Tubular luminescence photovoltaic array

Patent · Tue Aug 18 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6262139

Morris, R K

A photovoltaic solar cell system is described comprising: (a) a hollow light tube of substantially optically transparent material, the tube having preselected length and first and second ends and including four substantially identical walls of preselected width having flat inner intersecting surfaces defining along a central axis a passageway of generally square cross section extending between the ends, the walls having on the outer surfaces thereof a plurality of triangularly shaped grooves extending along the length of the tube, the grooves defining ridges having triangular cross section and extending along the length of the tube, the triangular cross section of each ridge having an apex angle of 90/sup 0/ and the surfaces of the ridges along the length of the tube defining an angle of 45/sup 0/ with the inner surfaces of the walls; (b) optical means operatively connected to the first end of the tube for directing light into the tube at the first end; (c) solar cells each having a front photoactive surface and a back surface disposed in a rectangular array corresponding in size to the preselected width of the walls and length of the tube, the cells disposed on the outer surfaces of the walls of the tube with the front photoactive surfaces of the cells facing inwardly of the tube.

• Assignee: Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4687880
• OSTI ID: 6262139
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
141000 -- Solar Collectors & Concentrators
DESIGN
DIMENSIONS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
INCIDENCE ANGLE
LENGTH
LUMINESCENCE
LUMINESCENT CONCENTRATORS
OPACITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACES
TUBES
WALLS
WIDTH