Cylindrical flexible photovoltaic energy conversion module

Abstract

The application discloses a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module, which comprises a fiber joint, a shell and a photoelectric cell, the fiber joint is fixedly arranged on the top of the shell, a cylindrical cavity is arranged in the shell, and the photoelectric cell is fixed in the cavity through a base, the photoelectric cell is a flexible energy transmission chip, which comprises a plurality of series-connected sub-cells, the sub-cell comprises a plurality of array-arranged nanowires, and the nanowires are radial PIN structures. In the application, the sub-cell adopts the nanowire array structure, the specific surface area is increased, the longitudinal absorption area is expanded, the projection area is saved, the volume is reduced, the heat dissipation is improved, the nanowire array structure can significantly improve the light capturing capacity of the cell and the charge separation efficiency, and the heat dissipation effect is improved through filling of a heat-conducting medium between the base and the cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of photoelectric energy conversion structure improvement technology, and more specifically to a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module. Background Technology

[0002] The photoelectric energy conversion chip is a novel energy transmission facility that transmits laser energy emitted by a semiconductor laser source to a photovoltaic cell within the module via optical fiber. The flexible sub-cell then converts the laser energy into electrical energy, providing the necessary power to terminal devices. It features excellent insulation, low loss, strong heat dissipation, easy bending and folding, and high charge separation efficiency. It can transmit energy over distances of hundreds or even thousands of meters. Furthermore, because the laser is transmitted through optical fiber, it is completely insensitive to high and low temperatures, radiation, and electromagnetic interference. This module can be used in the power sector for power supply of circuit breakers, power supply for various sensors and acquisition circuits, in nuclear magnetic resonance equipment, in wind turbine health monitoring systems, on high-voltage transmission lines for long-distance magnetic field detection, and for converting electrical energy into light energy for transmission and electrical isolation. It can also be used for ultra-long endurance applications in drones.

[0003] Existing optoelectronic modules have the following drawbacks:

[0004] 1. Photovoltaic cells adopt a micro-cell structure, which requires epitaxial PN anti-junction cell on a semiconductor substrate, and then multiple flexible rectangular sub-cells are fabricated through multi-step photolithography and overlay. The output voltage of the fabricated cell is constant and cannot be increased or decreased.

[0005] 2. Its photoelectric conversion efficiency is lower than that of gallium arsenide thin-film converters;

[0006] 3. The output power of the photovoltaic cell is constant, but when adjustment is needed, the entire photovoltaic cell must be replaced, which is very inconvenient to use.

[0007] Existing patent document CN 105762211 B discloses a photoelectric energy conversion module. The upper opening of the housing connects to a cylindrical cavity formed within the housing. A protrusion is formed on the inner wall of the housing at the lower end of the cavity. The optical device is embedded between the upper surface of the protrusion and a fixing ring for the optical device installed within the cavity. A flange joint is installed at the upper opening of the housing above the optical device. A photovoltaic cell is installed on the bottom surface of the cavity below the optical device. The photovoltaic cell is composed of multiple sub-cells connected in series. Each sub-cell is fan-shaped or triangular, and the outer edge of the overall photovoltaic cell after splicing is circular or polygonal. The first and last sub-cells are respectively connected to the positive and negative terminals embedded on the bottom surface of the housing. In this invention, the various structures cooperate to achieve a novel module with advantages such as large optical path diameter, large optical path length, uniform light intensity, high output voltage and power, and stable operation. It can work stably for a long time in different environments and devices.

[0008] It makes the photovoltaic cell into a planar structure and connects the cells in series to improve the light intensity. However, its photovoltaic cell is fabricated on a gallium arsenide wafer, and the nanowires of the photovoltaic cell adopt a planar structure, resulting in poor heat dissipation. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is how to improve the heat dissipation and light capture capability of the optoelectronic module.

[0010] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical means: a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module, including an optical fiber connector, a housing, and a photovoltaic cell. The optical fiber connector is fixedly disposed on the top of the housing. A cylindrical cavity is opened inside the housing, and a photovoltaic cell is fixed inside the cavity through a substrate. The photovoltaic cell is a flexible energy transfer chip, which includes multiple sub-cells connected in series. Each sub-cell includes multiple arrayed nanowires. The nanowires have a radial PIN structure. An opening is provided at the bottom of the housing. The positive and negative terminals of the photovoltaic cell pass through the opening and are connected to external electrical devices. A gap is left between the substrate and the inner wall of the cavity and is filled with a thermally conductive medium.

[0011] By dividing the photovoltaic cell into multiple series-connected sub-cells, higher voltage and power output can be achieved. Depending on the specific needs of the device, different voltage levels can be obtained by changing the number of sub-cells, greatly expanding the application range of the optoelectronic module. This solves the problem that existing micro batteries can only provide a single voltage output. The sub-cells adopt a nanowire array structure, which increases the specific surface area, expands the longitudinal absorption area, saves the projected area, reduces the volume, and improves heat dissipation. At the same time, the nanoarray structure can significantly improve the light-harvesting ability and charge separation efficiency of the battery. By filling the space between the substrate and the cavity with a thermally conductive medium, the externally introduced laser light is scattered by the glass sphere, which improves the heat dissipation effect.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the sub-cell further includes a substrate, which is made of metal. The PIN structure includes a p-type gallium arsenide layer, an i-type gallium arsenide layer, and an n-type gallium arsenide layer sequentially disposed on the top of the substrate from bottom to top. Multiple PIN structures are integrated on the top of the substrate. The radial PIN structure design simplifies the device process, reduces the device manufacturing cost, and keeps the minority carrier diffusion length within a controllable range.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the multiple sub-cells are rectangular flexible structures, which are connected in sequence to form a cylindrical structure that fits the cavity. A ceramic substrate is also provided inside the cavity. The ceramic substrate is a tubular structure, and the photovoltaic cell is fixedly disposed on the inner wall of the ceramic substrate.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, the bottom of the ceramic substrate is silver-plated, and a gap is left between the ceramic substrate and the inner wall of the cavity, which is filled with thermally conductive gel.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, the ceramic substrate contains a plurality of glass spheres, one end of which is bonded and fixed to an adjacent glass sphere, and the other end of which is bonded and fixed to the inner wall of the ceramic substrate.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, one end of the glass sphere is bonded and fixed to an adjacent glass sphere by epoxy resin crystal epoxy resin, and the other end of the glass sphere is bonded and fixed to the inner wall of the ceramic substrate by epoxy resin crystal epoxy resin. The silver plating layer, the transparent sphere and the epoxy resin crystal epoxy resin form a scattering light path. When in use, the laser beam introduced by the optical fiber is scattered by the glass sphere and forms a cylindrical diffused uniform laser beam. The light intensity distribution of the laser beam irradiating the photovoltaic cell is very uniform, which is conducive to the propagation of the laser and has good thermal conductivity.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution, the top of the housing is provided with a flange, the fiber optic connector is fixed to the housing through the flange, the fiber optic connector is used to insert fiber optic cables, and a waterproof gasket is also embedded between the flange and the housing.

[0018] As a preferred technical solution, the bottom of the housing is fixedly connected to a housing chassis, and the chassis is provided with chassis connection bolts.

[0019] As a preferred technical solution, the positive and negative terminals of the photovoltaic cell extend out of the housing, and the housing is provided with wire connection holes that are compatible with them. The negative terminal of the sub-cell is connected to the positive terminal of the adjacent sub-cell through a copper sheet, and they are connected in series to form a cylindrical photovoltaic cell.

[0020] As a preferred technical solution, the plurality of glass spheres are arranged in an array.

[0021] The advantages of this invention are:

[0022] (1) In this invention, by decomposing the photovoltaic cell module into multiple series-connected sub-cells, higher voltage and power can be output. According to the specific needs of the device, different voltage levels can be obtained by changing the number of sub-cells, which greatly improves the application range of the optoelectronic module and solves the defect that the existing micro battery can only provide a single voltage output. The sub-cells adopt a nanowire array structure, which increases the specific surface area, expands the longitudinal absorption area, saves the projected area, reduces the volume, and improves heat dissipation. At the same time, the nanoarray structure can significantly improve the light capture capability and charge separation efficiency of the battery. By filling the thermally conductive medium between the substrate and the cavity, the externally introduced laser is scattered by the glass sphere, which improves the heat dissipation effect.

[0023] (2) In this invention, the device process is simplified by the radial PIN structure design, the device manufacturing cost is reduced, and the minority carrier diffusion length is kept within a controllable range.

[0024] (3) In this invention, a scattering light path is formed by a silver plating layer, a transparent sphere and an epoxy resin crystal epoxy resin. When in use, the laser beam introduced by the optical fiber is scattered by the glass sphere and forms a cylindrical diffused uniform laser beam. The light intensity distribution of the laser beam that it irradiates the photovoltaic cell is very uniform, which is conducive to the propagation of the laser and has good thermal conductivity. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A cross-sectional structural diagram of a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the irradiation structure of a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a planar structure of a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 A top view of the flange structure of a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a gasket structure for a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the wire connection hole structure of a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7A top view of a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the substrate structure of a cylindrical flexible optoelectronic energy conversion module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a nanowire structure for a cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Reference numerals: 1. Fiber optic connector; 2. Flange connecting bolt; 3. Flange; 4. Gasket; 5. Photovoltaic cell; 6. Glass sphere; 7. Ceramic substrate; 8. Silver plating layer; 9. Housing; 10. Chassis connecting bolt; 11. Chassis; 12. Wire connection hole; 13. Thermal conductive gel; 14. Copper sheet; 15. Photovoltaic cell module negative electrode; 16. Photovoltaic cell module positive electrode; 17. Photovoltaic cell negative electrode; 18. Epoxy resin fully transparent AB glue; 28. Nanowire; 29. ​​Substrate. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 A cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module includes an optical fiber connector 1, a housing 9, and a photovoltaic cell 5. The optical fiber connector 1 is fixedly disposed on the top of the housing 9. A cylindrical cavity is opened inside the housing 9, and a ceramic substrate 7 is disposed inside the cavity. The photovoltaic cell 5 is fixed on the inner wall of the ceramic substrate 7. The photovoltaic cell 5 is a flexible energy transfer chip, which includes multiple sub-cells connected in series. The sub-cells include multiple arrayed nanowires 28 and a substrate 29. The nanowires 28 are radial PIN structures. An opening is provided at the bottom of the housing 9. The positive and negative terminals of the photovoltaic cell 5 pass through the opening and are connected to external electrical devices. The opening is a wire connection hole 12. The wire connection hole 12 communicates with the inner wall of the ceramic substrate 7. A gap is left between the ceramic substrate 7 and the inner wall of the cavity, and the gap is filled with a thermally conductive medium. In this embodiment, the thermally conductive medium is a thermally conductive gel 13.

[0038] See Figure 8 , Figure 9The substrate 29 is made of metal. The PIN structure includes a p-type gallium arsenide layer, an i-type gallium arsenide layer, and an n-type gallium arsenide layer, which are sequentially disposed on the top of the substrate 29 from bottom to top. Multiple PIN structures are integrated on the top of the substrate 29. The sub-cell is a rectangular flexible structure, which is sequentially connected to form a cylindrical structure that fits the cavity. The ceramic substrate 7 disposed in the cavity is a tubular structure.

[0039] See Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 Flange 3 is made of metal plate (copper plate or aluminum plate). After forming, it is surface treated to make it rust-proof and beautiful. The top of the shell 9 is fixedly connected to the flange 3 by flange connecting bolt 2. A waterproof gasket 4 is also provided between the top of the shell 9 and the flange 3. The flange connecting bolt 2 passes through the flange 3 and the gasket 4 in sequence and is connected and fastened to the top of the shell 9. A fiber optic connector 1 is fixedly connected to the top of the shell 9. A base plate 11 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the shell 9. Two bolt holes are opened on the base plate 11, and it is connected and fastened to the external equipment by the base plate connecting bolt 10. The ceramic base 7 is provided with a silver plating layer 8.

[0040] See Figure 6 The ceramic substrate 7 is filled with an array of glass spheres 6, which are linearly distributed from top to bottom and extend to the bottom of the ceramic substrate 7. Adjacent glass spheres 6 are bonded and fixed with epoxy resin transparent AB glue 18 and bonded to the inner wall of the ceramic substrate 7 with epoxy resin transparent AB glue 18. The glass spheres 6 are filled with the densest packing. The glass spheres 6 are made of optical glass or plastic injection molding. When in use, the laser introduced by the optical fiber is scattered by the glass spheres 6 to form a cylindrical diffused uniform laser beam, so as to improve the uniformity of the light intensity distribution when it irradiates the photovoltaic cell 5.

[0041] See Figure 3 In this embodiment, there are six flexible sub-cells, all of which are rectangular. They are assembled to form a hollow cylinder. The conductive area is at the bottom, and the battery area is at the upper middle. These conductive areas and the negative electrode area are insulated from each other. The battery area is used to mount the flexible sub-cells and connect the electrodes of the flexible sub-cells to the conductive areas. The conductive area is used to mount copper sheets 14 and connect the positive and negative electrodes of the flexible sub-cells. (See reference...) Figure 3The negative electrodes at the two corners of the lower end face of the flexible sub-cell in the first battery region are connected to the negative electrode 15 of the photovoltaic module through copper sheet 14. The positive electrode is connected to the negative electrode 17 of the photovoltaic module in the next conductive region in sequence, and continuously connected to the lower positive electrode face of the flexible sub-cell in the last conductive region. It is connected to the positive electrode 16 of the photovoltaic module through copper sheet 14. Through the above structure, the series connection of all flexible sub-cells is realized. During processing, a stencil is used to print solder paste or silver paste patterns on the side of the metallized ceramic substrate with complex designs. A pick-and-place machine is used to attach the back of the gallium arsenide (GaAs) sub-cells to the printed solder paste patterns, ensuring that the flexible sub-cells are aligned with the solder paste patterns. Six GaAs sub-cells are then sequentially attached, forming a hollow cylinder. The entire assembly is placed in a vacuum reflow oven for soldering (using soldering fixtures to ensure that the sub-cells do not shift). After soldering, ultrasonic cleaning is performed to remove flux adhering to the surface of the GaAs sub-cells and the metallized ceramic substrate 7 during soldering. After cleaning, copper sheets 14 are installed to connect all the flexible sub-cells in series.

[0042] In this embodiment, an optical device fixing ring (not shown) is also installed inside the housing 9 to fix the optical device.

[0043] The processing method includes the following steps:

[0044] S1. Using stamping, stretching, and punching molds, and employing cold stamping technology, aluminum plates, copper plates, stainless steel plates, etc. are processed and subjected to certain surface treatments (anodizing, chrome plating, nickel-gold plating, etc.) to finally become a shell 9.

[0045] S2. Solder several gallium arsenide sub-cells to the metallized ceramic substrate 7 (soldering, vacuum reflow soldering). The sub-cells are arranged into a cylindrical shape. After soldering, ultrasonic cleaning is performed to remove the flux that adhered to the components and the surface of the metallized ceramic substrate 7 during soldering. After cleaning, install the copper sheet 14 and connect the positive and negative terminals.

[0046] S3. Print silver paste or thermally conductive adhesive on the outside of the ceramic substrate 7. Use a jig (the jig makes the assembly more accurate) to attach the ceramic substrate to the surface of the shell 9 at the bottom of the cavity. If the silver paste and thermally conductive adhesive need to be cured at a certain temperature, a heating box is required to heat the bonded shell 9 and the ceramic substrate as a whole. Then remove the jig.

[0047] S4. Print silver paste at the opening of the ceramic substrate 7, pass the positive and negative terminals through the ceramic substrate 7 and the shell 9 in turn, and put them into the heating box for heating and curing.

[0048] S5. Use high light transmittance insulating adhesive to bond the ceramic substrate to make it more secure. If the silver paste and high light transmittance adhesive need to be cured at a certain temperature, a heating box is required to heat the whole thing.

[0049] S6. Fill the installed ceramic substrate 7 with glass spheres 6, using the densest stacking method to fill them layer by layer.

[0050] S7. Install flange 3 on the upper side of housing 9, add waterproof gasket 4 between the lower side of flange 3 and housing 9, and seal flange 3 with sealant.

[0051] S8. The photoelectric energy conversion module can be connected to the DC-DC module as needed to obtain the voltage required by the user, or it can be installed on the PCB electronic circuit board to provide power to remote devices. Multiple photoelectric energy conversion modules can also be connected in series or parallel to obtain the required voltage and power.

[0052] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module, characterized in that, The device includes an optical fiber connector, a housing, and a photovoltaic cell. The optical fiber connector is fixedly located on the top of the housing. A cylindrical cavity is formed inside the housing, and a photovoltaic cell is fixed inside the cavity via a substrate. The photovoltaic cell is a flexible energy transfer chip, which includes multiple sub-cells connected in series. Each sub-cell includes multiple arrayed nanowires with a radial PIN structure. An opening is provided at the bottom of the housing, through which the positive and negative terminals of the photovoltaic cell pass and are connected to external electrical devices. A gap is left between the substrate and the inner wall of the cavity, and is filled with a thermally conductive medium. The multiple sub-cells are rectangular flexible structures, which are connected in sequence to form a cylindrical structure that fits the cavity. A ceramic substrate is also provided inside the cavity. The ceramic substrate has a tubular structure, and the photovoltaic cell is fixedly located on the inner wall of the ceramic substrate.

2. The cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sub-battery also includes a substrate, which is made of metal. The PIN structure includes a p-type gallium arsenide layer, an i-type gallium arsenide layer, and an n-type gallium arsenide layer, which are sequentially disposed on the top of the substrate from bottom to top. Multiple PIN structures are integrated on the top of the substrate.

3. The cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the ceramic substrate is silver-plated, and there is a gap between the ceramic substrate and the inner wall of the cavity, which is filled with thermally conductive gel.

4. The cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ceramic substrate contains a plurality of glass spheres, one end of which is bonded and fixed to an adjacent glass sphere, and the other end of which is bonded and fixed to the inner wall of the ceramic substrate.

5. A cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module according to claim 4, characterized in that, One end of the glass sphere is bonded and fixed to the adjacent glass sphere by epoxy resin crystal epoxy resin, and the other end of the glass sphere is bonded and fixed to the inner wall of the ceramic substrate by epoxy resin crystal epoxy resin.

6. A cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the housing is provided with a flange, and the fiber optic connector is fixed to the housing through the flange. The fiber optic connector is used to insert fiber optic cables, and a waterproof gasket is also embedded between the flange and the housing.

7. A cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the housing is fixedly connected to a housing chassis, and the chassis is provided with chassis connection bolts.

8. A cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positive and negative terminals of the photovoltaic cell extend out of the housing. The housing has wire connection holes that are compatible with it. The negative terminal of the sub-cell is connected to the positive terminal of the adjacent sub-cell through a copper sheet, and they are connected in series to form a cylindrical photovoltaic cell.

9. A cylindrical flexible photoelectric energy conversion module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The glass spheres are arranged in an array.

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