Patent US2204630A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4238246A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4238246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy system with composite concentrating lenses
Assignee: North American Utility Construction Corp
•
Filing: 1979-06-04
•
Granted: 1980-12-09
•
Expires: 1999-06-04
Abstract
Abstract In order to improve the efficiency of a solar energy system utilizing a Fresnel lens for concentrating solar rays on a conduit system or the like, only the central portion of a Fresnel lens, otherwise of large width, is utilized and slide assemblies, each containing a plurality of slats with a reflective coating and disposed at an angle such as to reflect solar energy to the same focal point as the Fresnel lens, are disposed on each side of the lens thereby effectively increasing the aperture of the lens and increasing efficiency of concentration.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Genequand
- 👤 Virgil Stark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:21
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/02; G02B3/08; F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/30; F24S23/31; F24S23/70; F24S23/77; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A concentrating lens arrangement for collecting and focusing solar energy comprising: a linear Fresnel lens having a width limited so that the transmission efficiency thereof does not drop below approximately 85% at its edges; first and second slide assemblies disposed adjacent the two longitudinal edges of said Fresnel lens, each of said slide assemblies comprising a plurality of slats having thereon a reflective surface, tilted at an angle such as to reflect incident solar energy to the same focal point as the focus of said Fresnel lens; and a frame for holding said Fresnel lens and slide assemblies together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A concentrating lens arrangement for collecting and focusing solar energy comprising: a linear Fresnel lens having a width limited so that the transmission efficiency thereof does not drop below approximately 85% at its edges; first and second slide assemblies disposed adjacent the two longitudinal edges of said Fresnel lens, each of said slide assemblies comprising a plurality of slats having thereon a reflective surface, tilted at an angle such as to reflect incident solar energy to the same focal point as the focus of said Fresnel lens; and a frame for holding said Fresnel lens and slide assemblies together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said Fresnel lens has a width of approximately 60 cm and a length of approximately 240 cm and said slide assemblies have a corresponding length and a width of up to approximately 90 cm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said slide assemblies have a width of approximately 60 cm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said slats in said slide assemblies are made of a material selected from the group consisting of polished aluminum, aluminized steel, aluminized glass, aluminized plastic, silvered steel, silvered glass and silvered plastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said slats in each of said slide assemblies comprise an integral molded unit with the slats therein coated with a reflective coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The arrangement according to claim 1, in combination with a conduit system for collecting solar energy in the form of thermal energy and further including: (a) support means for supporting said arrangement over said conduit system so as to be rotatable about the axis of said conduit; and (b) a counterweight for balancing the weight of said arrangement, whereby said arrangement may be rotated about the axis of said conduit system to track the movement of the sun from East to West.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
An arrangement according to claim 6, and further including a mirrored surface disposed below said conduit system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An arrangement according to claim 7, and further including first and second longitudinally extending mirrors disposed at an angle adjacent opposite sides of said conduit system to reflect additional radiation thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said conduit system includes transparent concentric tubes and further including an array of photovoltaic cells disposed within the innermost tube of said conduit and at least one fluid flowing between the innermost conduit and an outer conduit, whereby said fluid will absorb infrared radiation while passing radiation of a wavelength which will activate said photovoltaic cells to produce electricity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, and further including a transparent protective sheet disposed over each of said slide assemblies.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-09 | 1984-06-09 | 1984-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-09 | 1988-06-09 | 1988-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-09 | 1992-06-09 | 1992-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |