Method and apparatus for manufacturing and erecting concave metallic membrane type reflectors
US5237337A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 1991 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S359/90
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing at a manufacturing plant concave metallic membrane for concave reflectors such as solar energy collectors and antennas, rolling the concave metallic membrane onto a uniquely shaped mandrel for storage and transportation, transporting the rolled metallic membrane and mandrel to a site which is remote from the manufacturing plant, erecting a reflector support structure at the remote site, and attaching the concave metallic membrane to the reflector support structure. The invention includes a method for forming the concave metallic membrane into a paraboloid-like shape using non-uniform loading.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.