Hybrid Solar Simulator Using Halogen Filter for Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar simulators face challenges in providing a cost-effective solution that covers the solar spectrum beyond 1000nm up to 1200nm and generates excessive heat in solar panels, particularly due to the high cost and heat issues associated with using only LED light sources for infrared wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
A solar simulator comprising an array of LED light sources and at least one non-LED light source, with a filtering device to reduce the irradiance of the non-LED source, primarily using a halogen light source for the 1000-1200nm range, thereby reducing heat generation and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only LED light sources are used to cover the infrared wavelength range above 1000nm, then spectral coverage is achieved, but cost increases significantly and heat generation becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines LED light sources for wavelengths below 1000nm with a halogen lamp for wavelengths above 1000nm, creating a hybrid light source system. This merging allows the system to achieve complete spectral coverage while avoiding the high cost and excessive heat generation associated with using only expensive infrared LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The halogen lamp serves multiple functions: it provides infrared radiation above 1000nm that LEDs cannot efficiently produce, and when combined with LED output below 1000nm, it creates a universal light source that covers the entire solar spectrum range required for solar cell testing.
2Ease of manufacture
If halogen lamps are used to provide infrared radiation, then cost is reduced, but excessive heat is generated in the solar panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes excessive infrared radiation from the halogen lamp output using an infrared filter. This filter selectively blocks harmful infrared wavelengths that cause excessive heat generation while allowing the necessary visible and near-infrared wavelengths to pass through for spectral coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
An infrared filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the halogen lamp and the solar panel. This filter mediates the interaction by selectively transmitting useful wavelengths while blocking harmful infrared radiation, thus reducing heat generation while maintaining spectral coverage.
3Ease of manufacture
If halogen lamps are used for infrared coverage, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision is compromised due to temperature instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulsed illumination mode where the halogen lamp and LEDs are activated in periodic pulses rather than continuous operation. This periodic action allows the system to accumulate sufficient light output for accurate measurements while limiting the total energy input and heat generation, thereby maintaining temperature stability during measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous spectral coverage by coordinating the operation of LEDs and halogen lamp so that their combined output remains constant throughout the measurement process. This continuity compensates for the halogen lamp's slow response time and maintains stable illumination conditions for precise measurements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a more affordable and reliable solar simulator that effectively covers the required wavelength range with reduced heat generation, as more than 50% of the irradiance is provided by LED light sources, and the filtering device minimizes excessive heat and maintains spectral accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
Light-emitting diode lamp (LED) is a semiconductor light source based on the electroluminescence phenomenon
Implementation Method 2
a filtering device to reduce the irradiance of the non-LED source
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a solar simulator (10) comprising an array of light sources including LED light sources (12) and at least one non-LED light source (14), wherein:- at least a portion of the infrared-light wavelength range covered by said solar simulator (10) is covered only by said non-LED light source (14), and wherein- more than 50% of the irradiance provided by the solar simulator (10) is provided by the LED light sources (12). Application to artificially recreate sunlight in a solar testing device for the testing of solar cells, sun screens, and other products.