US4002031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solar energy converter with waste heat engine
Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1975-07-07
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Granted: 1977-01-11
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Expires: 1995-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A solar energy converter uses gallium arsenide photovoltaic cells to convert light to direct current. Optical concentrators reduce the needed area of cells. Gallium arsenide retains high conversion efficiency up to several hundred degrees, so the waste heat may be used to produce mechanical power in a Rankine cycle engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald L. Bell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 08:55
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F10/00; H10F10/10; H10F10/14; H10F10/144; F; F03; F03G; F03G6/00; F03G6/001; F03G6/06; F03G6/065; F03G6/067; H02; H02S; H02S40/00; H02S40/40; H02S40/44; H10F77/00; H10F77/20; H10F77/206; H10F77/211; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/484; H10F77/488; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/46; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52; Y02E10/544; Y02E10/60
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A solar energy converter comprising: collector means for concentrating solar electromagnetic radiation, a gallium arsenide junction cell for receiving said concentrated radiation and converting a portion thereof to electrical energy, means for transferring heat from said cell to a circulating fluid, and heat engine means for converting a portion of said heat to mechanical energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A solar energy converter comprising: collector means for concentrating solar electromagnetic radiation, a gallium arsenide junction cell for receiving said concentrated radiation and converting a portion thereof to electrical energy, means for transferring heat from said cell to a circulating fluid, and heat engine means for converting a portion of said heat to mechanical energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gallium arsenide cell comprises a layer of gallium aluminum arsenide as a transparent contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said layer of gallium aluminum arsenide is an epitaxial layer on the side of said cell receiving said concentrated radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cell includes an apertured, metallically conductive contact layer on the side of said cell receiving said concentrated radiation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said contact layer overlays a layer of expitaxial gallium aluminum arsenide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-11 | 1980-07-12 | 1981-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-11 | 1984-07-12 | 1985-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-11 | 1988-07-12 | 1989-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |