Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120055552 | LIGHT-GUIDE SOLAR MODULE, METHOD OF FABRICATION THEREOF, AND PANEL MADE THEREFROM - A photovoltaic light guide solar concentration apparatus has a deflecting layer, a light-guide layer optically coupled to the deflecting layer, a secondary optic and a photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic concentration apparatus has a central optical axis that, in operation, is parallel to incident sunlight. A deflecting layer includes a plurality of focusing elements symmetrically arranged with respect to the central optical axis. The light-guide layer is optically coupled to the plurality of focusing elements of the deflecting layer. The light-guide layer has a reflective surface and a plurality of opposite facets symmetrically arranged with respect to the central axis and focused sunlight from the deflection layer enters the light-guide layer and is directed and trapped by the reflective surface and the opposite facets and guided inside the light-guide layer towards an exit aperture through total internal reflections. A secondary optic is coaxially located with respect to the central optical axis and is coupled to the light guide layer the secondary optic that has at least one reflective surface. The secondary optic redirects the light towards the exit aperture. A photovoltaic cell is located at the exit aperture and on the central axis to receive sunlight from the secondary optic within an acceptance angle relative to the central axis. | 03-08-2012 |
20140261625 | CONCENTRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL - A concentrated photovoltaic panel comprises at least one rigid sheet, one or more first optical elements disposed adjacent a first side of the at least one rigid sheet, one or more second optical elements disposed adjacent a second side of the at least one rigid sheet, and one or more photovoltaic elements. Each photovoltaic element is disposed between a respective first optical element and a respective second optical element. Each first optical element comprises at least one lens configured to focus light impinging thereon onto a corresponding reflecting surface of the respective second optical element. Each second optical element is configured to reflect light focused by the first optical element to the photovoltaic element disposed therebetween. | 09-18-2014 |
20140261631 | SUNLIGHT CONCENTRATING AND HARVESTING DEVICE - Device for concentrating and harvesting sunlight comprising: A panel having rigid layer having a patterned electrical circuit thereon. An array of sunlight concentrating and harvesting units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical concentrating element, a photovoltaic cell sandwiched within the panel for converting sunlight into electrical energy, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical concentrating element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of sunlight to the photovoltaic cell. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the photovoltaic cell away from the unit. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268758 | ILLUMINATION DEVICE - Device for providing comprising: A panel having rigid layer having a patterned electrical circuit thereon. An array of illuminating units, each unit being formed by at least one rigid element and a portion of the rigid layer; and including: a rigid optical dispersing element, a light source sandwiched within the panel for generating light from electrical energy, and an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor being the primary heat sink for the light source, the light source being primarily cooled via conduction. The electrical conductor and the optical dispersing element being dimensioned and arranged within the unit such that the electrical conductor does not materially impede transmission of light generated by the light source to the outside of the device. The electrical conductor transmitting electrical and thermal energy received from the light source away from the unit. | 09-18-2014 |
20140283895 | CONCENTRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC PANEL - Concentrated photovoltaic panel comprises: (1) a receiver substrate assembly including: (a) a rigid sheet of light transmissive material having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a conductor pattern attached to the first surface; and (b) at least one receiver assembly affixed to the rigid sheet, each receiver assembly including a photovoltaic cell in electrical communication with the conductor pattern; and (2) at least one light-guide optic attached to and supported by the receiver substrate assembly, each light-guide optic in optical communication with the photovoltaic cell of an associated one of the at least one receiver assembly for guiding light received via the receiver substrate assembly toward said photovoltaic cell. | 09-25-2014 |
20140286017 | ILLUMINATION PANEL - Illumination panel comprises: (1) a receiver substrate assembly including: (a) a rigid sheet of light transmissive material having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a conductor pattern attached to the first surface; and (b) at least one receiver assembly affixed to the rigid sheet, each receiver assembly including a light source in electrical communication with the conductor pattern; and (2) at least one light-guide optic attached to and supported by the receiver substrate assembly, each light-guide optic in optical communication with the photovoltaic cell of an associated one of the at least one receiver assembly for guiding light for output via the rigid sheet. | 09-25-2014 |
20150083899 | LIGHT PANEL, OPTICAL ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED INTERFACE AND LIGHT PANEL WITH IMPROVED MANUFACTURING TOLERANCES - Light panels, and methods of providing the light panels, are described. The described light panels are substantially transparent and can operate as an illumination device or as a solar panel. An example light panel includes a first optic layer for transmitting light; a second optic layer with a reflective surface configured for one of directing light from the first optic layer and directing light to the first optic layer; and a receiving assembly disposed between the first optic layer and the second optic layer. The receiving assembly includes a first receiving layer adjacent to the first optic layer; a second receiving layer adjacent to the second optic layer and separated from the first receiving layer; and a light device coupled to the first receiving layer. The light device can be configured to receive light from the reflective surface or to provide light to the reflective surface. | 03-26-2015 |