US4253880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1978-09-05
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Granted: 1981-03-03
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Expires: 1998-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A device is described for the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy with the aid of a photo-voltaic cell. A central lens forms a round radiation spot on the radiation-sensitive area of the cell, while a toric mirror arranged round the lens forms an annular radiation spot. Thus, it is ensured that the entire area of the cell remains illuminated, independent of the movement of the sun relative to the cell. Owing to the selected intensity distribution in the radiation spots a satisfactory efficiency of the cell can be maintained even at a high concentration of the solar energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques Bellugue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:34
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/40; H10F77/42; H10F77/488; F; F24; F24S; F24S23/00; F24S23/30; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/40; Y02E10/44; Y02E10/50; Y02E10/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for concentrating radiant energy such as solar energy or the like onto a radiation-sensitive cell, said device comprising a radiation sensitive cell and optical means including a central lens and an annular toric mirror positioned to form from radiation incident thereon an annular radiation spot in the plane of the cell such that the outer periphery of said annular spot coincides with the periphery of the cell in the case of correct alignment and arranged so that a sector of the toric mirror illuminates a sector of the cell which is disposed opposite said sector of said mirror relative to the optical axis of the lens-mirror system, and said lens being positioned to form from radiation incident thereon a radiation spot in the plane of the cell of an area which is substantially equal to the radiation-sensitive area of said cell so that the resultant radiation spot formed on said cell by said lens-mirror system has a radiation intensity which is smaller in the center than at the periphery.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for concentrating radiant energy such as solar energy or the like onto a radiation-sensitive cell, said device comprising a radiation sensitive cell and optical means including a central lens and an annular toric mirror positioned to form from radiation incident thereon an annular radiation spot in the plane of the cell such that the outer periphery of said annular spot coincides with the periphery of the cell in the case of correct alignment and arranged so that a sector of the toric mirror illuminates a sector of the cell which is disposed opposite said sector of said mirror relative to the optical axis of the lens-mirror system, and said lens being positioned to form from radiation incident thereon a radiation spot in the plane of the cell of an area which is substantially equal to the radiation-sensitive area of said cell so that the resultant radiation spot formed on said cell by said lens-mirror system has a radiation intensity which is smaller in the center than at the periphery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generatrix of the toric mirror is a parabola.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the lens and the mirror form part of a glass bulb, resembling the shape of a cathode-ray tube, the lens being disposed in the front plane of the bulb and the mirror comprising a reflecting portion of the surface of the bulb.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
166 words
A device for concentrating radiant energy, such as solar energy or the like, onto a radiation-sensitive cell, said device comprising a radiation sensitive cell and optical means including a central lens and an annular toric mirror, the ratio of the outer diameter of said mirror and the diameter of said lens being substantially equal to √2:1, said mirror being positioned to form from radiation incident thereon an annular radiation spot in the plane of the cell such that the outer periphery of said annular spot coincides with the periphery of the cell in the case of correct alignment and being arranged so that a sector of said mirror illuminates a sector of the cell which is disposed opposite said sector of said mirror relative to the optical axis of the lens-mirror system, and said lens being positioned to form from radiation incident thereon a radiation spot in the plane of the cell of an area which is substantially equal to the radiation-sensitive area of said cell.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
166 words
A device for concentrating radiant energy, such as solar energy or the like, onto a radiation-sensitive cell, said device comprising a radiation sensitive cell and optical means including a central lens and an annular toric mirror, the ratio of the outer diameter of said mirror and the diameter of said lens being substantially equal to √2:1, said mirror being positioned to form from radiation incident thereon an annular radiation spot in the plane of the cell such that the outer periphery of said annular spot coincides with the periphery of the cell in the case of correct alignment and being arranged so that a sector of said mirror illuminates a sector of the cell which is disposed opposite said sector of said mirror relative to the optical axis of the lens-mirror system, and said lens being positioned to form from radiation incident thereon a radiation spot in the plane of the cell of an area which is substantially equal to the radiation-sensitive area of said cell.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-02 | 1984-09-01 | 1985-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-02 | 1988-09-01 | 1989-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-02 | 1992-09-01 | 1993-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |