THIN FILM HOLOGRAPHIC SOLAR CONCENTRATOR/COLLECTOR
First Claim
1. A device for collecting solar energy comprising:
- first and second light guide layers guiding light therein;
a first photocell;
a first plurality of diffractive features disposed to redirect ambient light incident on said first light guide layer; and
a second plurality of diffractive features disposed to redirect ambient light incident on said second light guide layer,wherein light is guided in said first and second light guide layers to said first photocell.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In various embodiments described herein, a device comprising one or more light guides that is optically coupled to one or more photocells is described. The device further comprises one or more light turning films or layers comprising volume or surface diffractive features or holograms. Light incident on the light guides is turned by volume or surface diffractive features or holograms that are reflective or transmissive and guided through the light guides by multiple total internal reflections. The guided light is directed towards the photocells. In certain embodiments, solar energy is also used to power or heat a thermal generator to heat water or produce electricity from steam. Various embodiments may comprise an air gap or an optical isolation layer disposed between the multiple light guides.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. A device for collecting solar energy comprising:
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first and second light guide layers guiding light therein; a first photocell; a first plurality of diffractive features disposed to redirect ambient light incident on said first light guide layer; and a second plurality of diffractive features disposed to redirect ambient light incident on said second light guide layer, wherein light is guided in said first and second light guide layers to said first photocell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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3. The device of claim 3, wherein said plastic comprises acrylic, polycarbonate, polyester or cyclo-olefin polymer.
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38. A method of fabricating a device for collecting solar energy, the method comprising:
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providing first and second light guide layers guiding light therein, said first light guide layer including a first plurality of diffractive features therein and said second light guide layer including a second plurality of diffractive features therein; providing a first photocell; wherein light is guided in said first and second light guide layers to said first photocell. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A device for collecting solar energy comprising:
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first and second means for guiding light; a first means for absorbing light, said light absorbing means configured to produce an electrical signal as a result of light absorbed by the light absorbing means; a first plurality of means for diffracting light, said light diffracting means configured to redirect ambient light incident on said first light guiding means; and a second plurality of means for diffracting light, said light diffracting means configured to redirect ambient light incident on said second light guiding means, wherein light is guided in said first and second light guiding means to said first light absorbing means. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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45. A device for collecting solar energy comprising:
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at least one light collector, said light collector comprising a light guide having a top and bottom surface and a plurality of diffractive features configured to redirect ambient light incident on said top surface of said light guide; at least one photocell; and a solar thermal generator. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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53. A device for collecting solar energy comprising:
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at least one means for collecting light, said light collecting means comprising a means for guiding light, said light guiding means having a top and bottom surface and a plurality of means for diffracting light, said light diffracting means configured to redirect ambient light incident on said top surface of said light guiding means; at least one means for absorbing light, said light absorbing means configured to produce an electrical signal as a result of light absorbed by the light absorbing means; and a means for converting thermal energy into electrical or mechanical energy. - View Dependent Claims (54)
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55. A method of manufacturing a device for collecting solar energy, the method comprising:
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providing at least one light collector, said light collector comprising a light guide having a top and bottom surface and a plurality of diffractive features configured to redirect ambient light incident on said top surface of said light guide; providing at least one photocell; and providing a solar thermal generator. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57)
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Specification