With Concentrating Reflector And Concentrating Lens Patents (Class 126/683)
  • Patent number: 5243459
    Abstract: A nonimaging radiant energy device may include a hyperbolically shaped reflective element with a radiant energy inlet and a radiant energy outlet. A convex lens is provided at the radiant energy inlet and a concave lens is provided at the radiant energy outlet. Due to the provision of the lenses and the shape of the walls of the reflective element, the radiant energy incident at the radiant energy inlet within a predetermined angle of acceptance is emitted from the radiant energy outlet exclusively within an acute exit angle. In another embodiment, the radiant energy device may include two interconnected hyperbolically shaped reflective elements with a respective convex lens being provided at each aperture of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignees: The Argonne National Laboratory, The University of Chicago Development Corporation
    Inventors: Roland Winston, Xiaohui Ning
  • Patent number: 5238210
    Abstract: A system for collecting solar energy includes a space station which receives and concentrates solar light and produces a plurality of collimated beams each diverging toward a common axis and toward a target area on the surface of the earth. On reaching the target area on the earth, each of the collimated beams is superimposed on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Albert K. Heitzmann