Solar energy conversion
US4021323A · kind A · utility
90Cited by
6References
9Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 1975 |
| Grant date | May 3, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 28, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S204/03
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Solar energy conversion is provided by a structure formed of a plurality of photovoltaic sources. An electrolyte wets the sources. Upon exposure to light the photovoltaic sources cause a current to flow in the electrolyte producing an electrochemical reaction. The products of this reaction may then be collected and stored. In a preferred embodiment the electrolyte is an aqueous solution of hydrogen iodide, and the hydrogen produced by the electrochemical reaction may be stored, burned as a fuel or used in a fuel cell to produce electrical energy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.