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Douglas
Hartley.com |
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This Paper was written in Approximately 1997 for the National Institute of Standards and Technology And Advanced Technology Program – Government
Agencies ATP and the Introduction of My Paper Selected for Premium Power Connie
Chung at your Maryland Conference suggested that we humor you along the way.
Energy consumption has enormous implications for the well being of the
planet. How can we reconcile our growing demands for energy with the equal
pressing needs to maintain a viable eco-system? The present trend points towards
crisis unless a concerted global effort is made to overcome the challenges that
lie ahead.
A future shaped by rising seas, collapsing economies and political
turbulence is too great a risk to take.
Technologically, there are too many options that are environmentally
friendly. Unfortunately these technologies are expensive, but only because they
have not been developed. The development of these technologies has been hindered
due to the availability of cheaper fossil fuels. The fossil fuels are the main
reason for our pollution problem.
Energy efficient technologies are available but many of these
technologies are not being put into effect because of the cheaper fossil fuels
provided by the major petroleum companies.
Power companies realize the environmental implications, but continue to
capitalize on the resources provided by petroleum-based products that power our
today’s utility corporations.
Although, it is petroleum companies that own most of the alternative
energy companies they will continue to promote petroleum products as long as
possible. Alternative energies will eventually take over, but petroleum-based
production of energy will continue to dominate until a cheaper alternatives
arrive.
The Transition
The emergence of new technologies is in evadible; our natural resources
of petroleum will be depleted. At the time of depletion, the large power
companies will introduce alternative power sources. For some individuals, it
will be a new and overwhelming time. For others, it will be long awaited.
Electricity of any amount will be a huge difference to some communities.
Most Americans do not think of electricity beyond flick of a switch, to turn on
a light or the stove to cook dinner. Some countries are still gathering wood to
cook their meals and provide heat for their homes. If more people had to look
for wood to cook their meals, they might think more about electricity and the
value it brings to our everyday lift. Try to imagine how much you would
appreciate electricity if you never had it. ATP Mission
It is difficult to estimate economic growth of the electrical industry in
the U.S. Although we as a nation are the economically strong, there are other
nations that continue to strive for our excellence. The Japanese and the
electronic corporations continue to produce elaborate technologies and it sad to
admit that many of their now striving corporations began in the U.S.
Many new starving technologies that were bought out usually benefited one
corporation or even one individual. Where would the U.S. economy be today should
the individuals provide jobs in the U.S., instead of selling out to a foreign
company?
Competitive technologies always run a high risk of not being developed
due to the fact that there are so many things that might happen. For example, a
new and more efficient technology might come along and prove the previous
obsolete. Another example is that the main individual might suffer some sort of
traumatic experience that prohibited them from producing any more work and thus
the technology simply dies due to the fact that nobody else knows anything about
the project. It sad to think of all the people that simple die in their prime
and it is simply impossible for anybody else to continue their work. Thus it is
impossible to predict the future of new and profound technologies. With personal
challenges underlying the base of all technologies, there still lies the
technical challenge.
Innovative solutions may perhaps be just one page away in a Physic book,
one phone call, or perhaps it may become overwhelming apparent in a dream. All
in all, should the individual be plagued with a burden to the point that they
can no longer continue their work; the inevitable reality brings their work to
an abrupt stop.
It is evident that the scientific community will continue to produce
elaborate technical findings, many of which are far beyond current use. Never
the less, science is an all-consuming business in itself. The potential payoffs
are not always beneficial and even more so, the payoffs are never reached.
Far to often the individual who creates a great technology dies long
before benefits are seen.
Beauty is the basement invention that takes off in the business world.
Individuals who have the intelligence to invent such a credible
technology should be taken advantage of. Not only for their innovativeness, but
also for the race of mankind and the benefit of future populations. Currently we
are at an alarming rate of destroying the planet and far beyond repair. Basic Characteristics
The mission that I have been on for years has never been
focused. While I was a kid I would take things apart and put them back together
to see how they worked. Projects ranged from bicycles, motorcycles, to cars.
When I was a senior in high school, I hurt my back and had to have physical
therapy for approximately 6 months. Up until that point, I thought that I was
going to be a car mechanic. It was put to me in a nice way that the injury was
not going to allow me to become a mechanic. Never had I planned on going to
college and 6 months later in was in college for Art. So there I was in Art
school, clueless as to what it was I was going to do for the rest of my lift.
After receiving my Associates Degree in Art I switched to a Psychology Major.
Once again as a senior in school, I had an overwhelming experience. I was on the
Dean’s list for the school of Psychology and was cleaning my fish tank. I was
trying to figure out how to save electricity for the lights on my fish tank. I
knew nothing about about electricity, but a friend had recently given me a car
engine. I thought that I could hook up that engine outside my window and run
some car lights off the battery. The distance was too great. I was talking with
my roommate who suggested Solar Energy.
That was the start of the whole thing. As soon as I could, I
bought a small 0.5volts Photovoltaic cell from Radio Shack. I quickly became
aware of the limitations. Still, I was overwhelmed. I had to have more light.
The next day or so I had stacked my stereo speakers on top of each other in the
center of my room. Still not enough, so I got out textbooks and stacked them
on-top of the speakers. Still not enough, so I got out the electrical extension
cord and assorted them to the center of my room. I had the small 0.5PV on top of
the textbooks that were on top of the speakers. The PV was about 5 inches from
the ceiling light. As I plugged in the last cord, I shorted out the whole house.
My roommate had ten fish tanks of various sizes. He had two or three 50-gallon
tanks. My roommate’s girlfriend came running up stairs yelling for me. I still
had the electrical cord in my hand. What was that, oh my god, are you OK? Yea, I
think so. I think that I was in some sort of mild shock from fear. I just looked
at her. Are you doing that solar stuff again? YES. Real soon after that she came
back upstairs and told me that the whole house was down. We lived in an old
house that had the screw in fuses. You can probably imagine what my other
roommate had to say. We did not lose any fish thankfully.
From that point on I became so consumed in alternative energy that I
missed the last three weeks of school. I showed up for my finals and my
professors looked at me. That was spring of 1992.
Partnership with Industry
Every time that I tried to get some help with solar energy, I was quickly
reminded that I had studied Psychology and not electrical engineering and
perhaps it would not a bad idea for me to see a Psychologist. Thus I became
somewhat frustrated with the industry and trying to get a partnership to help me
with my project. Currently, I am alone and expect that I will continue to stay
alone. The only restriction thus far has been finical.
On June 27th, 1995, I received a Patent for my work on Photovoltaic.
Patent number is 5,427,628 and if I had the resources I believe that I could
have two perhaps three more. Under the circumstances it was just a little too
stressful to try and peruse the other patents. The other patents are in direct
correlation to my first one. Actually, I abandoned the first one and these are
just things to help make the second one more efficient. Extensive Rigorous Peer Review
I have had many of my peers look over my papers before I filed for my
patent. From the point of my patent I have shared my papers with many other
people and allow the individuals to criticize my papers. Criticize allowed me
insight to some of the problems that I might have. The biggest problem I foresaw
was the excess heat that will be generated. The heat that will be generated is
no longer seen as a problem. Heat will allow the project to be directed towards
another area of cogeneration of energy. With the introduction of GaAs
photocells, heat will not be a problem. GaAs photocells are not only
capable of withstanding more heat than normal solar cells they are more
efficient.
Solar Energy and Photovoltaics are a well understood technology, thus I
will only briefly touch on the subject, because my project concentrates more on
the housing of said solar cells. Although the introduction of my papers may
allow the removal of the top anti-reflective coating that is applied to the
Photovoltaic. Another problem with Photovoltaics is the nature of reflectivity;
this may also help eliminate one of the manufacturing processes for reflection
problems. Rigorous
Project and Program Impact Assessment
I would like to take this opportunity to state that I would very
much like
to continue my work.
While there are foreseeable problems with this project, with the proper
funding and time I believe that I can overcome the problems. One problem with the project
is heat. My first solution to this problem was to project the sphere into space
for the Space Program. Not only is the geodesic dome the strongest structure on
the planet it will reduce the space needed to support Photovoltaics. This
sphere could might be able to help with electricity for the space program. Light as
well as heat. The heat could be allowed to pass from the sphere to within-side
the space shuttle.
Along with heat and electricity, with the introduction of fiber optics,
light could be allowed to enter the space shuttle.
With the introduction of GaAs Photocells, heat is no longer a
problem. The GaAs cells are capable of withstanding substantial amount of
heat. They are capable of withstanding enough heat, that the heat can be used as
a secondary source of energy. The excess heat could be used for actual heat in
the space shuttle or the heat could be used to drive a flywheel ie. Turbine.
Another way that I planned to solve the heat problem was to submit the
Geodesic in North America where the temperatures are cold enough to protect the
photo-cells. Should this sphere be introduced into a climate where the outside
temperatures are colder the internal temperatures, it could be used to drive a
small turbine. With the introduction
of lasers, especially Florene lasers it could also be used to drive a Heat
Engine. Florene lasers have recently been introduced to cool materials.
Undoubtedly the Geodesic Sphere will produce excess heat; it will be up to the
environment that the Geodesic Sphere is introduced as to the way it should be
used.
With the introduction of the proper laser and heat-exchangers the
Geodesic Sphere could be turned into a Trash Incinerator which could be used to
drive a Heat Engine. Should
the Geodesic Sphere be used for a trash incinerator it will be best to separate
the project into two separate entities. One Geodesic could be used for heat to
be used to drive the heat engine and the other sphere can be set up to accept
the light produced. The light could be transmitted through fiber optics.
The heat could also be used to purify water in environments where waters
are contaminated by bacteria. A small PV powered pump could pull the water into
the Geodesic Sphere where it will pass through a series of heat-exchangers which
will drive the temperatures above boiling point and kill any bacteria. This
would be a good application for countries where they have water, but is
contaminated. The vapor will condense back into water, and then it can be
filtered for any solids that might have passed through the system.
I realize that the previous materials are a little vague and I have no
problem admitting to that. The detailed description is coming up. I do realize
that the previous materials cover a wide scope of area that is why I would like
propose that this project be put forth as up for license agreements. There are
far too many applications for me to possibly do myself. Outside the many
applications there are individuals that are far more educated in the areas
recommended
I understand that the ATP, wishes to see the individual continue
to do their own work, but I believe that this project is far beyond my
capabilities. Not with the understanding of the projects that it may represent,
but for the capability of me to concentrate on the wide Varity. I would like to
see this project travel across the entire planet, for there are many people
without electricity and the broad scope of this project is directed towards
independent production of electricity.
At first it was for my fish tank. Secondly I thought that it would be a
good thing for my house and providing heat and electricity. Third, I thought
that it would be good for the commercial industry.
That was just the start. After I began to study Alternative Energies, I
really began to understand the potentials that it might have. I was somewhere
introduced to me that NASA was having problems with the program and
energy. That became ever increasing apparent over this past summer with the
space program and how they had to divert electrical appliances to fix other
appliances.
Another application for this project could be directed towards
trashinceneration. Trashinceneration
is not a new technology. Although it
was plagued in the beginning with bi-products that were being released into the
atmosphere. By products were coming to CO2’s and NOX’s, which honestly I do
not know much about other than they come from the burning of such materials like
plastic clorox bottles and also the melting down of batteries. While I know very
little about the science involved, I do however understand how this machine
works. Since the introduction of the Electrostatic Participators the
trashincenterator has been re-introduced to society. There lies one Beautiful
Machine. The capabilities of both the reduction of waste and the production of
electricity. There lies a machine that could be used by the Entire Planet.
Another introduction to the applications of this project happened at the
IBM manufacturing plant that I worked at in RTP. On more than one occasion there
was a local power failure and the disruption traveled down to our computer
facilities, causing not only down time in manufacturing but lost information as
well as technical problem with the network administration workstations. As big
and powerful as IBM and computers are, they are worth nothing without
electricity.
Yet, still have I begun to explain my invention that began as a simple
way to provide light for my Fish tank?
Beauty is in the simplicity of the Physics. Nature will continue to
prevail. It is in the nature of all living things to fight, unfortunately;
mankind has the power to destroy the entire planet in one stroke. Simply erased,
just like edit on the computer that I am working on. ZAP, and were out
like a light. Like a manufacturing plant without power, there will be no light,
no life, nothing. No longer will anything matter.
In the ATP booklet PREMIUM POWER, was the introduction and
in the first sentence laid the words “ Telecommunications and Information
Systems”. I know very little about this technology, but have been introduced
to it by some of my computer background. I only became interested in it for that
fact that I have been far in the field and understood that it would mean that it
would be necessary for me to travel into the closest town just to make a phone
call. With the introduction of broadband communications it will become capable
to communicate from a very far distance. Weather it be to call mom at home or to
radio for Emergency Rescue via Helicopter. Regardless of the reasons, it will
soon be a reality.
Premium Power is a New ATP focused program targeted at the development of
the critical, enabling power technologies important to the changes that will
undoubtedly happen. Not only will they happen, they will revolutionize the
Planet. No longer is up to a single individual, it is up to the entire Planet.
The concentration of my paper falls within the guidelines of the field of
Photovoltaic Array systems. The Array system was predominately designed for my
Fish tank. It was in my plans to direct a mirror from outside my window to a
Photovoltaic to help provide electricity for the lights on my Fish tank. I did
not understand that light could not be briefly detained, if not almost trapped.
The sphere would allow light in, but the only way the light would be released
would be through a Photovoltaic array system.
The system, which looks like a soccer ball, is made up of two-way
mirrors. The plane of the mirror is facing internally of the sphere. There is
one section of the sphere that has been substituted with a convex lens. This
convex lens is the major focus point of the sphere. Although the rest of the
sphere is made up of two-way mirror and will allow light to penetrate through
all sides, the main focal point will be through the convex lens. Upon contact of
the convex lens, the light waves will converge and spread out internally of the
Geodesic dome.
While the main focus of my project has been for the production of
electricity of the residential areas with the coming of Decentralization of the
power companies, it was easy for me to also focus on Commercial Development. I
saw that with the new strict guidelines focused own the reductions of
pollutants; the major participants would be the large commercial businesses.
Thus, I thought that the commercial industry would be looking for ways to reduce
their pollutants with the introduction of Alternative Energies.
Technologies are available but are scarcely seen on the East Coast.
During my studies at college I thought that I was going to become an
Environmental Consultant and provide consulting to large manufacturing companies
on how to cut the size of their utility bill with the introduction of
Alternative Energies.
It was a rude awakening to find that most of the individuals
for whom I spoke about Alternative Energies with, did not even know what
Alternative Energies were. Thus over a period of time I became more and more
frustrated with the manufacturing industry. During
my studies on Alternative Energies, I was exposed to micro-hydroelectricity. I
designed a system that was for a small barn. The barn was approximately one mile
from any other source of electricity. It was interesting, but at times it was
frustrating because I was so far away from anything. In order to make a phone
call, I had to travel to the nearest gas station. I could not type on my
computer and once the sun went down, I had no light. Upon completion of the
project, I had installed a deep cycle tractor battery. From the battery, I
hooked up car lights. After I had installed the generator, battery, and a car
light I explained the system to the owner of the barn. I explained the weak
spots and what would happen during a hard rainstorm. I explained the electrical
hook ups and things to look for like the voltage meter on the charge controller.
The system would surge to 20volts during rainstorms, thus the need for a charge
controller. The system would have over charged and eventually ruined the
battery.
This was a good opportunity for hands on in the field experience with no
electricity. If the system will produce enough electricity to charge a battery
it could be used to power up a laptop and broadcast information through
broadband telecommunications. Even short intervals would be a huge increase for
the transportation of data-communications in extreme remote areas.
Batteries are a nice utility, but they are environmentally expensive and
very heavy. I believe that with the introduction of the right materials, this
Geodesic sphere could be assembled on site, carried in to remote areas by
backpack. Perhaps some sort of composite material that I am completely unaware
of might be a good base structure with 3M reflective Mylar as the reflective
material.
Because the Rhybodecahedreon has only three shapes the building of the
Geodesic is easy. And with the right composite materials, 3M Mylar, and
partially constructed, the whole system could possible weigh less than twenty
pounds and be quickly constructed. The Three shapes needed to erect a
rhybodecahedreon are a decagon, a hexagon, and a square. The same three shapes
could be used to erect a sphere for the Nasa Program. I would guess that
the atmospheric pressure would help hold the sphere together. GOAL The
goal of this program is to foster research into premium power sources to
create more efficient production and delivery of power applications that are not
connected to the grid. Decentralization
has been the focus of my whole project.
I wish I could say that it will increase the market for rechargeable
batteries; unfortunately I do not know much about batteries.
It may reduce the cost of manufacturing, but only through the reduction
of materials, such as the anti-reflective coating to help with the nature of
reflection with Photovoltaics. This reduction of materials may help with the
reduction of weight, which would decrease the launch weight for the LEO’s that
are to be put into orbit. This reduction in weight should decrease the cost of
launching of P.V. array systems, thus reducing the cost of the space program.
I also believe that this geodesic will reduce the space needed to support
P.V. arrays, thereby reducing the total weight of the mounting structure. This
could be a big benefit for the space program. How big of a benefit it will be, I
am unaware.
I am also unaware if it will reduce the cost of manufacturing for the
production of a kilowatt.
I am certain that it should not shorten the time to develop new battery
chemistries, but it could be used to power up batteries in remote locations.
Changes
Changes in Telecommunications, Information Systems and Electrical Power
Industries are bound to happen, it is only a matter of time. “Driven by both
technological advances and non-technical factors such as deregulation”, change
is enviable.
Deregulation and new system architectures vow to open new markets for the
power industry, weather it be for the residential, commercial, remote areas
outside the grid, or whole new markets such as in third world countries that
have never had any electricity at all. It is hard to estimate to possibilities,
but sometimes there is evidence that the change will be overwhelming and happen
at an alarming rate for some.
Providing power for the customer using broadband communications will be
prevailing. I believe that the Information Technology will continue to grow at
an exploding rate, thus apparently the need to provide energy for this
technology is dominate. I have not spent much time on the subject, but I will
allow the technology to enter into the direction of my project. Perhaps this
project may be combined together, submitting both a P.V. array system with the
integration of telecommunications within side the same Geodesic Sphere. The
combination serving as housing structure as well as central hub for both P.V.
cells along side of telecommunication receivers. Burst of data could enter the
Geodesic through the convex lens, just like light photons enter into the
Geodesic. Once data is received by the Geodesic the transmission may be
reflected internally just like the photons of light, only to be absorbed through
telecommunication receivers. The
availability of sufficient power is paramount for the Information Corporation.
I recommend that batteries be used when providing electricity for
telecommunication systems, there is sometimes no such thing as a second.
Batteries are capable of providing an incredible percentage rate of delivery of
needed electricity. Batteries are used in the telecommunication industry and
that is why when the power is out, the phone system still works. Once again, I
do not have much knowledge on batteries, but I do believe that this system can
be designed to be site specific. I use the wording site specific for each system
has different requirements. Different requirements are easily compensated for by
changing the size of the Geodesic. All sides of the Geodesic are proportional
and thus it will be easy to calculate the different sizes needed for the
requirements.
Due to the fact that this technology is redirected upon itself with only
the use of the reflectivity it should have Environmental impacts that are
minimal, if any. This
Paper was written in Approximately 1997 |
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