Solar cell electric and heating system
First Claim
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1. A power pack unit for converting solar energy into electric energy, said pack comprising:
- a substantially sealed, weather tight enclosure having a planar bottom of rigid material, upstanding side walls and a top of transparent material;
a plurality of light sensitive, voltage producing solar cells arranged in spaced array on said bottom, each cell being of predetermined area;
a plurality of truncated conical reflectors arranged in spaced array in said enclosure, between said cells and said top for collecting sunlight and heat from a larger total area than the total area of said cells and reflecting said light into said cellsand means mounting each said truncated conical reflector with its small end at a predetermined spaced distance above said bottom and its large end at a spaced distance below said top to permit circulation of air within and around said enclosure.
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Abstract
A system for converting solar energy into electric energy at reduced cost makes use of an array of light sensitive, voltage producing solar cells of the flat disc silicon type. To increase power, while using fewer costly cells, each cell of the array has a truncated conical shell mounted on legs at a spaced distance thereover, the shell having a mirror-like reflective inner surface. Thus, sunlight is received in the large end and reflected through the small end to the cell. A sealed, weather-tight enclosure for the array, has fluid inlets and outlets for producing heat, the heat conductive shells absorbing and radiating heat.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A power pack unit for converting solar energy into electric energy, said pack comprising:
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a substantially sealed, weather tight enclosure having a planar bottom of rigid material, upstanding side walls and a top of transparent material; a plurality of light sensitive, voltage producing solar cells arranged in spaced array on said bottom, each cell being of predetermined area; a plurality of truncated conical reflectors arranged in spaced array in said enclosure, between said cells and said top for collecting sunlight and heat from a larger total area than the total area of said cells and reflecting said light into said cells and means mounting each said truncated conical reflector with its small end at a predetermined spaced distance above said bottom and its large end at a spaced distance below said top to permit circulation of air within and around said enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A power pack unit for converting solar energy into electric energy, said pack comprising:
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a plurality of electrically-linked, light sensitive, voltage producing solar cells arranged in spaced array on a rigid backing; a plurality of open-ended, truncated-conical light-collector shells of heat conductive sheet metal, each with its large end adapted to face the sun, the inner surface of its truncated conical side wall having a light reflective surface and its small end supported on legs at a spaced distance above said backing, to encircle a said cell; and weathertight enclosure means on said backing, enclosing said cells and shells, said means including a transparent top at a predetermined distance above the large ends of said shells for admitting sunlight thereinto, whereby air may circulate around the large ends, side walls and small ends of said shells. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A system for converting solar energy into electric energy while also producing heat, said system comprising:
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a building having a plurality of electric appliances and a hot air heating system and; a power pack unit, said unit including; a weathertight, insulated, enclosure associated with said building, said enclosure having a rigid planar bottom, side walls upstanding therefrom and a transparent top; said enclosure being inclined at a selected angle to the horizontal with said transparent top facing generally South; a plurality of electrically-linked, light-sensitive voltage-producing solar cells spaced on said bottom, each of predetermined area; a plurality of truncated-conical shells of heat conductive material mounted within said enclosure, each having leg means supporting its small end at a spaced distance above, and encircling one of said cells, its inner side wall having a reflective surface and its large end at a spaced distance below said transparent top and facing the sun electric circuit means including said cells, a one way diode, a weries of storage batteries and said appliances;
further includingliquid circulation means within said enclosure; and air heating means including a cold air inlet to said enclosure connected to the space within said building, heat conductive material forming said shells, and a hot air outlet from said enclosure connected to the hot air heating system of said building, said means including a heat storage member of fire brick interposed between said enclosure and said hot air heating system. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A power pack unit for converting solar energy into electric energy, said pack comprising:
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a substantially sealed, weather tight enclosure having a planar bottom of rigid material, upstanding side walls and a top of transparent material; a plurality of light sensitive, voltage producing solar cells arranged in spaced array on said bottom, each cell being of predetermined area; a plurality of truncated conical reflectors arranged in spaced array in said enclosure, between said cells and said top for collecting sunlight and heat from a larger total area than the total area of said cells and reflecting light into said cells, each said shell being of heat conductive material, having a mirror-like inner surface reflecting light, received in the large end thereof, through the open small end thereof into a cell mounted below said small end thereof; means mounting each said truncated conical reflector with its said small end at a predetermined spaced distance above said bottom to permit circulation of air within and around said enclosure; and said enclosure having a cold air inlet and a hot air outlet. whereby said cells generate electricity while said reflectors absorb heat from the sun to heat air within said enclosure.
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Specification