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Unites State Patent and Trade Mark Office Summery of Invention
Patent Number 5427628
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention contrasts sharply with the current side-by-side
arrangement of solar cells. The present invention relates to an improved
mounting and support structure for housing solar cells. The present invention
also relates to an improved means for concentration of sunlight for solar cells.
The advantage of the present invention will come from the specific arrangement
of solar cells and an improved concentration of sunlight. The advantages of the
present invention do not arise from the modification of currently available
solar cells.
The present Invention may be accomplished by combining a number of
interconnected angular members into a structure which serves as the housing and
support structure for the solar cells. Solar cells are attached to specific
members of the housing structure.
In contrast to the side-by-side arrangement, the solar cells in the present
invention are in facing relation to each other.
A solar energy collection apparatus embodying the present invention comprises a
housing structure made up of as number of interconnected angular members. All
interconnected angular members are made up of two-way mirrors, with the plane of
each mirror facing internally of the housing structure. The interconnected
angular members define a light receiving surface which serves as a peripheral
edge of which solar rays are allowed to penetrate through any of the
interconnected angular members.
In accordance with the present invention, the collection apparatus includes a
cooperating combination of a convex lens providing a generally conical
projection of concentrated sunlight to be directed internally of the housing
structure. The convex lens is specifically an interconnected angular member of
the housing structure and serves as another entrance for incident light.
Another device of the present invention includes an arrangement of cooperating
pairs of solar cells in facing relation attached to opposite sides of the
housing structure and having a general dome shape.
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a solar
energy collection apparatus which includes an improved polyhedral housing
structure which will assist in support and arrangement of solar cells.
Another object of the present invention to increase the efficiency of the solar
cells. Improvement in efficiency will come from an improvement of capacity to
absorb sunlight by means of an arrangement of solar cells.
Other objects, together with the foregoing, are attained in the embodiments
described in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. |