belt 124 to a smaller pulley wheel 120. 120 is actuated with an electric motor 118 under the control of solar cells 114 and 116 previously described.
Figure 7 shows how flaps with eyelets that maybe reinforced 6 are connected with guide ropes to ground pegs (not shown) to orientate the envelope in an upright fashion. This embodiment is better suited to northerly or southerly latitudes providing improved solar yields. The envelope may be pegged down to achieve a desired pitch into midday sun to improve solar yields further.
Figure 8 shows an alternative upright mounting embodiment, where tubes 130 and 132 are typically hammered into the ground. A longer bend tube 129 is inserted into 130 and secured with a fixture. The envelope is secured to the mounting tubes by the before mentioned method.
Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment where more than one inflatable yaw, or vertical axis, actuated solar troughs are attached to a subframe 138, with pitch actuation 140 and pivot 136 with mounting tubes 134. In the preferred embodiment the subframe is an aluminium tube that connects back to itself with a fixture, in a similar fashion to a camping tents poles.
Figure 10 shows an embodiment where more than one inflatable pitch actuated solar troughs are attached to a subframe 140, with yaw actuation 138 and pivot 150 with mounting tubes 136 and 150.
The features of the above described embodiments may be combined. In alternative embodiments, not shown, the inflatable envelope may be replaced by a rigid enclosure, in other alternative embodiments, not shown, solar cells may be positioned outside the enclosure or inflatable envelope.

Claims (12)

  1. CLAIMS1. An apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation comprising: an enclosure comprising at least one transparent section; a reflective surface contained within the enclosure adjacent the at least one transparent section; an actuator contained within the enclosure connected to the reflective surface for adjusting the orientation of the reflective surface relative to the enclosure about an axis; and a photovoltaic cell; wherein the reflective surface has a shape configured to focus reflected solar radiation onto a focal area and the photovoltaic cell is positioned within the focal area.
  2. 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electric motor.
  3. 3. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a Miller Solar Engine circuit to power the electric motor.
  4. 4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the enclosure comprises an inflatable envelope.
  5. 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the inflatable envelope further comprises a closable air inlet.
  6. 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an electrically powered air pump outside the enclosure, which is connected to the air inlet and is for inflating theinflatable envelope.
  7. 7. An apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: an electrically powered air pump inside the enclosure, which is connected to the air inlet and is for inflating the inflatable envelope; and a Miller Solar Engine circuit for powering the electrically powered air pump.
  8. 8. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a mounting pole connected to the enclosure.
  9. 9. An apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation comprising: a mounting frame; and at least one apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 connected to the mounting frame.
  10. 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising an actuator connected to the mounting frame for rotating the mounting frame about an axis.
  11. 11. An apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a mounting pole connected to the mounting frame.
  12. 12. An apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.*::r: INTELLECTUAL . ... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No: GB 1010440.4 Examiner: Dr Claire Williams Claims searched: ALL Date of search: 14 October 2011 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims X 1-4,5,9 US2009/183730A (KNIGHT LAIRD) see paragraphs 0027-0031 X 1-3 US4046462 A (FLETCHER JAMES C ADMINISTRATOR et al) see see col 2 line 65 -col3 line 9 Y 1-6, 8-11 US4691075A (MURPHY LAWRENCE M) see whole document in particular Figure 1 and 2 Y 1-6, 8-11 US4386600 A (EGGERT JR WALTER) see abstract A 1 US2O1O/218817A (IBM) see Figures 1, 2 and 4 and abstract Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent docjments classified in the following areas of the UKCX Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC HO1L The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report EPODOC, WPI Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk *.:r: INTELLECTUAL . ... PROPERTY OFFICE International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From HO1L 0031/052 01/01/2006 HO1L 0031/048 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk
GB1010440.4A 2010-06-22 2010-06-22 Apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation Withdrawn GB2481402A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1010440.4A GB2481402A (en) 2010-06-22 2010-06-22 Apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1010440.4A GB2481402A (en) 2010-06-22 2010-06-22 Apparatus for generating electricity from incident solar radiation

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GB201010440D0 GB201010440D0 (en) 2010-08-04
GB2481402A true GB2481402A (en) 2011-12-28

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4046462A (en) * 1976-04-28 1977-09-06 Nasa Three-dimensional tracking solar energy concentrator and method for making same
US4386600A (en) * 1981-02-23 1983-06-07 The Budd Company Support structure for supporting a plurality of aligned solar reflector panels
US4691075A (en) * 1985-09-16 1987-09-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Energy conversion system
US20090183730A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-07-23 Laird Knight Spherical Heliostat
US20100218817A1 (en) * 2009-11-20 2010-09-02 International Business Machines Corporation Solar concentration system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4046462A (en) * 1976-04-28 1977-09-06 Nasa Three-dimensional tracking solar energy concentrator and method for making same
US4386600A (en) * 1981-02-23 1983-06-07 The Budd Company Support structure for supporting a plurality of aligned solar reflector panels
US4691075A (en) * 1985-09-16 1987-09-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy Energy conversion system
US20090183730A1 (en) * 2008-01-18 2009-07-23 Laird Knight Spherical Heliostat
US20100218817A1 (en) * 2009-11-20 2010-09-02 International Business Machines Corporation Solar concentration system

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