Window for building or structure
By designing a window containing luminescent materials and solar cells, the problem of low internal heating and light energy conversion efficiency caused by building glass panels is solved, and more efficient light energy capture and conversion is achieved, reducing energy consumption.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380049200.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-06-21
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-14
AI Technical Summary
The glass panels of buildings cause heating of the internal space after receiving a lot of sunlight, which in turn requires a lot of energy to run air conditioners. The existing power generation window technology has problems such as low light energy conversion efficiency and insufficient energy capture.
A window is designed, including a first panel that transmits at least to a large extent visible light, the panel having a luminous material and/or a light scattering material, with a plurality of solar cells positioned along the edges of the first panel and supported by a frame. The receiving surface of the first panel is directly exposed to the external space to receive incident light and improves light energy absorption and conversion efficiency through the luminescent material and reflective coating.
It effectively improves the light energy capture and conversion efficiency, reduces changes in the temperature inside the building, reduces the energy consumption of air conditioning operation, and avoids the intensity loss of light energy when passing between multiple panels.
Smart Images
Figure CN119452207A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a window for a building or structure, and in particular but not limited to a window that generates electricity. Background Art
[0002] Buildings, such as office buildings, high-rise residential buildings, and hotels, utilize extensive exterior window panels and / or facades that include glass panels.
[0003] This glass panelling receives a lot of sunlight, causing the interior space to heat up and requiring the use of air conditioning. A large amount of energy is used globally to run air conditioning.
[0004] PCT International Application Nos. PCT / AU2012 / 000778, PCT / AU2012 / 000787 and PCT / AU2014 / 000814 (owned by the present applicant) disclose a spectrally selective panel which may be used as a window glass and is transmissive to visible light but is fitted with solar cell modules which absorb light, such as infrared radiation and / or other re-emitted (internally wavelength converted) radiation, to produce electricity.
[0005] The present invention provides further improvements. Summary of the invention
[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a window for a building or structure, the window comprising:
[0007] a first panel which transmits visible light at least to a large extent and has first and second opposing major surfaces, the first major surface being a light receiving surface, the first panel comprising a luminescent material and / or a light scattering material;
[0008] a plurality of solar cells facing the second major surface of the first panel and positioned along and adjacent to an edge of the first panel; and
[0009] a frame that directly or indirectly supports the first panel;
[0010] The first major surface of the first panel is directly exposed to the space outside the window.
[0011] The first panel of the window is positioned so that light originating from outside the building or structure is received by the receiving surface of the first panel before being transmitted to other portions of the window.
[0012] The plurality of solar cells may directly face the second major surface of the first panel. The solar cells may be parallel to the second surface, or may be positioned in an oblique orientation relative to the second major surface.
[0013] In one embodiment, the first panel comprises a first panel portion and a second panel portion which are parallel and stacked together.
[0014] The first major surface may be a surface of a first panel portion and the second major surface may be a surface of a second panel portion.The first panel portion and the second panel portion may be laminated together using an interlayer comprising ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or another suitable material.
[0015] The luminescent material may be embedded in the interlayer. The interlayer may include polyvinyl butyral (PVB). In a specific example, the luminescent material may be embedded in the PVB and may include an inorganic luminescent material.
[0016] The fluorescent radiation emitted by the luminescent material is directed to random directions, and a portion of the emitted fluorescent radiation is directed to the edge of the first panel (for example, by total internal reflection within the first panel or by reflection on other surfaces of the window), where a portion of the light can be absorbed by the solar cell to generate electricity. Since the first panel directly faces the exterior space of the window, the luminescent material is located near the exterior of the window, thereby avoiding the intensity loss that the incident light would experience when passing through multiple panels, such as glass panels, before reaching the luminescent material.
[0017] The edge portion of the first panel may be a polished edge portion and may include a reflective coating, such as a metal coating. The reflective coating located at the edge portion of the first panel helps to reflect unabsorbed light back to the solar cell for absorption.
[0018] The luminescent material can also effectively reduce the wavelength of incident light because the wavelength of the fluorescent radiation is longer than the wavelength of light absorbed by the luminescent material. The incident light can be absorbed by the luminescent material and then emit fluorescent radiation in random directions, including directions that subsequently direct the fluorescent radiation through the first panel. For example, the luminescent material can be arranged to convert incident light in a wavelength range where the solar cell has a relatively low external quantum efficiency (EQE) to fluorescent radiation in a higher EQE range.
[0019] The solar cell may be positioned between a portion of the frame and the first panel, near an edge of the first panel. The solar cell may cover a portion of the frame structure.
[0020] The solar cells may be spaced apart or may be in contact with the first panel. The solar cells may be positioned parallel to, and may directly face, the second major surface of the first panel. Alternatively, the solar cells may be positioned in an inclined orientation relative to the second major surface of the first panel. For example, the solar cells may be tilted at an angle of less than 90°, less than 70°, greater than 50°, less than 30°, or less than 10°.
[0021] The plurality of solar cells may include a first series of solar cells, and the window may include a second series of solar cells. The second series of solar cells may be positioned along the first series of solar cells, and may be positioned adjacent to the first series of solar cells. The second series of solar cells may or may not have the same orientation as the first series of solar cells. The second series of solar cells may be positioned parallel to, and may directly face, the second major surface of the first panel. Alternatively, the second series of solar cells may be positioned in an inclined orientation relative to the second major surface of the first panel. For example, the second series of solar cells may be tilted at an angle less than 90°, less than 70°, greater than 50°, equal to 30°, or less than 10° or less.
[0022] In one specific embodiment, a first series of solar cells is oriented parallel to the second major surface of the first panel and is positioned between the first panel and a portion of the frame. In this embodiment, a second series of solar cells is directly adjacent to the first series of solar cells and is positioned in an inclined orientation relative to the first panel. These inclined solar cell modules will then face the interior air space of the window at 4 different geometric directions relative to the incident sunlight, thereby improving energy capture of the window as the sun moves across the sky.
[0023] The first panel portion and the second panel portion may comprise suitable glass or polymer materials. In a particular embodiment, the first panel portion and the second panel portion comprise extra clear low iron glass.
[0024] The window may also include a second panel positioned parallel to the first panel. When the window is mounted to a building or structure, the second panel may have a major surface facing an exterior space of the window, such as an interior space of the building or structure. The frame and the solar cell may be located between the first panel and the second panel.
[0025] The second panel may also include a coating, such as a low emissivity coating, that provides high reflectivity for wavelengths between about 300 and 420 nm, and optionally also for wavelengths of about 750 to 1000 nm and longer. The coating is capable of reflecting emitted fluorescent radiation and scattered incident light in a spectrally selective manner.
[0026] Solar cells are typically silicon-based, but may also include CuInSe2, CIGS or CIS, GaAs, CdS or CdTe.
[0027] The window may be arranged so that a central area of the window, transparent to at least most visible light, is at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, 100 or even 500 times larger than the area of the panel in which the series of solar cells are located.
[0028] The central region, which is transparent to at least a majority of visible light, is transmissive to at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or even at least 95% of visible light incident on the receiving surface at normal incidence.
[0029] The present invention will be more fully understood through the following description of specific embodiments of the present invention. The description is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a window for a building or structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a window for a building or structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] First reference Figure 1 , shows a schematic top view of a window 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The window 100 includes a first panel 102 and four first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, 110 located near respective edges of the first panel 102. The four first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, 110 directly face the light receiving surface of the first panel 102 panel and together surround an area of the panel that transmits light to a large extent at least. The window 100 also includes four second series of solar cells 112, 114, 116 and 118. In this embodiment, the first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, 110 are oriented parallel to the first panel 102, and the second series of solar cells 112, 114, 116 and 118 are positioned in an inclined orientation relative to the first panel 102. The window 100 also includes a frame structure located behind the first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, 110. The frame structure directly or indirectly supports the first panel. Furthermore, the window 100 includes a second panel (not shown) oriented opposite and parallel to the first panel 102 and, in use, exposed to an interior space of a building or structure in which the window 100 is installed.
[0033] The first panel 102 transmits at least 90% of incident visible light. The first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, 110 and the second series of solar cells 112, 114, 116 and 118 are located only at the edge region of the first panel 102, so that transmission of incident light is blocked by the solar cells only at the edge region of the first panel 102.
[0034] Reference now Figure 2, the window 100 is described in more detail. Like features are indicated by like reference numerals. The solar cells 108 and 116 of the first series of solar cells and the second series of solar cells, respectively, are supported by a frame 200. Figure 2 A second panel 202 of the window 100 is also shown.
[0035] The first panel 102 has a first major surface 210, which is exposed to the space outside the window 100 and is the surface of the window that receives direct sunlight from outside the building or structure when the window is installed on the building or structure.
[0036] The first panel 102 includes a parallel first panel portion 204 and a second panel portion 206, which are laminated together using an interlayer in the form of a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer 208. In this embodiment, the panel portions 204, 206 are ultra-clear low-iron glass sheets with a thickness of 4 mm, and the thickness of the PVB layer 208 is 0.76 mm or 1.52 mm.
[0037] The window 100 also includes a luminescent material, which in this embodiment is embedded in the PVB layer 208. In a variation of the described embodiment, the PVB layer 208 may also include two component layers, each of which may include a respective luminescent material and / or a respective luminescent material concentration.
[0038] The luminescent material in the PVB layer 208 absorbs incident light and emits fluorescent radiation in random directions. A portion of the emitted fluorescent radiation is directed to the edge region of the first panel 102 by total internal reflection within the first panel 102, where a portion of the light can be absorbed by solar cells (such as the series of solar cells 108, 116) to generate electricity. Since the first panel 102 directly faces the space outside the window, the luminescent material is located near the outside of the window (the thickness of the panel portion 206 is only 4 mm), thereby avoiding the intensity loss that the incident light will experience when passing through multiple panels, such as multiple glass panels, before reaching the luminescent material.
[0039] The first panel 102 also includes a reflective coating 220 at the edge, such as a coating formed of a metallic material or a paint / spray containing reflective particles. The reflective coating 220 is located on the polished edge (about 90 degree cut) of the first panel 102. The reflective coating 220 promotes reflection of light that is not absorbed by the solar cell to propagate back toward the solar cell for absorption.
[0040] The luminescent material also effectively down-shifts the wavelength of some incident light. For example, the luminescent material can be configured to convert incident light in a wavelength range where the solar cell has a relatively low external quantum efficiency (EQE), such as 300 nm to about 490 nm wavelength for silicon-based solar cells, into fluorescent radiation in a longer EQE range, about 800 to 1000 nm and / or about 600 to 800 nm.
[0041] In the depicted embodiment, the solar cells in the series of solar cells, such as series 108, 116, are positioned between a portion of frame 200 and first panel 102 at an edge region of first panel 102. The solar cells cover a majority of frame 200 as seen through first panel 102.
[0042] In this embodiment, a first series of solar cells (104, 106, 108, and 110) and a second series of solar cells (112, 114, 116, and 118) are spaced apart from the first panel 102. The second series of solar cells 112, 114, 116, and 118 are positioned parallel to the first panel 102. The first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, and 110 are positioned in an oblique orientation relative to the first panel 102. In this embodiment, the first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, and 110 are positioned at an angle of 30° relative to the first panel 102.
[0043] Since the first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, and 110 are positioned in an inclined orientation relative to the first panel 102, these solar cells receive sunlight from the incident direction and light scattered or reflected at the surface or interface within the window 100. When the frame window is exposed to sunlight, the inclined first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, and 110 are also less likely to be in a position of direct geometric shading, which helps to improve the uniformity of the illumination intensity between the first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, and 110, thereby improving the electrical output of the window 100.
[0044] The second panel 202 also includes a low-emissivity coating 222 that can reflect incident sunlight, emitted fluorescent radiation, and scattered incident light in a spectrally selective manner. In this embodiment, the low-emissivity coating 222 is configured to have a high reflectivity for wavelengths between 300 and about 420 nm, and also has a high reflectivity for wavelengths between about 750 and about 1000 nm.
[0045] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that in alternative embodiments, the first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, and 110 may be tilted at another suitable angle. Additionally, alternatively, the second series of solar cells 112, 114, 116, and 118 may be positioned at an inclined angle relative to the first panel 102. Additionally, in another alternative embodiment, the window 100 may not include the first series of solar cells 104, 106, 108, and 110. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the dimensions provided are merely examples, and various other dimensions are within the scope of embodiments of the present invention.
[0046] Any discussion of the background art in this specification should not be taken as an admission that such background art is prior art or that such background art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field, either in Australia or worldwide.
Claims
1. A window for a building or structure, the window comprising: a first panel that transmits visible light at least to a large extent and has first and second opposing major surfaces, the first major surface being a light receiving surface, the first panel comprising a luminescent material and / or a light scattering material; a plurality of solar cells facing the second major surface of the first panel and positioned along and adjacent to an edge of the first panel; as well as a frame that directly or indirectly supports the first panel; The first major surface of the first panel is directly exposed to a space outside the window.
2. The window according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of solar cells directly faces the second major surface of the first panel.
3. The window according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first panel is positioned so that light originating from outside the building or structure is received by the receiving surface of the first panel before being transmitted to other portions of the window.
4. A window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first panel comprises a first panel portion and a second panel portion which are parallel and stacked together, and wherein the first major surface is a surface of the first panel portion, and the second major surface is a surface of the second panel portion.
5. The window according to claim 4, wherein: The first panel portion and the second panel portion are laminated together using an interlayer comprising polyvinyl butyral (PVB).
6. A window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first panel includes the light emitting material.
7. The window according to claim 6, wherein: The luminescent material is arranged to convert incident light in a wavelength range in which the solar cell has a relatively low external quantum efficiency (EQE) into fluorescent radiation in a wavelength range with a higher EQE.
8. A window according to claim 6 or 7 when dependent on claim 5, wherein: The luminescent material is embedded in the PVB.
9. A window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: An edge portion of the first panel includes a reflective coating, such as a metallic coating.
10. A window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The solar cell is positioned between a portion of the frame and the first panel and adjacent an edge of the first panel.
11. A window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The solar cell covers a portion of the frame structure.
12. A window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The solar cell is spaced apart from the first panel.
13. A window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The solar cells are positioned parallel to and directly facing the second major surface of the first panel.
14. The window according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The solar cells are positioned in an oblique orientation relative to the second major surface of the first panel.
15. A window according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The plurality of solar cells includes a first series of solar cells, the window includes a second series of solar cells, and wherein the second series of solar cells is positioned along and adjacent to the first series of solar cells.
16. The window according to claim 15, wherein: The second series of solar cells has the same orientation as the first series of solar cells and is positioned parallel to and directly facing the second major surface of the first panel.
17. The window according to claim 15 or 16, wherein: The second series of solar cells do not have the same orientation as the first series of solar cells and are positioned in an inclined orientation relative to the second major surface of the first panel.
18. The window according to claim 17, wherein: The first series of solar cells are oriented parallel to the second major surface of the first panel and positioned between the first panel and a portion of the frame, and wherein the second series of solar cells are directly adjacent to the first series of solar cells and positioned in an oblique orientation relative to the first panel.
19. The window according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second panel positioned parallel to the first panel.
20. The window of claim 19, wherein: The second panel includes a coating, such as a low-emissivity coating, that provides high reflectivity to wavelengths between 300 and about 420 nm, and typically also to wavelengths between about 750 and about 1000 nm and / or longer.
21. The window according to claim 19 or 20, wherein: The frame and the solar cells are positioned between the first panel and the second panel.