Spectrum-Splitting Optical Concentrator With Low-Reflection Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical devices for concentrating electromagnetic radiation onto energy conversion devices face limitations due to low conversion efficiency, reflective losses, and high costs, particularly when using multiple devices or complex designs with negative draft angles.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a first interface that disperses and concentrates electromagnetic radiation based on wavelength, and a second interface with discontinuous surfaces having positive draft angles, reducing reflection and absorption losses, and allowing for efficient focusing of different wavelengths onto specific energy conversion devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple electromagnetic radiation energy conversion devices are used in tandem or layers, then the overall conversion efficiency is improved, but reflective losses increase reducing the amount of electromagnetic radiation reaching the devices
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device segments the electromagnetic radiation spectrum by wavelength, directing different wavelength ranges to different energy conversion devices positioned side-by-side rather than in tandem. This segmentation eliminates the need for radiation to pass through multiple devices sequentially, thereby reducing cumulative reflective losses while maintaining high overall conversion efficiency through specialized devices optimized for specific wavelength ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The optical device acts as an intermediary that disperses and concentrates electromagnetic radiation onto multiple energy conversion devices simultaneously. By using refractive optics to split the spectrum and direct different wavelengths to appropriate devices, the system achieves high conversion efficiency without the reflective losses inherent in tandem configurations where radiation must pass through each device in sequence
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical devices are used to disperse and concentrate electromagnetic radiation, then the spectrum splitting capability is improved, but reflection and absorption losses increase reducing the overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dispersion and concentration functions into a single integrated optical device rather than using multiple separate optical devices. This consolidation maintains the spectrum splitting capability by using refractive optics to disperse different wavelengths to different focal points, while simultaneously concentrating the radiation onto multiple energy conversion devices, thereby reducing the cumulative reflection and absorption losses that would occur with multiple separate optical components
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional optical devices with negative draft angles are used, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using positive draft angles instead of negative draft angles in the optical device design. This inversion simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces device complexity while maintaining the necessary optical precision through refractive spectrum splitting, thereby achieving high manufacturing precision without the increased complexity and cost associated with conventional negative draft angle designs
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 optical device enhances the efficiency of solar radiation conversion into electricity by minimizing reflective losses and reducing material usage, resulting in a cost-effective and high-performance solar energy system.
Implementation Method 1
a first interface configured to disperse electromagnetic radiation or disperse and concentrate electromagnetic radiation based on wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a second interface configured to disperse and concentrate electromagnetic radiation such that the optical device focuses the electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device capable of concentrating and spectrum splitting electromagnetic radiation for solar energy conversion systems. Two interfaces of the optical device, designed by ray tracing methods, focus the electromagnetic radiation by refraction and chromatic dispersion, such that focal areas of different wavelengths, relative to one another, are not parallel to electromagnetic radiation incident upon the optical device. Energy conversion devices, such as solar photovoltaic cells, may be placed at or near the focal areas to efficiently convert radiation of different wavelengths to other forms of energy. Interfaces may be flat or curved and may be composed of multiple discontinuous surfaces on one or both interfaces in one or two axes. Interfaces composed of multiple discontinuities may be designed such that there is no shading of electromagnetic radiation of selected wavelengths. The optical device may be composed of one material or multiple materials with different Abbe numbers.