Spectrum-splitting concentrator photovoltaic module with direct fluid cooling, and associated methods

US12376419B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund · US

Inventors

• Matthew David Escarra · New Orleans, US
• Kazi M. Islam · New Orleans, US
• Yaping Ji · 余新镇, CN
• Daniel S. Codd · Escondido, US
• David Bar-Or · Englewood, US
• Jacqueline C. Failla · New Orleans, US
• Claire DAVIS · New Orleans, US
• Maxwell W. Woody · New Orleans, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 14, 2020
• Grant date: Jul 29, 2025
• Expiry date: Jun 14, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/52
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A spectrum-splitting concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) module utilizes direct fluid cooling of photovoltaic cells in which an array of photovoltaic cells is fully immersed in a flowing heat transfer fluid. Specifically, at least a portion of both the front face and the rear face of each photovoltaic cell comes into direct contact with heat transfer fluid, thereby enhancing coupling of waste heat out of the photovoltaic cells and into the heat transfer fluid. The CPV module is designed to maximize transmission of infrared light not absorbed by the photovoltaic cells, and therefore may be combined with a thermal receiver that captures the transmitted infrared light as part of a hybrid concentrator photovoltaic-thermal system.