Broad-spectrum solar energy system having optical rectenna and photovoltaic cell
US11757396B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 2023 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F77/703
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A broad-spectrum solar energy system includes a photovoltaic system that includes photovoltaic cells configured to produce a DC voltage in response to visible and ultraviolet (UV) light. The photovoltaic cells can produce waste heat in producing the DC voltage. An inverter converts the DC voltage to a first AC voltage. A rectenna system coupled with the photovoltaic system includes a first antenna having a resonance at a first wavelength; and a second antenna having a resonance at a second wavelength. The first antenna and the second antenna can absorb energy at least in the infrared (IR) wavelength range and convert the energy to a second AC voltage. The first antenna and/or the second antenna can absorb the waste heat produced by the plurality of photovoltaic cells and convert the waste heat to the second AC voltage. Power is supplied from the first AC voltage and the second AC voltage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.