6778results about "Photovoltaics" patented technology

A packaged product includes a product, a product packaging at least partially covering the product, a device resonator integrated with the product packaging for receiving wireless energy from a source resonator and an electrical component coupled to the device resonator to receive the wireless energy from the device resonator.

A distributed power harvesting system including multiple direct current (DC) power sources with respective DC outputs adapted for interconnection into a interconnected DC power source output. A converter includes input terminals adapted for coupling to the interconnected DC power source output. A circuit loop sets the voltage and current at the input terminals of the converter according to predetermined criteria. A power conversion portion converts the power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. A power supplier is coupled to the output terminals. The power supplier includes a control part for maintaining the input to the power supplier at a predetermined value. The control part maintains the input voltage and/or input current to the power supplier at a predetermined value.

A photovoltaic panel with multiple photovoltaic sub-strings including serially-connected photovoltaic cells and having direct current (DC) outputs adapted for interconnection in parallel into a parallel-connected DC power source. A direct current (DC) power converter including input terminals and output terminals is adapted for coupling to the parallel-connected DC power source and for converting an input power received at the input terminals to an output power at the output terminals. The direct current (DC) power converter optionally has a control loop configured to set the input power received at the input terminals according to a previously determined criterion. The control loop may be adapted to receive a feedback signal from the input terminals for maximizing the input power. A bypass diode is typically connected in shunt across the input terminals of the converter. The bypass diode functions by passing current during a failure of any of the sub-strings and/or a partial shading of the sub-strings. The bypass diode may be a single bypass diode connected across the parallel-connected DC power source. The DC power converter may convert the input power at high current to the output power at a lower current. The output terminals may be connectible with wire cables to a load, and the DC power converter is configured to reduce energy loss through the wire cables to the load.

A subcutaneously implantable power supply is a device for powering implantable medical devices. The device has one or more thin photovoltaic cells contained in a case formed of a lamination of a plurality of thin plastic layers. Each layer is translucent in the area covering said cell, such that the power supply is sufficiently flexible to conform to body contours. The device is lightweight, flexible, has improved sealability, and has improved internal battery longevity.

A device having a switch with a voltage applied across the switch. A current sensing circuit is connected to one terminal of the switch. The current sensing circuit receives power independently of the voltage applied across the switch. The power supply shares the other terminal of the switch with the current sensing circuit. The switch is adapted for opening and closing. When the switch closes, the current sensing circuit senses current through the switch and upon opening the switch the high voltage of the switch is blocked from the current sensing circuit. The sense current is caused to flow from the current sensing circuit to the other terminal when the switch is closed. The flow of the sense current produces a voltage which is compared differentially to another voltage referenced by the other terminal

Briefly described, the invention provides a photovoltaic assembly power output utilizing device which partially charges a capacitor assembly. This capacitor assembly is then partially discharged by a DC/DC power converter in different ranges of voltages in which the power output from the photovoltaic assembly peaks for different light intensities.

A junction box for electrically connecting a photovoltaic (PV) module to a power distribution system, the PV module having a plurality of conductors for electrically connecting the PV module to the junction box. The junction box includes a housing having a mounting side configured to be mounted on the PV module and a power transfer structure mounted within the housing. The power transfer structure includes a plurality of conductive connectors and a transfer interface. Each conductive connector forms an electrical interface to the PV module. The transfer interface couples the junction box to the power distribution system. The junction box also includes a user-removable control board mounted within the housing. The power transfer structure interfaces with said control board to convey power from the PV module to the control board.

A photovoltaic module-mounted AC inverter circuit uses one or more integrated circuits, several power transistors configured as switches, several solid-dielectric capacitors for filtering and energy storage, several inductors for power conversion and ancillary components to support the above elements in operation. The integrated circuit includes all monitoring, control and communications circuitry needed to operate the inverter. The integrated circuit controls the activity of pulse-width modulated power handling transistors in both an input boost converter and a single-phase or multi-phase output buck converter. The integrated circuit also monitors all power processing voltages and currents of the inverter and can take appropriate action to limit power dissipation in the inverter, maximize the available power from the associated PV module and shut down the inverter output if the grid conditions so warrant. The integrated circuit implements power line communications by monitoring the AC wiring for signals and generating communications signals via the same pulse-width modulation system used to generate the AC power. Communications is used to report inverter and PV module status information, local identification code and to allow for remote control of inverter operation.

Described herein are apparatuses, systems and methods for configuring and managing the combination of strings of photovoltaic energy generators to improve the energy production performance of such generators. The strings of photovoltaic energy generators are connected to terminals in a combiner box having receptacles for receiving removable modular units of various types. Removable modular units with measurement capabilities are used in the combiner boxes to measure the direct current input provided by the strings; and in light of the measurements, the removable modular units can be selectively downgraded to simpler units that do not have measurement capabilities to reduce cost, and/or selectively upgraded to more sophisticated units that can adjust the output of the respective strings, such as upconverting the output voltage of the respective strings, to improve the performance of the strings.

Electromagnetic radiation detecting and sensing systems using carbon nanotube fabrics and methods of making the same are provided. In certain embodiments of the invention, an electromagnetic radiation detector includes a substrate, a nanotube fabric disposed on the substrate, the nanotube fabric comprising a non-woven network of nanotubes, and first and second conductive terminals, each in electrical communication with the nanotube fabric, the first and second conductive terminals disposed in space relation to one another. Nanotube fabrics may be tuned to be sensitive to a predetermined range of electromagnetic radiation such that exposure to the electromagnetic radiation induces a change in impedance between the first and second conductive terminals. The detectors include microbolometers, themistors and resistive thermal sensors, each constructed with nanotube fabric. Nanotube fabric detector arrays may be formed for broad-range electromagnetic radiation detecting. Methods for making nanotube fabric detectors, arrays, microbolometers, thermistors and resistive thermal sensors are each described.

The present invention relates to the field of photovoltaic systems with solar cell (s) or modules having insolation differences or mismatch. Each solar module is formed by placing a large number of solar cells in series. The PV system is then formed by placing a number of solar modules in series in a string and sometimes by placing multiple strings of series-connected solar modules in parallel, depending on the desired output voltage and power range of the PV system. In practical cases, differences will exist between output powers of the solar cells in the various modules, e.g. due to (part of) the modules being temporarily shaded, pollution on one or more solar cells, or even spread in solar-cell behaviour that may become worse during aging. Due to the current-source-type behaviour of solar cells and their series connection these differences will lead to a relatively large drop in output power coming from the PV system. This invention addresses this problem by adding DC-DC converters (803) on a single or multiple solar-cell level that source or sink difference currents thereby increasing the output power of the complete PV system. In embodiments, the efficiency of photovoltaic systems with solar cell (s) or modules is improved by compensating for output-power loss caused by insolation difference and mismatch.

Various embodiments of a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate incorporating a Peltier effect heat transfer device and methods of fabricating the same are provided. In one aspect, a circuit device is provided that includes an insulating substrate, a semiconductor structure positioned on the insulating substrate and a Peltier effect heat transfer device coupled to the insulating substrate to transfer heat between the semiconductor structure and the insulating substrate.

The invention discloses a weather-resistant and high thermal conductive coating, a radiating solar rear panel and an efficient solar cell panel. The weather-resistant and high thermal conductive coating consists of 10 to 50 parts of weather-resistant resin, 5 to 30 parts of curing agent, 0.1 to 5 parts of organic filler, 30 to 80 parts of inorganic filler, and 30 to 100 parts of solvent. The radiating solar rear panel comprises a base layer, and the weather-resistant and high thermal conductive coating is arranged on at least one surface of the base layer or arranged between the base layers. The efficient solar cell panel comprises a solar front panel and the radiating solar rear panel, a solar cell circuit is arranged between the solar front panel and the radiating solar rear panel, and an encapsulation material is arranged on one side or two sides of the solar cell circuit. The weather-resistant and high thermal conductive coating can be directly coated on a base material and has high binding power and an excellent thermal conductive effect, and the weather resistance of the coating meets the requirement of a solar module for the service life of over 25 years.

The invention results in a power supply unit that can always operate optimally. Start to input a switch signal to a boost circuit whose duty ratio boost rate can be changed according to the duty ratio of the input switch signal (step 100), and output current I from an inverter circuit connected to the rear stage of the boost circuit _I Calculate the output power P of the inverter circuit _I (Step 102) Afterwards, according to the output power P _I Find the target voltage V after boosting the boost circuit _M (step 104), at the actual output voltage V of the booster circuit _S less than the target voltage V _M increase the duty cycle of the switching signal, and decrease the duty cycle of the switching signal when the voltage is greater than the target voltage (step 106-step 112).

The invention discloses a photovoltaic power generator capable of obtaining electric power from a solar cell at the maximum efficiency all the time, even under an uneven sunshine condition. The photovoltaic power generator 10 includes: a plurality of solar cell bodies SC1, SC2, ... formed by connecting the solar cells in series or in series-parallel connection; and a plurality of charge transfer circuits T1, T2, ... which are set for each solar cell body one by one and whose input terminals are connected with the anode and cathode of each solar cell body and output terminals are connected with a loading side in parallel. Each charge transfer circuit comprises: a plurality of capacitors C2-C8 which cumulate the output of the solar cell bodies in a form of charges; a plurality of semiconductor switching member SW1a~, SW2a~, SW3a~, SW4a~, SW5a~, SW6, SW7; a tracking control member M1 for a maximal power of the solar cell bodies; and an output controlling member M2 for transferring the charges cumulated in the capacitors to the loading side, so as to enable the output voltage Vox to be tracked approximately equal to a terminal voltage Vo of the loading side.

A portable electronic device carrier supports and protects a portable electronic device while providing power to the device. The carrier is configured to house various portable electronic devices such as smart phones, cell phones, PDAs, tablets or the like. The carrier may comprise a foldable structure comprising two flaps or panels. One or more solar panels, batteries or both may provide power to a portable electronic device via a charging port that engages an interface of the portable electronic device. The carrier may include one or more retractable legs which support its panels relative to one another such that the portable electronic device may be held at various positions or angles which are well suited for different tasks. The carrier may include memory devices and various other ports to enhance the capabilities of the portable electronic device.

A flexible solar cell assembly having solar cells that are positioned within a sealed module chamber. A sealed wiring chamber is positioned on an end of the sealed module chamber and is interposed between the sealed module chamber and a junction box. Wiring interconnecting the junction box to the solar cells in the sealed module chamber is routed through the sealed wiring chamber to inhibit water entry into the sealed module chamber via the wiring.

This invention is directed towards a waste enclosure device (“device”) comprising a waste enclosure employing operational functions including collection and monitoring capacity wherein said device includes one or more programmable logic controllers. Operational functions are performed by electrical components including sensors to determine waste deposits characteristics and contents. Said device operational functions are further adapted to send and receive data, optionally wirelessly, and configured and adapted to utilize solar derived electric power and, optionally, electric power from other sources.

Provided is a transparent organic light emitting diode (OLED) lighting device in which opaque metal reflectors are formed to adjust light emitting directions. The transparent OLED lighting device includes a transparent substrate, a transparent anode formed on a predetermined region of the transparent substrate, a reflective anode formed adjacent to the transparent anode on another region of the transparent substrate, an organic layer formed on the transparent and reflective anodes, and a transparent cathode and an encapsulation substrate sequentially stacked on the organic layer. Directions of light emitted from the organic layer vary depending on the current applied to the transparent and reflective anodes.

An illumination device includes a photovoltaic element, wherein the photovoltaic element is configured to absorb photons of desired wavelengths and to convert the absorbed photon energy to electric energy and an electroluminescence element disposed adjacent to the photovoltaic element, wherein the electroluminescence element is configured to produce illumination at desired wavelengths, and wherein at least one of the photovoltaic element or the electroluminescence element comprises an organic device. The illumination device also includes an electric energy storage element coupled to the photovoltaic element and to the electroluminescence element, wherein the electric energy storage element is configured to store electric energy from the photovoltaic element and to power the electroluminescence element. The illumination device includes a first and second substrate, wherein each of the photovoltaic element, the electroluminescence element and the electric energy storage element are located between the first and second substrates and wherein at least one of the first or second substrate comprises a flexible substrate. The illumination device further comprises sensor controlled electronics coupled to the device, wherein the sensor controlled electronics is configured to control the operation of the organic photovoltaic element, the electroluminescence element and the electric energy storage element.

A solar module 20 comprises first and second sheets 21 and 22, a plurality of rows (a plurality of groups) of spherical solar cells 11 incorporated in between these sheets 21 and 22 in a state in which the conduction direction is perpendicular to the surface of the sheets, a mechanism for the parallel connection of each group of spherical solar cells 11, a mechanism for the serial connection of each group of spherical solar cells 11 with the spherical solar cells 11 in adjacent groups, a positive electrode terminal 23, and a negative electrode terminal 24. A positive electrode is formed on the bottom and a negative electrode on top in the odd-numbered rows of spherical solar cells 11 from the left end, while a positive electrode is formed on top and a negative electrode on the bottom in the even-numbered rows of spherical solar cells 11.

A method of manufacturing monolithic glass reflectors for concentrating sunlight in a solar energy system is disclosed. The method of manufacturing allows large monolithic glass reflectors to be made from float glass in order to realize significant cost savings on the total system cost for a solar energy system. The method of manufacture includes steps of heating a sheet of float glass positioned over a concave mold until the sheet of glass sags and stretches to conform to the shape of the mold. The edges of the dish-shaped glass are rolled for structural stiffening around the periphery. The dish-shaped glass is then silvered to create a dish-shaped mirror that reflects solar radiation to a focus. The surface of the mold that contacts the float glass preferably has a grooved surface profile comprising a plurality of cusps and concave valleys. This grooved profile minimizes the contact area and marring of the specular glass surface, reduces parasitic heat transfer into the mold and increases mold lifetime. The disclosed method of manufacture is capable of high production rates sufficiently fast to accommodate the output of a conventional float glass production line so that monolithic glass reflectors can be produced as quickly as a float glass production can make sheets of float glass to be used in the process.

The present invention refers to a cleaning drone (1), a corresponding docking station (2) configured to operate with the cleaning drone (1), a system comprising at least one cleaning drone (1) and at least one docking station (2) and a cleaning method using at least one cleaning drone (1). The cleaning drone (1) comprises a cleaning device (1.11) configured to operate on surfaces such as glass or photovoltaic panels.

A hybrid optical component that collects and concentrates incident light. The hybrid component includes both refractive and reflective elements. In preferred embodiments, refractive and reflective components focus rays on a common focal plane generally located at the bottom of the reflector where they are absorbed by a device such as a photovoltaic (solar) cell. Additionally, the optical component combines both imaging and non-imaging optical elements into a single device, for improved overall performance.

An electrical connector/cable harness includes an electrically insulative housing and first and second passageways extending from a first end of the connector/cable harness to a second end thereof, first and second electrically conductive wires disposed in the passageways, respectively, wherein the passageways and the wires therein reverse their dispositions in the connector/cable harness such that at the second end of the connector/cable harness the two wires are disposed oppositely to their disposition at the first end of the connector/cable harness.

Tunneling-effect converters of thermal energy to electricity with an emitter and a collector separated from each other by a distance that is comparable to atomic dimensions and where tunneling effect plays an important role in the charge movement from the emitter to the collector across the gap separating such emitter and collector. At least one of the emitter and collector structures includes a flexible structure. Tunneling-effect converters include devices that convert thermal energy to electrical energy and devices that provide refrigeration when electric power is supplied to such devices.

A solar panel cleaning system, comprising: a track, disposed perpendicularly to a plurality of rows of solar panels; a cleaning carriage, comprising a moving mechanism for moving the cleaning carriage along the top and bottom bars of the panels of each of the rows; a conveying carriage, comprising a moving mechanism for conveying thereof along the track, thereby allowing carrying the cleaning carriage from one row to another row; wherein the conveying carriage has a supporting frame on which the cleaning carriage is situated while being moved from one row to another row, and wherein the top bar and the bottom bar of the frame correspond to the top bar and the bottom bar of each of the panels; and a control system, for controlling the movement of the conveying carriage and the movement of the cleaning carriage.

Provided is a cleaning robot system and a method of controlling the same for economically cleaning, with high workability, plate-shaped members, such as solar cell panels and reflecting mirrors used in photovoltaic power generation and solar thermal power generation systems. A cleaning robot system (1) for cleaning planar or curved plate-shaped members (4a), (4b) that are panels for photovoltaic power generation or reflecting mirrors for solar thermal power generation includes: a large number of cleaning robots (2) each having a function to travel on each of the plate-shaped members (4) which are to be cleaned and a function to clean the plate-shaped members (4); and an arranging robot (3) having a conveying function to move any of the cleaning robots (2) from a first one (4a) of the plate-shaped members to a second one (4b) of the plate-shaped members. Each of the cleaning robots (2) has a suction mechanism for performing cleaning while attaching onto one of the plate-shaped members (4), and the large number of cleaning robots (2) and a smaller number of the arranging robots (3) than that of the cleaning robots (2) cooperate together to clean the plate-shaped members (4) placed in a photovoltaic power generation or solar thermal power generation plant.

A photovoltaic system, method and apparatus are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a first and second inputs adapted to couple to a first and second rails of a first photovoltaic array; a power converter coupled to a first rail of a second photovoltaic array and a second rail of a third photovoltaic array; and an interface portion coupled to (i) the first and second inputs, (ii) a second rail of the second photovoltaic array, and (iii) a first rail of the third photovoltaic array, the interface portion configures to isolate the first photovoltaic array from the second and third photovoltaic arrays and to modulate and application of voltage from the photovoltaic array to the second and third photovoltaic arrays so as to adjust a voltage applied from the three photovoltaic arrays to the power converter.

A rectifying antenna device is disclosed. The device comprises a pair of electrode structures, and at least one nanostructure diode contacting at least a first electrode structure of the pair and being at least in proximity to a second electrode structure of the pair. At least one electrode structure of the pair receives AC radiation, and the nanostructure diode(s) at least partially rectifies a current generated by the AC radiation.