SOLAR PANEL WITH OPTICAL LIGHT ENHANCEMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A double layered superimposed and parallel solar panels having an optical system comprising cylindrical rods and convex lenses at either end of said rods. Said optical rods are centrally longitudinally and transversely inserted in the upper panel through slits where sunlight rays pass and diffract through said rods and widely diffuse over the entire surface of the lower solar panel. A plurality of optical rods may be used thereby increasing the light transmission to the lower solar panel. The present invention significantly reduces the surface needed to install conventional residential as well as commercial solar panels.

Claims

1. A modular photovoltaic assembly for converting solar light into electrical current comprising: an upper photovoltaic panel, said upper photovoltaic panel having one or more longitudinal slots and/or one or more transverse slots within and extending through the upper photovoltaic panel; a lower photovoltaic panel superimposed in parallel to said upper photovoltaic panel; and an optical cylindrical rod lens disposed within at least one of each of said one or more longitudinal slots and/or the one or more transverse slots, and wherein at least a part of the lens extends above a top surface of the upper photovoltaic panel.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said optical cylindrical rod lens is made from glass, composite or plastic.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said optical cylindrical rod lenses comprise one or more optical cylindrical rod lens portions,

7. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the said upper photovoltaic panel comprises at least two longitudinal slots and/or at least two transverse slots.

8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the optical cylindrical rod lenses have a slanted end in a form of a convex lens for gathering incident light from different directions and transmitting it to said lower photovoltaic panel.

9. (canceled)

10. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the optical cylindrical rod lenses have a flat slanted surface on at least one end.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said lower photovoltaic panel is curved.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one longitudinal slot extends across the entire upper photovoltaic panel.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one transverse slot extends across the entire upper photovoltaic panel.

14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the optical cylindrical rod lens disposed within the at least one longitudinal slot extends along the entire length of the upper photovoltaic panel.

15. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the optical cylindrical rod lens disposed within the at least one transverse slot extends along the entire length of the upper photovoltaic panel.

16. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one longitudinal slot has a tapered cross-sectional profile.

17. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transverse slot has a tapered cross-sectional profile.

18. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the part of the lens which extends above a top surface of the upper photovoltaic panel is convex.

19. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the part of the lens which extends below a bottom surface of the upper photovoltaic panel is convex.

20. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper photovoltaic panel has one or more longitudinal slots and one or more transverse slots

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like references characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the double layered solar panel and longitudinal cylindrical lens.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the double layered solar panel and diffraction of the striking sun rays onto the lower solar panel.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross section of trunked lens at end of optical rod and refraction of light.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a sectional view at the intersection of transverse and longitudinal optical rod revealing the diffraction and reflection of incident light rays as well as the curved lower solar panel

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the double layered solar panel with longitudinal and transverse optical rods with optical truncation at end of transverse rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar references characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the attached figures illustrate a double-layered solar panel, which comprises two superimposed solar panels 1 and 2. Said panels are placed in parallel configuration as seen in FIG. 1. The top solar panel has at least one longitudinal slot where optical cylindrical rod 3 in firmly secured. In addition, said top solar panel comprises at least one transverse slot where optical cylindrical rods 14 and 15, one on either side of the longitudinal rod in a form of a cross (as seen in FIG. 1), are firmly secured to the top solar panel. The number of longitudinal and transverse rods may vary according to the size of the solar panel 1.

[0019] When sunlight rays 4 strike the round surface of the cylinder rod 3 they become refracted an exit as indirect rays 5 at a divergent angle reaching outer surfaces of the lower solar panel that otherwise cannot be exposed to sunrays(FIG. 2). It is further understood that said transverse rods 14 and 15 having a slant or truncation 16 on either side, thereby forming convex optical lenses that will gather incident sunlight rays 12 (FIG. 4) from a different angle and refract them onto the lower solar panel as indirect beam 19. It is to be noted that some incident rays 10, when they approach the slant lens at certain oblique angle will become reflected rays 11 (FIG. 4) inside the rod lens and ultimately end up projected onto the lower solar panel. It is further understood that the diameter of the cylinder rods may vary with size of the solar panel as well as the distance between the upper and the lower solar panels.

[0020] A variation of the present invention may include a different embodiment where the above described cylindrical rods have two flat parallel sides, or have an oval cross sectional geometry in order to compensate excessive thickness of the upper solar panel. In that regard a small bevel 18 would increase the angle of light projection allowing refracted light rays 5 to reach out further on the lower solar panel. In a different embodiment, the lower panel may be curved or even semi circular 9 (FIG. 4) in order to shorten the distance between the edge of the lower panel and the central optical rod. Said rods can be made from multiple array of material but not limited to optical quality material such as quartz, Pyrex or Borosilicate. Other hard plastic materials such as polycarbonate or fluorocarbonate may also be used.

[0021] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.