Patents Examined by James Yeung
  • Patent number: 4149521
    Abstract: A fixed, linear, ground-based primary reflector having an extended curved sawtooth-contoured surface covered with a metalized polymeric reflecting material, reflects solar energy to a movably supported collector that is kept at the concentrated line focus of the reflector primary. The primary reflector may be constructed by a process utilizing well-known freeway paving machinery. The solar energy absorber is preferably a fluid-transporting pipe. Efficient utilization leading to high temperatures from the reflected solar energy is obtained by cylindrical shaped secondary reflectors that direct off-angle energy to the absorber pipe. To obtain higher temperature levels, refocusing secondary reflectors, that cause a series of discrete spots of highly concentrated solar energy to fall on the fluid-transporting pipe, are utilized. A seriatim arrangement of cylindrical secondary reflector stages and spot-forming reflector stages produces a high temperature solar energy collection system of greater efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1979
    Inventors: James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with respect to an invention of Fletcher, Charles G. Miller, James B. Stephens