US 8,207,482 B2Granted

Non-imaging diffuse light concentrator

AssigneeJames Rosa

InventorJames Rosa

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Abstract

A radiant energy trap. This diffuse and direct radiant energy concentrator comprises at least one reflector, a refractor substantially prism shaped and a receiver interfaced with the refractor. The invention is capable of a solid angle of acceptance of radiant energy, equivalent to that of a flat panel collector, while maintaining a relatively high concentration ratio of diffuse light. The invention can be embodied as an effective hybrid solar electric and thermal collector. A unique yet simple geometry results in relatively high optical and thermal efficiency. The invention can be embodied as a low profile 3-D diffuse light concentrator, combining reflection, refraction, and total internal reflection to approach the thermodynamic limit. It minimizes materials cost to the limits of cost reduction with relatively high efficiency PV cells. The invention increases the utilization of available solar energy and greatly reduces installed system payback periods, compared to prior art.

Claims23

Dependent claims

I claim a radiant energy trap, comprising:, at least one reflector, a refractor and a receiver, the refractor positioned to be incident with radiant energy reflected off the at least one reflector, the receiver positioned to be incident with radiant energy refracted by the refractor, the receiver interfaced with the refractor, the refractor substantially comprises a prism shape, the refractor comprises an outer surface and a transparent interior, the refractor's outer surface comprises at least three longitudinal sides, the at least three longitudinal sides substantially coextensive with the at least one reflector, the at least three longitudinal sides longitudinally parallel to the receiver, the at least three longitudinal sides comprise at least two substantially flat transparent sides, the refractor comprises a transverse cross-section, the refractor's transverse cross-section comprises a perimeter, the at least two substantially flat transparent longitudinal sides comprise a transverse length on the perimeter, the receiver comprises a transverse length, the receiver's transverse length and the at least two substantially flat transparent sides perimeter transverse length comprise a positional and proportional relationship.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.