Patent · US Active

Pyroelectric solar technology apparatus and method

US8288646B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
26References
1Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 15, 2011
Grant dateOct 16, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 15, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/547
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method to increase the efficiency of a solar cell comprises depositing a pyroelectric film on a surface of the solar cell and generating an electromotive force to bias the solar cell. The method also includes creation of an open circuit voltage. Further, the method includes increasing a short circuit current through the pyroelectric film and creating a sustained temperature variation in the solar cell. A constant temporal temperate gradient is created in the pyroelectric film to increase the short circuit current with a temperature. Further, a p-n junction is biased with the electromotive force produced from the pyroelectric film.

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