Variable aperture, variable flux density, aerospace solar collector
First Claim
1. A method for annealing photovoltaic cells in space, said cells being substantially at the focus of a solar energy concentrator, said focus having a flux density and an effective area, comprising the steps of:
- increasing said flux density of said focus and decreased said effective area of said focus on said cells, thereby causing increased localized heating in said effective area on said cells, said localized heating acting to rejuvenate electrical characteristics of said cells;
moving said effective area across said cells, thereby subjecting additional surface area of said cell to said localized heating.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trough-type reflecting solar concentrator and receiver system for aerospace use is disclosed. The reflecting surface is a thin flexible sheet attached to and disposed between curved ribs. The amount of the sheet reflecting sunlight can be changed by winding the unnecessary quantity of sheet onto a roll. The focal length of the curved ribs and therefore the sheet can be changed by flexurally deforming the curved ribs by applying end loads, causing a change in the flux density at the receiver. A similar result is achieved by changing the distance between the reflecting surface and the receiver. The receiver is a photovoltaic array, thermal absorber, or a combination of both. Means for proportioning the amount of energy incident on each type of receiver is disclosed. A spectral splitting thermal absorber with scattering capability is disclosed as a pre-filter for the photovoltaic array.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for annealing photovoltaic cells in space, said cells being substantially at the focus of a solar energy concentrator, said focus having a flux density and an effective area, comprising the steps of:
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increasing said flux density of said focus and decreased said effective area of said focus on said cells, thereby causing increased localized heating in said effective area on said cells, said localized heating acting to rejuvenate electrical characteristics of said cells; moving said effective area across said cells, thereby subjecting additional surface area of said cell to said localized heating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A solar collector for use in space, comprising:
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a curved reflector which redirects incoming solar energy to a focus location, a photovoltaic cell, positioned in proximity to said focus location, said cell intercepting said energy, said intercepted energy having a flux density and an effective area, means for remotely increasing said flux density and decreasing said effective area, thereby producing localized heating in said effective area. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification