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  Method of supporting a solar energy collection unitUSPTO Application #: 20070199560Title: Method of supporting a solar energy collection unit Abstract: A method (92) of supporting a solar energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) of a solar energy system (20, 52, 78) calls for redistributing (96) earth at a worksite (26) to form an elevated earthen structure (24) having a sun facing surface (28), compacting (102) the earthen structure (24), and arranging (106) the solar energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) upon the sun facing surface (28) of the earthen structure (24). The earthen structure (24) may include internal strengthening material (32) detached from the energy collection unit (22, 54, 76) and the earthen structure (24) may be encased in a binder material (34) for additional stability. Channels (48, 50) may be provided proximate the earthen structure (24) for fluid supply and release functions. (end of abstract)
Agent: Meschkow & Gresham, P.L.C - Phoenix, AZ, US Inventors: Raymond S. Hobbs, David P. Haberman USPTO Applicaton #: 20070199560 - Class: 126600000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Stoves And Furnaces, Solar Heat Collector, With Means To Reposition Solar Collector For Optimum Radiation Exposure The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070199560. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of solar energy systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stable structure for supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Due to the finite supply of fossil energy sources, the global environmental damage caused by fossil fuels, increasing energy demand, and economic forces, society is becoming compelled to diversify energy resources, utilize existing fossil fuels more effectively, and reduce pollutants. An alternative energy resource, solar power, is already in widespread use where other supplies of power are absent such as in remote locations and in space. Solar power generally describes a number of methods of harnessing energy from the light of the sun. [0003] Solar power technologies can be classified as either direct or indirect. Direct solar power involves only one transformation into a usable form. Direct solar power utilizes solar energy collection units such as photovoltaic cells for creating electricity, solar thermal collectors for creating heat energy, solar sails for imparting motion, fiber optic cables for conducting sunlight into building interiors to create supplemental lighting, and so forth. [0004] Indirect solar power involves more than one transformation to reach a usable form. An exemplary type of power generation that employs indirect solar power is the use of photosynthesis to convert solar energy to chemical energy which can later be burned as fuel. The concept of using photosynthesis to convert solar energy to chemical energy has been expanded into using algae to convert carbon dioxide from waste emissions to useful, high-value biomass products. This methodology is generally referred to as carbon dioxide bio-regeneration. Early ventures entailed pumping emission gases through the base of a pond and growing algae on the surface. Unfortunately, the algae was difficult to harvest and the energy required to "churn" the pond to ensure full algal exposure to sunlight was expensive. More recent efforts have been directed toward enclosed bioreactor systems that function as solar energy collection units, with the object being to increase algae production in a cost-effective manner. Such innovations in bioreactor systems involve streamlining the harvesting of algae, limiting the energy required to operate the system, automating necessary controls (e.g. flow controllers and gas uptake), minimizing the physical space requirements, and so forth. Such innovations have increased the economic viability of utilizing indirect solar power for carbon dioxide regeneration. [0005] Although solar collection efficiency has increased and the costs for the various solar energy collection units, such as photovoltaic cells, thermal collectors, fiber optic elements, algal bioreactors, and the like is decreasing through technological innovation, the cost effectiveness of the host support structures is not correspondingly decreasing. [0006] Such host support structures must secure the solar energy collection units in order to withstand climatic stresses such as, wind, rain, sand storms, floods, snow, and the like. The host support structures must also secure the solar energy collection units in order to withstand geologic stresses including earthquakes, erosion, and the like. [0007] In order to withstand the various climatic and geologic stresses, prior art support structures for solar energy collection units require a heavy structural steel pedestal or framework, typically embedded in a large concrete base or foundation. Typical installations have become sufficiently large so that cranes are required to move and install the structural steel, cement is trucked in to support the steel framework, and multiple visits to the site by multiple workers are required to complete the installation. Unfortunately, the construction of such a large structure is quite expensive, is difficult to install in remote locations, and is expensive to maintain. [0008] Consequently, a major obstacle to a more widespread exploitation of both direct and indirect solar power technologies has been the development of stable, yet cost-effective, host structures for supporting solar energy collection units in alignment with incident rays of the sun. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention that a method of supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system is provided. [0010] Another advantage of the present invention is that a method of supporting a solar energy collection unit is provided that allows the use of local materials to support the solar energy collection unit. [0011] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that a method of supporting a solar energy collection unit is provided that is readily customizable, stable under stress conditions, cost effective to build and maintain, and has a minimal long term impact on the local environment. [0012] The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried out in one form by a method of supporting a solar energy collection unit of a solar energy system. The method calls for redistributing earth at a worksite to form an elevated earthen structure having a sun facing surface, compacting the earthen structure, and arranging the solar energy collection unit upon the sun facing surface of the earthen structure. [0013] The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried out in another form by a method of supporting a photosynthetic bioreactor of a solar energy system. The method calls for redistributing earth at a worksite to form an elevated earthen structure having a sun facing surface, orienting the sun facing surface at an angular elevation from horizontal of greater than ten degrees and less than ninety degrees, and compacting the earthen structure. The method further calls for excavating a channel proximate the earthen structure and arranging the photosynthetic bioreactor upon the sun facing surface of the earthen structure. A supply fluid is directed through the channel and a fluid inlet of the photosynthetic bioreactor is supplied with the supply fluid from the channel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and: [0015] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary perspective view of a solar energy system having a plurality of solar energy collection units supported by elevated earthen structures at a worksite; [0016] FIG. 2 shows a side view of one of the elevated earthen structures having internal strengthening material and encased in a binder material; [0017] FIG. 3 shows a side view of one of the exemplary elevated earthen structures oriented to provide shade for a portion of the solar energy system; [0018] FIG. 4 shows a side view of one of the exemplary elevated earthen structures including a fluid supply channel and a fluid release channel for a photosynthetic bioreactor solar energy system; [0019] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one of the earthen structures supporting a plurality of tubular photosynthetic bioreactors; [0020] FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of one of the earthen structures and one of the tubular photosynthetic bioreactors at section lines 6-6 of FIG. 5; Continue reading... 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