SOLAR CONCENTRATING MIRROR
First Claim
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1. An article comprising:
- (a) multilayer optical film having an optical stack comprising a plurality of alternating layers, the alternating layers having at least one birefringent polymer layer and at least one second polymer layer;
(b) and a compliant UV protective layer applied onto a surface of the multilayer optical film, wherein the article reflects at least a major portion of the average light across the range of wavelengths that corresponds with the absorption bandwidth of a selected solar cell and either transmits or absorbs a major portion of light outside the absorption bandwidth of the selected solar cell.
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Abstract
An article that is suitable for use as a solar concentrating mirror for enhancing the use of solar collection devices, such as solar cells. The article includes a multilayer optical film and a compliant UV protective layer. The article addresses degradation issues in solar concentration devices, provides specific bandwidths of electromagnetic energy to the solar cell while eliminating or reducing undesirable bandwidths of electromagnetic energy that may degrade or adversely affect the solar cell, and renders a compliant sheet of material that may be readily formed into a multitude of shapes or constructions for end use applications.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An article comprising:
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(a) multilayer optical film having an optical stack comprising a plurality of alternating layers, the alternating layers having at least one birefringent polymer layer and at least one second polymer layer; (b) and a compliant UV protective layer applied onto a surface of the multilayer optical film, wherein the article reflects at least a major portion of the average light across the range of wavelengths that corresponds with the absorption bandwidth of a selected solar cell and either transmits or absorbs a major portion of light outside the absorption bandwidth of the selected solar cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 23, 24)
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14. An article comprising:
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(a) one or more solar cells having an absorption bandwidth; (b) one or more compliant films positioned in proximity to the solar cell, wherein the film is a combination of (i) multilayer optical film having an optical stack having a plurality of alternating layers, the alternating layers having at least one birefringent polymer and at least one second polymer; and
(ii) and a UV protective layer applied onto a surface of the multilayer optical film, wherein the compliant film reflects at least a major portion of the average light across the range of wavelengths that corresponds with the absorption conversion bandwidth of the solar cell onto the solar cell and does not reflect onto the solar cell a major portion of light outside the absorption bandwidth of the solar cell. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26)
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27. A method comprising positioning a compliant film in proximity to a solar cell wherein the film is a combination of (i) multilayer optical film having an optical stack having a plurality of alternating layers, the alternating layers having at least one birefringent polymer and at least one second polymer;
- and (ii) and a UV protective layer applied onto a surface of the multilayer optical film, wherein the compliant film reflects at least a major portion of the average light across the range of wavelengths that corresponds with the absorption bandwidth of the solar cell onto the solar cell and does not reflect onto the solar cell a major portion of light outside the absorption bandwidth of the solar cell.
Specification