Tubular solar cell devices
First Claim
1. A solar cell unit comprising a tubular semiconductor body having an outer radiation-receiving region of a first conductivity type and an inner region of a second opposite conductivity type separated by a P-N or N-P junction, and .[.electrically conductive contacts.]. .Iadd.first and second electrodes respectively carried on opposite sides of said junction .Iaddend.for coupling said outer and inner regions to an external circuit .Iadd., said first electrode comprising a plurality of contacts electrically-connected to one another and to said outer radiation-receiving region. .Iaddend.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Tubular solar cells are provided which can be coupled together in series and parallel arrays to form an integrated structure. Solar energy concentrators are combined with the solar cells to maximize their power output. The solar cells may be cooled by circulating a heat exchange fluid through the interior of the solar cells and the heat captured by such fluid may be utilized, for example, to provide hot water for a heating system. The coolant circulating system of the solar cells also may be integrated with a solar thermal device so as to form a two-stage heating system, whereby the coolant is preheated as it cools the solar cells and then is heated further by the solar thermal device.
76 Citations
35 Claims
- 1. A solar cell unit comprising a tubular semiconductor body having an outer radiation-receiving region of a first conductivity type and an inner region of a second opposite conductivity type separated by a P-N or N-P junction, and .[.electrically conductive contacts.]. .Iadd.first and second electrodes respectively carried on opposite sides of said junction .Iaddend.for coupling said outer and inner regions to an external circuit .Iadd., said first electrode comprising a plurality of contacts electrically-connected to one another and to said outer radiation-receiving region. .Iaddend.
- 13. A solar cell unit comprising a .Iadd.self-supporting .Iaddend.tubular electrically semiconductive body having a radiation-receiving outer surface and an inner surface, said body also having annular regions of N-type conductivity and P-type conductivity that are separated by a P-N junction, one of said regions being contiguous with said outer surface and the other of said regions being contiguous with said inner surface, said P-N junction extending generally parallel with and lying close to said outer surface, and contact means .Iadd.forming a single electrode .Iaddend.on .Iadd.each of .Iaddend.said outer and inner surfaces .Iadd.respectively .Iaddend.for coupling said cell to an external circuit.Iadd., said electrode on said outer surface comprising a plurality of contacts electrically connected to one another and to said outer surface. .Iaddend.
- 16. A solar cell array comprising a plurality of solar cell units .Iadd.electrically-connected to one another.Iaddend., each unit comprising a tubular electrically semiconductive body having an outer radiation-receiving region of one conductivity type and an inner region of another conductivity type separated by a P-N or N-P junction, and .[.electrically conductive contacts.]. .Iadd.first and second electrodes electrically .Iaddend.connected to said outer and inner regions .Iadd.respectively .Iaddend.of .Iadd.each of .Iaddend.said bodies for coupling said solar cell units to an exterior circuit.Iadd., said first electrode comprising a plurality of contacts electrically-connected to one another and to said outer radiation-receiving region. .Iaddend.
- 20. A solar cell array comprising a plurality of solar cell units, each of said units comprising a hollow electrically semiconductive body having an outer radiation-receiving region of one conductivity type and an inner region of another conductivity type separated by a P-N junction, at least some of said units being disposed so that their hollow bodies are disposed end-to-end, means mechanically interconnecting said end-to-end bodies, and electrically conductive contacts connected to said outer and inner regions of said bodies for coupling said solar cell units to an external circuit.
- 26. A tubular photovoltaic semiconductor barrier device comprising a tubular semiconductor body, a surface on the outer side of said body forming a radiation-receiving region, means forming a photovoltaic junction between said surface and said body, and .[.ohmic contacts.]. .Iadd.first and second electrodes electrically-connected .Iaddend.on .Iadd.respective .Iaddend.opposite sides of said junction for coupling said device to an external circuit .Iadd.said first electrode comprising a plurality of ohmic contacts electrically-connected together and to said radiation-receiving region. .Iaddend.
- 31. A photovoltaic device comprising a tubular semiconductive body having radially spaced outer and inner surfaces, an outer radiation-receiving region of a first conductivity type extending inwardly of said body from said outer surface and an inner region of a second conductivity type material extending radially outward away from said inner surface, with said outer and inner regions forming a rectifying junction which is generally parallel and close to said outer surface and is capable of generating a current in response to radiant energy passing .[.thorugh.]. .Iadd.through .Iaddend.said outer surface into said outer region, and first and second electrodes carried by said body and connected to said outer and inner regions respectively for coupling said device to an external circuit .Iadd.wherein said first electrode comprises a plurality of contacts electrically-connected to one another and to said outer region. .Iaddend.
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33. A photovoltaic device comprising a tubular body which is made of silicon and has an outer radiation-receiving region of a first conductivity type silicon and an inner region of a second conductivity type silicon, with said outer and inner regions forming a semiconductor rectifying junction which is capable of generating a current in response to radiant energy impinging upon said outer region, and first and second electrodes connected to said .[.first.]. .Iadd.outer .Iaddend.and .[.second.]. .Iadd.inner .Iaddend.regions .Iadd.respectively .Iaddend.for coupling said device into an external circuit, .Iadd.wherein said first electrode comprises a plurality of contacts electrically-connected to one another and to said outer region. .Iaddend.
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34. A solar cell array comprising a plurality of tubular solar cell units, each unit comprising a tubular semiconductor body having a radiation-receiving outer surface and a rectifying junction closely adjacent to and generally parallel to said outer surface, at least two of said solar cell units being disposed so that the said tubular bodies thereof are aligned end-to-end, means mechanically interconnecting said at least two solar cell units so that the said tubular bodies thereof are retained in end-to-end alignment, electrically conductive .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.electrodes .Iaddend.connected to said bodies at .Iadd.respective .Iaddend.opposite sides of the said rectifying junctions .[.thereof.]., .Iadd.one of said electrodes including a plurality of contacts electrically-connected to one another and to said radiation receiving outer surface .Iaddend.and means attached to the .[.contacts.]. .Iadd.electrodes .Iaddend.of said at least two solar cell units for electrically interconnecting said at least two solar cell units.
Specification