| 摘要 |
Apparatus and method for transmitting concentrated light including concentrated solar energy over long distances, in particular from the stratosphere to earth's surface. The apparatus consists of a hollow gas tight tube light pipe with a highly reflective inner surface and containing a transparent gas within the sealed tube. The reflective inner surface includes embodiments using prismatic or multi layer reflectance materials combined with specular reflective materials. The transparent gasses include dry air, nitrogen, hydrogen and helium. The buoyancy provided by the transparent gases and/or buoyancy provided externally to the light pipe provide vertical stability in the case where the tube functions as both a buoyant light pipe and buoyant tether. |
