Transparent Photovoltaic Panel Diffractive Infrared Deflection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Overheating of interior spaces due to sunlight through large windows leads to high energy consumption for cooling, as existing window-based photovoltaic systems either obstruct the view or are inefficient in energy generation.

Innovation Solution

A panel structure with a photovoltaic material distributed in a diffractive pattern that is invisible to the naked eye, allowing for transparent operation while deflecting infrared radiation and guiding it to edge surfaces for additional electricity generation, reducing heat transfer and energy costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If photovoltaic material is distributed in a diffractive pattern with narrow features, then transparency is improved, but electricity generation efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidelectricity generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The photovoltaic material is segmented into narrow features distributed in a diffractive pattern across the panel, allowing sufficient surface area for energy generation while maintaining transparency through strategic spacing and size control of segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes diffractive optics to redirect light into angular dimensions, deflecting infrared radiation toward edge surfaces for additional electricity generation without compromising visible light transmission through the panel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If a large portion of the panel area is used for photovoltaic material, then electricity generation is improved, but view obstruction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity generationVSAvoidview obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the panel have different properties: the central area contains narrow photovoltaic features for transparency, while edge surfaces concentrate photovoltaic material for enhanced electricity generation from deflected infrared radiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The diffractive element acts as an intermediary that redirects infrared radiation from the transparent central region to the edge surfaces, enabling dual functionality of visibility and energy generation without direct conflict

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If infrared radiation is deflected to edge surfaces, then additional electricity generation is achieved, but heat transfer to interior spaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity generationVSAvoidheat transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts harmful infrared radiation that would normally cause overheating into a beneficial resource by deflecting it to edge photovoltaic material for electricity generation, simultaneously reducing heat transfer and increasing energy production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 panel structure effectively generates electricity while maintaining transparency, reducing building overheating and energy costs by utilizing a diffractive element to deflect infrared radiation and enhance energy collection.

Implementation Method 1

a photovoltaic material being positioned in, at, or in the proximity of the panel material, the photovoltaic material being distributed between transmissive areas that are void of the photovoltaic material such that features of the photovoltaic material are sufficiently narrow to be at least largely invisible to the naked eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

The diffractive element may be arranged such that predominantly light having a wavelength in an infrared wavelength range is deflected towards the at least one edge surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 3

the panel material being at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11121276B2Panel structure for receiving light and generating electricity

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 TROPIGLAS TECH

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a panel structure for receiving light and generating electricity. The panel structure comprises a panel material that has a light receiving surface. The panel material is at least partially transmissive for light having a wavelength in the visible wavelength range. The panel structure further comprises a photovoltaic material being positioned in or at the panel material. The photovoltaic material is distributed between transmissive areas that are void of the photovoltaic material such that features of the photovoltaic material are sufficiently narrow to be at least largely invisible to the naked eye.