Planar solar concentrator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar concentrators lack the ability to efficiently adjust to varying elevation angles of the light source, leading to suboptimal light collection and concentration.
Innovation Solution
A planar solar concentrator design featuring a light collecting assembly with a waveguide slab and a slidably coupled light condensing unit, which adjusts based on the elevation angle of the light source to optimize light collection and concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional solar concentrator uses a fixed light collector and waveguide structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the light collection efficiency deteriorates when the elevation angle of the light source changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable light condensing unit that can slide along the waveguide slab in response to changing elevation angles of the light source. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the system to maintain optimal light collection efficiency throughout the day as the sun moves across the sky, directly resolving the contradiction between fixed structure simplicity and variable efficiency requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the light condensing unit along the waveguide slab based on the elevation angle of the light source. By adjusting the position parameter in response to angular changes, the system maintains optimal optical coupling and light concentration efficiency without requiring complete structural redesign
2Ease of operation
If the light condensing unit is fixed in position, then the ease of operation is improved, but the concentration ratio deteriorates when sun angles vary
Solution Approach 1:
The light condensing unit is designed to move dynamically along the waveguide slab to track the changing elevation angle of the sun. This dynamic positioning maintains high concentration ratio by ensuring optimal alignment between the waveguide output and condensing element, while the sliding mechanism remains simple enough to preserve ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a self-adjusting mechanism where the light condensing unit automatically positions itself relative to the waveguide slab based on the incident light angle. This self-service capability maintains precision concentration without requiring complex external control systems, preserving operational simplicity
3Adaptability or versatility
If a planar solar concentrator uses a movable light condensing unit to track elevation angles, then the adaptability to varying light conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable light condensing unit that slides along the waveguide slab to track the elevation angle of the light source. This dynamic component provides adaptability to varying solar positions throughout the day, while the sliding mechanism along a fixed track keeps the overall device complexity manageable compared to fully adjustable systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the adaptive function (movable light condensing unit) from the static structural elements (waveguide slab, housing). This segmentation allows the adaptive component to provide elevation angle tracking while the majority of the device remains simple and fixed, reducing overall complexity
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
Enhances light collection efficiency by allowing the light condensing unit to move in response to changing sun angles, improving the concentration ratio and overall energy harvesting capability.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide slab configured to direct the incident light from the light collector toward a rear end surface of a rear end segment
Implementation Method 2
The curved surface extends to interconnect the input and output surfaces, and has a curvature to direct the incident light toward a collecting zone on the output surface
Data Source
AI summary
A planar solar concentrator includes a light collecting assembly and a light condensing unit. The light collecting assembly includes a light collecting unit and a waveguide slab extending in a longitudinal direction. The light collecting unit includes a light collector having an input surface, an output surface, and a curved surface to direct an incident light toward a collecting zone on the output surface. The light condensing unit is slidably coupled to a rear end of the waveguide slab for condensing the incident light from the waveguide slab, and is coupled such that based on an elevation angle of the light source, the light condensing unit is permitted to be driven to slide in a transverse direction.