Tubular photovoltaic generator

Abstract

The invention relates to a photovoltaic generator device comprising - a tubular structure (T) internally comprising peripheral photoelectric cells (P) associated with an electronic system (E); - transmission means (L1, L2, R1, R2) for transmitting light from a source (S1, S2) to the interior of the tubular structure (T); - means for diffusing said light inside the tubular structure (T); and - light diffraction means (D) towards the photoelectric cells (P). The invention further relates to a system of several devices and a method based on such a device. Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Tubular photovoltaic generator

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical generator device by "photovoltaic effect" which allows renewable production of electrical energy.

[0002] The energy source is sunlight or possibly artificial light, particularly in addition to sunlight.

[0003] The generator allows the conversion of light energy into electrical energy at a lower cost. The system can be coupled to any type of light generation system or light source, for example solar. The invention is also envisaged for the recovery of energy from artificial light, in particular in addition to sunlight.

[0004] The objective of the invention is not to release any greenhouse gases, unlike other systems, this invention does not release any radioactivity and therefore does not produce any nuclear waste.

[0005] In the field of the invention, photovoltaic energy generation systems have been proposed based on flat panels arranged at the level of solar exposure.

[0006] Furthermore, technologies have been proposed to recover solar rays and convey them, for example, into the interior of a house, particularly into a windowless room.

[0007] A first objective of the invention is to propose a new alternative arrangement of a photovoltaic generator device. A second objective is to propose a means of improving the recovery of light energy, so as to limit losses linked in particular to rays reflected by the photoelectric cells.

[0008] To achieve these objectives, the invention proposes a photovoltaic generator device comprising - a tubular structure internally comprising peripheral photoelectric cells associated with an electronic system; - transmission means for transmitting light from a source to the interior of the tubular structure; - means for diffusing said light inside the tubular structure; and - means for diffracting light towards the photoelectric cells.

[0009] According to other aspects taken in isolation or combined according to all technically feasible combinations: - the light diffraction means are substantially aligned in the tubular structure; and / or - the photovoltaic generator device further comprises at least two reflection means, preferably curved, on either side of the light diffraction means in the axis of the tubular structure, the reflection means allowing partial passage of light, preferably at least in the axis of the tubular structure; and / or - the reflection means comprise mirrors, preferably curved, each pierced with at least one hole; and / or - the photovoltaic generator device further comprises at least one light refocusing means downstream of a light diffraction means; and / or - the photovoltaic generator device further comprises a filter upstream of the tubular structure, for filtering infrared rays, and preferably for allowing only ultraviolet rays to pass through; and / or - the transmission means comprise at least one optical fiber; and / or - the photovoltaic generator device is configured to be associated with sunlight as a light source; and / or - the photovoltaic generator device is configured to be associated with artificial light as a light source; and / or - the photovoltaic generator device is configured to be associated with UV laser as a light source.

[0010] The invention further relates to a photovoltaic generator system comprising several photovoltaic generator devices according to the invention.

[0011] Another object of the invention relates to a photovoltaic generation method comprising steps for - transmit light to at least one tubular structure internally comprising peripheral photoelectric cells associated with an electronic system; - diffuse the light internally in said tubular structure, and - diffract the light towards the photoelectric cells.

[0012] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures, among which: - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a two-device photovoltaic generator system according to a preferred variant of the invention, with solar energy as the source; - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a photovoltaic generator system with two light sources according to another preferred variant of the invention; - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a two-device photovoltaic generator system according to another preferred variant of the invention, with a UV laser as the source; - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a part of a photovoltaic generator device according to a preferred variant of the invention; - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a part of a photovoltaic generator device according to another preferred variant of the invention; - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a front view of a photovoltaic generator device according to another preferred variant of the invention; and - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates a multi-device photovoltaic generator system according to another preferred variant of the invention.

[0013] The invention relates to a photovoltaic generator device. The device comprises a tubular structure T. The tubular structure T internally comprises peripheral photoelectric cells P associated with an electronic system E. The electronic system E makes it possible to collect the energy from the photoelectric cells according to a known methodology.

[0014] The tubular structure T may have an outer layer of graphite. Indeed, graphite can be used because of its chemical and physical properties: chemical neutrality, heat resistance, thermal and electrical conductivity, low coefficient of thermal expansion, low coefficient of friction and low coefficient of absorption of X-rays and electrons.

[0015] Preferably, these cells are of the "mixed organic" type, namely with perovskites in thin layers. The advantage of these cells is that they can be distributed over very small surfaces on the support, whether curved or cylindrical. Another advantage is that they have a low thickness, thus allowing ease of implementation of their industrialization and, due to their thickness, a saving of space in its location arrangement.

[0016] The tubular structure T may have a length of 1 m. The diameter is preferably as small as possible, for example in known technologies. The smaller the diameter, the more energy per square meter will be relevant, in particular better recovered on several tubular structures T for a given volume. Similarly, the photoelectric cells P are of the smallest possible size and thickness, for example by using nanomaterials. Miniaturization methods, such as those known, can be used so as to reduce the diameter of the tubular structure T and the size and thickness of the photoelectric cells P.

[0017] In the context of the invention, it is possible to envisage a volume structure of any shape, forming a support for P cells, with a lumen internal to the structure. However, the tubular structure T is preferred because it allows the light to propagate over its entire length, possibly in several juxtaposed T structures.

[0018] The device further comprises transmission means for transmitting light from a source to the interior of the tubular structure T.

[0019] The source may be the sun SI or artificial light S2 transmitted towards the interior of the tubular structure T, in particular in addition to sunlight. The preferred arrangement, detailed below, may be adapted to a UV laser source whose energy will be recovered. In this case, the transmission means may be a tip associated with the emission of the UV laser at the entrance of the tubular structure T.

[0020] In the case of sunlight, a system of optical fibers 2, lenses L1, L2, and mirrors RI, R2 is provided as transmission means. A system of this type has been developed by the company ECHY to transmit sunlight into dark rooms.

[0021] [Fig.2] illustrates a hybrid variant with the two light sources S1, S2. The UV laser may be a laser used whose end of the beam is oriented towards the tubular structure T; or a UV laser generated to recover energy. In this variant, the device comprises a solar wave receiving panel 1, equipped with focusing lenses LL. The lenses LL are connected to optical fibers 2 as well as, preferably, to one or more infrared filters 3. The device further comprises a pumping system 7 for orienting the light waves towards the entrance of the tubular structure T. Furthermore, the device comprises a power supply 5 and a light generating means 6, preferably a UV lamp, connected directly or indirectly to the pumping system 7.

[0022] The device further comprises means for diffusing said light inside the tubular structure T. These means may comprise a gas, a mixture of gases, air and / or a support structure comprising, for example, glass. Alternatively, it is envisaged to place the diffusion of the light internal to the tube, under vacuum, for example in a specific internal enclosure (not shown).

[0023] The device further comprises light diffraction means D for transmitting part of the light towards the photoelectric cells P.

[0024] The diffraction means D may be a prism configured to diffract the light towards the photoelectric cells P. In one variant, the diffraction means D is configured to allow a portion of the light rays to pass through at least in the central axis of the tubular structure T. This variant may be illustrated schematically by [Fig. 4]. In another variant, the diffraction means D is pierced with at least one hole in the central axis so as to allow a portion of the light rays to pass through. This variant may be illustrated schematically by [Fig. 5].

[0025] In another variant, the diffraction means D is shaped like a diamond designed so as to have specific diffractions towards the cells P. This variant can be illustrated schematically by [Fig.6].

[0026] Preferably, several diffraction means D are provided; and are more preferably substantially aligned in the tubular structure T.

[0027] The energy from the diverging rays r can be recovered by the photoelectric cells P. A part of these rays may not be recovered, and the rays may be reflected by the cell P. The invention further aims to further limit energy losses by reusing these rays.

[0028] For this purpose, the preferred variant proposes a succession of reflection means R on either side of the light diffraction means D in the axis of the tubular structure T. The reflection is total but a partial reflection can be envisaged downstream of the diffraction means D. In the case of total reflection, the reflection means R allow a partial passage of light, preferably at least in the central axis of the tubular structure T.

[0029] The reflection means R define a succession of reflection chambers around the diffraction means D. Thus, the rays coming from the photoelectric cells P can be reflected on the reflection means R and returned to photoelectric cells P. A part of these rays can pass towards the diffraction means D of the following diffraction chamber.

[0030] Advantageously, rays which would have been lost in the case of planar photovoltaic cells can be recovered by the reflection means R.

[0031] In [Fig.6], D represents the diamond diffraction means, R represents face-to-face Fresnel mirrors; i represents the central incident light wave, and r represents the wave diffracting towards the photoelectric cells P.

[0032] In a variant, it is possible to envisage a means of reflection at the exit of the tubular structure T, so as not to allow what remains of the central light ray to escape.

[0033] Advantageously, the reflection chambers form an arrangement similar to that of a UV laser generator, allowing the rays to be retransmitted to the P cells.

[0034] The reflection means R preferably comprise convex curved structures on the side of the diffraction means D.

[0035] In particular, the reflection means R comprise mirrors, preferably curved, each pierced with at least one hole in the central axis of the tubular structure T. A curved structure makes it possible to better orient the light rays.

[0036] In particular, these are Fresnel mirrors R. They make it possible to create virtual sources oriented towards the photoelectric cells P, and towards the diffraction means D.

[0037] Alternatively, a non-illustrated variant proposes a succession of light refocusing means downstream of each diffraction means. In this variant, the light rays are refocused towards the interior of the tubular structure and retransmitted towards the following diffraction means and the following photoelectric cells.

[0038] According to a variant, the photovoltaic generator device further comprises a filter 3 upstream of the tubular structure T, for filtering the infrared rays, and preferably for allowing only the ultraviolet rays to pass, in particular only UV-C rays.

[0039] This helps to limit heating of the system caused by infrared rays.

[0040] The invention further relates to a photovoltaic generator system comprising several photovoltaic generator devices as described above. In a variant, the system comprises several tubular structures T, assembled in a tube in the form of a cannula C. The tube C and / or the tubular structures T may have a circular, hexagonal, triangular, or square section. Angular shapes are preferred to better occupy the space in the tube C.

[0041] The invention aims to use several C cannulas in tandem to better recover the energy from the light and limit losses.

[0042] Another object of the invention relates to a photovoltaic generation method. The method can be implemented by means of a photovoltaic generator device or a photovoltaic generator system as described above.

[0043] The method comprises a step for transmitting light towards at least one tubular structure T internally comprising peripheral photoelectric cells P associated with an electronic system C.

[0044] The method further comprises a step for diffusing the light internally in said tubular structure T.

[0045] The method further comprises a step for diffracting the light towards the photoelectric cells P. This is done in particular by means of at least one diffraction means D as described previously.

[0046] More generally, the method comprises steps of implementing the various elements described previously.

[0047] The advantages set out above apply mutatis mutandis.

Claims

Claims

1. Photovoltaic generator device comprising - a structure (T) comprising photoelectric cells (P) associated with an electronic system (E); - transmission means (2, L1, L2, RI, R2) for transmitting light from a source (SI, S2) towards the interior of the tubular structure (T); - means for diffusing said light inside the tubular structure (T), characterized in that the structure (T) is tubular and internally comprises said photoelectric cells (P) which are peripheral, in that the generator device comprises light diffraction means (D) towards the photoelectric cells (P) in the tubular structure (T), in that the generator device comprises, in the tubular structure (T),a succession of reflection means (R) on either side of the light diffraction means (D) in the axis of the tubular structure (T) or a succession of light refocusing means downstream of each diffraction means, and in that the generator device further comprises at least two reflection means (R), preferably curved, on either side of the light diffraction means (D) in the axis of the tubular structure (T), the reflection means (R) allowing partial passage of light, preferably at least in the axis of the tubular structure (T).,

2. Photovoltaic generator device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the light diffraction means (D) are substantially aligned in the tubular structure (M).

3. Photovoltaic generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a filter (3) upstream of the tubular structure (T), for filtering the infrared rays, and preferably for allowing only the ultraviolet rays to pass.

4. Photovoltaic generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission means comprise at least one optical fiber (2).

5. Photovoltaic generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured to be associated with solar light (SI) as a light source.

6. Photovoltaic generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured to be associated with artificial light (S2) as a light source.

7. Photovoltaic generator device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is configured to be associated with a UV laser as a light source (S).

8. A photovoltaic generator system comprising a plurality of photovoltaic generator devices according to one of the preceding claims.

9. A photovoltaic generation method implemented by means of a photovoltaic generator device according to one of claims 1 to 7, or a photovoltaic generator system according to claim 8, the generation method comprising steps for - transmitting light towards at least one tubular structure (T) internally comprising peripheral photoelectric cells (P) associated with an electronic system (E); - diffusing the light internally in said tubular structure (T), and - diffracting the light towards the photoelectric cells (P).