They Invented What? (No. 85)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,639: Method for remotely powering a device such as a lunar rover.
What is claimed is:
1. A method of supplying power to a device located on the surface of a planet, comprising the steps of:
orbiting at least one satellite around the planet, wherein the satellite comprises a nuclear reactor for generating electrical power;
generating electrical power via the nuclear reactor;
converting the generated electrical power into a GaAlAs laser beam;
directing the GaAlAs laser beam from the at least one satellite to the device; and
converting the power of the GaAlAs laser beam into electrical power for use by the device, said converting step comprising directing the GaAlAs laser beam through a layer of n-GaAlAs semiconductor, through a layer of p-GaAlAs semiconductor, and then through a layer of p-GaAs semiconductor, whereby an electric current is generated.
