Heat sink systems for large-size photovoltaic receiver

• US 20120211051A1
• Filed: 02/22/2011
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alexander Levin, Hanan Levin
• Original Assignee: Alexander Levin, Hanan Levin
• Inventors: Levin, Alexander, Levin, Hanan
• Application Number:
  US12/932,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20120211051A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/246
• 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: H02S 40/44 Means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems producing warm water and electricity at the same time directly associated with the PV cell or integrated with the PV cell H01L31/0525
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/60 Thermal-PV hybrids

Abstract

An invention proposes a heat sink system for large-size photovoltaic receivers of tower-type solar power stations with application of an array of heliostats intended to concentrate solar radiation on the photovoltaic receiver.

The heat sink system is designed as a two-phase thermo-siphon and it can ensure a stable temperature on all photovoltaic cells installed on the large-size receiver with very small deviations of the temperatures from one photovoltaic cell to another.

Claims

1. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station with application of an array of heliostats for concentration of solar radiation on said large-size photovoltaic receiver;

said large-size photovoltaic receiver is designed as a heat sink unit with photovoltaic cells mounted on the outer side of said heat sink unit;

said heat sink unit comprises an evaporator chamber and a condenser being in fluid communication with said evaporation chamber ;

said condenser is positioned at somewhat higher level regarding said evaporation chamber;

said evaporation chamber comprises ;

a large-size metal plate with photovoltaic cells installed on its external surface, the internal surface of this metal plate is provided with a capillary structure with open porosity;

a distributing means installed on the upper section of the internal side of said large-size metal plate;

said evaporation chamber includes in addition;

lateral walls and a rear wall with an outlet connection for removal of vapors of the working medium and at least one inlet connection for supply of said liquid working medium into said distributing means, and an array of spacers installed on the internal side of said rear wall;

said condenser is designed as a heat exchanger of the recuperative type;

said condenser is provided with inlet and outlet connections, which are in fluid communication with said outlet and inlet connections of said evaporation chamber;

a vacuum pump and a cooler-separator, which are in fluid communication with said condenser and said evaporation chamber;

said vacuum pump and cooler-separator serve for periodical removal of non-condensable gases from the interiors of said condenser and said evaporation chamber;

a pressure gauge, which is measuring the internal pressure in said evaporation chamber;

a cooler serving for cooling and condensation of said working medium vapors in said condenser;

said vacuum pump and said cooler ensure such pressure of said working medium in said evaporation chamber and said condenser, which is lower than the atmospheric pressure;

a control block that regulates the rate of cooling said working medium vapors in said condenser.

2. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear wall of the evaporation chamber comprises a plate ith openings and their flanging;

pressure pins with heads are installed by their proximal ends in said flanging and joined with them by welding;

said heads are provided with slots, which serve for fastening spring-wise members.

3. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pressure pins are joined with the flanging of the openings by soldering.

4. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pressure pins are joined with the flanging of the openings by brazing.

5. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spring-wise members are designed as flat springs.

6. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working medium is water.

7. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working medium is methanol.

8. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working medium is ethanol.

9. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the working medium is acetone.

10. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a valve, which is installed on the fluid communication line between the condenser and the vacuum pump.

11. A large-size photovoltaic receiver of a tower-type solar power station as claimed in claim 1, wherein flexibility of the rear wall is higher than flexibility of the large-size metal plate.