Method of smelting using a solar reflector

Abstract

A method for effecting solar radiation in space prior to the solar radiation reaching Earth. The method includes the steps of choosing a location between the Earth and the sun, focusing reflected solar radiation from two reflectors upon the location, monitoring solar radiation that passes through the focal location, and adjusting the reflectors to increase the size or change the shape of the focal location. The disclosure further includes a structure having a single joint for articulating the structure, where the single joint rotates the structure about a first axis in response to a first input and where the single joint rotates the structure about a second axis in response to a second input.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A method of smelting using a solar reflector, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing at least a first reflector, with the reflector comprising a surface for reflecting radiation from the sun;    b) providing a smelter;    c) loading ore into the smelter; and    d) orienting the first reflector such that radiation from the sun is focused onto the smelter such that an inside of the smelter is heated such that the ore in the smelter is melted to separate material.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , and further comprising the step of rotating the smelter so as to heat a sidewall of the smelter as the smelter rotates.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , and further comprising the step of heating all portions of a sidewall of the smelter.  
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 18 , and further comprising the step of tilting the smelter.  
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 18 , and further comprising the step of separating molten ore of one density from molten ore of another density.  
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the smelter includes inner endless grooves, and further comprising the step of tilting the smelter to spill ore of one density from one groove to an adjacent groove.  
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 18 , and further comprising the step of drawing off and collecting vapors.  
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein one vapor comprises oxygen.  
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the smelter includes inner endless grooves, and further comprising the step of providing for two adjacent endless grooves, with the grooves having different depths.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 18 , and further comprising the step of centrifugally separating molten material in the smelter.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 18 , and further comprising the step of drawing off vapors and collecting vaporous material that has been drawn off with electromagnets.  
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 18 , and further comprising the step of carrying out said method of smelting on a body in space, with ore from said body being loaded into the smelter.  
   
   
       30 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said solar reflector is in an array of solar reflectors.  
   
   
       31 . A method of vaporizing material on a body in space using a solar reflector, comprising the steps of: 
 a) providing at least a first reflector, with the reflector comprising a surface for reflecting radiation from the sun;    b) orienting the first reflector such that radiation from the sun is focused onto the surface of the body in space such that an area of the surface of the body is increased in temperature such that material on the surface of the body is vaporized; and    c) collecting material that has been vaporized with electromagnets.