A new type of solar energy collector concentrates the sun into a beam
that could melt steel. Researchers say the device could revolutionize
global energy production.

The prototype is a 12-foot-wide mirrored dish was made from a
lightweight frame of thin, inexpensive aluminum tubing and strips of
mirror. It concentrates sunlight by a factor of 1,000 to produce steam.

"This is actually the most efficient solar collector in existence," said
Doug Wood, an inventor based in Washington state who patented key parts
of the dish's design — the rights to which he has signed over to a team
of students at MIT.

http://www.livescience.com/environment/080619-solar-power.html

Major Debacle wrote:
A new type of solar energy collector concentrates the sun into a beam
that could melt steel. Researchers say the device could revolutionize
global energy production.

The prototype is a 12-foot-wide mirrored dish was made from a lightweight
frame of thin, inexpensive aluminum tubing and strips of mirror. It
concentrates sunlight by a factor of 1,000 to produce steam.

"This is actually the most efficient solar collector in existence," said
Doug Wood, an inventor based in Washington state who patented key parts
of the dish's design — the rights to which he has signed over to a team
of students at MIT.

http://www.livescience.com/environment/080619-solar-power.html

I don't follow at all what is novel about this. Parabolic mirrors are old
news which is what this simulates.

I'd hardly call the construction revolutionary either.

Nothing to see here, move on.

Peter Franks <none at (no spam) none.com> wrote:

anonymous wrote:

Check it out on Google Patents:
http://www.google.com/patents?id=FJyNAAAAEBAJ&dq=ininventor:%22doug+wood%22&as_drrb_ap=q&as_minm_ap=1&as_miny_ap=2008&as_maxm_ap=1&as_maxy_ap=2008&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=2008&as_maxm_is=1&as_maxy_is=2008

Application number: 9/834,266
Publication number: US 2001/0036024 A1
Filing date: Apr 12, 2001
Inventor: Doug Wood
Issued patent: 6485152 (Issue date Nov 26, 2002)
Right -- what is novel about that?

If a patent issued, it is novel.

Honestly, there is nothing to see here -- nothing new at all. "Solar
Dish Could Revolutionize Energy Production" is a true, but not because
of this patent.


It is the possible low cost per square foot that might make
a difference, but I doubt it. It would obviously need to be housed
in a glass front enclosure as it obviously would not withstand wind
or hail.

To bad he gave it to a college instead of a private company
eager to invest in real solar production.

Actually, just reading this and thinking about solar has led
me to reconsider the production of hydrogen as a viable method of
storage of energy.


http://www.princeton.edu/~energy/publications/pdf/1991/Ogden_91%20Cost_PV_Electrolytic_Hydrogen.pdf

Whata Fool wrote:
Peter Franks <none at (no spam) none.com> wrote:

anonymous wrote:

Check it out on Google Patents:
http://www.google.com/patents?id=FJyNAAAAEBAJ&dq=ininventor:%22doug+wood%22&as_drrb_ap=q&as_minm_ap=1&as_miny_ap=2008&as_maxm_ap=1&as_maxy_ap=2008&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=2008&as_maxm_is=1&as_maxy_is=2008

Application number: 9/834,266
Publication number: US 2001/0036024 A1
Filing date: Apr 12, 2001
Inventor: Doug Wood
Issued patent: 6485152 (Issue date Nov 26, 2002)
Right -- what is novel about that?

If a patent issued, it is novel.

Not at all.

If a patent is issued it is issued, that's it.

There are LOTS of cases of non-novel patents being issued -- happens all
the time, big deal.

Honestly, there is nothing to see here -- nothing new at all. "Solar
Dish Could Revolutionize Energy Production" is a true, but not because
of this patent.


It is the possible low cost per square foot that might make
a difference, but I doubt it. It would obviously need to be housed
in a glass front enclosure as it obviously would not withstand wind
or hail.

To bad he gave it to a college instead of a private company
eager to invest in real solar production.

Actually, just reading this and thinking about solar has led
me to reconsider the production of hydrogen as a viable method of
storage of energy.


http://www.princeton.edu/~energy/publications/pdf/1991/Ogden_91%20Cost_PV_Electrolytic_Hydrogen.pdf

Solar energy collection is a great idea.

However, this guy's "Solar Dish" isn't going to revolutionize squat.

Whata Fool wrote:
Peter Franks <none at (no spam) none.com> wrote:

Whata Fool wrote:
Peter Franks <none at (no spam) none.com> wrote:

anonymous wrote:
Check it out on Google Patents:
http://www.google.com/patents?id=FJyNAAAAEBAJ&dq=ininventor:%22doug+wood%22&as_drrb_ap=q&as_minm_ap=1&as_miny_ap=2008&as_maxm_ap=1&as_maxy_ap=2008&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=1&as_miny_is=2008&as_maxm_is=1&as_maxy_is=2008

Application number: 9/834,266
Publication number: US 2001/0036024 A1
Filing date: Apr 12, 2001
Inventor: Doug Wood
Issued patent: 6485152 (Issue date Nov 26, 2002)
Right -- what is novel about that?
If a patent issued, it is novel.
Not at all.

If a patent is issued it is issued, that's it.

The examination is for new and novel, plus defining the claims.

How many patents do you have?

There are LOTS of cases of non-novel patents being issued -- happens all
the time, big deal.

Patents are issued on claims.

A claim of novelty. It may or may not be novel in reality.

Honestly, there is nothing to see here -- nothing new at all. "Solar
Dish Could Revolutionize Energy Production" is a true, but not because
of this patent.

It is the possible low cost per square foot that might make
a difference, but I doubt it. It would obviously need to be housed
in a glass front enclosure as it obviously would not withstand wind
or hail.

To bad he gave it to a college instead of a private company
eager to invest in real solar production.

Actually, just reading this and thinking about solar has led
me to reconsider the production of hydrogen as a viable method of
storage of energy.


http://www.princeton.edu/~energy/publications/pdf/1991/Ogden_91%20Cost_PV_Electrolytic_Hydrogen.pdf
Solar energy collection is a great idea.

However, this guy's "Solar Dish" isn't going to revolutionize squat.

Possibly not, but if mass production is easy and the price low
enough, that thing could produce about 3 HP, enough to power a house
while the sun shines.

But if architects and builders are not utilizing the most basic
passive solar or ordinary thermal solar in new houses, why would
that concentrating collector make a difference?

Sure. But I'm challenging this article's claim that this particular
solar dish is revolutionary. It isn't.

Thanks for the dialog. Have a nice, reflective, day.