Patent · US Expired

Tracking solar module

US6018122A · kind A · utility

20Cited by
5References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 5, 1997
Grant dateJan 25, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 5, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/52
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

To provide a tracking-type solar module capable of high-performance sunlight-tracking with a simple configuration while simultaneously performing highly effective cooling of a solar cell, a solar cell is movably installed within a transparent cooling tube and is connected to a motor with a crank. A position detecting sensor is also installed inside the transparent cooling tube. Sunlight is refracted by a cooling medium filled inside the transparent cooling tube and is converged on the inner surface of the transparent cooling tube. The position detecting sensor detects the position at which sunlight is converged and the sunlight is tracked by the motor moving the solar cell to that position. Simultaneously, the cooling medium inside the transparent cooling tube directly cools the solar cell.

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