Solar energy utilization apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low-power light-concentrating solar devices often lack liquid cooling, leading to higher operating temperatures and efficiency losses, while devices with liquid cooling do not effectively utilize the optical properties of liquids for improved efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy utilization apparatus featuring a light energy utilization unit with back-to-back first and second parts, a liquid light-condensing unit with an axially symmetric or rotating structure, and a reflection groove to concentrate sunlight using total reflection and reflection, enhancing sunlight concentration and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If liquid cooling is added to solar devices, then operating temperature is reduced and efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling function and light concentration function into a single integrated liquid medium system. The transparent liquid serves dual purposes: it cools the light energy utilization part through convection and simultaneously concentrates sunlight through total internal reflection at its interfaces, eliminating the need for separate cooling components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent liquid in the accommodating cavity performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a cooling agent to reduce operating temperature, serves as an optical medium to concentrate sunlight through total internal reflection, and provides structural support for the light energy utilization part. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional solid structures are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but optical efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a liquid-based optical system where transparent liquid in the accommodating cavity utilizes total internal reflection to concentrate sunlight. This hydraulic/optical approach achieves superior light concentration efficiency compared to conventional solid structures, while the liquid can be easily contained and managed using standard fluid containment techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state from solid to liquid for the light-concentrating medium. This parameter change enables the system to utilize total internal reflection at liquid-air interfaces, significantly improving optical efficiency while the liquid's fluidity allows for easier manufacturing and assembly of the accommodating cavity structure.
3Area of stationary object
If light receiving surface width is increased, then sunlight collection area is expanded, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the three-dimensional volume of the transparent liquid in the accommodating cavity to achieve light concentration. By employing total internal reflection within the liquid medium, the system effectively extends the light collection capability in multiple dimensions rather than simply expanding the two-dimensional surface area, allowing for efficient sunlight capture within a compact volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent liquid acts as an intermediary medium that bridges the light receiving surface and the light energy utilization part. It captures sunlight over an expanded area and through total internal reflection concentrates it onto the utility part, enabling efficient energy transfer without requiring direct contact between the light surface and the utility component, thus reducing overall device volume.
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 apparatus improves sunlight concentration and efficiency by utilizing total reflection and reflection grooves, allowing for better heat management and increased sunlight absorption from multiple directions, thus enhancing overall energy conversion efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a part of the sunlight in the accommodating cavity transmitted from the transparent liquid to the transparent wall forms a total reflection phenomenon so as to concentrate the sunlight onto the light energy utilization unit
Implementation Method 2
a part of the sunlight is allowed to be transmitted from the liquid light-condensing unit onto the reflecting surface and, by means of the reflecting surface, reflected back into the liquid light-condensing unit or reflected onto the light energy utilization unit
Implementation Method 3
the transparent liquid may be arranged between the second light energy utilization part and the transparent bottom wall for guiding the sunlight onto the second light energy utilization part
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a solar energy utilization apparatus, comprising a liquid light-condensing unit (100), a light energy utilization unit (200) and a reflection groove (300), wherein the light energy utilization unit (200) has a first light energy utilization part (210) and a second light energy utilization part (220), and the liquid light-condensing unit (100) has a light-receiving surface larger than the width of the first light energy utilization part (210) and/or the second light energy utilization part (220), and can receive more sunlight. The liquid light-condensing unit (100) is filled with a transparent liquid (130), and sunlight can be transmitted through a transparent wall of the liquid light-condensing unit (100) and into the transparent liquid (130), and then form a total reflection phenomenon.