The invention relates to a process for manufacturing photovoltaic cells made up of semi-transparent thin layers including: a laser ablating step consisting in removing, through the substrate and through the first electrode, with a laser beam of a fluence F1 and of main wavelength λ1, a volume V1 of cross-sectional area S1 larger than 0.25 mm2 and of height H1 within the absorber and within the second electrode; and a second laser ablating step consisting in removing, through the substrate and with a second laser beam of a fluence F2 and of main wavelength λ2 different from λ1, a volume V2 of cross-sectional area S2 smaller than (S1 - 0.035 * √S1) mm2 and of height H2 within the first electrode. The beams are of top-hat type and are centred on each other.
H01L 31/0468 - PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate comprising specific means for obtaining partial light transmission through the module, e.g. partially transparent thin film solar modules for windows
H01L 31/18 - Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
2.
METHOD FOR NANOIMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY USING AN AUTOMATIC CONTROL STEP
The invention relates generally to a method for nanoimprint lithography making it possible to achieve high-precision alignment by automatically controlling all or some of the patterns of a structured mould (6) and a structured substrate (1). Said nanoimprint lithography method comprises the following sequential steps: - manufacturing a mould (6) containing structures (7), known as a structured mould, - manufacturing a substrate (1) containing alignment structures (3), known as a structured substrate, - covering said structured substrate with a polymerisable material in the liquid state or a thermosetting film, - pre-aligning said structured mould with said structured substrate in a non-contact manner, - laminating said structured mould on the structured substrate, - polymerising the polymerisable material to form patterns that negatively replicate the mould patterns (7), - separating the structured mould from the structured substrate on which the replicated patterns are deposited. The method is characterised in that all or some of the patterns (7) of the structured mould and structures (3) of the structured substrate are dimensioned such that, during the lamination step, all or some of the structures are interleaved to achieve precision alignment.
G03F 7/00 - Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. printed surfacesMaterials therefor, e.g. comprising photoresistsApparatus specially adapted therefor
G03F 9/00 - Registration or positioning of originals, masks, frames, photographic sheets or textured or patterned surfaces, e.g. automatically
3.
PHOTOVOLTAIC RECEIVER OPTIMISED FOR COMMUNICATION BY CODED LIGHT
The invention relates to a coded-light communication device, in which the communication has an initial signal-to-noise ratio, denoted SNR1, which varies according to the lighting conditions, said device comprising at least one photodetector-type light receiver (2) comprising an anode (18 or 22) and a cathode (19 or 24) and having an initial shunt resistance of value Rsh1, said receiver being capable of being simultaneously exposed to a coded light source (1) carrying a signal and a non-coded light source (3), characterised in that said anode (18 or 22) and cathode (19 or 24) are short-circuited by at least one short-circuit resistance Rp (20 or 26) arranged inside the photodetector (2), having value Rsh2 selected so that the new value of the shunt resistance of said photodetector (2, C1, C2) denoted Rsh3 and resulting from the connection of the initial shunt resistance Rsh1 and the short-circuit resistance Rp (20 or 26) gives the communication device a new resultant signal-to-noise ratio SNR2 which remains substantially independent of the intensity of said non-coded light (3).
Problem to be solved: the invention relates to thin-film photovoltaic modules which are made semi-transparent by laser ablation or by lithography processes. The transparency areas (6) form a network of repetitive patterns such as a network of circular or hexagonal holes. The electrical insulation lines (P1, P3) and the electrical interconnection lines P2 between the cells are positioned at random either in the transparency areas (6) or in the non-transparency areas, and demonstrate visual effects which reduce the homogeneous quality of said photovoltaic module. The solution to said problem is as follows: in order to make them invisible to the naked eye, said electrical insulation lines P1 and P3 are positioned in transparency areas (6) arranged in straight bands (7, 8) having high transparency density, and the electrical interconnection lines P2 are positioned in transparency areas (6) arranged in straight bands (9) having low transparency density.
H01L 31/0468 - PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate comprising specific means for obtaining partial light transmission through the module, e.g. partially transparent thin film solar modules for windows
5.
PHOTOVOLTAIC RECEIVER DEVICE WITH POLARISATION MANAGEMENT IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE BANDWIDTH OF AN OPTICAL COMMUNICATION
The invention relates to a wireless communication device which uses light, comprising at least: a light source (7) emitting a modulated light signal (5); a photovoltaic module (1) capable of receiving said modulated light signal (5); and an analog-to-digital converter (3) electrically connected to the output terminals of said photovoltaic module (1), making it possible to convert the analog signal output by the photovoltaic module into a digital signal; characterised in that it also comprises a means (2) for polarising said photovoltaic module (1) making it possible to generate a polarisation voltage (Vp) applied to the terminals of said photovoltaic module (1), and a management module (4) capable of optimising said polarisation voltage (Vp) into a threshold voltage (Vs) corresponding to an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and communication bandwidth.
COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES (CEA) (France)
SUNPARTNER TECHNOLOGIES (France)
Inventor
Ducros, Eric
Perraud, Simon
Reynes, Mathias
Abstract
The invention relates to a photovoltaic thread (1, 11) comprising at least: (a) a central core (2, 12) which ensures the mechanical strength of said photovoltaic thread (1, 11) and acts directly or indirectly as a first electrode; (b) a semi-conductive thin film (3) deposited on the central core (2, 12) and acting as the absorber; and (c) a conductive and transparent thin film (4) deposited on the absorber (3) and forming the second electrode (4). Said photovoltaic thread (1, 11) is characterised in that said second electrode (4) is segmented along the longitudinal axis of the thread, whereas the first electrode and the absorber are continuous.
H01L 31/0352 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof characterised by their semiconductor bodies characterised by their shape or by the shapes, relative sizes or disposition of the semiconductor regions
H01L 31/046 - PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate
7.
ELECTRONIC DEVICE ASSOCIATED WITH A PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE TO OPTIMISE THE THROUGHPUT OF A BIDIRECTIONAL VLC TRANSMISSION
The invention relates to a bidirectional wireless communication device which is based on the use of light, including at least: (a) one or more emitting modules (10), each emitting module (10) being made up of: a light source (9) powered by a control means (6) and emitting amplitude- and/or phase-modulated light (1); a control means (6) which generates an electrical signal from the digital-to-analog conversion of the source data (2) to be transmitted; (b) a receiving module (20) made up of: a photodetector (11) illuminated by said modulated light (1) and generating a modulated electrical signal (14, 15) in response to said modulated light (1); and a processing module (12) for processing the signal generated by said photodetector (11), capable of communicating with the control means (6) via the backward channel (17). Said wireless communication device is characterised in that the receiving module (20) also includes an electronic means (13) positioned between the photodetector (11) and the signal-processing module (12) and capable of matching the impedance of the photodetector (11) such as to maximise the signal-to-noise ratio of the modulated electrical signal (14) by minimising the distortions of said modulated electronic signal (14) associated with incorrect impedance matching at the output of the photodetector (11), while maximising the level of the modulated electrical signal (14) and the throughput of transmitted data (18).
The invention relates to a display device provided with a polarising photovoltaic module which includes at least: (a) a plurality of polarisers (4); (b) a plurality of pixels (3) which emit or transmit light referred to as image light (6); (c) a plurality of photovoltaic active zones (1) and a plurality of openings (2), two adjacent photovoltaic active zones (1', 1") forming an opening (2) and said photovoltaic active zones being arranged between the pixels (3) and the polarisers (4); said device being characterised in that said polarisers (4) are semi-reflective and are made up of one or more surfaces selected among planar surfaces, which are concave or convex, and have parabolic, conical, pyramidal, tetrahedral, semi-cylindrical or cylindrical-parabolic shapes, said polarisers (4) being arranged so as to concentrate, by reflection, a first linear polarised component (P1) of the ambient light (5') onto said photovoltaic active zones (1), as well as to transmit, through the polarising photovoltaic module, a second linear polarised component (P2) of the ambient light (5") or of the image light (6').
G09F 9/30 - Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
The invention relates to a multifunctional photoactive device comprising:- a semitransparent photoactive module disposed on a screen of an electronic apparatus and comprising one or more photoactive zones, said photoactive zones themselves consisting of a plurality of photovoltaic features whose dimensions are such that they are not perceptible to the naked eye, two adjacent photovoltaic features being separated by a transparency zone; - and an electronic management facility comprising at input several pathways, each pathway being connected to a single photoactive zone; characterized in that said electronic management facility furthermore comprises a splitting matrix capable; of grouping or of individualizing said pathways in a dynamic manner as a function of pre-established priorities so that the photoactive zones generate simultaneously or alternately, on the basis of the surrounding light received, either a charging current, or a functional electrical signal representative of the variations of illumination of said photoactive zones.
A display device comprising at least: (a) a plurality of active photovoltaic areas and a plurality of openings (2), two adjacent active photovoltaic areas (1',1 ") forming an opening (2); (b) one or more artificial light sources (3); (c) a plurality of light concentrators disposed between said light sources (3) and said active photovoltaic areas. This device is characterised in that said light concentrators (4) are opaque and reflective and are arranged such that the light emitted by the artificial light sources (3) is directed by the light concentrators (4) through the openings (2).
For the purpose of limiting and controlling solar radiation (21, 31) inside an agricultural greenhouse (1) and in order to optimize crop yield while maximizing the recovery of solar power for electricity and heating needs, the device according to the invention includes a plurality of movable photovoltaic surfaces (9), the orientations of which are controlled by electromechanical programming (P). Said photovoltaic surfaces (9) are positioned inside a chamber (4) that is transparent to solar radiation (21, 31). Said photovoltaic surfaces (9) generate electrical power and heat the air (13) contained inside said transparent chamber (4) due to the contact of said air (13) with the photovoltaic surfaces (11) which are heated as a result of the exposure thereof to the solar radiation (15, 21, 31). Said photovoltaic surfaces (9) are oriented in relation to the position (2, 3) and luminosity (21, 31) of the sun so as to regulate the overall luminosity that passes through the photovoltaic surfaces (9). A dichroic filter (30) makes it possible to select the ideal color, or the portion of the solar spectrum, which optimizes plant photosynthesis or growth and sends the light not useful for plant growth back to the solar collectors.
A01G 9/24 - Devices for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
12.
OPTICAL DEVICE GIVING A RAISED APPEARANCE TO AN IMAGE THAT PARTIALLY COVERS A LUMINOUS ENERGY SENSOR
The invention relates to a device comprising at least: (a) a sensor (5) of luminous energy from an external light source; (b) a transparent plate (1) arranged between said external light source and said sensor (5), comprising a first surface referred to as "front surface" (2) which is oriented towards said external light source and a second surface referred to as "rear surface" (6) which is oriented towards said sensor (5), said transparent plate (1) being optically structured on one of the two surfaces thereof (2&6) at least by a plurality of straight optical elements that are parallel to one another; (c) a plurality of image strips (3) separated by transparency strips (4); said device being characterised in that the longitudinal axis of the image strips (3) is tilted by an angle (a) other than zero relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical elements of the transparent plate (1), such that said images (3) viewed through the transparent plate (1) appear with a certain relief, while the energy production of the sensor (5) remains substantially constant regardless of the angle of incidence of said external light on the device.
G09F 19/14 - Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for using special optical effects displaying different signs depending upon the view-point of the observer
F24J 2/08 - having lenses as concentrating elements
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
H01L 31/054 - Optical elements directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. light-reflecting means or light-concentrating means
13.
RETRO-REFLECTIVE DEVICE IMPROVING THE VIEWING OF AN IMAGE PLACED IN FRONT OF A SOLAR COLLECTOR
The invention relates to an optical device comprising at least: (a) a collector (5) of light energy from an external light source; (b) a transparent plate (1) arranged between said external light source and said collector, including a first surface positioned towards said external light source and made up of a first array (1a) of elementary dioptres (6), and a second surface positioned towards said collector and made up of a second array (1b) of elementary dioptres (7); (c) a plurality of reflectors (2) capable of redirecting, by specular reflection and regardless of the angle of incidence, all or part of the light emitted by said external light source and which passes through said first array (1a) of elementary dioptres (6) towards said second array (1b) of elementary dioptres (7); and (d) an image made up of pixel zones (3). Said device is characterised in that said reflectors (2) are arranged such that the incident light, for a first range of angles of incidence with the plane of the first array (1a) of elementary dioptres (6) and after optional reflection on said reflectors (2), reaches said collector (5), and in that for another range of angles of incidence with the plane of the first array (1a) of elementary dioptres (6) and after optional reflection on said reflectors (2), reaches said pixel zones (3) of the image.
H02S 40/22 - Light-reflecting or light-concentrating means
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
G09F 27/00 - Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
G09F 19/14 - Advertising or display means not otherwise provided for using special optical effects displaying different signs depending upon the view-point of the observer
F24J 2/00 - Use of solar heat, e.g. solar heat collectors (distillation or evaporation of water using solar energy C02F 1/14;roof covering aspects of energy collecting devices E04D 13/18;devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G 6/00;semiconductor devices specially adapted for converting solar energy into electrical energy H01L 31/00;photovoltaic [PV] cells including means directly associated with the PV cell to utilise heat energy H01L 31/525;PV modules including means associated with the PV module to utilise heat energy H02S 40/44)
The invention relates to a device for controlling the luminosity and the transparency of one or more pixels of a display system, wherein each pixel includes a first transmissive rectilinear polariser (1), having a first light-polarisation axis and arranged in front of the pixels in the optical path; a second transflective rectilinear polariser (2), having a second light-polarisation axis and arranged behind the first polariser; a photovoltaic surface (8) arranged behind said second polariser; an optoelectronic means (21a, 21b) capable of modifying the polarisation plane of the light that passes through same, such as to vary the amount of light to pass through the second polariser and to light said photovoltaic surface, as well as the amount of light to be reflected by the second polariser in order to emerge from the pixel; a third polariser (9) and a backlighting light source (10) placed behind said third polariser, such that a portion of the light (13a, 13b) emitted by the backlighting source (10) is polarised by passing through the third polariser (9), and then passes consecutively through said optoelectronic means (21a, 21b) and said first polariser (1).
Problem: how to integrate an antenna function for transmitting/receiving electromagnetic waves into semi-transparent surfaces such that the antenna is invisible and does not distort the view when objects are observed through said semi-transparent surface. Solution: integrating a polarising surface consisting of parallel conductive strips (1) of which the ends are brought into contact (3) with each other in such a way as to create a flow path (arrows) for the electric current flowing in said conductive strips (1), said path having the geometric characteristics of the shape of the desired antenna.
Display device including integrated photovoltaic cells, comprising: (a) an array (62) of imaging zones (64) that emit light or that are backlit by a light source (63) placed behind said array (62) of imaging zones (64); (b) an array formed by a plurality of zones of photovoltaic cells (1; 66; 85) and a plurality of orifices (11, 67), in which array at least two neighbouring zones of photovoltaic cells (1',1"; 66',66") bound one orifice (11;67;84); (c) an array of optical elements (3; 65) positioned between said array (62) of imaging zones (64) and said array formed by the plurality of zones of photovoltaic cells (1;66;85) and the plurality of orifices (11;67;84), so as to focus, by refraction or reflection, the light originating from said array (62) of imaging zones (64) into said orifices (11;67;84); and (d) a set of texturing zones (20; 50) formed by a plurality of faces (23) that are oblique or vertical relative to the surface plane of said device (60) and placed behind said zones of photovoltaic cells (1;66;85) with respect to the optical path of the light emitted by said device (60); characterised in that the set of texturing zones (20;50) is configured so as to decrease the total internal reflection of the light emitted by said device (60) so as to increase the brightness of said device (60).
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
17.
BACKLIT DISPLAY DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
Process for manufacturing a photovoltaic module placed on an emissive display device, said photovoltaic module comprising an array (8) containing a plurality of photovoltaic cells (1) and a plurality of transparent zones called "orifices" (7), and said photovoltaic module comprising an array of optical elements (3) able to focus, by refraction or reflection, the light emitted by the device into the orifices (7).
The invention relates to a photovoltaic mono cell that is semi—transparent to light, comprising a plurality of active photovoltaic zones (1) that are separated by transparent zones (6), said active photovoltaic zones (1) being formed from a stack of thin films (2, 3, 4) arranged on a substrate (5) that is transparent to light, said stack of thin films (2, 3, 4) consisting at least of a transparent electrode (2), an absorber layer (3) and a metal electrode (4), said transparent zones (6) being apertures produced at least in the metal electrode (4) and in the absorber layer (3) in order to allow as much light as possible to pass, characterised in that it furthermore comprises an electrically conductive collecting gate (8) arranged either making contact with the front electrode (2) in order to decrease the electrical resistance of the transparent electrode (2), or making contact with the absorber (3) in order to facilitate collection of the electrical current generated by said mono cell.
H01L 51/44 - Solid state devices using organic materials as the active part, or using a combination of organic materials with other materials as the active part; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of such devices, or of parts thereof specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation - Details of devices
The invention relates to a device (T) for collecting, exchanging, and thermally storing solar energy, including a solar radiation concentrator (1), a primary tank (3) including an opening (9) that is transparent to the outside and a heat exchanger (7), wherein said device (T) is characterized in that the primary tank (3) contains a solid semi-transparent material (8) selected such as to be capable of being heated to more than 500°C when the concentrated solar radiation (2) that passes through said opening (9) is absorbed, without impairing the physical properties thereof, and capable of maintaining the collected thermal energy and/or redistributing same via the heat exchanger (7).
F24J 2/00 - Use of solar heat, e.g. solar heat collectors (distillation or evaporation of water using solar energy C02F 1/14;roof covering aspects of energy collecting devices E04D 13/18;devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G 6/00;semiconductor devices specially adapted for converting solar energy into electrical energy H01L 31/00;photovoltaic [PV] cells including means directly associated with the PV cell to utilise heat energy H01L 31/525;PV modules including means associated with the PV module to utilise heat energy H02S 40/44)
20.
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPTIMIZING THE VISIBILITY OF AN IMAGE POSITIONED IN FRONT OF A SOLAR COLLECTOR
The invention relates to a device comprising a solar panel (1) and an image-supporting sheet (2) positioned in front of the active surface of the solar panel (1) and intended to be provided with an image (4) comprising a multitude of image zones each having its own specific visual characteristics, the image-supporting sheet (2) being provided with an array of completely or partially transparent zones in order to increase the amount of light able to reach the solar panel. The holes and the transparent zones allow the luminosity that reaches the solar panel to be increased. In order to compensate for the visual degradation of the image that results therefrom, the invention provides for the configuration of said array of holes (3) and/or said array of transparent zones to vary depending on local visual characteristics of the corresponding image zones and depending on the colour of the solar panel, so as to optimize the visual qualities of the image (4) on the device and, in the case of a photovoltaic panel, also to optimize the production of electricity by the device.
The invention relates to a device including a solar panel (1), a transparent plate (2) serving as a light guide, an image (3) consisting of multiple opaque or semitransparent image areas (8) separated by totally transparent areas (9) or micro-holes exposing said solar panel, wherein said image (3) is printed on or directly arranged against said transparent plate (2), and a light source (4) propagates the light thereof within the body of said transparent plate (2). Said device is particularly characterized in that said transparent plate (2) comprises optical means (10, 13) arranged so as to redirect most of the light injected by said light source (4) towards the image areas (8).
The invention relates to a printed panel (1) for displaying an image (2), comprising: at least one printed image (2) formed by a plurality of opaque parallel strips (4) that are evenly spaced from one other and separated by transparent strips (5); an optical system (6) formed by the juxtaposition of two flat lenses (7), said flat lenses (7) of the optical system (3) being arranged in parallel to said plurality of opaque (4) and transparent (5) strips of the printed image (2); at least one photovoltaic panel (8) having a surface (9) for collecting sunlight that is arranged opposite a rear surface (17) of the optical system.
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
G09F 13/04 - Signs, boards, or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
23.
DEVICE PROVIDED WITH AN OPTIMISED PHOTOVOLTAIC NETWORK PLACED IN FRONT OF AN IMAGE
A network of photovoltaic strips positioned in front of an image causes a decrease in the luminosity of said image, which is not uniform for all of the colours and causes an optical moiré phenomenon that is perceived by the observer when they change their viewing angle. In order to rectify said decrease in visual quality of the image, the invention describes a suitable positioning and dimension of the photovoltaic strips in relation to the inter-pixels of the image.
The invention concerns a device for collecting infrared solar radiation by heating a circulating blade of air (5, 6) circulating between two transparent glazed walls (1, 2). The first glazed wall (1) polarises light in a circular manner (8). The second glazed wall (2) reflects infrared radiation (9) towards the first glazed wall (1). The infrared radiation (9) which has been reflected has changed polarisation direction and is then absorbed by the first glazed wall (1) which heats up, and in turn heats the circulating blade of air (5, 6) in contact with same.
Solar concentrators which transform solar energy into both electrical energy and heat energy do not control the proportion of electrical energy produced relative to that of the heat energy produced. This proportion is left to the random fluctuations in the intensity of the sunlight, yet it can be advantageous to prioritise the production of one kind of energy relative to another. The invention describes a device which allows said control over production. Said device consists of a solar concentrator lens (1), preferably a Fresnel lens (1), and a target consisting for example of a photovoltaic cell (4) and a thermal sensor (5) positioned at least at the periphery of the cell (4). The distance (D2) between the Fresnel lens (1) and the cell (4) is variable, which also results in a variation in the size of the illumination surface (7B) of the solar radiation concentrated (3) on the target. When the size of the illuminated surface (7B) is small, the light intensity is high and is centred on the photovoltaic cell (4) which therefore produces maximum electrical energy. When the size (7B) is large, the light intensity is lower and is also distributed over the surface of the thermal sensor (5) positioned at the periphery, which produces more heat energy and less electrical energy. Automatic regulation is provided to regulate the light intensity received by the cell (4) even during variations in the sunlight.
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
H01L 31/058 - including means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems, or a supplementary source of electric energy
In order to reduce the cost of the heliostats which are used, in solar concentration devices, the present invention describes a heliostat with two mirrors (1A, 1B) arranged at the end of a main rotation shaft (6) which is orientated north/south and parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation. This heliostat reflects solar radiation toward two concentrators which may be Fresnel lenses (11A) or fixed mirrors (11B). A plurality of heliostats according to this invention can then be rotated simultaneously using a simplified mechanical mechanism and a sun-tracking method using a two-way optical sensor (23) and control logic that requires no computation and no memory storage of the positions of the sun.
F24J 2/38 - employing tracking means (F24J 2/02, F24J 2/06 take precedence;rotary supports or mountings therefor F24J 2/54;supporting structures of photovoltaic modules for generation of electric power specially adapted for solar tracking systems H02S 20/32)
F24J 2/08 - having lenses as concentrating elements
The invention relates to a heliostat that does not include a solar position calculator or an electronic memory unit for storing said positions, thereby simplifying the solar tracking device and making same more reliable. The heliostat comprises: (i) a first rotation shaft (3) which is parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation (4) and which rotates a full turn in 23h 56min, a second rotation shaft (2), and a mirror (1) that is adjusted to reflect the solar radiation (7) along the first rotation shaft (3); and (ii) an optical sensor coupled to a correction logic based on varying the rotation speed of the first shaft (3) and the inclination of the second rotation shaft (2).
F24J 2/38 - employing tracking means (F24J 2/02, F24J 2/06 take precedence;rotary supports or mountings therefor F24J 2/54;supporting structures of photovoltaic modules for generation of electric power specially adapted for solar tracking systems H02S 20/32)
The invention relates to a heliostat (H) comprising a mirror (1) oriented towards the sun, rotated by a first actuation means (3) about a first axis of rotation (4) and capable of pivoting in response to a second actuation means (18, 19, 20) about a second axis of rotation (2) perpendicular to the first. The heliostat is characterised in that the first and second actuation means are controlled selectively by a transmission (13) driven by a single motor. The first and second actuation means are arranged such that when both are coupled to the single motor by means of the aforementioned transmission (13), the mirror (1) is rotated about the first axis of rotation (4), while being maintained stationary in relation to the second axis of rotation (2).
F16H 1/16 - Toothed gearings for conveying rotary motion without gears having orbital motion involving only two intermeshing members with non-parallel axes comprising worm and worm-wheel
29.
FLEXIBLE SOLAR COLLECTOR HAVING A SURFACE-DISPLAYED IMAGE, AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SAID SOLAR COLLECTOR
The invention relates to a device provided with at least one collector (5) of light energy from a light source, in particular a solar screen, and a transparent plate (1) arranged between the light source and said collector. One first surface (1a) of said transparent plate is structured by means of a system (2) of slits, enabling the device to be flexible about an axis parallel to the axis of the slits, while the second surface (1b) contains image pixel areas (3) and transparency areas (4). As a consequence of said structure, an observer will be able to display an image on the surface of the screen even though the screen is transparent to the rays of the sun. Said rays of the sun then reach a solar collector placed behind the plate. The slits are provided in the body of said plate and have the effect of making the screen flexible and spoolable about an axis. Said slits moreover have the optical property of increasing the angles for viewing the image. Said invention is particularly suitable for visually integrating the solar collectors into our environment, in particular blinds, sunshades, sun roofs, parasols, awnings, roofs, walls, tiles, glass panels, transportation vehicles, including boats and planes, advertising panels and billboards, electronic screens, and clothes, in a general manner on any medium with images, including electronic images, and on any planar or non-planar surfaces.
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
H01L 31/0392 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof characterised by their semiconductor bodies characterised by their crystalline structure or particular orientation of the crystalline planes including thin films deposited on metallic or insulating substrates
30.
RIGID OR FLEXIBLE SOLAR COLLECTOR WITH AN IMAGE DISPLAYED ON THE SURFACE AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING SAME
The invention relates to a device with a collector for collecting the light energy from a light source, comprising at least one light energy collector (5), characterised in that it further comprises a transparent plate (1) arranged between the light source and said collector, and whereof a first face (la) is structured by an array of lenses (10) separated by slots (2), while the second face (lb) contains areas of pixels (3) of an image, and transparent areas (4). As a result of this structure, an observer is able to view an image on the surface of the screen, even though the screen is transparent to solar radiation. This solar radiation then reaches a solar collector positioned behind the plate. The slots are provided in the thickness of said plate and also have the effect of making the screen flexible and rollable about an axis. These slots also have the optical property of increasing the angles of view of the image. This invention is particularly suitable for the visual integration of solar collectors into our environment, in particular in blinds, brise-soleils, sun visors, sunshades, shade canopies, roofs, walls, tiles, glazings, transport vehicles, including watercraft and aircraft, advertising panels and screens, electronic screens, clothes, and generally on any imaged media, including electronic images, and on any planar or non-planar surfaces.
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
31.
DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING A MULTIFUNCTIONAL AND COMMUNICATING SURFACE
The invention relates to a display device (1) including a plurality of pixels (7) forming an image, and an optical plate (4) arranged opposite the image and comprising transparency areas (11) configured to allow the light from the pixels (7) to at least partially pass therethrough. Said display device (1) is characterized in that: said optical plate (4) further comprises at least one array of functional elements (10) corresponding to an electronic and/or mechanical function; and said functional elements (10) are inserted between the transparency areas (11) and arranged such that the light emitted by the pixels (7) is directed so as to pass through the transparency areas (11) without intercepting the arrays of functional elements (10), so as to render said arrays of functional elements (10) invisible or quasi-invisible to an observer of the display device (1). The invention can be used in any type of display device in which functions other than display itself must be integrated in a visually discreet manner.
The problem addressed by the invention is that of solar concentrators using heliostats require two rotational shafts per mirror in order to follow the sun, which involves the use of a large number of motors and of a complex mechanism, and thus high costs. The solution proposed by the invention is providing a heliostat that includes a planar mirror (1) and a first rotational shaft (4) that is positioned parallel to the axis of rotation of the earth. The solar radiation (8) reflected by the mirror (1) is permanently directed toward a stationary Fresnel lens (9), which is perpendicular to the first rotational shaft (4) and which concentrates the solar radiation (8) onto a stationary target (10). A solar array consists of a plurality of heliostats having said characteristics, the first rotational shafts (4) of which are rotated via a mechanical linkage (6) coupled to a rod that is set in motion by a single motor. This reduces the overall cost of the plant.
H01L 31/052 - Cooling means directly associated or integrated with the PV cell, e.g. integrated Peltier elements for active cooling or heat sinks directly associated with the PV cells
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