Spectral Separator Layout for Low-Loss Solar Light Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light concentrators, such as those using the Cassegrain model, suffer from obstruction losses due to secondary mirrors, limited field of view, and inefficient spectral separation, particularly at higher incident angles, leading to reduced light-gathering capability and energy conversion efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A light concentrator system with a spectral separator comprising oblique planar surfaces that reflect and transmit different spectral bands to separate receivers, optimizing light concentration and spectral separation by directing light at small angles of incidence, reducing obstruction, and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a Cassegrain arrangement with a secondary mirror is used to concentrate light, then light concentration capability is improved, but obstruction losses increase due to the secondary mirror blocking on-axis light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the secondary mirror from the optical system entirely, replacing it with a receiver positioned at the focal point of the primary parabolic mirror. This extraction of the obstructing component eliminates the 10% or more light loss while preserving the light concentration function through direct focal point reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-mirror reflective system to a single-mirror system with a focal point receiver, fundamentally changing the optical path dimensionality. Light is concentrated in three-dimensional space at the focal point rather than being reflected through a secondary mirror, eliminating obstruction while maintaining concentration capability.
2Quantity of substance
If the diameter of the primary mirror is increased to improve light-gathering capability, then more light is collected, but the obstruction from the secondary mirror scales proportionally, maintaining the same loss ratio
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the secondary mirror entirely, the patent eliminates the scaling obstruction problem. As primary mirror diameter increases to improve light gathering, no corresponding obstruction scales with it, allowing the obstruction loss ratio to approach zero while light-gathering capability increases linearly with mirror area.
3Measurement precision
If conventional spectral separation methods are used, then spectral bands are separated, but spectral contamination increases at higher incident angles, reducing separation precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spectral separation mechanisms to different spatial regions of the optical system. The microlens array provides wavelength-dependent focusing at the local level, with each microlens acting as a spectral separator for its specific angular range, thereby maintaining high separation precision across varying incident angles without cross-contamination.
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 system achieves improved spectral separation and light concentration, increasing energy conversion efficiency by minimizing obstruction and spectral contamination, and is scalable for thin panel designs with reduced manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first planar surface treated to reflect a first spectral band of light received from the light concentrator toward a first focal region and to transmit a second spectral band
Implementation Method 2
a first planar surface treated to reflect a first spectral band of light received from the light concentrator toward a first focal region and to transmit a second spectral band
Implementation Method 3
a light concentrator for concentrating and redirecting incident radiant energy
Implementation Method 4
uses photovoltaic (PV) materials to convert sunlight directly into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for obtaining energy from a polychromatic radiant energy source has a light concentrator for concentrating and redirecting incident radiant energy, having an optical axis, and a spectral separator disposed along the optical axis, apart from the light concentrator and in the path of concentrated, redirected radiant energy. The spectral separator has a first planar surface treated to reflect a first spectral band of light toward a first focal region and to transmit a second spectral band and a second planar surface spaced apart from the first planar surface and oblique with respect to the first planar surface. The second planar surface is treated to reflect the second spectral band back through the first planar surface and toward a second focal region spaced apart from the first focal region. First and second light receivers are disposed nearest each respective focal region for receiving the first and second spectral bands.