Ultralight inflatable Fresnel lens solar concentrators

Since 1986, ENTECH and NASA Lewis have been developing refractive solar concentrators for space applications, These Fresnel lens concentrators can be configured as either point-focus dome lenses or line-focus cylindrical lenses. Small point-focus or line-focus lenses can be used to concentrate sunlight onto solar cells in space photovoltaic (PV) arrays. Large point-focus lenses can be used for high solar flux applications. In March 1997, a NASA Phase I SBIR program was initiated to develop ultralight inflatable lenses of both the line-focus and point-focus types. Special program emphasis is being placed on large point-focus lenses for various high-concentration applications, including solar dynamic (SD) power, alkali metal thermal energy conversion (AMTEC), thermophotovoltaics (TPV), and solar thermal propulsion (STP). Key outputs of the Phase I program include conceptual designs, optical performance predictions, micrometeoroid puncture analyses, manufacturing process identification, and functional prototype hardware. This paper summarizes the key results of the Phase I program, leading to the conclusion that inflatable dome lenses will provide excellent high-concentration optical performance, unequaled shape error tolerance, extremely low mass/aperture area ratio, proven manufacturability with space qualified materials, and small make-up gas requirements to maintain inflation on-orbit.