Patent · US Active

Solar powered variable light attenuating devices and arrangements

US9130097B2 · kind B2 · utility

14Cited by
8References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 26, 2010
Grant dateSep 8, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 26, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/52
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A solar powered variable light attenuating device includes a liquid crystal cell, a photovoltaic cell in electrical communication with the liquid crystal cell, and a light concentrator having a light absorbing surface and a light emitting surface optically coupled to the photovoltaic cell. At least a portion of light impinging on the light absorbing surface of the light concentrator is concentrated and directed through the light emitting surface to a photon-absorbing portion of the photovoltaic cell to generate a voltage. The generated voltage is used to change the liquid crystal cell from a de-energized state to an energized state in response to sunlight directed toward the photovoltaic cell.

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