One-Way Light Admitting Optical Concentrator for Photovoltaic Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light concentrators face efficiency limitations due to obscuration by secondary reflectors and temperature-related decreases in photovoltaic cell efficiency, especially at higher concentration factors.
Innovation Solution
A multiple surface optical concentrator with a one-way light admitting portion that uses total internal reflection to minimize obscuration and maintain high concentration efficiency, designed using an iterative method to eliminate spherical and comatic aberrations, and incorporating a refractive material with a circulator for heat management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a secondary reflector is added to concentrate light, then the concentration ratio is improved, but the primary reflector is obscured by the secondary reflector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional reflector arrangement by placing the light-receiving surface on the interior of the front surface rather than on the exterior. This allows light to enter through the front surface and be reflected by the back surface, eliminating the need for a secondary reflector that would obstruct the primary reflector while maintaining high concentration ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional reflector arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration where light paths are manipulated through multiple reflections within the refractive medium. This dimensional change allows light concentration without requiring additional reflectors that would cause obscuration.
2Power
If light concentration factor is increased to improve photovoltaic output, then power production is improved, but photovoltaic cell efficiency decreases due to temperature increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat management function from the optical system by incorporating a separate cooling mechanism that removes excess heat from the photovoltaic cell. This allows high concentration factors to be achieved while maintaining cell efficiency through active temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cooling system as an intermediary between the concentrated light and the photovoltaic cell. This intermediary removes thermal energy that would otherwise degrade cell efficiency, enabling the system to operate at high concentration factors without temperature-related performance losses.
3Productivity
If a one-way light admitting portion is used to reduce obscuration, then concentration efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front surface of the concentrator is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a light-receiving element, a protective cover, and a structural component. By integrating these functions into a single element, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high 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 achieves high geometrical concentration ratios with reduced central obscuration and improved efficiency, maintaining photovoltaic cell performance at higher concentration factors while effectively managing heat through the circulatory system.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the surfaces includes a one-way light admitting portion which selectively admits light through the surface into the concentrator while reflecting (e.g. via total internal reflection) light impinging on the surface from within the concentrator
Implementation Method 2
The internal region includes a refractive material
Data Source
AI summary
An optical collector is disclosed which includes an imaging, aplanatic optical element having a front surface with a one-way light admitting portion, a back surface with a reflective portion, and an interior region of refractive material disposed between the front and backs surfaces.