Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Concentrated photovoltaic/quantum well thermoelectric power source

A technology of power source and quantum well, applied in the field of solar power, can solve the problem of offsetting the conversion efficiency of solar cell temperature and so on

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-12-04
HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND SPACE SYST INT
View PDF10 Cites 0 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, increasing the intensity of incident solar radiation can be offset by a decrease in conversion efficiency that accompanies increasing solar cell temperature

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Concentrated photovoltaic/quantum well thermoelectric power source
  • Concentrated photovoltaic/quantum well thermoelectric power source
  • Concentrated photovoltaic/quantum well thermoelectric power source

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0012] The present invention is a combined concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) and thermoelectric (TE) power source for remote power generation (especially for providing power to a spaceborne satellite system). Solar photovoltaic power sources convert solar energy into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. In one embodiment, the thermoelectric power source converts thermal energy from the solar photovoltaic power source into electrical energy via the Seebeck effect. The solar photovoltaic power source is close to the thermoelectric power source, and both add power to the system. In another embodiment of the present invention, a part of the electric energy from the solar photovoltaic power source is used to start the thermoelectric power source as a Peltier refrigerator to cool the photovoltaic power source, thereby improving the electrical conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic power source.

[0013] By using a lens system, incident solar energy is focused on the pow...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A solar power source 10 is a multi-layer structure consisting of photovoltaic 16 and quantum well thermoelectric modules 18 in electrical contact with, but thermally insulating from, each other. The structure generates power when focused solar energy is directed at the photovoltaic module 16 which generates power, heats up, and subsequently generate a thermal gradient in the thermoelectric module 18 which generates additional power. The thermoelectric module 18 may generate additional electrical energy using the Seebeck effect, or may cool the photovoltaic module 16 using the Peltier effect.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to solar power. In particular, the present invention relates to high efficiency energy conversion using concentrated solar energy and combined photovoltaic and quantum well thermoelectric conversion modules. Background technique [0002] Common passive power sources for space applications include solar photovoltaics, solar thermodynamics, radioisotopes, nuclear reactors, and fuel cells. A common power source for missions in low Earth orbit utilizes photovoltaic systems. Since the energy output of a photovoltaic solar cell is directly proportional to the area of ​​the cell, the actual area of ​​a space-borne photovoltaic power system can be quite large. For efficiency and weight considerations, it is advantageous to minimize the area of ​​the photovoltaic power source while maximizing the power output. Solar cells with improved photovoltaic conversion conversion efficiency can reduce the size of solar cell arrays. Howev...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): H01L31/058H01L31/052H01L25/16H10N10/00H10N10/10
CPCH01L31/0524Y02E10/52H01L31/0583H01L31/0543H02S10/10H01L31/0547
Inventor C-Y.卢
Owner HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND SPACE SYST INT