Waveguide assisted solar energy harvesting
US8463092B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T442/60
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A photovoltaic (PV) system includes a fiber optical waveguide comprising an active core that hosts material configured to absorb and emit light, a cladding layer surrounding the active core, the cladding layer being configured to allow ambient light to pass through the cladding layer, and an exit port located proximate an end of the waveguide. The PV system further comprises one or more solar cells disposed at the exit port of the waveguide. The waveguide is configured to guide light to the one or more solar cells. Another photovoltaic (PV) system includes a waveguide comprising an active cladding layer hosting material configured to absorb and emit light, and a core layer configured to confine light emitted by the active cladding layer. The PV system further includes one or more solar cells disposed proximate the waveguide. The core layer is configured to guide light to the one or more solar cells.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.