Patent ID: 7270295
Filing Date: 2007-09-18
Classification: B64D,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An aircraft powered by the heat of the sun comprising: an aircraft body capable of producing lift and sustained free flight when propelled; heat engine means carried by said aircraft body for producing power; propulsion means powered by said heat engine means for propelling said aircraft; heat storage means in thermal contact with said heat engine means for supplying heat thereto; solar concentration means movably connected to said aircraft body for receiving and concentrating solar energy; solar tracking means including means for determining whether said solar concentration means is optimally aligned with the sun, and means for actuating said solar concentration means into optimal alignment with the sun based on said determination; and heat collection/transport means for collecting the concentrated solar energy and transporting heat to said heat storage means, wherein said aircraft body includes an optically transparent section, and said solar concentration means is movably mounted in said optically transparent section so that incident solar flux is transmitted therethrough to said solar concentration means, and wherein said solar concentration means is a reflective parabolic trough for concentrating solar energy along a focal axis thereof and adapted to rotate about said focal axis, and said heat collection/transport means is positioned along said focal axis to collect the concentrated solar energy.