Inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar concentrators are costly and inefficient due to the need for large area semiconductor devices and high tracking accuracy, especially when trying to concentrate diffuse light, which limits the cost reduction and efficiency of solar energy conversion.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable non-imaging solar concentrator assembly using two clear membranes and a reflective membrane, forming a Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) shape, which can concentrate both parallel and diffuse light with reduced tracking accuracy and is filled with lighter gases like helium and hydrogen to float in the air, enabling integration with photovoltaic or thermal systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flat plate photovoltaic panels are used to intercept sunlight, then the system can convert solar energy, but the large area of expensive semiconductor devices makes the system costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inflatable solar concentrator as an intermediary device between the sunlight and the photovoltaic panel. This concentrator uses reflective membranes and optical concentration to focus sunlight onto a smaller area of semiconductor material, reducing the total cost while maintaining conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible thin film membranes with reflective coatings to create the solar concentrator structure. These thin films are much cheaper than conventional semiconductor panels while still achieving effective light concentration through their optical properties
2Area of stationary object
If large area solar concentrators are used to condense solar radiation, then the area of semiconductor converter can be reduced, but the cost of conventional concentrating systems becomes comparable to flat plate systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inflatable structures made from thin flexible membranes with reflective coatings instead of rigid, expensive concentrator materials. This approach maintains the light-concentrating function while dramatically reducing material costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs low-cost materials for the concentrator structure that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, prioritizing cost-effectiveness over long-term durability of the concentrator itself (though the PV panel remains protected)
3Illumination intensity
If imaging inflatable solar concentrators are used to concentrate parallel rays, then light concentration is achieved, but the system cannot concentrate diffuse light and requires high precision tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-imaging optical design with inflatable membranes that can dynamically adjust their shape and orientation to track the sun's movement throughout the day, eliminating the need for high-precision mechanical tracking systems while maintaining effective light concentration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical design parameters from imaging to non-imaging concentration, and uses inflatable structures that can change their physical parameters (shape, position, orientation) to adapt to varying sunlight conditions including diffuse light
4Ease of operation
If Compound Parabolic Concentrator with large acceptance angle is used to collect diffuse light, then tracking accuracy is reduced, but the concentration ratio becomes small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inflatable membranes that can dynamically adjust their shape and position to maintain optimal concentration ratios while accommodating larger acceptance angles for diffuse light collection, resolving the trade-off between tracking requirements and concentration efficiency
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 significantly reduces the cost and complexity of solar energy concentration, allowing for a more efficient and cost-effective solar power system that can handle both beam and diffuse light with lower tracking requirements and integrates easily with photovoltaic or thermal systems.
Implementation Method 1
an assembly made of at least a clear film and a reflective film that inflates into a shape reflecting parallel rays of light to a concentrated focus
Implementation Method 2
be filled with the alternative gases helium and hydrogen to float in air
Data Source
AI summary
An extremely low cost solar concentrator made of membranes or films is inflated into a Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) a non-image concentrator. The portion of the inflatable concentrator, which is shaped into a CPC concentrator, is formed with reflective membranes or films, and the portions of the inflatable concentrator on the top of CPC and on the bottom of the concentrator are made of clear membranes or films. The incident light including parallel rays of light and diffuse light, as long as falling into the half acceptance angle of the CPC, will be concentrated to the bottom exit aperture of the CPC. Therefore, this type concentrator reduces the requirement to the accuracy of tracking for concentration. In addition, this type of concentrator demonstrates more tolerance to shape distortion for concentration than imaging system.