Lens Array System Reducing Light-Taking Distance in Solar Collectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy photovoltaic technologies face inefficiencies in collecting solar energy per unit area due to high light-taking distances and complex, energy-consuming sun-tracking mechanisms, leading to low efficiency-cost ratios and cost performance.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a lens array system that reduces light-taking distance by focusing incident light through a front and rear lens part, allowing for automatic two-dimensional sun tracking without sensors or energy consumption, and integrating a photoelectric conversion part for increased luminous flux and light intensity per unit area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If condensing lens is used to focus sunlight, then light intensity at focal spot is increased, but the area of condensing lens is much larger than focal spot area so solar energy collected per unit area cannot be substantially increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple lens groups (first lens group, second lens group, third lens group) arranged in sequence, where each group processes light from different angular ranges. This segmentation allows the system to collect light from a wider effective area while maintaining high intensity at the focal point, resolving the contradiction between intensity concentration and area utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular dimension classification by dividing the field of view into different angular ranges (e.g., -30° to +30°, -60° to -30°, +30° to +60°) and assigning different lens groups to capture light from different angular sectors. This multi-dimensional light collection approach substantially increases the effective collection area while maintaining focal spot intensity.
2Illumination intensity
If condensing lens focuses sunlight to high temperature focal spot, then light intensity is increased, but photoelectric conversion efficiency decreases due to high temperature requiring cooling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into multiple lens groups that distribute light from different angular ranges to the same focal region. This segmentation allows for more uniform heat distribution and reduces peak temperature compared to a single large condensing lens, while still achieving high overall light intensity for photoelectric conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using multiple lens groups with different focal lengths and aperture angles to control the light convergence. This parameter optimization allows achieving high light intensity while managing temperature rise, reducing or eliminating the need for cooling systems.
3Area of stationary object
If plane mirrors or parabolic reflectors are used for light focusing, then light taking area is increased, but the volume of light focusing system occupies relatively large land area and space volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional mirror/reflector surfaces to three-dimensional lens groups arranged in sequence along the optical axis. This dimensional transition allows light collection from multiple angular ranges to be achieved in a compact vertical arrangement, substantially reducing the land area and space volume required compared to large planar mirror systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests multiple lens groups (first, second, third lens groups) within a compact optical path, where each lens group is positioned at different locations along the optical axis. This nested arrangement allows the system to achieve large effective light collection area while maintaining a compact overall volume, as the lens groups are integrated into a single optical train rather than requiring separate large-area mounting surfaces.
4Productivity
If sun tracking mechanism is added to optimize light collection, then solar energy collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the fixed installation parameters of the lens groups, including aperture angles, focal lengths, and spacing distances, to maximize light collection from the typical solar angular range without requiring active tracking. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve high collection efficiency while maintaining a simple, stationary structure with no moving parts or additional energy consumption.
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 device enhances solar energy collection efficiency by 40-80% and maintains low temperatures, eliminating the need for cooling systems, while simplifying structure and reducing energy consumption, making it suitable for various environments and applications.
Implementation Method 1
by using the light refraction characteristic of condensing lens, the sun light through lens area is refracted and focused
Implementation Method 2
the sun light through lens area is refracted and focused to form a high temperature focal spot with high luminance nearby the lens focus
Implementation Method 3
the luminous flux and light intensity of sun light with relative stable spectral frequency, the more advantages for photoelectric conversion system (such as solar cells) to generate increased quantity of optic-to-electric
Data Source
AI summary
A device for increasing the luminous flux per unit area with the ability to reduce the light-taking distance in respect to the opposite light source of the present invention mainly comprises a front lens part, a rear lens part, an axial mutually-perpendicular bi-axial support, a movable support, a fixed base, dampers for automatically limiting tilt speed, tilt gravity generators and photoelectric conversion array, etc. Based on the principle of light group field effect, the device can increase the luminous flux and light intensity per unit area of excident light by use of lens array group so that the photoelectric conversion system is able to get more light energy. The device is able to automatically keep pace with the motion of the sun in two dimensions without measuring sensors. The device is mainly applied in solar energy photovoltaic generating technology and recycling of different light energies.