U.S. patent application number 11/516012 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-08 for light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation.
This patent application is currently assigned to TAIHAN-TECHREN CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jin-Geun Rhee.
Application Number | 20070051360 11/516012 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37763318 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070051360 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rhee; Jin-Geun |
March 8, 2007 |
Light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation
Abstract
The present invention relates to a light condensing apparatus
for solar photovoltaic generation, and more particularly, to a
light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation in
which a integration degree of sunlight that is irradiated on a
solar cell is improved to a maximum energy efficiency. A light
condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to
the present invention comprises a supporting member that is fixed
to the ground, a rotation member that is installed rotatably about
the X-axis on the supporting member, a light condensing module that
is installed rotatably about the Y-axis and condenses sunlight to
convert it into electrical energy, and a first and second angle
adjustment device for rotating the rotation member and at least one
light condensing module that is installed such that a directivity
angle of at least one light condensing module is adjusted
automatically depending on the changes of altitude of the sun and
the diurnal motion.
Inventors: |
Rhee; Jin-Geun; (Daejeon,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RENNER OTTO BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
1621 EUCLID AVENUE
NINETEENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44115
US
|
Assignee: |
TAIHAN-TECHREN CO., LTD.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
37763318 |
Appl. No.: |
11/516012 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/574 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 23/31 20180501;
F24S 2030/135 20180501; Y02E 10/47 20130101; F24S 30/455
20180501 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/574 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/38 20060101
F24J002/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 7, 2005 |
KR |
10-2005-0083119 |
Claims
1. A light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation
comprising: a supporting member that is fixed to the ground; a
rotation member that is installed rotatably about the X-axis on the
supporting member; at least one light condensing module that is
installed rotatably about the Y-axis and condenses sunlight to
convert it into electrical energy; and a first and second angle
adjustment device for rotating the rotation member and at least one
light condensing module that is installed such that a directivity
angle of at least one light condensing module is adjusted
automatically depending on the changes of altitude of the sun and
the diurnal motion.
2. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation
according to claim 1, wherein the rotation member comprises a
rotation frame having a first rotation axis that is installed in a
X-axis direction on the supporting member and at least light
condensing module comprises a second rotation axis that in
installed in a Y-axis direction on the rotation frame and runs on a
line corresponding to a center of the first rotation axis.
3. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation
according to claim 1, wherein the rotation member comprises: a
first rotation axis that is installed in a X-axis direction on the
supporting member; a horizontal supporting bar that is installed
across the middle of the first rotation axis; and a vertical
supporting bar that is installed in a vertical direction from both
ends of the horizontal supporting bar and on which at least one
light condensing module is installed rotatably.
4. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation
according to claim 3, wherein at least one light condensing module
comprises a second rotation axis that is installed in a Y-axis
direction on the rotation member with the same line of the
horizontal supporting bar.
5. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation
according to claim 2, wherein at least one light condensing module
further comprises a module frame having a lower end part on which a
solar cell plate consisting of a plurality of solar cells is
installed and a upper end part on which a first and second light
condensing lens that is provided on both sides of a light
transmitting part formed on the front part of the solar cell plate
are installed, and the second rotation axis is installed on a
center of mass of the module frame.
6. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation
according to claim 5, wherein the first angle adjustment device
includes a power generation device that is installed on the
supporting member, and an elevation member that is moved by the
power generation device and one end of which is hinged to the
rotation member; and the second angle adjustment device includes a
power generation device that is installed on the rotation member,
and an elevation member that is moved by the power generation
device and one end of which is hinged to the light condensing
module.
7. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation
according to claim 4, wherein at least one light condensing module
further comprises a module frame having a lower end part on which a
solar cell plate consisting of a plurality of solar cells is
installed and a upper end part on which a first and second light
condensing lens that is provided on both sides of a light
transmitting part formed on the front part of the solar cell plate
are installed, and the second rotation axis is installed on a
center of mass of the module frame.
8. The light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation
according to claim 7, wherein the first angle adjustment device
includes a power generation device that is installed on the
supporting member, and an elevation member that is moved by the
power generation device and one end of which is hinged to the
rotation member; and the second angle adjustment device includes a
power generation device that is installed on the rotation member,
and an elevation member that is moved by the power generation
device and one end of which is hinged to the light condensing
module.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a light condensing
(concentrating) apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation, and
more particularly, to a light condensing apparatus for solar
photovoltaic generation in which a integration degree of sunlight
that is irradiated on a solar cell is improved to a maximum energy
efficiency.
[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0004] Generally, a solar photovoltaic generation utility is
referred to as an apparatus that converts light energy into
electric energy using a solar cell. At this time, the solar cell
includes a PN junction semiconductor that produces free electrons
in irradiating sunlight and thereby inducing electricity.
[0005] In addition, a light condensing apparatus that irradiates
one above another sunlight on a surface of a solar cell is used in
a solar photovoltaic generation utility. At this time, a light
integration degree of the light condensing apparatus is related
directly to a energy efficiency of the solar photovoltaic
generation utility, and it is proportion to the areas of a light
condensing lens for overlapping that is installed on the lower part
of a solar cell.
[0006] Meanwhile, for increasing a generation volume of a solar
photovoltaic generation, a large-sized solar cell and light
condensing lens is inevitable. However, with respect to a
conventional light condensing lens, there is much limitation to the
cost and configuration in making it in large size; therefore, there
arises a problem in that it is substantially difficult to expect to
improve energy efficiency through a large-sized configuration.
[0007] In addition, it is well known that the sun moves from the
ease to the west and the altitude thereof is continuously changed
during a movement. At this time, since a directivity angle of a
conventional light condensing apparatus is fixed, an incident
volume of sunlight is changed depending on a location of the sun
and thereby making a capacity of solar photovoltaic generation
irregular.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The major object of the present invention is to provide a
light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation that
is simply configured to maximize a sunlight integration degree.
[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a light
condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation in which a
directivity angle of a light condensing module is adjusted
automatically depending on the changes of locations of the sun.
[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a light
condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation in which a
light condensing module is to be rotated stably depending on the
changes of location of the sun.
[0011] To achieve the these objects, the present invention provides
a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation
according to the present invention comprises: a supporting member
that is fixed to the ground; a rotation member that is installed
rotatably about the X-axis on the supporting member; at least one
light condensing module that is installed rotatably about the
Y-axis and condenses sunlight to convert it into electrical energy;
and a first and second angle adjustment device for rotating the
rotation member and at least one light condensing module that is
installed such that a directivity angle of at least one light
condensing module is adjusted automatically depending on the
changes of altitude of the sun and the diurnal motion.
[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
rotation member comprises a rotation frame having a first rotation
axis that is installed in a X-axis direction on the supporting
member, a horizontal supporting bar that is installed across the
middle of the first rotation axis, and a vertical supporting bar
that is installed in a vertical direction from both ends of the
horizontal supporting bar and on which at least one light
condensing module is installed rotatably.
[0013] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation, at
least one light condensing module comprises a second rotation axis
that is installed in a Y-axis direction on the rotation member with
the same line of the horizontal supporting bar.
[0014] According to another embodiment of the present invention, at
least one light condensing module further comprises a module frame
having a lower end part on which a solar cell plate consisting of a
plurality of solar cells is installed and a upper end part on which
a first and second light condensing lens that is provided on both
sides of a light transmitting part formed on the front part of the
solar cell plate are installed, and the second rotation axis is
installed on a center of mass of the module frame.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention,
the first angle adjustment device includes a power generation
device that is installed on the supporting member, and an elevation
member that is moved by the power generation device and one end of
which is hinged to the rotation member; and the second angle
adjustment device includes a power generation device that is
installed on the rotation member, and an elevation member that is
moved by the power generation device and one end of which is hinged
to the light condensing module.
[0016] For example, the embodiments of the present invention may be
varied in various forms, and it shall not be understood that it is
limited to the embodiments as described below. The present
embodiments are only intended to provide those skilled in the art
with a full explanation thereof. Accordingly, the forms of elements
in the drawings are exaggerated for clear description of the
present invention.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the embodiment of the present
invention will be described in detail. In addition, the same
reference numbers will be given to the same constitutional
parts.
[0018] Here, the primary object of the present invention is to
provide a light condensing apparatus for solar photovoltaic
generation in which integration degree of light that is irradiates
to a solar cell is improved to maximize energy efficiency. To
achieve this object, the light condensing apparatus according to
the present invention is configured such that a directivity angle
of a light condensing module is adjusted automatically depending on
the changes of locations of the sun, and the operation of a
directivity angle adjustment of a light condensing module is
preformed stably.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a light condensing
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a light condensing apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a light condensing apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a view showing a rotation member that is rotated
by a first angle adjustment device; and
[0023] FIG. 5 is a view showing a light condensing module that is
rotated by a second angle adjustment device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] FIGS. 1 to 3 are a perspective view, front view and side
view, respectively, showing a light condensing apparatus according
to an example of the present invention.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a light condensing apparatus 100
according to the present invention includes a supporting member
110, rotation member 120, two light condensing module 130, and
first and second angle adjustment device 140, 150.
[0026] At this time, the supporting member 110 includes two main
struts 112 that are installed on the ground and a subsidiary strut
114.
[0027] In addition, the rotation member 120 includes a rotation
frame 124 that has a first axis 122 and is installed rotatably
about the X-axis on the upper part of the strut 112 of the
supporting member 110. The rotation frame 124 includes a horizontal
supporting bar 125 that is installed across the middle of the first
rotation axis 122 and a vertical supporting bar 125 that is
extended upwardly from end sides of the horizontal supporting bar
125. As described above, the rotation member 120 is configured that
the first rotation axis 122 is installed about the X-axis on the
middle of the horizontal supporting bar 125 corresponding to a
center of mass of the rotation member 120 such that a horizontal
balance of installment of the rotation member 120 is maintained on
the supporting member 110.
[0028] In addition, a light condensing module 130 is installed on
the upper part of the rotation member 120, which is rotatably on a
Y-axis. The light condensing module 130 includes a solar cell plate
132 consisting of a plurality of solar cell, a transmitting part
134 formed on the front part of the solar cell plate 132, and a
first and second light condensing lens 136 that is installed on
both ends of the light transmitting part 134 and is configured to
condense sunlight and irradiate it to the front surface of the
solar cell plate 132.
[0029] At this time, the solar cell plate 132 is installed on the
lower end part 137a of a module frame 137 such that the front
surface of solar cell is exposed to upwardly. In addition, the
light transmitting part 134 and the first and second light
condensing lens 136 are installed on the upper end of the module
frame 137. Here, the light transmitting part 134 is installed on
the vertical upper part of the solar cell plate 132 and configured
to have the same areas as the solar cell plate 132. Additionally,
the light transmitting part 134 is formed as an empty space, a
transparent glass or a light-transmitting lens such that incident
sunlight is transmitted through without refraction and irradiated
to the surface of solar cells.
[0030] Meanwhile, the first and second light condensing lens 135
includes a plurality of Fresno lens such that they can refract
incident sunlight and irradiate it to the surface of solar cells,
respectively. As a result, the sunlight, which is irradiated
vertically through the light transmitting part 134 and refracted
through the first and second light condensing lens 136, is incident
to the surface of solar cells, and a light integration degree
thereof is estimated to be 2-3 times of solar cell areas.
[0031] That is, the light transmitting part 134 and first and
second light condensing lens 136 are configured such that sum of
widths of them corresponds to 2-3 times width of the solar cell
plate 132. Accordingly, a light integration degree of sunlight,
which is incident on the light-transmitting part 134 and first and
second light condensing lens 136, and irradiated to the solar cell
plate 132, corresponds to 2-3 times of areas of the solar cell
plate 132, thereby attaining a maximum energy efficiency
thereof.
[0032] The light condensing module 130 as described above includes
a second rotation axis 138 that in installed rotatably in a Y-axis
direction on the vertical supporting bar 126. The second rotation
axis 138 is installed running through a line corresponding to the
center of the first rotation axis 124. At this time, the second
rotation axis 124 is installed on both sides of the module frame
137 of the light condensing module 130 and is installed rotatably
on the vertical supporting bar 126. As described above, two light
condensing modules 130 are installed rotatably in a Y-axis
direction on the rotation member 120, wherein they are placed
symmetrically based on the first rotation axis 124; therefore, a
center of mass is balanced stably since the mass is not biased
toward one side.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, a first angle adjustment device 140 is
installed such that the rotation member 120 is rotated about the
X-axis depending on the changes of altitude of the sun. At this
time, the first angle adjustment device 140 includes a motor 142, a
driving part 141 including an elevating member 144 that is raised
upwardly or descends to downwardly by the motor 142, and a control
part 146 for controlling the motor 142 of the driving part 141. In
addition, a bracket 118 for installment of a motor is installed on
the main strut 112 and the motor 142 is installed on the bracket
118. One end of the elevating member 144 is hinged to the
horizontal supporting bar 125 of the rotation member 120 and the
other end thereof is connected to the motor 142.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, a second angle adjustment device 150 is
installed such that the light condensing module 130 that is
installed on the rotation member 120 is rotated depending on the
diurnal motion of the sun. Here, the second angle adjustment device
150 includes a driving part 151 including an elevating member 154
that is raised upwardly or descends to downwardly by the motor 152,
and a control part 156 for controlling the motor 152 of the driving
part 151. At this time, the control part 156 in configured such
that the changes of location of the sun depending on the diurnal
motion are inputted to control automatically the motor 152. Of
course, the control part 152 is configured such that the motor is
driven to a real time depending on the movement of the sun using a
sensor sensing the location of the sun. In addition, a bracket 126a
for installment of a motor is installed on the vertical supporting
bar 126 of the rotation member 120 and the motor 152 is installed
on the bracket 126a. Here, one end of the elevating member 154 is
hinged to the module frame 137 of the light condensing module 130
and the other end thereof is connected to the motor 152.
[0035] For example, the driving parts 140, 150 may be driven by a
hydraulic cylinder other than a motor as described in the present
embodiment.
[0036] As drawn in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light condensing apparatus
100 according to the present invention is configured such that the
directivity angle of the light condensing module 130 is adjusted
automatically by the first and second angle adjustment device 140,
150, and thereby maintaining a maximum state of light integration
degree of solar cells.
[0037] Meanwhile, it will be apparent that various modifications
can be made and several forms are taken in the light condensing
apparatus for solar photovoltaic generation according to the
present invention. However, it shall be understood that the present
invention is not limited to the specific embodiment as described
above, and further it includes the modifications and variations of
this invention provided that they come within the scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents.
[0038] As described above, the light condensing apparatus according
to the present invention is configured simply such that it improves
effectively an integration degree of sunlight, and thus reduces the
cost in manufacturing and improves an energy efficiency. In
addition, in the light condensing apparatus according to the
present invention, a directivity angle of a light condensing module
is adjusted automatically depending on the changes of location of
the sun so that it can maintain a light integration degree as a
optimum state regardless of locations of the sun, thereby
increasing power generation capacity. Meanwhile, in the light
condensing apparatus according to the present invention, a light
condensing module is installed rotatably and symmetrically based on
a first rotation axis such that it presents a center of mass
without being biased to one side, thereby providing a stable
rotation movement of the light condensing module.
* * * * *