Solar panel unit
First Claim
1. A solar energy conversion system, comprising:
- a top fluid impervious sheet that freely passes solar radiant energy;
a plurality of photoelectric cell means arranged in a plane spaced below and parallel to said top sheet for receiving the solar radiant energy and directly converting a portion into electricity and converting substantially the remainder into heat;
means electrically connecting said photoelectric cell means in a power producing circuit;
a thermopile means below said photoelectric cell means for receiving the heat, converting a portion of the heat into electrical energy, and transmitting the remainder of the heat downwardly;
support means between said array of photoelectric cell means and said thermopile means for electrically insullating said thermopile means from said photoelectric cell means, for conducting heat downwardly, and converting any radiant energy directly received thereon into heat;
a planar heat sink means immediately below said thermopile means for receiving and transmitting downwardly the heat transmitted by said thermopile means; and
liquid conduit means beneath and in heat exchange relationship with said heat sink means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The elements of the solar panel are arranged generally in parallel planes that, starting from the top, include a transparent sheet, a plurality of converging lenses, a plurality of solar cells arranged in electrical series respectively aligned with the converging lenses, an electrically insulating support plate that together with the sides of the solar unit and the top sheet form a vacuum chamber for the lenses and solar cells to reduce heat transfer by convection and conduction upwardly from the solar cells, a thermopile, a heat sink plate receiving heat from the thermopile, heat transfer fins receiving heat from the heat sink plate, a serpentine conduit in heat exchange with the heat fins, thermal insulation, and a bottom plate that is connected to the side walls. Two side walls contain mating couplings for each of the conduit, thermopile, and photoelectric cells so that two adjacent panels may be interconnected with such couplings to provide fluid connection and electrical connection between the adjacent panels.
124 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A solar energy conversion system, comprising:
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a top fluid impervious sheet that freely passes solar radiant energy; a plurality of photoelectric cell means arranged in a plane spaced below and parallel to said top sheet for receiving the solar radiant energy and directly converting a portion into electricity and converting substantially the remainder into heat; means electrically connecting said photoelectric cell means in a power producing circuit; a thermopile means below said photoelectric cell means for receiving the heat, converting a portion of the heat into electrical energy, and transmitting the remainder of the heat downwardly; support means between said array of photoelectric cell means and said thermopile means for electrically insullating said thermopile means from said photoelectric cell means, for conducting heat downwardly, and converting any radiant energy directly received thereon into heat; a planar heat sink means immediately below said thermopile means for receiving and transmitting downwardly the heat transmitted by said thermopile means; and liquid conduit means beneath and in heat exchange relationship with said heat sink means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification