Apparatus for concentration and conversion of solar energy

a technology of solar energy and solar energy, applied in the direction of solar heat systems, sustainable buildings, light and heating apparatus, etc., can solve the problems of significant addition to the cost of energy generated and significant addition to the cost of energy, and achieve the effect of affordable and cost-effective industrial us

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-08-30
FOX MARTIN D
View PDF8 Cites 24 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for solar collection and conversion wherein the energy produced by the apparatus allows for recouping the cost of the apparatus within a range of about two to about four years.
[0021] A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for solar collection and conversion that includes embodiments that are affordable and cost-effective for industrial, municipal, residential and personal applications.

Problems solved by technology

One disadvantage of many prior art devices is that they require one of more lenses for focusing the sunlight onto a solar cell or other device which can be an expensive components and significantly add to the cost of the energy generated.
Another disadvantage of many prior art systems is the requirement of a tracking system which also significantly adds to the cost of the energy.

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
  • Apparatus for concentration and conversion of solar energy
  • Apparatus for concentration and conversion of solar energy
  • Apparatus for concentration and conversion of solar energy

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of an apparatus for the collection and conversion of light energy in accordance with the present invention is generally referred to by the reference number 10. The apparatus 10 includes a collector or conversion element hereinafter referred to generally as a “collector element” and identified by the reference numeral 12. A concentrator 13 includes a plurality of reflector elements 14 arranged about the perimeter of the collector element 12 and disposed at an angle Θ relative to a plane P defined by the collector element 12 and the X and Y axes shown in FIG. 1.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the collector element 12 includes a collector surface 15 which defines a regular pentagon, i.e. a pentagon having five sides of equal length. The collector element 12 includes a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells 16 arranged throughout the collector surface 15 for converting the radiant energy incident o...

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

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the collection and conversion of light energy including a collector element defining the shape of a pentagon, and a concentrator including a plurality of pentagon shaped reflector elements symmetrically arranged around the collector element. Each of the reflector elements being disposed at an angle relative to a plane of the collector element and having an edge thereof substantially aligned with and adjacent one of the sides of the collector element.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 774,237 filed on Feb. 16, 2006 and titled “Apparatus for Concentration and Conversion of Solar Energy”. The disclosure of the provisional application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention pertains generally to apparatus for the collection and conversion of solar energy to other types of useful energy. More particularly the invention is directed to an apparatus for the collection and conversion of light energy having a plurality of pentagonal reflector elements arranged about a pentagonal shaped collector element. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Solar concentrators collect sunlight over an area and direct the light onto a collection or conversion element such as a photovoltaic element. Typically, the collection or conversion element defines a smaller surface area than that of the concentrator....

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(United States)
IPC IPC(8): F24J2/10F24J2/08F24S23/70F24S23/30
CPCF24J2/16F24J2/36F24J2/54H01L31/0547Y02B10/20Y02E10/40Y02E10/52F24J2002/5486F24S20/55F24S23/77F24S30/40F24S2030/16
Inventor FOX, MARTIN D.
Owner FOX MARTIN D
Who we serve
  • R&D Engineer
  • R&D Manager
  • IP Professional
Why Eureka
  • Industry Leading Data Capabilities
  • Powerful AI technology
  • Patent DNA Extraction
Social media
Try Eureka
PatSnap group products

Browse by: Latest US Patents, China's latest patents, Technical Efficacy Thesaurus, Application Domain, Technology Topic.

© 2024 PatSnap. All rights reserved.Legal|Privacy policy|Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement|Sitemap