Photovoltaic concentrator system

Abstract

A light weight photovoltaic concentrator having a foldable, easily deployed structure for concentrating solar rays on solar cells for generating electricity is disclosed. The photovoltaic concentrator features a concentrator which can be inflated, for ease of deployment, to a shape for reflecting sunlight onto solar cells. The solar cells are protected from overheating by a protective infrared coating and by being attached to a heat pipe with a fin for radiating excess heat. The inflatable concentrator is inflated by gas stored in the central arm which supports one end of the concentrator. The concentrator is inflated until the epicenters of the front and rear surfaces reach a specified distance and the concentrator is thereafter maintained at this position by addition of additional gas as needed to compensate for leakage. The concentrator may have a means of stiffening the inflated reflective surface by chemical changes activated after the concentrator is deployed. The concentrator may also be made of a more rigid material rather than be inflatable.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.