Solar energy concentrator and converter
AssigneePrometheus Technology, Inc.
InventorsEvangelos Arkas, Nicholas Arkas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solar energy concentrator (1) is formed in the shape of a spiral horn, so that solar energy incident over a wide range of incident angles on the mouth (2) of the horn is concentrated by multiple reflections from inner walls (5) of the horn to emerge from an exit aperture (3) at the center of the horn. Solar energy emerging from the collector may be distributed by light pipes (40) to illuminate a building or may be transmitted to a solar energy conversion chamber (50) having a small entry aperture (51). The entry aperture (51) acts as black body absorbing all solar energy incident upon it and the solar energy may be converted within the chamber (50) either by photovoltaic cells and/or by heat absorbing media.
Claims25
A solar energy concentrator comprising a spiral horn having an axis perpendicular to a plane of the spiral, said concentrator including:
- an input aperture forming a mouth of the horn, an internal light-reflecting surface of the horn, and an exit aperture at an end of the horn remote from the mouth of the horn, said exit aperture being smaller than said input aperture and said horn continuously tapering both in the direction of said axis and in the plane of the spiral, between the input and output apertures, wherein the horn is adapted to concentrate, by multiple reflections from the internal light-reflecting surface of the horn, solar energy incident within a predetermined range of angles of incidence on the input aperture, such that concentrated solar energy is emitted from the exit aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.