Converging solar module
US5977475A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/52
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
There is provided a converging solar module of a simple structure which can accurately track the sun and efficiently generate electricity. A converging solar module comprises an electricity generating converging lens (10) made of resin having a flat shape, and a solar battery cell (12) placed in the vicinity of a focal area of the converging lens (10). The converging lens (10) and the solar cell (12) are rotatable as a unit. The electricity generating converging lens (10) is attached to a shaft (20) of a rotation driving motor (18). Using sunlight converged by a cylindrical position detecting converging lens (40), a position detecting sensor (42) locates the sun, and outputs information regarding the position of the sun as angle information to a controller (48). The controller (48) in turn outputs a control signal to the rotating driving motor (18), which then drives the electricity generating converging lens (10) and the solar battery cell (12), whereby they are moved while rotating as a unit in accordance with the detected position f the sun. With this arrangement, the electricity generating converging lens (10) is brought into a position where it is continuously directed vertica…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.