The disclosed invention relates to structures and methods for producing ring, frustum, and cone-shape structural elements for utilized in such applications as aerospace, architecture, and concentrators of electromagnetic radiation. In the preferred embodiments, annular structures are formed from flexible, thin-sheet material, wherein a preferably conical ring-shaped aspects are produced by first forming laser-pre-patterned tubular preforms, which are subsequently separated into specifically shaped core material using laser-cutting operations; and, wherein the separated core material is subsequently formed into the embodied ring-shaped structural element though attachment of a first and second face sheet specifically shaped to mate with the separated core material.

A light guide apparatus that can redirect light impinging on the apparatus over a wide range of incident angles and can concentrate light without using a tracking system and methods for fabrication.

A light guide apparatus that can redirect light impinging on the apparatus over a wide range of incident angles and can concentrate light without using a tracking system and methods for fabrication.

Implementations of a system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator are provided. In some implementations, the system may be configured to focus radiant energy striking a plurality of concentric, conical ring-like reflective elements of the non-imaging concentrator onto a receiver positioned thereunder and to rotate and/or pivot the receiver so that at least a portion thereof is always kept within the focal point (or area) of the non-imaging concentrator. Wherein the center of the focal point (or area) is fixed with respect to the ground. In some implementations, the system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator may comprise a tracking apparatus configured to support the non-imaging concentrator and position it so that the sun is normal thereto, and a piping system that is configured to transfer concentrated solar energy from the receiver to an absorbing system where the energy is finally utilized.

Implementations of a system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator are provided. In some implementations, the system may be configured to focus radiant energy striking a plurality of concentric, conical ring-like reflective elements of the non-imaging concentrator onto a receiver positioned thereunder and to rotate and/or pivot the receiver so that at least a portion thereof is always kept within the focal point (or area) of the non-imaging concentrator. Wherein the center of the focal point (or area) is fixed with respect to the ground. In some implementations, the system for collecting radiant energy with a non-imaging solar concentrator may comprise a tracking apparatus configured to support the non-imaging concentrator and position it so that the sun is normal thereto, and a piping system that is configured to transfer concentrated solar energy from the receiver to an absorbing system where the energy is finally utilized.

The invention relates to apparatus utilized for concentrating and converting solar energy. In a first preferred embodiment, the disclosed solar concentrator is utilized in conjunction with a solar-energy conversion device located within the volume of the concentrator, and, in the first preferred embodiment, is a solar-thermal receiver module utilizing absorbing media wherein absorption occurs both in a liquid media and by means of a photovoltaic array.

The invention relates to apparatus utilized for concentrating and converting solar energy. In a first preferred embodiment, the disclosed solar concentrator is utilized in conjunction with a solar-energy conversion device located within the volume of the concentrator, and, in the first preferred embodiment, is a solar-thermal receiver module utilizing absorbing media wherein absorption occurs both in a liquid media and by means of a photovoltaic array.

A high concentration photovoltaic-thermal (HCPV-T) module for electrical energy generation and thermal energy collection features a basin having a plurality of support protrusions upstanding from the basin floor, a plurality of light-concentrating optical assemblies, and an optical support tray seated atop the protrusions and holding the optical assemblies. Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) power modules are aligned beneath the optical assemblies to receive concentrated light therefrom. A heat exchange assembly routes a cooling fluid past each one of the CPV power modules. Each CPV power module has multiple CPV cells on a shared substrate, and a respective heat exchanger block has a flow channel that routes the cooling fluid serially past the multiple CPV cells. Each optical assembly features a quad concentrator having four compound paraboloid concentrators (CPCs) seamlessly integrated together via joining webs that collectively form a support flange for rested support of the quad concentrator atop a CPC holder.

A high concentration photovoltaic-thermal (HCPV-T) module for electrical energy generation and thermal energy collection features a basin having a plurality of support protrusions upstanding from the basin floor, a plurality of light-concentrating optical assemblies, and an optical support tray seated atop the protrusions and holding the optical assemblies. Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) power modules are aligned beneath the optical assemblies to receive concentrated light therefrom. A heat exchange assembly routes a cooling fluid past each one of the CPV power modules. Each CPV power module has multiple CPV cells on a shared substrate, and a respective heat exchanger block has a flow channel that routes the cooling fluid serially past the multiple CPV cells. Each optical assembly features a quad concentrator having four compound paraboloid concentrators (CPCs) seamlessly integrated together via joining webs that collectively form a support flange for rested support of the quad concentrator atop a CPC holder.

A panoramic sensing apparatus, comprising: a Fresnel lens system (110) and a light sensing device (120). The Fresnel lens system (110) comprises a composite Fresnel lens (111) in a shape of a frustum, at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of a sidewall of the frustum being a tooth surface; at least two Fresnel units are distributed on said tooth surface. The light sensing device (120) is used for sensing light rays converged by the Fresnel lens system (110). As the composite Fresnel lens in the shape of a frustum is employed for sensing boundaries of a detection range, in the case where lens areas are the same as a whole, a larger detection range may be obtained, or light energy from each direction may be collected. Further, compared with a composite Fresnel refraction surface arranged on a spherical surface or on a spherical polyhedron, the composite Fresnel refraction surface which is arranged on a sidewall of a frustum involves lowered processing difficulty, and accordingly improved precision and defect-free rate.