GOSSAMER SPACE FRAMES Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160032903 | Solar Power Plant - A solar power plant includes a first solar reflective system for heating a first heat transfer fluid and a second solar reflective system configured for heating a second heat transfer fluid. The solar power plant may include an energy storage system having a plurality of stacked compartments, a first heat exchanger carrying the first heat transfer fluid, a second heat exchanger having carrying the second heat transfer fluid, and a third heat transfer fluid in the compartments exchanging heat with the first heat transfer fluid through the first heat exchanger and exchanging heat with the second heat transfer fluid through the second heat exchanger. The solar power plant may include a receiver system having an enclosure for holding a fourth heat transfer fluid, and a receiver in the enclosure and at least partially submerged in the fourth heat transfer fluid, the receiver including a plurality of tubes carrying the first heat transfer fluid. | 02-04-2016 |
20140246012 | THIN MIRROR WITH TRUSS BACKING AND MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT THEREFOR - A thin-sheet panel assembly. In one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a backer having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component, and the thin-sheet panel assembly further includes a bar coupled to the backer and extending between at least one pair of adjacent riser elements of the plural riser elements. | 09-04-2014 |
20130341294 | BRAKE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A ROTATING FRAME IN A SOLAR POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - A brake system for a frame of a solar power generation system, where the frame is rotatable relative to a frame support to track the position of the sun includes a ramp having a first end coupled to the frame support and a second end coupled to the ground and a brake arm assembly. The brake arm assembly is rotationally coupled to the frame and configured to moveably engage the ramp from an operative position of the frame wherein the frame is rotatable about the support in a rotational direction to a parked position of the frame wherein the brake arm assembly couples to the frame support to prevent the frame from rotating about the frame support in the rotational direction. | 12-26-2013 |
20130333320 | SPACE FRAMES AND CONNECTION NODE ARRANGEMENT FOR THEM - In a double layer grid-type of space frame, certain framing members are connected at their opposite ends to separate node connectors carried by chords of the frame. The node connectors have spaced apart opposing surfaces that receive the framing members. A shear pin passage is formed through each framing member and through the opposing surfaces of the node connector. The shear pin connects the framing member to the node connector. | 12-19-2013 |
20130180570 | DISH RECEIVER SYSTEM FOR SOLAR POWER GENERATION - A solar reflective assembly includes a plurality of reflective segments radially configured to collectively at least partially define a dish-shaped reflector having a center axis, each reflective segment having a generally conical shape and being discontinuous relative to the conical shape of an adjacent reflective segment, and an elongated receiver having a length generally extending in a direction of the center axis. Each reflective segment reflects and focuses sunlight on the receiver along the length of the receiver. | 07-18-2013 |
20130161471 | MINI-TRUSS THIN-SHEET PANEL ASSEMBLY - A mini-truss thin-sheet panel assembly, in one embodiment, a substantially rigid thin-sheet panel assembly having a non-rigid thin-sheet component includes the thin-sheet component which has selected plan area and shape, a hacker having a plan shape and area substantially similar to the thin-sheet component, and plural riser elements of selected height and configuration each extending from the backer to distal ends connected to a reverse surface of the thin-sheet component, the riser elements being configured and disposed in an array which causes the assembly to have substantial rigidity in a selected direction in the thin-sheet component. | 06-27-2013 |
20130133324 | HYBRID SOLAR POWER PLANT - A solar power plant includes a first solar reflective system configured to heat a first heat transfer fluid to a temperature within a first temperature range and at least a second solar reflective system coupled to the first solar reflective system, the second solar reflective system having a second heat transfer fluid configured to be heated to a temperature within the first temperature range by the first heat transfer fluid, the second solar reflective system configured to heat the second heat transfer fluid to a temperature within a second temperature range. The solar power plant may also include a power generation system coupled to the first solar reflective system and the second solar reflective system and configured to generate electricity by receiving heat from the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid. | 05-30-2013 |