The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 06, 1994
Filed:
Apr. 19, 1993
Lewis M Fraas, Issaquah, WA (US);
Mark J O'Neill, Keller, TX (US);
Other;
Abstract
A novel low-cost solar photovoltaic module using line-focus lenses and photovoltaic receivers incorporating high-performance tandem cell-stacks is described. It consists of an array of linear arched Fresnel lenses with a linear tandem-cell receiver located along the focal line of each lens. The lens consists of a glass protective superstrate with molded silicone Fresnel grooves on its inner surface. The tandem cell receiver consists of high efficiency cell-stacks interconnected in a string with a secondary optical element adhesive bonded to each cell-stack. The entrance aperture of each secondary optical element is rectangular in shape and the optical secondaries are butted up against each other in a line to form a continuous entrance aperture along the focal line. Each optical secondary provides for sunlight concentration in two dimensions so that its base bonded to the cell-stack is smaller in both the direction along the focal line as well as perpendicular to it. The gaps at the base between optical secondaries provide room for electrically interconnecting the cell string. The optical secondaries also shield the cells against radiation damage.