Title: Photovoltaic generator with a spherical imaging lens for use with a paraboloidal solar reflector

Abstract

The invention is a generator for photovoltaic conversion of concentrated sunlight into electricity. A generator according to the invention incorporates a plurality of photovoltaic cells and is intended for operation near the focus of a large paraboloidal reflector pointed at the sun. Within the generator, the entering concentrated light is relayed by secondary optics to the cells arranged in a compact, concave array. The light is delivered to the cells at high concentration, consistent with high photovoltaic conversion efficiency and low cell cost per unit power output. Light enters the generator, preferably first through a sealing window, and passes through a field lens, preferably in the form of a full sphere or ball lens centered on the paraboloid focus. This lens forms a concentric, concave and wide-angle image of the primary reflector, where the intensity of the concentrated light is stabilized against changes in the position of concentrated light entering the generator. Receiving the stabilized light are flat photovoltaic cells made in different shapes and sizes and configured in a concave array corresponding to the concave image of a given primary reflector. Photovoltaic cells in a generator are also sized and interconnected so as to provide a single electrical outputmore » that remains high and stable, despite aberrations in the light delivered to the generator caused by, for example, mispointing or bending of the primary reflector. In some embodiments, the cells are set back from the image formed by the ball lens, and part of the light is reflected onto each cell small secondary reflectors in the form of mirrors set around its perimeter. « less

Inventors:

Angel, Roger P.

Issue Date:

Tue Jan 08 00:00:00 EST 2013

Research Org.:

University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1176492

Patent Number(s):

8350145

Application Number:

12/463,016

Assignee:

Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C03 - GLASS C03B - MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24S - SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS

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C - CHEMISTRY C03 - GLASS C03B - MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES

C03B23/0256 - {Gravity bending accelerated by applying mechanical forces, e.g. inertia, weights or local forces}
C03B23/0258 - {Gravity bending involving applying local or additional heating, cooling or insulating means}
C03B23/0355 - {by blowing without suction directly on the glass sheet}
C03B23/0357 - {by suction without blowing, e.g. with vacuum or by venturi effect}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24S - SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS

F24S2020/16 - {Preventing shading effects}
F24S2030/133 - {in the form of flexible elements, e.g. belts, chains, ropes}
F24S2030/14 - {Movement guiding means}
F24S2030/145 - {Tracks}
F24S23/30 - with lenses
F24S23/71 - with parabolic reflective surfaces
F24S23/82 - {characterised by the material or the construction of the reflector}
F24S25/10 - extending in directions away from a supporting surface
F24S25/13 - Profile arrangements, e.g. trusses
F24S30/452 - Vertical primary axis
F24S50/20 - for tracking

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

H01L31/0547 - {comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection}

H - ELECTRICITY H02 - GENERATION H02S - GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRA-RED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES

H02S40/22 - Light-reflecting or light-concentrating means

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/40 - Solar thermal energy
Y02E10/47 - Mountings or tracking
Y02E10/52 - PV systems with concentrators

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG36-08G088002

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2009 May 08

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

14 SOLAR ENERGY; 71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS