Black body infrared antenna array

• US 9,917,225 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2015
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Novasolix, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Novasolix, Inc.
• Inventors: Cooke, Laurence H., Allen, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trivisonno, Angelo
• Application Number:
  US14/871,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20160027949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/035209 comprising a quantum structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/04 adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices testing thereof during manufacture H01L22/00; testing thereof after manufacture H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0475 PV cell arrays made by cells in a planar, e.g. repetitive, configuration on a single semiconductor substrate; PV cell microarrays PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate H01L31/046
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/055 where light is absorbed and re-emitted at a different wavelength by the optical element directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. by using luminescent material, fluorescent concentrators or up-conversion arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/108 the potential barrier being of the Schottky type
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/30 Thermophotovoltaic systems photovoltaic cells specially adapted for conversion or sensing of infrared [IR] radiation H01L31/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/22 Light-reflecting or light-concentrating means directly associated with the PV cell or integrated with the PV cell H01L31/054
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/52 PV systems with concentrators

Abstract

A solar antenna array may comprise an emitter that may convert visible light into black body infrared radiation, and an array of antennas that may capture and convert the black body radiation into electrical power. Methods for constructing the solar antenna array may include using thermal insulation, high-gain low-e glass, and gasses with minimal heat transfer. A black body infrared antenna array may augment the electrical power from a visible light antenna array by converting its waste heat into additional electrical power.

Claims

1. An antenna array configured to convert solar energy into electrical power, comprising:

a high-gain low-e glass plate;

uniformly, horizontally-spaced alternating power and ground sloped metal ridges disposed on a plastic base, wherein the horizontal spacing is in a first direction;

carbon nanotube antennas of randomly varying lengths connected between the power sloped metal ridges and ground sloped metal ridges;

thin film metal power lines under the plastic base connecting the power sloped metal ridges together; and

thin film metal ground lines under the plastic base connecting the ground sloped metal ridges together;

wherein the power and ground sloped metal ridges are aligned in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, and are sloped with respect to respective planes extending in a third direction perpendicular to a plane formed by the first and second directions; and

wherein visible light is transmitted to the antennas through the high-gain low-e glass plate, and wherein the antennas are designed to capture black body infrared radiation reflected between the high-gain low-e plate and the thin film metal power lines and thin film metal ground lines.

2. The antenna array as in claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotube antennas are randomly connected with known distributions of lengths and directions.

3. The antenna array as in claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotube antennas are each connected to the power sloped metal ridges by respective metal-oxide-carbon diodes.

4. The antenna array as in claim 1, wherein the carbon nanotube antennas are each connected to the power sloped metal ridges by respective point contact diodes.