Solar thermophotovoltaic power conversion method and apparatus
US5932029A · kind A · utility
25Cited by
2References
29Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 21, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 3, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Solar power is concentrated onto an absorptive surface of a body to heat the body to thus result in infrared emissions. The wavelength spectrum of the infrared emissions is tailored to match the optimal incident wavelength spectrum of photovoltaic cells. This tailoring is accomplished by use of an infrared filter and/or a coating material on an emissions surface of the body. The photovoltaic cells, constructed to match the radiation spectrum of the infrared emissions, convert the infrared emissions to electric energy.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.