Refracting solar energy concentrator and thin flexible fresnel lens
This patent describes a solar energy concentrator. It comprises: a target area; lens means including a sheet of thin flexible transparent polymeric film having a first surface and a second surface, and having a plurality of lenticular light refracting prisms forming the second surface for refracting incident solar radiation striking the lens means at an acute angle to the lens means; support means for supporting the lens means above the target area and the lens means being mounted upon the support means to open toward the target area whereby the lens means is folded at at least one line parallel to the lenticular light refracting prisms to define at least two sections, and the light refracting prisms being defined for focusing the incident solar radiation onto the target area. The efficiency of the concentrator is not materially affected by image deterioration at the target area due to bowing of the sections of the lens means during use.
- Assignee:
- Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., St. Paul, MN
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4848319
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7283550A
- OSTI ID:
- 5433455
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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