Patent · US Expired

Fluid cooled solar powered photovoltaic cell

US4361717A · kind A · utility

66Cited by
10References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 1980
Grant dateNov 30, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 5, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/50
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Concentrated sunlight impinges on a large area photovoltaic device which is bonded to a highly pliable and thermally and electrically conductive structured copper strain relieving member; the lower face of the structured copper is sealed to a fluid cooled metal heat sink. Large power densities of sunlight are absorbed without appreciable temperature rise. The structured copper accommodates to the difference in expansion between the metal heat sink and the semiconductor wafer. Three embodiments utilize a single planar junction diode, an interdigitated diode, and series connected isolated junction diodes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.