Apparatus for collecting, distributing and utilizing solar radiation
First Claim
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1. A panel structure for collecting and distributing electromagnetic radiation, said panel structure comprising:
- (a) a radiation gathering means for gathering electromagnetic radiation incident thereon and for transmitting electromagnetic radiation so gathered;
(b) light collection chamber means positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation transmitted from said radiation gathering means, said radiation gathering means including a plurality of cell structures each having a focusing means for focusing electromagnetic radiation incident thereon toward said light collection chamber means, the exterior surface of said light collection chamber means including at least one optical window positioned relative to each said cell structure such that the electromagnetic radiation focused by each said focusing means toward said light collection chamber means passes through said optical window to be received by said light collection chamber means;
(c) reflecting means mounted within said light collection chamber means for redirecting the electromagnetic radiation received by said light collecton chamber means; and
(d) light trap means for capturing the electromagnetic radiation redirected by said reflecting means and for conducting the electromagnetic radiation so captured away from said light collection chamber, said light trap means including at least one transparent entrance window means positioned along the interior surface of said light collection chamber means to enable the electromagnetic radiation redirected by said reflecting means to enter said light trap means.
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Abstract
The apparatus for collecting, distributing and utilizing solar radiation includes a solar collection panel (24) having an array of solar gathering cells (1, 37) which provide radiation to a light collecting unit (3, 4, 39). This light collecting unit (3, 4, 39) provides radiation as a single beam to a lens system (5, 7) which provides a coherent beam to a lightpipe (8). This beam is then directed to use units such as a light to electricity converter (100, 154), heat distributing elements (202, 213, 230, 244, 270) and light distributing elements (322, 336, and 348).
196 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A panel structure for collecting and distributing electromagnetic radiation, said panel structure comprising:
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(a) a radiation gathering means for gathering electromagnetic radiation incident thereon and for transmitting electromagnetic radiation so gathered; (b) light collection chamber means positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation transmitted from said radiation gathering means, said radiation gathering means including a plurality of cell structures each having a focusing means for focusing electromagnetic radiation incident thereon toward said light collection chamber means, the exterior surface of said light collection chamber means including at least one optical window positioned relative to each said cell structure such that the electromagnetic radiation focused by each said focusing means toward said light collection chamber means passes through said optical window to be received by said light collection chamber means; (c) reflecting means mounted within said light collection chamber means for redirecting the electromagnetic radiation received by said light collecton chamber means; and (d) light trap means for capturing the electromagnetic radiation redirected by said reflecting means and for conducting the electromagnetic radiation so captured away from said light collection chamber, said light trap means including at least one transparent entrance window means positioned along the interior surface of said light collection chamber means to enable the electromagnetic radiation redirected by said reflecting means to enter said light trap means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A panel structure for collecting and distributing electromagnetic radiation, said panel structure comprising:
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(a) a radiation gathering means for gathering electromagnetic radiation incident thereon and for transmitting the electromagnetic energy so gathered;
said radiation gathering means including lens means for collecting radiation over a wide angular range and focusing the radiation so collected into a narrow beam and optical window means positioned to receive said narrow beam of radiation, said optical window means including an aperture bounded by curved mirror surfaces diverging outwardly from said aperture toward said lens means;(b) and light transmitting means positioned to receive said beam of radition from said optical window and operating to transmit said radiation as a single beam. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A panel structure for collecting and distributing electromagnetic radiation, said panel structure comprising:
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(a) a radiation gathering means for gathering electromagnetic radiation incident thereon and for transmitting the electromagnetic energy so gathered; (b) light collection chamber means positioned to receive the electromagnetic radiation transmitted from said radiation gathering means; (c) reflecting means mounted within said light collection chamber means for redirecting the electromagnetic radiation received by said light collection chamber means, said reflecting means including a plurality of conically shaped mirrors; and (d) light trap means for capturing the electromagnetic radiation redirected by said reflecting means and for conducting the electromagnetic radiation so captured away from said light collection chamber, said light trap means including at least one entrance window means positioned along the interior surface of said light collection chamber means to enable the electromagnetic radiation redirected by said reflecting means to enter said light trap means. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification