Asymetric, three-dimensional, non-imaging, light concentrator

• US 20060072222A1
• Filed: 10/05/2004
• Published: 04/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Joseph I. Lichy
• Original Assignee: Joseph I. Lichy
• Inventors: Lichy, Joseph I.
• Application Number:
  US10/958,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20060072222A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/853
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/00 Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 23/80 having discontinuous faces
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/20 for tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/04 Optical or mechanical part supplementary adjustable parts
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0422 using light concentrators, collectors or condensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0474 Diffusers cavities G01J2001/0481
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0028 refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0042 for use with direct solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0994 Fibers, light pipes optical fibers per se G02B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0543 comprising light concentrating means of the refractive type, e.g. lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0547 comprising light concentrating means of the reflecting type, e.g. parabolic mirrors, concentrators using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/44 Heat exchange systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators

Abstract

A radiant energy concentrator of sunlight adapted for use with a photovoltaic cell. The radiant energy concentrator has a hollow first stage formed by two pairs of facing reflective sides curved to different parabolas. The first stage is optically coupled to a solid second stage with two pairs of facing reflective sides curved to different parabolas. The second stage is optically coupled to a solid light diffuser is some embodiments. The solid light diffuser is optically coupled to the photovoltaic cell with a clear encapsulant. The radiant energy concentrator is mounted on a metal substrate for thermal management. The radiant energy concentrator can operate efficiently with only single axis tracking of the Sun in part because the reflective sides form orthogonal acceptance angles corresponding to the annual and daily apparent passage of the Sun on Earth.

Claims

1. A radiant energy concentrator, comprising:

a first pair of facing reflective sides positioned around a first axis, the first pair of facing reflective sides having a proximal end and a distal end, the first pair of facing reflective sides forming an aperture at the distal end to receive radiant energy, the radiant energy being concentrated by the first pair of facing reflective sides at the proximal end, the first pair of facing reflective sides having a first curvature; and

a second pair of facing reflective sides positioned around a second axis, the second pair of facing reflective sides having a proximal end and a distal end, the second pair of facing reflective sides forming an aperture at the distal end to receive radiant energy, the radiant energy being concentrated by the second pair of facing reflective sides at the proximal end, wherein the distal end of the first pair of facing reflective sides is positioned adjacent to and at least partially transversely with the distal end of the second pair of reflective sides, the second pair of reflective sides having a second curvature, wherein the first curvature is different than the second curvature.

2. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 1 wherein the first curvature is a compound parabola and the second curvature is a compound parabola.

3. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 1 wherein the first axis is generally aligned with the north-south longitudinal axis of the Earth and the second axis is generally aligned with an east-west latitudinal axis for a location of the radiant energy concentrator on the Earth.

4. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 1 wherein first and second pairs of reflecting sides are formed as a single piece.

5. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 4 wherein the single piece is made of plastic coated with a reflective material.

6. A radiant energy concentrator, comprising:

a first reflector, the first reflector having a first pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a first curvature and a second pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a second curvature, the first reflector having a distal aperture for receiving radiant energy, the radiant energy being concentrated into concentrated radiant energy by the first reflector and the first reflector having a proximal aperture for transmitting the concentrated radiant energy, wherein the first curvature is different than the second curvature; and

a second reflector, the second reflector having a distal end optically coupled to the proximal end of the first reflector to receive concentrated radiant energy from the first reflector, the concentrated radiant energy being further concentrated into further concentrated radiant energy by the second reflector, the second reflector having a proximal end for transmitting the further concentrated radiant energy, the second reflector having a third pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a third curvature and a fourth pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a fourth curvature, wherein the third curvature and the fourth curvature are different than the first curvature and the second curvature.

7. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 6 wherein the first curvature is a compound parabola, the second curvature is a compound parabola, the third curvature is a compound parabola and the fourth curvature is a compound parabola.

8. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 6 wherein the first pair of reflecting sides and the third pair reflecting sides are generally aligned with the north-south longitudinal axis of the Earth and the second pair of reflecting sides and the fourth pair of reflecting sides are generally aligned with an east-west latitudinal axis for a given location of the radiant energy concentrator on Earth.

9. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 6 wherein the first reflector is hollow and the second reflector contains a solid material.

10. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 9 wherein the solid material is polymethylmethacrylate Acrylic (PMMA).

11. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 6 wherein the first reflector is hollow and the second reflector contains a material having an index of refraction greater than 1.

12. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 6 wherein the first reflector is hollow and the second reflector contains a material having an index of refraction between 1.48 and 1.52.

13. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 6 wherein the second reflector contains polymethylmethacrylate Acrylic (PMMA) coated with a reflective coating.

14. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 13 wherein the reflective coating is aluminum deposited by vacuum metallization.

15. A radiant energy concentrator, comprising:

a first reflector, the first reflector having a first pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a first curvature and a second pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a second curvature, the first reflector having a distal aperture for receiving radiant energy, the radiant energy being concentrated into concentrated radiant energy by the first reflector and the first reflector having a proximal aperture for transmitting the concentrated radiant energy, wherein the first curvature is different than the second curvature; and

a second reflector, the second reflector having a distal end optically coupled to the proximal end of the first reflector to receive concentrated radiant energy from the first reflector, the concentrated radiant energy being further concentrated into further concentrated radiant energy by the second reflector, the second reflector having a proximal end for transmitting the further concentrated radiant energy, the second reflector having a third pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a third curvature and a fourth pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a fourth curvature, wherein the third curvature and the fourth curvature are different than the first curvature and the second curvature; and

a light spreader, the light spreader optically coupled to the proximal end of the second reflector.

16. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 15 wherein the first curvature is a compound parabola, the second curvature is a compound parabola, the third curvature is a compound parabola and the fourth curvature is a compound parabola.

17. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 15 wherein the first pair of reflecting sides and the third pair reflecting sides are generally aligned with the north-south longitudinal axis of the Earth and the second pair of reflecting sides and the fourth pair of reflecting sides are generally aligned with an east-west latitudinal axis for a given location of the radiant energy concentrator on Earth.

18. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 15 wherein the first reflector is hollow and the second reflector contains a solid material.

19. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 18 wherein the solid material is polymethylmethacrylate Acrylic (PMMA).

20. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 15 wherein the first reflector is hollow and the second reflector contains a material having an index of refraction greater than 1.

21. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 15 wherein the first reflector is hollow and the second reflector contains a material having an index of refraction between 1.48 and 1.52.

22. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 15 wherein the second reflector contains polymethylmethacrylate Acrylic (PMMA) coated with a reflective coating.

23. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 22 wherein the reflective coating is aluminum deposited by vacuum metallization.

24. A radiant energy concentrator, comprising:

a first reflector, the first reflector having a first pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a first curvature and a second pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a second curvature, the first reflector having a distal aperture for receiving radiant energy, the radiant energy being concentrated into concentrated radiant energy by the first reflector and the first reflector having a proximal aperture for transmitting the concentrated radiant energy, wherein the first curvature is different than the second curvature;

a second reflector, the second reflector having a distal end optically coupled to the proximal end of the first reflector to receive concentrated radiant energy from the first reflector, the concentrated radiant energy being further concentrated into further concentrated radiant energy by the second reflector, the second reflector having a proximal end for transmitting the further concentrated radiant energy, the second reflector having a third pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a third curvature and a fourth pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a fourth curvature, wherein the third curvature and the fourth curvature are different than the first curvature and the second curvature;

a light spreader, the light spreader optically coupled to the proximal end of the second reflector; and

a photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell optically coupled to the light spreader with a clear encapsulant.

25. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 24 wherein the first curvature is a compound parabola, the second curvature is a compound parabola, the third curvature is a compound parabola and the fourth curvature is a compound parabola.

26. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 24 wherein the clear encapsulant is capable of being deposited in a thin layer.

27. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 26 wherein the clear encapsulant is selected from:

Lightspan SL-1246 optical coupling gel, Sylgard 184 Silcone rubber, Nye Optical OCK451 curable adhesive, and a combination of Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

40. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 24 wherein the first curvature is a compound parabola and the second curvature is a different compound parabola.

41. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 24 wherein the clear encapsulant is capable of being deposited in a thin layer.

42. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 26 wherein the clear encapsulant is selected from:

Lightspan SL-1246 optical coupling gel, Sylgard 184 Silcone rubber, Nye Optical OCK451 curable adhesive, and a combination of Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

28. A radiant energy concentrator, comprising:

a first reflector, the first reflector having a first pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a first curvature and a second pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a second curvature, the first reflector having a distal aperture for receiving radiant energy, the radiant energy being concentrated into concentrated radiant energy by the first reflector and the first reflector having a proximal aperture for transmitting the concentrated radiant energy, wherein the first curvature is different than the second curvature;

a second reflector, the second reflector containing a solid medium, the second reflector having a distal end optically coupled to the proximal end of the first reflector to receive concentrated radiant energy from the first reflector, the concentrated radiant energy being further concentrated into further concentrated radiant energy by the second reflector, the second reflector having a proximal end for transmitting the further concentrated radiant energy, the second reflector having a third pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a third curvature and a fourth pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a fourth curvature, wherein the third curvature and the fourth curvature are different than the first curvature and the second curvature; and

a photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell optically coupled to the solid medium with a clear encapsulant.

29. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 28 wherein the first curvature is a compound parabola, the second curvature is a compound parabola, the third curvature is a compound parabola and the fourth curvature is a compound parabola.

30. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 28 wherein the clear encapsulant is capable of being deposited in a thin layer.

31. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 28 wherein the clear encapsulant is selected from:

Lightspan SL-1246 optical coupling gel, Sylgard 184 Silcone rubber, Nye Optical OCK451 curable adhesive, and a combination of Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

32. A radiant energy concentrator, comprising:

a first pair of facing reflective sides positioned around a first axis in a solid medium, the first pair of facing reflective sides having a proximal end and a distal end, the first pair of facing reflective sides forming an aperture at the distal end to receive radiant energy, the radiant energy being concentrated by the first pair of facing reflective sides at the proximal end, the first pair of facing reflective sides having a first curvature;

a second pair of facing reflective sides positioned around a second axis in the solid medium, the second pair of facing reflective sides having a proximal end and a distal end, the second pair of facing reflective sides forming an aperture at the distal end to receive radiant energy, the radiant energy being concentrated by the second pair of facing reflective sides at the proximal end, wherein the distal end of the first pair of facing reflective sides is positioned adjacent to and at least partially transversely with the distal end of the second pair of reflective sides, the second pair of reflective sides having a second curvature, wherein the first curvature is different than the second curvature; and

a photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell optically coupled to the solid medium with a clear encapsulant.

33. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 32 wherein the first curvature is a compound parabola and the second curvature is a compound parabola.

34. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 32 wherein the clear encapsulant is capable of being deposited in a thin layer.

35. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 32 wherein the clear encapsulant is selected from:

Lightspan SL-1246 optical coupling gel, Sylgard 184 Silcone rubber, Nye Optical OCK451 curable adhesive, and a combination of Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

36. A radiant energy concentrator, comprising:

a light spreader, the light spreader containing a solid medium and having reflective sides forming a distal aperture to receive concentrated radiant energy and a proximal aperture to transmit the concentrated radiant energy; and

a photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell optically coupled with a clear encapsulant to the proximal aperture of the light spreader, the photovoltaic cell adapted to receive concentrated radiant energy from the light spreader and to convert the concentrated radiant energy into electrical power.

37. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 36 wherein the clear encapsulant is capable of being deposited in a thin layer.

38. The radiant energy concentrator of claim 37 wherein the clear encapsulant is selected from:

Lightspan SL-1246 optical coupling gel, Sylgard 184 Silcone rubber, Nye Optical OCK451 curable adhesive, and a combination of Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

39. A radiant energy concentrator, comprising:

a solid reflector, the solid reflector having a first pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a first curvature and a second pair of facing reflective sides at least partially curved to form a second curvature, the solid reflector having a distal aperture for receiving radiant energy, the radiant energy being concentrated into concentrated radiant energy by the solid reflector and the solid reflector having a proximal aperture for transmitting the concentrated radiant energy;

a light spreader, the light spreader optically coupled to the proximal end of the second reflector; and

a photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell optically coupled to the light spreader with a clear encapsulant.