Concentrating photovoltaic module

Abstract

This invention relates to a photovoltaic module intended to convert solar radiation energy in electricity, and, more specifically, to a concentrating photovoltaic module provided with a parabolic dish-shaped mirror and a small-size photovoltaic receiver positioned in the focal plane of this parabolic dish-shaped mirror and the focal spot is overlapped mostly by the photovoltaic receiver. The photovoltaic module is based on usage of combination of a two-phase thermosiphon, which includes a flexible sub-section designed as a bellows, with the parabolic dish-shaped mirror installed on the distal (lower) sub-section of the two-phase thermosiphon by the truss struts. A tracking manipulator is installed below the parabolic dish-shaped mirror and joined with a certain spot of a supporting structure of the parabolic dish-shaped mirror; it provides orientation of the axis of the dish-shaped mirror towards the sun.

Claims

1. A concentrating photovoltaic module comprising the following elements and units: a two-phase thermosiphon intended to reject heat from photovoltaic cells being installed on an external end butt of a plug sealing a lower section of said two-phase thermosiphon; said lower section of said two-phase thermosiphon is divided into three sub-sections: a distal rigid sub-section from a pipe, a middle sub-section designed as a flexible bellows and a proximal rigid sub-section from another pipe, which is substantially oriented vertically; said proximal rigid sub-section of said lower section of said two-phase thermosiphon is in fluid communication via a metal 3-way connector with two inclined upper sections shaped as pipes; wherein proximal ends of said inclined upper sections are sealed and supported by two supporting units installed on two posts; a bushing, which is fastened on said rigid distal sub-section of said lower section of said two-phase thermosiphon; said bushing is joined by truss struts with a supporting structure of a parabolic dish-shaped mirror; a focal spot of said parabolic dish-shaped mirror illuminates said photovoltaic cells; a tracking manipulator, which is joined with said supporting structure; said tracking manipulator provides orientation of an axis of said parabolic dish-shaped mirror and-an axis of said rigid distal sub-section of said lower section of said two-phase thermosiphon towards the sun; an outer surface of said bellows is protected by a braid; said inclined upper sections of said two-phase thermosiphon are provided with external fins.

2. The concentrating photovoltaic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is an optical unit, which provides uniform illumination of the photovoltaic cells installed on the external end butt of the plug of the lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon; said optical unit is installed between-said external end butt and the parabolic dish-shaped mirror.

3. The concentrating photovoltaic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are fans installed on the fins of the upper sections of the two-phase thermosiphon.

4. The concentrating photovoltaic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distal sub-section of the lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon is terminated with a truncated cone, which is sealed with-the plug serving for installation of the photovoltaic cells on its external end butt.

5. The concentrating photovoltaic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic cells are multi-junction photovoltaic cells.

6. The concentrating photovoltaic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the proximal rigid sub-section of the lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon is joined with the posts by a cross-bar.

7. The concentrating photovoltaic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein an internal end butt of the plug sealing the distal sub-section of the lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon is covered with a capillary coating.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1a shows a concentrating photovoltaic module, which comprises a two-phase thermosiphon (its axial cross-section) serving for removal of heat generated on photovoltaic cells installed on the external end butt of a distal plug sealing this two-phase thermosiphon.

(2) The lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon is joined with a supporting structure of a parabolic dish-shaped mirror. This supporting structure is joined, in turn, with a tracking manipulator shown schematically.

(3) In such a way, a photovoltaic receiver of the proposed photovoltaic module is positioned on the external end butt of the distal plug and the focal spot of the parabolic dish-shaped mirror is mostly overlapped by the photovoltaic cells of this photovoltaic receiver.

(4) The upper sections of the two-phase thermosiphon are provided with external fins, which serve for heat dissipation by forced convection. This forced convection caused by fans installed on the external fins.

(5) FIG. 1b shows an enlarged axil cross-section of the two-phase thermosiphon at its distal part with photovoltaic cells installed on the external end butt of its distal plug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) FIG. 1a shows a concentrating photovoltaic module, which comprises a two-phase thermosiphon (its axial cross-section) serving for removal of heat generated on photovoltaic cells installed on the external end butt of the distal plug sealing this two-phase thermosiphon. The lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon is joined with a parabolic dish-shaped mirror, which, in turn, is joined with a tracking manipulator shown schematically.

(7) The upper sections of the two-phase thermosiphon are provided with external fins, which serve for heat dissipation by forced convection. This forced convection is caused by fans installed on the external fins.

(8) In such a way, the concentrating photovoltaic module comprises: a two-phase thermosiphon 100 with its lower section including, in turn, an upper rigid sub-section 101, bellows 103, a distal rigid sub-section 119, which is terminated with a conical member 117; this conical member 117 is sealed by plug 116; photovoltaic cells 109 are fastened on the external end butt of this plug 116 and its internal end butt is covered with a capillary coating 118.

(9) Bushing 104 is installed on the distal rigid sub-section 119 of the lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon 100; this bushing 104 serves for installation of a parabolic dish-shaped mirror 102; a supporting structure 120 of the parabolic dish-shaped mirror is joined with bushing 104 by truss struts 105.

(10) A tracking manipulator 110 is joined with the supporting structure 120 of the parabolic dish-shaped mirror 102 at a certain point of the supporting structure 120.

(11) There is an optical unit 108 arranged below the lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon 100; this optical unit 108 provides uniform illumination of the photovoltaic cells by concentrated solar radiation obtained from the parabolic dish-shaped mirror 102.

(12) An upper rigid sub-section 101 of the lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon 100 is joined by cross-bar 115 with posts 112; it provides mechanical rigidity to the upper rigid sub-section 101 of the lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon 100.

(13) There are two inclined upper sections 106 of the two-phase thermosiphon 100, these upper inclined sections 106 are in fluid communication with the lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon 100 via a metal 3-way connector 121.

(14) The proximal sub-sections of the upper sections are sealed with plugs 113; these proximal sub-sections are supported by supporting members 114 installed on posts 112.

(15) The external surface of the upper sections of the two-phase thermosiphon are provided with fins 107 and fans 111 for enhancement of forced convection from these fins 107 to the environment.

(16) FIG. 1b shows a detailed axil cross-section of the two-phase thermosiphon at its distal part with the photovoltaic cells installed on the external end butt of its distal plug.

(17) It comprises the lower sub-section 119 of the lower section of the two-phase thermosiphon 100; bushing 104 is installed on this lower sub-section 119.

(18) The lower rigid sub-section 119 is terminated at its distal part with a truncated cone 117, which is sealed with plug 116. The photovoltaic cells 109 are installed on the external end butt of plug 116; its internal end butt is covered with the capillary coating 118.

(19) The optical unit 108 is arranged below the photovoltaic cells 109.

(20) Bushing 104 is joined with the truss strut 105.

REFERENCES CITED

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