System for redirecting sunlight to a mobile platform

US10601367B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Ralf Rene Cabos · Großkrotzenburg, DE
• Nils Kneuper · Bergkamen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 11, 2018
• Grant date: Mar 24, 2020
• Expiry date: Sep 12, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/60
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for redirecting sunlight to a mobile platform includes a satellite and a mobile platform including a first RF antenna that transmits a message including a position and velocity of the mobile platform on the path, along with a time of transmission, and a photovoltaic cell that receives and converts light into electrical energy. The satellite includes a second RF antenna that receives the message, an optical channel, a collector system coupled to the optical channel and that gathers sunlight into the optical channel, a diffuser system coupled to the optical channel and that diffuses light therefrom to generate a beam of light, and a processor coupled to the second RF antenna. The processor computes a target position of the mobile platform based on the position, the velocity, and the time of transmission, and instructs the diffuser system to direct the beam to the target position.