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US 6,091,017 AGranted
Solar concentrator array
AssigneeComposite Optics, Inc.
InventorTheodore G. Stern
Life of this patent
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AssigneeComposite Optics, Inc.
InventorTheodore G. Stern
Estimating the term…
A high efficiency, light weight solar concentrator array particularly suitable for use with space vehicles. Parallel rows of mirror assemblies are mounted on a base plate having high thermal conductivity. Each mirror assembly comprises back-to-back mirror strips having reflecting front faces. Photovoltaic cells are placed ion the base plate between rows of mirror assemblies. The reflecting faces reflect incident light to the photovoltaic cells to produce electric power. Preferably, the reflecting faces have a cylindrical parabolic configuration with a line of focus approximately along the interface between the photovoltaic cell and the edge of the opposite mirror strip adjacent to the cell. The mirror strips may typically be roll formed from metal strips, cast from fiber reinforced plastic material and coated with a reflecting layers, etc. The rows may be mounted on the base plate by strips across the ends of mirror assemblies, or by additional mirror assemblies arranged transverse to the original mirror assembles.
A solar concentrator array, which comprises:
A solar concentrator array, which comprises:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.